Entering the world of Ultima!
Discussion
Hello Ultima enthusiasts!
This is my first post on this forum but have been lurking for a while. I'm deep in the planning process of my Ultima Convertible build and reached a major milestone this week. I've been reading and researching until my eyes bleed and can't wait to get my kit ordered; probably in the next month or so. In the meantime, just this week I took the plunge and purchased the drivetrain--it's real now! I will be going the non-traditional route: 5.2L V10 from a gen2 R8. The motor/trans only has 6k miles so barely broken in! So far I have found one V10 Ultima but details are scarce; definitely seems pretty rare...I'm always up for a challenge and this is sure to be a good one. If anyone has experience or knows of a build diary with this type of setup, or any other non-traditional LS engine, I'm all ears. No doubt that Huzi's build diary and Humble's YouTube videos have been extremely valuable...any other builds I should study? Here are a few pics of my drivetrain going into the Ultima:
Over the years I've done a number various car projects. Built a supercharged Factory Five Cobra which I finished in 2008. Full 2JZ-GTE engine swap w/T56 Magnum trans in my '85 Supra, including complete paint job (my first). Mild suspension and exhaust work in my 2012 V12 Vantage...Pretty savvy with fabrication, have welders, tools, etc. to do most anything I need. Not a pro by any means but love to learn as I go. And now I'm itching for the ULTIMAte car build to add to my collection.
I've studied the option/pricing spreadsheets from Ultima UK and I think I'm close. Planning on black gelcoat, removable roof option, black wheels and either red or orange accents throughout. I mocked up a quick image with orange accents that is somewhat the vision in my head:
I look forward to continued learning from this forum and certainly open and eager to learn from you all that have already completed the journey for which I've just embarked!
Best,
Dan
This is my first post on this forum but have been lurking for a while. I'm deep in the planning process of my Ultima Convertible build and reached a major milestone this week. I've been reading and researching until my eyes bleed and can't wait to get my kit ordered; probably in the next month or so. In the meantime, just this week I took the plunge and purchased the drivetrain--it's real now! I will be going the non-traditional route: 5.2L V10 from a gen2 R8. The motor/trans only has 6k miles so barely broken in! So far I have found one V10 Ultima but details are scarce; definitely seems pretty rare...I'm always up for a challenge and this is sure to be a good one. If anyone has experience or knows of a build diary with this type of setup, or any other non-traditional LS engine, I'm all ears. No doubt that Huzi's build diary and Humble's YouTube videos have been extremely valuable...any other builds I should study? Here are a few pics of my drivetrain going into the Ultima:
Over the years I've done a number various car projects. Built a supercharged Factory Five Cobra which I finished in 2008. Full 2JZ-GTE engine swap w/T56 Magnum trans in my '85 Supra, including complete paint job (my first). Mild suspension and exhaust work in my 2012 V12 Vantage...Pretty savvy with fabrication, have welders, tools, etc. to do most anything I need. Not a pro by any means but love to learn as I go. And now I'm itching for the ULTIMAte car build to add to my collection.
I've studied the option/pricing spreadsheets from Ultima UK and I think I'm close. Planning on black gelcoat, removable roof option, black wheels and either red or orange accents throughout. I mocked up a quick image with orange accents that is somewhat the vision in my head:
I look forward to continued learning from this forum and certainly open and eager to learn from you all that have already completed the journey for which I've just embarked!
Best,
Dan
Edited by supraholic on Wednesday 3rd April 03:24
Quality engine choice Dan! I’ve been mulling over that exact lump for a can am build but my man maths is just way off lol.
There are a few that have a v10 already, do a search, I think there are a couple of Dutch ones, donkeasy and joop are names to search for.
Keep us updated with progress, that v10 is a great engine for the car!
There are a few that have a v10 already, do a search, I think there are a couple of Dutch ones, donkeasy and joop are names to search for.
Keep us updated with progress, that v10 is a great engine for the car!
Thanks for the comments and support everyone! I will for sure be documenting the build in some way, shape or form. Not sure if I'll do a traditional build/blog diary w/pics or more along the lines of video based diary on YouTube...I have a little time to figure it out.
Quick question for you all: in the kit options price list, there's an option called "alloy panel double skin kit". Do I need this? What's it for? Worth it?
