New Ultima build - comments and questions
Discussion
Hello,
While I'm waiting for the Ultima Owners Group to add me, I thought I would reach out here on PH. I prefer the forums to social media sites anyway though it looks like activity here may be a little scant.
I'm in central Florida, and I acquired a new/unbuilt 2018 EVO from a gentleman who received a fully optioned kit and realized he was way over his head. It sat untouched until I picked it up a couple months ago. I am well into the early stages of the build and have come across numerous situations that simply don't have answers or details provided in the Ultima build portal. Obviously, since there a many completed cars out there, these have all been addressed by other builders.
Is it just me or is the Ultima build documentation woefully limited in detail and images. The Ultima folks are responsive to answering my questions via email, but the answers usually lack the same detail that the portal does. Hoping to hear from someone who has completed a build that I can talk to about their experience. I'm an experienced pro builder but this is the first Ultima I've worked on and would appreciate some insight. I prefer not to re-invent the wheel wherever possible.
The strategy for the build is to create a production "Hypercar" feel in terms of appearance and finish details. Not a track day car with a license plate, but a comfortably appointed and reliable ultra high performance street car that combines a refined luxury cockpit and production car features to go with the aggressive look and performance potential of the Ultima. I know many builders are all about horse power as the defining feature, but I have found after building many 800-1500hp resto's, that it is easy to compromise drivability and reliability in search of bragging rights. No knock on the HP seekers at all, but often I find a more modest HP number can provide a more reliable, useable and enjoyable street driving experience. After all, an Ultima with 600+ hp is nearly the same power to weight as a new 1064hp ZR1 and in a much lighter, more nimble package. And a car like the Ultima without all the nanny traction systems can become quite a handful in real world use as you climb the HP ladder.
Here's what I'm building:
EVO powered by a 600+hp LS3
AIM digital dash, no analog gauges
Standard bushed suspension
Upgraded brakes
Typical A/C, heat options
Things I'm doing that Ultima says they don't do: (love to hear from anyone who has also done this)
Interior lighting with door switches
Additional center dash A/C vents
Electronic heat valve control (don't know why they used a cable)
Hidden remote control sound system
Full custom interior (think Porsche, not resto-mod)
Improved ergonomics for switch gear placements
maximum use of heat and sound barrier (Not alone here)
SEMA level exterior in terms of body/paint/detailing
This is not a landmark technical build. The defining characteristics will be in the materials, details and execution. The plan is to have it appear "crafted" rather than assembled.
That's it for my intro. Hope to hear back from some of you.
Tom
While I'm waiting for the Ultima Owners Group to add me, I thought I would reach out here on PH. I prefer the forums to social media sites anyway though it looks like activity here may be a little scant.
I'm in central Florida, and I acquired a new/unbuilt 2018 EVO from a gentleman who received a fully optioned kit and realized he was way over his head. It sat untouched until I picked it up a couple months ago. I am well into the early stages of the build and have come across numerous situations that simply don't have answers or details provided in the Ultima build portal. Obviously, since there a many completed cars out there, these have all been addressed by other builders.
Is it just me or is the Ultima build documentation woefully limited in detail and images. The Ultima folks are responsive to answering my questions via email, but the answers usually lack the same detail that the portal does. Hoping to hear from someone who has completed a build that I can talk to about their experience. I'm an experienced pro builder but this is the first Ultima I've worked on and would appreciate some insight. I prefer not to re-invent the wheel wherever possible.
The strategy for the build is to create a production "Hypercar" feel in terms of appearance and finish details. Not a track day car with a license plate, but a comfortably appointed and reliable ultra high performance street car that combines a refined luxury cockpit and production car features to go with the aggressive look and performance potential of the Ultima. I know many builders are all about horse power as the defining feature, but I have found after building many 800-1500hp resto's, that it is easy to compromise drivability and reliability in search of bragging rights. No knock on the HP seekers at all, but often I find a more modest HP number can provide a more reliable, useable and enjoyable street driving experience. After all, an Ultima with 600+ hp is nearly the same power to weight as a new 1064hp ZR1 and in a much lighter, more nimble package. And a car like the Ultima without all the nanny traction systems can become quite a handful in real world use as you climb the HP ladder.
Here's what I'm building:
EVO powered by a 600+hp LS3
AIM digital dash, no analog gauges
Standard bushed suspension
Upgraded brakes
Typical A/C, heat options
Things I'm doing that Ultima says they don't do: (love to hear from anyone who has also done this)
Interior lighting with door switches
Additional center dash A/C vents
Electronic heat valve control (don't know why they used a cable)
Hidden remote control sound system
Full custom interior (think Porsche, not resto-mod)
Improved ergonomics for switch gear placements
maximum use of heat and sound barrier (Not alone here)
SEMA level exterior in terms of body/paint/detailing
This is not a landmark technical build. The defining characteristics will be in the materials, details and execution. The plan is to have it appear "crafted" rather than assembled.
That's it for my intro. Hope to hear back from some of you.
Tom
Hi there ..... there are several builds on youtube videos. Although it's a build of the current RS model the extensive series by Nigel Dean (no relative) in the UK is truly fantastic for the level of detail which Nigel explains. The build extends to over 60 episodes and you will learn a great deal from watching every stage. Nigel is a real detail man, in fact his nick-name is 'Detail Dean' and he is very worthy of that title.
Enjoy your viewing.
Best regards
Steve Dean.
Enjoy your viewing.
Best regards
Steve Dean.
