Info required re the chrome orange sport for sale

[T5GRF]

Does anybody know of, or have any info ref the chrome orange Sport for sale on here : www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=21476&s=188

Secondly, what could I expect to spend if I wished to replace the rover Lump with a reasonable spec (circa 400 bhp) Chevy motor. I am assuming that the reggie transaxle would also have to go?

your help would be appreciated

[gtrclive]

There's a 3K engine for sale in the Ultima Parts section. Good start, then £1500 for a decent gearbox, then £1000 adaptor plate flywheel and clutch, £150 for Ultima rear gearbox mounts. Then maybe £350 for gearchange depending whats being used at present.

[Stig]

That Sport is pretty good value I reckon!

[kzrd]

Also add exhaust system, non-renault driveshafts, starter motor, ring gear, speedo sensor, Re-fabricate chassis engine mountings, rear gearbox mountings, gearlinkage mountings etc etc.
Approx £10k to change from a Rover to 350-400bhp Chevy V8 power not including any labour costs.

[T5GRF]

Thanks for the info chaps, if I am looking at circa 10k to "upgrade it" it starts to look much less good value for me.

I still think it looks good value for money, if it is bought and used "as is", might be a good start to Ultima ownership?

[steve_D]

Your money will be better spent on rebuiling the Rover engine to a high spec and a rebuild/modification to the Renault 'box (beefed up input shaft).
Steve

[Stig]

Or just buy it, see how you get on with it and then consider upgrades if you feel the need!

[gtr-gaz]

I agree with Stig.

The engine and gearbox have only covered 9,000 miles since new!

If that was me I would run it as it is for at least a year before considering any mods.

I don't think you will find it slow!

Gary

[eclipsar]

You can find more info on it on the following link.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2471332969&category=18308

Regards
Chris

[Cabby]

I wouldn't say I know the car that well, but, I have driven it and know the original owner. The limited knowledge I have says it has been well looked after and should hold no horrors.

The upgrade to Chevy is not an easy option. The chassis has been engineered around a RV8. It is plenty quick enough for the road as it is though.

I would suggest you go have a look. You could even try a bid on eBay then!

Paul.

[bigmack]

Its a shame you weren't able to grab the yellow sport that was on PH last week and belonged to a friend of mine. It was a STEAL! It was sold to a dealership within a day of being advertised.
Cheers!
-Mack

[matt_t16]

Just out of interest. The front of the Orange Sport looks a little high, any reason for this?

Does look good value I keep looking at it in the classifieds. Would I be right in thinking another 5K on top would buy some nicer rims a rear clam without the integrated wing, non too keen on that.

I'd be tempted to keep the "light" RV8.

Matt

[steve_D]

matt_t16 said:

.....Would I be right in thinking another 5K on top would buy some nicer rims a rear clam without the integrated wing, non too keen on that.....Matt

No I think not.

With the new rims you will most likeley need new tyres.
The replacement engine cover, if available, will not match the body colour so a respray would be required.
Add to that a pylon wing.

All gets a bit expensive.
Steve

[Cabby]

matt_t16 said:

Just out of interest. The front of the Orange Sport looks a little high, any reason for this? Does look good value I keep looking at it in the classifieds. Would I be right in thinking another 5K on top would buy some nicer rims a rear clam without the integrated wing, non too keen on that. I'd be tempted to keep the "light" RV8. Matt

IIRC the car was high at the front in order to get up the owners drive. Easily fixed in about 20 mins. Steve D has covered the rear clip!

Paul.

[matt_t16]

steve_D said:

matt_t16 said: .....Would I be right in thinking another 5K on top would buy some nicer rims a rear clam without the integrated wing, non too keen on that.....Matt No I think not. With the new rims you will most likeley need new tyres. The replacement engine cover, if available, will not match the body colour so a respray would be required. Add to that a pylon wing. All gets a bit expensive. Steve

Sorry should have made that clearer, £5k parts only. Colour matching and spraying and fitting really not a problem to do myself. And I was thinking a 2 Grand for a set of 18" Single piece rims tyres, 2500 for a rear clam and the wing I could sort out for around 500.

Does anyone know the official price for a rear clam?

Cheers
Matt

>> Edited by matt_t16 on Tuesday 6th April 22:48

[bigmack]

Fellow painter eh? That orange would be a tough color to match, but it is possible. Actually, I've seen some really good photos of the Mclaren F1 orange and as far as I can tell it is a Kandy color. Looks just like the HOK (House of Kolors) orange kandy that they sell.
Other than that, you could go with the 16" front rims instead of the 15", or I am using a set of 17" front and rear rims on my sport. Goodyear now offers a 245/35/17 front tire that would work.
Cheers!
-Mack

[T5GRF]

Thanks again for all the comments, I went to look at the car last Friday, it has been well looked after, and in generally good condition.

The reason why I didn't buy the car is that firstly having looked into the engine spec, I think the power output is closer to 220 - 240bhp (acording to RPI if their info is correct) and I wasn't keen on the integrated rear wing.

For somebody looking for their first Ultima it would be cracking value, but from what I have heard from you guys, and the research that I have done myself, you would have to spend a great deal of money on it in order to replace the rear section and install a pylon rear wing, new wheels/tyres, and to get the RV8 up to circa 300 bhp.

I have now found the Ultima I have been looking for and collect it tomorrow. I haven't been this excited about owning a car since I bought my first TVR 15 years ago, I am now praying for a dry bank holiday!!!

[Stig]

T5GRF said:

I have now found the Ultima I have been looking for and collect it tomorrow. I haven't been this excited about owning a car since I bought my first TVR 15 years ago, I am now praying for a dry bank holiday!!!

So what did you get?

[matt_t16]

bigmack said:

Fellow painter eh? That orange would be a tough color to match, but it is possible. Actually, I've seen some really good photos of the Mclaren F1 orange and as far as I can tell it is a Kandy color. Looks just like the HOK (House of Kolors) orange kandy that they sell. Other than that, you could go with the 16" front rims instead of the 15", or I am using a set of 17" front and rear rims on my sport. Goodyear now offers a 245/35/17 front tire that would work. Cheers! -Mack

Anything light and bright is always a batard to match I've got some HOK chips kicking about in the workshop, I'll have to have a look but now you've mentioned it I'm 99% sure your right.

Would have to be a minimum of 17" to get the brakes in I'm looking at, thanks for the heads up on the tyres.

I'll have to give them a shout and go and have a butchers.

Cheers
Matt

[bigmack]

Matt,
Yeah that orange is a SWEET color indeed. Of course with those Kandy's you can play around with how dark you want it. Sure looks like the same color to me. I was real impressed with how shiny his aluminum panels looked in the photos.

So, tell us all, what did you end up buying?

Cheers!
-Mack