Calling Cjulian
Discussion
Hey Crafty,
Yes its true- I’ve been sitting on the sidelines waiting for the right moment to jump in, so here I am.
Like most of you I have my own list of GTR modifications to make it my own. Probably the biggest change is the pushrod suspension. I’m sure many will say it’s not necessary but the engineer in me says it has to be done. Don’t get me wrong I am not reengineering the suspension I am just relocating the shocks in an attempt to reduce un-sprung weight, and centralize mass (reducing polar inertia).
A couple of notes as I’m sure people will ask:
-the entire geometry was evaluated in Solidworks before any metal was cut, including rough FEA in Cosmos.
-existing shocks/springs were utilized
-the spring rates are slightly “progressive”
-and no I would not advise anyone else to modify their Ultima in this way (I want to be the only guy with inboard suspension-lol)
Now If I can figure out how to post pics.
Chris
Yes its true- I’ve been sitting on the sidelines waiting for the right moment to jump in, so here I am.
Like most of you I have my own list of GTR modifications to make it my own. Probably the biggest change is the pushrod suspension. I’m sure many will say it’s not necessary but the engineer in me says it has to be done. Don’t get me wrong I am not reengineering the suspension I am just relocating the shocks in an attempt to reduce un-sprung weight, and centralize mass (reducing polar inertia).
A couple of notes as I’m sure people will ask:
-the entire geometry was evaluated in Solidworks before any metal was cut, including rough FEA in Cosmos.
-existing shocks/springs were utilized
-the spring rates are slightly “progressive”
-and no I would not advise anyone else to modify their Ultima in this way (I want to be the only guy with inboard suspension-lol)
Now If I can figure out how to post pics.
Chris
NOTES:
a. On Pistonheads the code is "pic" not "img"
b. make sure there's no Spaces
c. preview before you post.
Remove the *'s from the below
[pic*]http://www.pistonheads.com/pics/members/131421-car.jpg?0.67671436227552[/pic*]
and you get this:
a. On Pistonheads the code is "pic" not "img"
b. make sure there's no Spaces
c. preview before you post.
Remove the *'s from the below
[pic*]http://www.pistonheads.com/pics/members/131421-car.jpg?0.67671436227552[/pic*]
and you get this:
Edited by crafty on Tuesday 9th September 05:06
Here are a couple more Solidworks Images. As you can imagine I probably have spent more time creating the models then actually working on the car. My dream is to rent a digital scanner, scan the entire GTR body, drop it into a CFD program and evaluate the cars aerodynamics. As well as drop a copy into my Solidworks GTR assembly. Then with the use of my FDM machine we could be kicking out 1/12 scale models of the GTR.
Chris
CJuilan said:
and no I would not advise anyone else to modify their Ultima in this way (I want to be the only guy with inboard suspension-lol)
Chris
Congrats on what you have done thus far. Looks great. look forward to seeing more.Chris
The idea about suspension modification has come up a few times before, only a few have published details on there alterations as yet. You may well be the first and or most extreme to date.
A couple of years back everyone was asking how to get an LS engine into the vehicle. Crafty and Mark and a few others in the states did a lot of the background work. Now Ultima actually sells an LS package…
regards Ryan
Hi,
A couple of folks asked about the motor plate. The motor plate IS mounted rigid to the chassis. I have done this for a number of reasons but primarily for additional frame rigidity under torque loads. IMHO the engine bay has the least rigidity throughout the chassis. The factories setup is perfect for the street and some may argue its mandatory for crash absorption but to me it was a chance to slightly improve overall chassis rigidity as I hope to spend many days out on the track. And yes I do understand that it's going to be one h*&l of non-compliant ride. I already have the factories Hiem joint suspension so how much worse can it be? If I have to I’ll add a spring loaded seat and foam steering well grip- LOL.
On the suspension side- again I have not strayed from the factories proven geometry only repositioned the shocks. Modifications that most will say are overkill and are certainly causing me grief as many other components are forced to be repositioned.
Thanks for the words of encouragement,
Chris
A couple of folks asked about the motor plate. The motor plate IS mounted rigid to the chassis. I have done this for a number of reasons but primarily for additional frame rigidity under torque loads. IMHO the engine bay has the least rigidity throughout the chassis. The factories setup is perfect for the street and some may argue its mandatory for crash absorption but to me it was a chance to slightly improve overall chassis rigidity as I hope to spend many days out on the track. And yes I do understand that it's going to be one h*&l of non-compliant ride. I already have the factories Hiem joint suspension so how much worse can it be? If I have to I’ll add a spring loaded seat and foam steering well grip- LOL.
On the suspension side- again I have not strayed from the factories proven geometry only repositioned the shocks. Modifications that most will say are overkill and are certainly causing me grief as many other components are forced to be repositioned.
Thanks for the words of encouragement,
Chris
CJuilan said:
On the suspension side- again I have not strayed from the factories proven geometry only repositioned the shocks. Modifications that most will say are overkill and are certainly causing me grief as many other components are forced to be repositioned.
Hello to you and welcome. I am always keen to see different ideas put to the test when building an Ultima but tell me, if you have maintained the factory geo/standard length shocks as stated above, what has been the purpose of these modifications?The Eagle plate is indeed a good idea with regards to adding a little strength and the rose jointed wishbones do not give anything like as nasty a ride as one might imagine. I think that in turn you may well find that a rigid motor mount is no where near as unpleasant an experience when driving as you seem to be readying yourself for.
Hi GTWayne,
I am relocating the shocks in an attempt to reduce un-sprung weight, and centralize mass (reducing polar inertia).
I'm lazy when it comes to adapting the motor to trans. so for me it was an easy decision to fabricate a cross brace that allowed the drive train to be dropped in as a unit. I've also created a rear hinge system that allows the rear clip to be pivoted whist lifting ~5” to allow for the active diffuser. The overall pivot angle is about double that of the factory. In the USA we don’t have the rear reflector position rule that limits the rear clip position in the UK.
Chris
I am relocating the shocks in an attempt to reduce un-sprung weight, and centralize mass (reducing polar inertia).
I'm lazy when it comes to adapting the motor to trans. so for me it was an easy decision to fabricate a cross brace that allowed the drive train to be dropped in as a unit. I've also created a rear hinge system that allows the rear clip to be pivoted whist lifting ~5” to allow for the active diffuser. The overall pivot angle is about double that of the factory. In the USA we don’t have the rear reflector position rule that limits the rear clip position in the UK.
Chris
Well there you go. It does seem kinda silly to spend all this time monkeying around with the shocks when I could just reconfigure the petrol tanks.
On the overall weight I have no idea. I'm just doing the best I can to drop weight wherever it makes sense (to me that is).
The LS motor is a great start in loosing a few lbs.
Chris
On the overall weight I have no idea. I'm just doing the best I can to drop weight wherever it makes sense (to me that is).
The LS motor is a great start in loosing a few lbs.
Chris
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