Unfinished Ultima for sale
Discussion
Hi all,
You have probably seen it here on ph a 2014 Ultima for sale: https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
It has a turbo engine not sure what type or which manufacturer. Has anyone run a turbo engine in a ultima before? if so how easy is it to get air into the intercooler? And would this buy be a good idea to finish off?
Cheers
wr
You have probably seen it here on ph a 2014 Ultima for sale: https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
It has a turbo engine not sure what type or which manufacturer. Has anyone run a turbo engine in a ultima before? if so how easy is it to get air into the intercooler? And would this buy be a good idea to finish off?
Cheers
wr
Thats a lot of car for 30k
Looks like a Small block chevy rather than an LS. Which is fine...
I agree about the intercooler. I think its possibly in the most difficult place to get the air in and out without cutting big holes in the body.
If it was me I would look at swapping to charge cooler like a http://shearerfabrications.com/sf06-02008.html and holley hi-ram (with the top reversed, which might take bit of custom machine work) and running to radiators in the side pods or down the front somewhere.
Emissions for the IVA test might be interesting
Looks like a Small block chevy rather than an LS. Which is fine...
I agree about the intercooler. I think its possibly in the most difficult place to get the air in and out without cutting big holes in the body.
If it was me I would look at swapping to charge cooler like a http://shearerfabrications.com/sf06-02008.html and holley hi-ram (with the top reversed, which might take bit of custom machine work) and running to radiators in the side pods or down the front somewhere.
Emissions for the IVA test might be interesting
Agreed a lot of car for the money....but....still a hell of a lot to do i.e. not 'a couple of weekends'.
The intercooler as shown is almost a waste of effort with the turbos drawing the inlet air from about the hottest place possible.
Many projects fail in two main categories.
If the OP has the knowledge, background and engineering skill so take this to completion I don't think he would be here asking the question.
The silly thing is a well sorted Chevy engine (in the 400 ponies bracket) will be more than enough for mere mortal drivers myself included.
If OP is still game then I will point out a few other things I can see that will need sorting.
Steve
The intercooler as shown is almost a waste of effort with the turbos drawing the inlet air from about the hottest place possible.
Many projects fail in two main categories.
- lack of time.
- lack of money
If the OP has the knowledge, background and engineering skill so take this to completion I don't think he would be here asking the question.
The silly thing is a well sorted Chevy engine (in the 400 ponies bracket) will be more than enough for mere mortal drivers myself included.
If OP is still game then I will point out a few other things I can see that will need sorting.
Steve
eliot said:
Looks like a LS motor to me - mainly from the rounded roxker covers and equal spacing of inlet runners.
It is an LS motor and has LS breather vents on the rocker covers. The end of the head looks a bit different so I suspect they may be aftermarket heads.Edited by eliot on Tuesday 9th April 07:14
Steve_D said:
Agreed a lot of car for the money....but....still a hell of a lot to do i.e. not 'a couple of weekends'.
The intercooler as shown is almost a waste of effort with the turbos drawing the inlet air from about the hottest place possible.
Many projects fail in two main categories.
If the OP has the knowledge, background and engineering skill so take this to completion I don't think he would be here asking the question.
The silly thing is a well sorted Chevy engine (in the 400 ponies bracket) will be more than enough for mere mortal drivers myself included.
If OP is still game then I will point out a few other things I can see that will need sorting.
Steve
Thanks all and Steve for your responses.The intercooler as shown is almost a waste of effort with the turbos drawing the inlet air from about the hottest place possible.
Many projects fail in two main categories.
- lack of time.
- lack of money
If the OP has the knowledge, background and engineering skill so take this to completion I don't think he would be here asking the question.
The silly thing is a well sorted Chevy engine (in the 400 ponies bracket) will be more than enough for mere mortal drivers myself included.
If OP is still game then I will point out a few other things I can see that will need sorting.
Steve
I have basic engine knowledge but very technical so taking something like this on would be a ramp for me - which is not a problem. I'm in no hurry and I want to learn. The question is, does it make sense? Many have said there is a lot of car for the money, then what I can't figure out is why sell so cheap. I'm concerned there could be cooling problems and that could be expensive to fix.
wannabe-racer said:
Steve_D said:
Agreed a lot of car for the money....but....still a hell of a lot to do i.e. not 'a couple of weekends'.
The intercooler as shown is almost a waste of effort with the turbos drawing the inlet air from about the hottest place possible.
Many projects fail in two main categories.
If the OP has the knowledge, background and engineering skill so take this to completion I don't think he would be here asking the question.
The silly thing is a well sorted Chevy engine (in the 400 ponies bracket) will be more than enough for mere mortal drivers myself included.
If OP is still game then I will point out a few other things I can see that will need sorting.
Steve
Thanks all and Steve for your responses.The intercooler as shown is almost a waste of effort with the turbos drawing the inlet air from about the hottest place possible.
Many projects fail in two main categories.
- lack of time.
- lack of money
If the OP has the knowledge, background and engineering skill so take this to completion I don't think he would be here asking the question.
The silly thing is a well sorted Chevy engine (in the 400 ponies bracket) will be more than enough for mere mortal drivers myself included.
If OP is still game then I will point out a few other things I can see that will need sorting.
Steve
I have basic engine knowledge but very technical so taking something like this on would be a ramp for me - which is not a problem. I'm in no hurry and I want to learn. The question is, does it make sense? Many have said there is a lot of car for the money, then what I can't figure out is why sell so cheap. I'm concerned there could be cooling problems and that could be expensive to fix.
Starting again on the engine may be your best option. It is likely an LS1 or 3 which in standard form will be plenty scary. Alternatively find a turbo specialist and see if they can offer a solution. like fans on the intercooler and ducting cool air to the turbo from the front of the car rather than hot air in the engine bay.
Also consider the statement that the engine and box have been 'refreshed'. As neither of these are new you will most likely end up on a 'Q' plate.
Back to money. I built my car in 2004 (on a budget/second mortgage) and it still cost me £48k just in parts.
Your best option is to go look at it having left your rose tinted glasses at home. You are looking for build quality first and foremost.
Steve
Boosted LS1 said:
eliot said:
Looks like a LS motor to me - mainly from the rounded roxker covers and equal spacing of inlet runners.
It is an LS motor and has LS breather vents on the rocker covers. The end of the head looks a bit different so I suspect they may be aftermarket heads.Edited by eliot on Tuesday 9th April 07:14
BogBeast said:
Boosted LS1 said:
eliot said:
Looks like a LS motor to me - mainly from the rounded roxker covers and equal spacing of inlet runners.
It is an LS motor and has LS breather vents on the rocker covers. The end of the head looks a bit different so I suspect they may be aftermarket heads.Edited by eliot on Tuesday 9th April 07:14
I think Steve has mentioned the 2 main reasons it’s cheap - as it stands it’ll get a q plate, plus the install won’t work well. Then add in some of the budget components used and you end up with a difficult to sell partial completed car.
However.....
Buy a crate ls3, sell existing engine, it’s possibly a viable project if the main bits have been done right
However.....
Buy a crate ls3, sell existing engine, it’s possibly a viable project if the main bits have been done right
thebraketester said:
It's got a fairly large roof scoop so I would expect that it could be made to work as stands with appropriate ducting to get cool air to the IC.... the question would be to as how much boost it could comfortably run without running into heat soak issues.
That rear clip looks standard to me (again, stand to be corrected...) Traditionally the top scoop does not collect much air as, IIRC, its in a low-pressure zone. I have seen some Ultimas with the scoop extended over the roof to collect air from the top of the screen area. I don't know how effective that would be. I guess you then could run a shroud and ducting to the extended scoop.. again not sure how effective that would be... I would think it would be easier to put a charge cooler in...You need to ask yourself what do you want out of an Ultima!
To add to your thoughts I would add the following.
1. You really don’t want a Q plate for the effect it will have on any future resale price.
2. As Steve D says 400hp with the high torque of a Chevy V8 is more than enough to scare you silly. Higher bhp and torque are for bragging rights. You can’t properly use high bhp and torque in 4th gear and higher.
3. Deviating from a standard LS engine also affects the resale price. It also brings its own ongoing running problems even if you really know what you are doing.
4. I would sell the engine and invest in an LS motor. There are 3 worth considering in my opinion depending on your budget - LS3, LS7 (complete with dry sump, my favourite) and the LSA.
5. As has been said the build quality is the most important thing to check.
6. Do a spread sheet of your costs to finish the project so you won’t get a shock. You will be surprised how it adds up.
Hope this helps.
To add to your thoughts I would add the following.
1. You really don’t want a Q plate for the effect it will have on any future resale price.
2. As Steve D says 400hp with the high torque of a Chevy V8 is more than enough to scare you silly. Higher bhp and torque are for bragging rights. You can’t properly use high bhp and torque in 4th gear and higher.
3. Deviating from a standard LS engine also affects the resale price. It also brings its own ongoing running problems even if you really know what you are doing.
4. I would sell the engine and invest in an LS motor. There are 3 worth considering in my opinion depending on your budget - LS3, LS7 (complete with dry sump, my favourite) and the LSA.
5. As has been said the build quality is the most important thing to check.
6. Do a spread sheet of your costs to finish the project so you won’t get a shock. You will be surprised how it adds up.
Hope this helps.
Racingroj said:
3. Deviating from a standard LS engine also affects the resale price. It also brings its own ongoing running problems even if you really know what you are doing.
4. I would sell the engine and invest in an LS motor. .
It’s already got an LS motor - probably an LS1 based on the 5.7 capacity. 4. I would sell the engine and invest in an LS motor. .
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