1st Ultima Build

[scooby8272]

I am new to the Ultima scene and would like a bit of help.
I am aiming for a conservative build cost £35-£40

I am moving on from a 300BHP turbocharged Westfield (for sale in the classified)

I am UK based and would like to know what are the best bits to start off with.
Initial Purchase will be about £20000's worth.
What do i buy 1st.

The rest of the build wil be spread over 18 months or however quick i get the rest of the money

Last thing for now - What are the factory brakes like ?(or are the AP a must)

Thanks in advance

[steve_d]

You need to do the rolling chassis first.
Then get the body.
Engine and G'box last.

The engine and box are last to go in but you must know what you are going to use from the outset as this will influence things you do at chassis build. i.e. if you use a Getrag 'box the chassis will need the centre shift attachments welded in at chassis fabrication.

I would not compromise both the performance and resale value by using less than the AP brakes but therein lies the catch. You will be hard pressed to build below about £50K. If you already drive a high spec westy you will not be happy with a cooking Ultima.

Steve

[scooby8272]

steve_d said:

You will be hard pressed to build below about £50K. If you already drive a high spec westy you will not be happy with a cooking Ultima.

Steve

Really.
50K is that the ave build figure, Why do the factory say 35K ?


Would i not be happy moving from a westy ?

[davefiddes]

I guess to get you started down the path. Their figures do exclude the engine usually. Hey ho.

One thing I found is that once I started the project I realised that I didn't want to cut corners and essentially ruin the car. The project took longer because of this as I saved up the money to buy parts but it was definitely worth it. The AP brakes and Intrax dampers are essentially a standard part of the car. I'm not aware of anyone building a new GTR or CAn-Am without them. The brakes and ride control are stunning. Fit AC if you are building a GTR. I didn't and it's taken a lot of work on extra ventillation to get it to an acceptable heat level inside (and I'm seriously considering retro fitting... ).

[steve_d]

I think my car is a mid range spec. 508 horses, AP brakes, A/C, no LSD, but it scares the crap when you play with it and I love it.
If it cost me £48K two years ago then 50 has to be a starting point.

Ask the factory for the full spec sheet for a £35k on the road car.

What is the BHP/tonne for your westy? Logically your move to an Ultima has to be a step up or there would be little point in you doing it. That BHP/tonne figure will give you some idea as to the spec engine you will be looking for in an Ultima (which weighs about 1 tonne).

Steve

[deadscoob]

Do these sort of figures reflect a new gearbox, or recon?

[stig]

deadscoob said:

Do these sort of figures reflect a new gearbox, or recon?

Re-con and probably a G50 at that. A Getrag will cost more and for a new one, you're looking at £10k+ inc.VAT

[steve_d]

deadscoob said:

Do these sort of figures reflect a new gearbox, or recon?

YHM

Steve

[m3desmo]

steve_d said:

deadscoob said:

Do these sort of figures reflect a new gearbox, or recon?

YHM

Steve

Hi Steve

Presumed that you have emailed deadscoob with a breakdown of your build costs - if so any chance you could send me a copy - would be much appreciated.

Greg

[steve_d]

m3desmo said:

steve_d said:

deadscoob said:

Do these sort of figures reflect a new gearbox, or recon?

YHM

Steve

Hi Steve

Presumed that you have emailed deadscoob with a breakdown of your build costs - if so any chance you could send me a copy - would be much appreciated.

Greg

No just a comment about 'boxes.
Will look out build costs.

Steve

[andygtt]

It is very unlikelly you will build an Ultima for less than 40k IMO, I budgeted for £28k and spent £50K I know of quite a few friends who planned £30k builds that ended up spending around the same as me.
It is actually much cheaper to buy a 2nd hand car than to build but then the build is the fun part and the end car is more than worth the money.

[deadscoob]

thanks Steve

[v8owner]

my order has just gone in.. im looking forward to first parts nov. sometime.. whoopee!!

however my budget started at 35k and as I accounted for every nut and bolt, i reqularly had to apologise to the missus until the detailed final budget of 52K was reached...

Ive gone for most of the options except the getrag, and staying with apprx. 550 bhp engine.

also - i dont have that sort of cash so for this im budgeting 3-4 years..

(i'm keeping the dax tho' just cant bring myself to sell it!)

[steve_d]

Greg
Mail me for the build spreadsheet as you can't add attachments on mail out of PH.

Steve

[stig]

steve_d said:

Greg
Mail me for the build spreadsheet as you can't add attachments on mail out of PH.

Steve

Make sure it has the latest figures Steve as the price list has increased since 2004 IIRC.

[scooby8272]

steve_d said:

What is the BHP/tonne for your westy? Logically your move to an Ultima has to be a step up or there would be little point in you doing it. That BHP/tonne figure will give you some idea as to the spec engine you will be looking for in an Ultima (which weighs about 1 tonne).

Steve

My Westy is boardering on 500 BHP/TON on full Boost about 450 BHP/TON average boost.

Guess i need a 550BHP engine then

[tuxman]

hI Scooby , i moved on from a 4 litre v8 westfield and i have to say the difference is ...............staggering and i only run 400 bhp (british bhp!! ) the main difference is from 80 mph upwards .....oh and the brakes too . simon

[scooby8272]

Looking forward to it.

Not sure weather on not to go for the Can -am Yet. I like the wind in my hiar


Any difference in build or cost ????

[steve_d]

scooby8272 said:

Looking forward to it.

Not sure weather on not to go for the Can -am Yet. I like the wind in my hiar


Any difference in build or cost ????

You may not know that the CanAm can have the screen swapped from full to cutdown deflector in a half hour or so. There is also a very effective soft-top.
There is less height in the engine bay if you had thoughts of turbos or charger.

Steve

[stig]

steve_d said:

scooby8272 said:

Looking forward to it.

Not sure weather on not to go for the Can -am Yet. I like the wind in my hiar


Any difference in build or cost ????

You may not know that the CanAm can have the screen swapped from full to cutdown deflector in a half hour or so. There is also a very effective soft-top.
There is less height in the engine bay if you had thoughts of turbos or charger.

Steve

Half an hour is probably the case if you have a heater, but with aircon it's a lot more fiddly!

I've had both a GTR and a Can-Am. IMHO neither is 'better' than the other. The Can-Am will give you the wind in the hair and is probably more convenient (with the roof off) to get in and out of. Tricky with the roof on though. GTR is noisier inside the cabin (you can insulate a fair bit out though) and probably hotter too. Both are awesome to drive on the road and on track.

Can-Am works out more expensive on a like-for-like basis as you have the option of 2 screens and a roof to add to the cost.

Which reminds me what a bargain mine is!