Actually, I've watched all of Nigel's build video's as well as many others. What he shows is definitely helpful though somewhat curated for viewing. There are a number of the "trickier" steps that he did not cover, and he was fortunate enough to have some of the most challenging steps done by the Ultima factory. The RS also enjoys a more robust build portal and seems to have more refined components and detail in everything from packaging and labeling to instructions and images. Makes sense that they continue to improve.
Unfortunately, though Ultima have confirmed this to me and there is a 90% overlap between the RS and the EVO, they will not grant me access to the RS portal so that I can take advantage of the improvements. I am amazed at the number of details that are minimally addressed or not referenced at all in the EVO portal. When I contact Ultima on these topics, at least they are responding with answers and sometimes pictures (which are usually better than written descriptions). Oddly, I asked Ultima to simply let me fly to England and visit them and they declined my request. 30 minutes looking at cars in process would answer nearly every question I have and I would have enjoyed meeting them. Oh well. My hope is to find someone in a late stage of a build, or even a completed car, who will allow me to visit them, see their car and ask a few questions. Meanwhile, I'll keep building and solving things on my own as I go. After all, It's a car, and much of what I've done on other projects at least loosely translates to this one.
Thanks for the suggestions and your response. BTW, are you an Ultima owner? (hint, hint)
Unfortunately, though Ultima have confirmed this to me and there is a 90% overlap between the RS and the EVO, they will not grant me access to the RS portal so that I can take advantage of the improvements. I am amazed at the number of details that are minimally addressed or not referenced at all in the EVO portal. When I contact Ultima on these topics, at least they are responding with answers and sometimes pictures (which are usually better than written descriptions). Oddly, I asked Ultima to simply let me fly to England and visit them and they declined my request. 30 minutes looking at cars in process would answer nearly every question I have and I would have enjoyed meeting them. Oh well. My hope is to find someone in a late stage of a build, or even a completed car, who will allow me to visit them, see their car and ask a few questions. Meanwhile, I'll keep building and solving things on my own as I go. After all, It's a car, and much of what I've done on other projects at least loosely translates to this one.
Thanks for the suggestions and your response. BTW, are you an Ultima owner? (hint, hint)
My input is for what it is worth. Easy on the H.P. Even under 600H.P., these things are bullets. I'm in So Cal on my second build, I optioned to forego the heater and use all of that space for the A.C. evaporator. I found one online manufactured by the same company Ultima uses, which fits in the same space and has the same mounts. I suggest installing a EPAS and front lift. The hydraulic unit out of Texas works very well, and the pump sits under the master cylinders with no room to spare. s
t can, the whole wiring harness and go with PDMs my choice is Motec. Whatever screen, gauges, and ECUs you use, make sure they talk to each other seamlessly. Some folks have had problems in that area. The last suggestion I have is to make the dash removable. You will thank me for that open in the long run. Good luck with your project.
t can, the whole wiring harness and go with PDMs my choice is Motec. Whatever screen, gauges, and ECUs you use, make sure they talk to each other seamlessly. Some folks have had problems in that area. The last suggestion I have is to make the dash removable. You will thank me for that open in the long run. Good luck with your project. “ but a comfortably appointed and reliable ultra high performance street car that combines a refined luxury cockpit and production car features to go with the aggressive look and performance potential of the Ultima”
Please don’t take this the wrong way, but….an Ultima is not much better as a starting point for this than a caterham or Atom. It’s like trying to create luxury in an old race car. Sure you can can cover it in leather/alcantara or other covering but you’ll never make it close to a production car refined and luxurious cockpit. If that’s what you want just buy a Lambo - then stick an Ultima body on
Please don’t take this the wrong way, but….an Ultima is not much better as a starting point for this than a caterham or Atom. It’s like trying to create luxury in an old race car. Sure you can can cover it in leather/alcantara or other covering but you’ll never make it close to a production car refined and luxurious cockpit. If that’s what you want just buy a Lambo - then stick an Ultima body on
"you can cover it in leather/alcantara or other covering but you’ll never make it close to a production car refined and luxurious cockpit"
I appreciate your thoughts, I really don't mind hearing alternative views (sometimes that's the voice of reason talking) but I feel that if I've learned anything building high end resto's, its that you can take any "un-refined" car and turn it into whatever your imagination can conceive. I think of it as being the very spirit of hot rodding and car culture. The great thing about starting with a platform like the Ultima is that you don't have to make chassis and drivetrain performance a part of the transformation because its already there. In any case, I'll post details and pictures of this build when it's done, and I invite you and others to critique how well I achieve my goal. It will either inspire broader thinking about what can be achieved, or prove your point. Hopefully not the latter, but I guarantee the journey will be a fun one. Thanks again for contributing.
As a side, how do you use your car? Does it get frequent use? local-road trips, track days, etc? What things have you found in real world driving that you would change if you could? What is the short list of features or characteristics you would change if you could? I'd love to hear from you and others on this.
"build a great day!"
I appreciate your thoughts, I really don't mind hearing alternative views (sometimes that's the voice of reason talking) but I feel that if I've learned anything building high end resto's, its that you can take any "un-refined" car and turn it into whatever your imagination can conceive. I think of it as being the very spirit of hot rodding and car culture. The great thing about starting with a platform like the Ultima is that you don't have to make chassis and drivetrain performance a part of the transformation because its already there. In any case, I'll post details and pictures of this build when it's done, and I invite you and others to critique how well I achieve my goal. It will either inspire broader thinking about what can be achieved, or prove your point. Hopefully not the latter, but I guarantee the journey will be a fun one. Thanks again for contributing.
As a side, how do you use your car? Does it get frequent use? local-road trips, track days, etc? What things have you found in real world driving that you would change if you could? What is the short list of features or characteristics you would change if you could? I'd love to hear from you and others on this.
"build a great day!"
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