Thanks again...MUCH more to come. :-)
-Dan
Quick question for you all: in the kit options price list, there's an option called "alloy panel double skin kit". Do I need this? What's it for? Worth it?
Thanks again...MUCH more to come. :-)
-Dan
Yes to the double skin kit.
It is for the floor and bulkheads front and rear. The floor is skinned on the underside which would leave the chassis rails exposed on the inside which is not ideal from both a practical and visual viewpoint.
In my car I fitted insulation between the skins to provide some sound deadening.
Steve
It is for the floor and bulkheads front and rear. The floor is skinned on the underside which would leave the chassis rails exposed on the inside which is not ideal from both a practical and visual viewpoint.
In my car I fitted insulation between the skins to provide some sound deadening.
Steve
supraholic said:
Thanks for the comments and support everyone! I will for sure be documenting the build in some way, shape or form. Not sure if I'll do a traditional build/blog diary w/pics or more along the lines of video based diary on YouTube...I have a little time to figure it out.
Quick question for you all: in the kit options price list, there's an option called "alloy panel double skin kit". Do I need this? What's it for? Worth it?
Thanks again...MUCH more to come. :-)
-Dan
Dan,Quick question for you all: in the kit options price list, there's an option called "alloy panel double skin kit". Do I need this? What's it for? Worth it?
Thanks again...MUCH more to come. :-)
-Dan
I wanted to send you a pm, but it seems that this option is disactivated for your account, or perhaps it's because you only have a couple of posts to date. Can you send me a message so that I can reply?
Thanks
Daniel
Okay—I’ll add the double skin kit to my option list. Been finalizing my kit list with Richard at the factory so I’m getting close. Now I’m just trying to finalize on the wheels. I’m going to upgrade to forged but I’m torn on size: 18” or 19”. I see they have dropped down to 12.5” and 11.5”, respectively, for rear widths. I love the steamroller look with 13” wide rims in rear and i imagine I will need as much contact patch for traction as I can get. Richard indicated i can still get a 13” forged in 18” diameter—awaiting if I can do the same for 19”.
What is your opinion? What size should I get? Help me decide. Thanks all!
-Dan
What is your opinion? What size should I get? Help me decide. Thanks all!
-Dan
Welcome to the community!
Oooooo. A project Ive been thinking abut for a long time, as my car history is Audi based.
Been looking at 2nd hand R8 engines for a while. But TBH.... I already have a running ultima and just enjoy driving it!
I have a ton of pictures and research I can send you. The R8 engine revs higher than the S6/S8 versions and are dry sumped too....
You mat need to watch the height of the intakes though, especially on the can/Am convertable. My plans included throttle bodies to lower the height of the engine!
Drop me a pm and we can exchange email addresses. I have a black Can Am Hard top so our tastes are similar..... and also....Rubber tyre decals are available.....
Oooooo. A project Ive been thinking abut for a long time, as my car history is Audi based.
Been looking at 2nd hand R8 engines for a while. But TBH.... I already have a running ultima and just enjoy driving it!
I have a ton of pictures and research I can send you. The R8 engine revs higher than the S6/S8 versions and are dry sumped too....
You mat need to watch the height of the intakes though, especially on the can/Am convertable. My plans included throttle bodies to lower the height of the engine!
Drop me a pm and we can exchange email addresses. I have a black Can Am Hard top so our tastes are similar..... and also....Rubber tyre decals are available.....
Edited by confusionhunter on Friday 5th April 19:14
You absolutely need 19” rears if you want a choice of current tyres. In the UK, 18” rear are difficult to get anything other than old tech tyres nowadays.
You still have good choice on 18” front sizes, personally I don’t like 19” fronts (despite having them) I think they look too big for the car, and they’re undoubtably heavier than the 18 equiv.
However for long term I think 19s all round will give best availability, 19r/18f look best and dynAmically are prob best too, whilst you can get the tyres. Imo...
You still have good choice on 18” front sizes, personally I don’t like 19” fronts (despite having them) I think they look too big for the car, and they’re undoubtably heavier than the 18 equiv.
However for long term I think 19s all round will give best availability, 19r/18f look best and dynAmically are prob best too, whilst you can get the tyres. Imo...
Gassing Station | Ultima | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff