Newbie question
Newbie question
Author
Discussion

Brian Jackett

Original Poster:

81 posts

274 months

Monday 24th November 2003
quotequote all
I am awaiting delivery of my Ultima Can Am kit and have sourced a second hand zz4 355hp chevy engine to go in it.

My question is ( I am sure I will have others):

Has anyone fitted proper indicator storks rather then the switch on the dash.

Rather then try to do this from scratch I am sure others have done this.

P.s. I am from the UK

regards

ultimapaul

3,949 posts

293 months

Monday 24th November 2003
quotequote all
Brian - Have a look at Stigs web site at www. errr, www. something or other! See his profile!

He did have indicators and horn on steering wheel buttons.

Sorry about the web address, it is easy to find through his profile.



Paul

BigAl1

166 posts

281 months

Monday 24th November 2003
quotequote all
Brian,
I just received my GTR last Friday, so not to the wiring yet, but definately plan to use a 2 stalk assembly for lights/turn signals/high-low beam, and the other side for wipers/washer controls. I found it surplus at Princess Auto in London, Ontario.

Allan

USCANAM

514 posts

288 months

Monday 24th November 2003
quotequote all
BigAl1 said:
Brian,
I just received my GTR last Friday, so not to the wiring yet, but definately plan to use a 2 stalk assembly for lights/turn signals/high-low beam, and the other side for wipers/washer controls. I found it surplus at Princess Auto in London, Ontario.

Allan

Al.
You don't have a lot of room between the panel and steering wheel, and if I remember, you said you are a big guy, which means you can't move the wheel back too far. Make sure you sit in the car once the seats are in to establish a comfortable and practical seating ans steering wheel position.
What I'm trying to point out is you'll be hitting the stalks when trying to turn the wheel, especially if you're in a hurry.

Jack

jschwartz

836 posts

287 months

Monday 24th November 2003
quotequote all
I positioned the factory switch in the dash just behind the rim of the steering wheel. I can flip it on/off just like a stalk.
jeff schwartz

BigAl1

166 posts

281 months

Tuesday 25th November 2003
quotequote all
Thanks for the input Jack. I know it will be a tight fit for finger clearance, but backspace is adjustable with a steering wheel spacer, which might be required anyway as my seat position needs to be reclined more than normal for my 6'8" height. Extending the wheel toward me also helps my knee clearance. Think positive! I'll make it work correctly.
Allan

>> Edited by BigAl1 on Tuesday 25th November 00:19

>> Edited by BigAl1 on Tuesday 25th November 00:19

USCANAM

514 posts

288 months

Tuesday 25th November 2003
quotequote all
BigAl1 said:
Think positive! I'll make it work correctly.
Allan

>> Edited by BigAl1 on Tuesday 25th November 00:19

>> Edited by BigAl1 on Tuesday 25th November 00:19


That's the beauty of building your own car.

I'm not sure if Jeff had this problem since he drives his car long ways like I do, but I found that leg movement is very restricted, and I found it necessary every few hours to get out and stretch my legs since my knees were locking up. Sometimes, while driving, I would put my left foot on the gas pedal, and stretch my right leg out and put it on the passenger footrest so I wouldn't have to stop so often. Perhaps someone who didn't have bad knees would not have this problem.
Of all the track cars I've driven, the Ultima for my 5'11" frame, 197 lbs., has been the most comfortable.
Not sure if I'd say that after a long stint though!
Jack

BigAl1

166 posts

281 months

Tuesday 25th November 2003
quotequote all
Despite not yet having seats to find my true position, I can see my left knee will need padding against the lower dash crosstube. And I'll have to make a dent zone behind the pedals for my heels as my shoe tips hit the steering column and frame above the pedals. Ahh, the challenges of being TALL and in lust with an Ultima!

