RE: ultimapaul's Ultima GTR
Discussion
Thom - The build up to rolling chassis stage was fine. I must confess though, I got the factory to fit the body at a very reasonable cost!!! 
Because it is such an important part of the finished car I wanted it to look just right and the week it was with them meant the car took a hugh leap forward towards being finished.
The rest though is all my own work, I did the engine myself too. Being 'old' technology it was not a difficult job, nerve racking being my first engine build, but not hard!
Due to the quality of all the components and the fact that except for the gearbox & engine there were no donor parts did help. Everything else including uprights, steering rack and even the seats are bespoke items helped it all fit together really well.
Because it is such an important part of the finished car I wanted it to look just right and the week it was with them meant the car took a hugh leap forward towards being finished.
The rest though is all my own work, I did the engine myself too. Being 'old' technology it was not a difficult job, nerve racking being my first engine build, but not hard!
Due to the quality of all the components and the fact that except for the gearbox & engine there were no donor parts did help. Everything else including uprights, steering rack and even the seats are bespoke items helped it all fit together really well.
quote:
Oh, forgot to mention ..... these threads are normally posted in the 'Readers Cars' section near the top of the page.
It depends on the marque (it's automatic). Ultima into the Ultima section, Ferrari into the Ferrari section etc. Marques without their own forum end up in the 'readers' cars' bit.
Paul. Are you up for the Vernham Dean run on 29th June. It would be cool to have your exceptional beast along. Also: I have permission to do a photo op outside my offices (Old country house now Business Park on the outskirts of B'stoke) and it would be a hoot to include your GTR.
Saw you + beast at the Basingstoke Festival of Transport: you were a bit pre-occupied so I didn't re-introduce myself. Nice photo in the Gazette, mind...!
Saw you + beast at the Basingstoke Festival of Transport: you were a bit pre-occupied so I didn't re-introduce myself. Nice photo in the Gazette, mind...!
Don - I think I can make it to the Vernham Dean run ... I've just had a look at the postings for it, sounds like fun!
As for the photo thingy .... Sounds good too!
You should have wandered over at the B/Stoke transport fair & said hi
I have seen the pic in the local rag !!! I didn't mind the car being photo'd, but why do they insist in the cheeseee pose for the owner
As for the photo thingy .... Sounds good too!
You should have wandered over at the B/Stoke transport fair & said hi
I have seen the pic in the local rag !!! I didn't mind the car being photo'd, but why do they insist in the cheeseee pose for the owner
It would not be my first choice as an every day car, if your doing any kind of commute .... A little too focused for me. It is nice to drag it out the garage at weekends and just enjoy it.
Plus points
performance
road presence
handling
braking
sence of occasion every time it's driven
stunning looks
Down side
MPG (8-14)
ease of access
luggage
low ride height
attention
cabin temp in traffic
Still, if the Discovery & Golf were to break down I could learn to live with it
Plus points
performance
road presence
handling
braking
sence of occasion every time it's driven
stunning looks
Down side
MPG (8-14)
ease of access
luggage
low ride height
attention
cabin temp in traffic
Still, if the Discovery & Golf were to break down I could learn to live with it
Don't get me wrong, with the engine out back it is suprisingly refined (as this type of car goes) on a longish trip. The ride is quite complient too, you tend to hear rather than feel the bumps. Wind & tyre noise are the biggest contributer to cabin noise when cruising. Unless of course you use the loud pedal, then nothing else matters.
A lot of car stereo specialists stock various sound deadening materials. They usually have a sticky side so would stop various panels resonating. Is the chevy a usual choice of lump here. Seems a little odd in the uk due to lack of parts etc. A Rover V8 must be a much more common choice. Has anyone put in anything crazy like a brabus / birds lump?
As for engines, the factory now guide owners towards the Chevvy Small Block. It gives relitavely cheap power and millions have been built so through US & UK specialists such as Real Steel spares are readily available. The chassis is designed with the Chevvy in mind too. Some owners have taken alternative routes. One I know of went for the Ford V8 option, another has gone Rover V8 and I believe someone has gone Jag V8. With a stock Chevvy 350HO available for about 4-5k it really makes sense to take that route. Their very tunable too.
True! You don't want it getting too lardy. I'm going to have a big effort to try and get my next car down to 1200kg. A lot of gizmo's will go but I'll draw the line at sound insulation, comfy carpet, a/c and heater! All else is expendable really. I'm suprised the GTR only weighs 1000kg. That v8 and gearbox must weigh a ton.
I was a little sceptical at the factory claim of 990kgs in the brouchure. I was very pleased when mine come in at spot on 1000gks at the SVA test with three quarter tanks! The engine & box do weigh a lot, but the engine is well forward in the chassis it does not appear to have tooo much effect on the balance. ie. early 911, which I know was rear engined. I supose the lack of overal weight is helped with such things as Polycarbonate side windows, Alloy uprights, alloy steering rack and even factory designed seats.
Mine was 970kg with full tanks on the Silverstone weighbridge. (Sport - bodywork probably lighter)
Oh yes and the split was 39% front 61% rear.
Oh and I should add: I love it to bits, its wonderful!
>> Edited by ultimajohn on Thursday 6th June 21:19
>> Edited by ultimajohn on Thursday 6th June 21:20
>> Edited by ultimajohn on Thursday 6th June 21:22
Oh yes and the split was 39% front 61% rear.
Oh and I should add: I love it to bits, its wonderful!
>> Edited by ultimajohn on Thursday 6th June 21:19
>> Edited by ultimajohn on Thursday 6th June 21:20
>> Edited by ultimajohn on Thursday 6th June 21:22
Ultimajohn, l have a late Sport but l have yet to weigh it properly. The SVA weight was 1350kg but l seriously doubt it. l believe the panels on the Sport are slightly thicker but not 350kgs thicker.
Appropo Ultimapauls comments, l use mine regularly and racked up 10,000 miles last year, touring Europe and trolling round the M25.
>> Edited by ultiman on Friday 21st June 13:07
Appropo Ultimapauls comments, l use mine regularly and racked up 10,000 miles last year, touring Europe and trolling round the M25.
>> Edited by ultiman on Friday 21st June 13:07
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