Bare bones ultima cost?

[Conversekidz]

What would be the bare bones minimum it would cost to build an ultima in the states? I better question is, what is the minimal cost to get everything from the factory? what all do I need to order from the factory? (do I really need ultima seats, would sparco work just as well?)

I keep reading how people are spending upwards of 80k for their ultimas....seeing as I don't need the fastest, baddest, most over worked one on the road, what could I build one for around 45k if I source a lot of my own parts? the only option from the factory that I would want, is the larger brakes.

thank you

[SmokinV10]

This is my question as well. However I would like to hear from the guys in the states who have outsourced the build to others. I would also like to hear from members who have high-horsepower cars (over 600?). I would be willing to spend over $80K if the car could out perform my 900 hp viper in a straight line.

[Steve_D]

SmokinV10 said:

I would be willing to spend over $80K if the car could out perform my 900 hp viper in a straight line.

As I'm in the UK I will leave the build cost questions to the US guys some of whom have spreadsheets on this.

My question is what does a 900hp Viper do in a straight line?
Just so we know what the target is and if, as I suspect, almost any spec Ultima can do the job.

throwsdownthegauntlet
Steve

[SmokinV10]

A 900 hp viper (about 775 rear wheel horsepower) can click off a low 10 second 1/4 mile on street tires. Also for the UK guys, during the hot months, do any of the higher hp cars have cooling issues? How are the cars on bumpy roads?

[Steve_D]

SmokinV10 said:

A 900 hp viper (about 775 rear wheel horsepower) can click off a low 10 second 1/4 mile on street tires. Also for the UK guys, during the hot months, do any of the higher hp cars have cooling issues? How are the cars on bumpy roads?

One of your countrymen, Jeff Schwartz, is, I believe, down around 10.9 with 525hp. He was not happy with that when reported a while ago and may already have improved upon it.
Steve

[Viper]

Hi Smokin, do the boys at the alley know your thinking of selling ? Nadine and I have watched GTRClive numerous at drag events his car consistantly hits the low 11's, a nice piece of kit, though not sure what hp
its putting out. I recall there are some heat issue's

Neil -UK

[jschwartz]

I'd say $60,000 minimum to build one using a 350 hp crate engine and std G50. The cockpit's pretty narrow most aftermarket seats won't fit. I also found Corbeau Forza's to be too tall for my 6ft, head hits the roof, even without seat rails.
see the February issue of Car Craft, due out in a month from now, for the low down on my car (4 page feature story). The ride quality is better than a Viper, thought it's not as refined as a production car would be.
jeff schwartz

[SmokinV10]

Viper said:

Hi Smokin, do the boys at the alley know your thinking of selling ? Nadine and I have watched GTRClive numerous at drag events his car consistantly hits the low 11's, a nice piece of kit, though not sure what hp its putting out. I recall there are some heat issue's Neil -UK

The viperalley guys know Im thinking of selling. If the Ultima doesnt cut it or ends up costing too much (Im guessing it would be hard to resell in the US) Im just going to stick with the Viper...maybe send it back to Heffners in the quest for 900 rwhp (510 stroker Twin Turbo). I love the way the Ultima's look but refuse to "settle" for something that is slower. Granted the car is 1000lbs lighter, weight ceases to be the determining factor after the car gets going. I saw a picture of a twin turbo small block at ultimaclub.com but am guessing there is $30K USD in that engine alone.

[US-GTR]

SmokinV10 said:

Granted the car is 1000lbs lighter, weight ceases to be the determining factor after the car gets going.

I beg to differ.. Although a LOT of the weight is overcome at the start, the weight of the car will still hinder acceleration. You need to look at it as not just weight but mass. The higher the mass of an object, the more force it will take to start, more force to accelerate, and still more force to keep it going at a constant speed. If you were to have two cars with the same HP, but 500lbs different, the lighter car will launch faster, accelerate faster and have a faster top speed.

[Mr J]

The weight becomes less of an issue as the car accelerates. I think that's what smokin was pointing out. The lighter car will obviously always be more efficient (in accelerating).

I was going to say 600-650 should see low 10's without any trouble.

Not only will a 650hp Ultima wipe your viper in a straightline, it will run circles around it on the track. It will also be reliable and cost less to produce that power.

There are a few cars out there that can meet 1hp/kg and still be street legal. The Ultima is one of them.

[usagtrman]

SmokinV10 said:

However I would like to hear from the guys in the states who have outsourced the build to others.

I am in the process of having a GTR built here in Chicago. If you'd like a copy of the spreadsheet I put together send me an email off forum.

Brad Z

[GTRClive]

SmokinV10 said:

Viper said: Hi Smokin, do the boys at the alley know your thinking of selling ? Nadine and I have watched GTRClive numerous at drag events his car consistantly hits the low 11's, a nice piece of kit, though not sure what hp its putting out. I recall there are some heat issue's Neil -UK The viperalley guys know Im thinking of selling. If the Ultima doesnt cut it or ends up costing too much (Im guessing it would be hard to resell in the US) Im just going to stick with the Viper...maybe send it back to Heffners in the quest for 900 rwhp (510 stroker Twin Turbo). I love the way the Ultima's look but refuse to "settle" for something that is slower. Granted the car is 1000lbs lighter, weight ceases to be the determining factor after the car gets going. I saw a picture of a twin turbo small block at ultimaclub.com but am guessing there is $30K USD in that engine alone.

Hi SmokinV10 welcome. My car has low 400's in the horsepower stakes, the heat problem that I had at the last meet at Santa Pod was heat getting to the fuel in the fuel lines. This was because I was sitting in fire up lane for 20+ minutes and by the time it came to the run the fuel in the carb and the fuel lines was allready to hot, it got of the line but then spluttered, once the fuel had been used it ran ok.
Was told by some race guy's that I needed to run a fuel bypass at the carb, so I could clear the lines out with fresh fuel before I started. Also to heat insulate the fuel lines.
My Air-con can get to cold even on that day, which I think was the hottest in the Uk for many years.
So 420ish BHP = mid 11sec's, the cabin with air-con is fine even on very hot days.

Just a thought but I think wieght makes a big difference to braking distances as well.

[uncle_git]

I figured $75k - $80k - price includes acu-sump, big brakes, GT rear wing, the nice ultima wheels and AC/heating.

I can email you my spreadsheet I was working with if you mail me off board.

Bare bones you could probably get an ultima rolling for about 60k-$65k.

But if it worth doing it's worth doing right.....

*returns to saving money for house with big garage to build kit car in*