Allan

Ikom

109 posts

279 months

Tuesday 25th November 2003
quotequote all
BigAl1 said:
Brian,
I just received my GTR last Friday, so not to the wiring yet, but definately plan to use a 2 stalk assembly for lights/turn signals/high-low beam, and the other side for wipers/washer controls. I found it surplus at Princess Auto in London, Ontario.

Allan


I too purchased all three versions of the assembly from Princess Auto - Brand new surplus at $14.99CDN each - I figured I could not go wrong. The one I will most probably use is a shallow three incher with hazards, wiper stalk (intermittents and windshield washer spray), turn signal stalk with headlight, flasher, foglight and dimmer function. Made in Japan (looks very robust and smooth functioning) and apparently OEM for a Geo tracker or Suzuki equivalent. Will most certainly get rid of a lot of ugly dash switches if it works. I intend to find the plastic shrouds for it from the Suzuki or tracker dealer to have covered in "fine Corinthian leather".

k wright

1,039 posts

288 months

Tuesday 25th November 2003
quotequote all
The amount of space between the wheel and the dash was scary, until I found out that the collapsable column insert could be used with the removable wheel. Makes for a much more natural driving position.

ken

Brian Jackett

Original Poster:

81 posts

274 months

Tuesday 25th November 2003
quotequote all
Hi,

Thanks for the replies but I am in the UK so will not be able to get down to princess auto's

What is the part number and what car is it off

regards

Stig

11,823 posts

313 months

Tuesday 25th November 2003
quotequote all
Site address is www.ultima-gtr.info

The indicators and horn are operable from the steering wheel. My car also utilises a remote control system that allows a wireless link between the two so that you can remove the wheel from the car without having to have an umbillical cable.

Brian Jackett

Original Poster:

81 posts

274 months

Tuesday 25th November 2003
quotequote all
I know your web address as thats how I found this forum.

Brillant site don't know how you find the time along with the build.

Your system sounds excellent but all I want is stork controls. I am sure I saw a website with this in once. But cannot find it again

andy@norman.cx

82 posts

313 months

Tuesday 25th November 2003
quotequote all
I can't find the link at the moment, but one guy in the US took the dash cowl and stalks from a Miata (MX5) and used it in his Ultima. I looked quite neat.

BigAl1

166 posts

281 months

Tuesday 25th November 2003
quotequote all
The Princess Auto catalog link;

www.princessauto.com/downloads/catalog242/surplus-CAN.PDF
Caution this is 92 page PDF file - see page 395 for the stalk assemblies. If you send me your email, I can send pics back of my assembly.
I don't know the origin of these, but will be finding out when I get closer to incorporating into the harness. Mine looks new - never installed. The ones I rooted through in London had various options, so be sure to ask what you are buying.
Allan

>> Edited by BigAl1 on Tuesday 25th November 13:25

Crazy of Cookham

740 posts

284 months

Tuesday 25th November 2003
quotequote all
Just received the 2004 Demontweeks catalogue. I note they offer a pre-wired quick release steering mechanism. I do not know if this would fit. It is a neat solution if not a bit expensive STg210.

doc_fudge

243 posts

281 months

Tuesday 25th November 2003
quotequote all
andy@norman.cx said:
I can't find the link at the moment, but one guy in the US took the dash cowl and stalks from a Miata (MX5) and used it in his Ultima. I looked quite neat.


I think that was Jay Esterer.
Have a look at www.europeancarparts.ca
Andy

andy@norman.cx

82 posts

313 months

Wednesday 26th November 2003
quotequote all
That's the one.

Looking at his site again it appears that he didn't actually use the stalks from the Miata, just the instruments and cowl. I do think the Miata cowl makes for a very neat alternative to the "standard" setup (I'm probably biased as an MX5 owner). Though I suspect if/when I build an Ultima it will have a Stack dash.

ultimichael

194 posts

284 months

Wednesday 26th November 2003
quotequote all
James Pross (www.jamespross.com) is using a stalk assembly.
Some pics on his site. Looks like a Ford one.

Michael