Which engine?

Author
Discussion

Ipj1978

Original Poster:

1 posts

8 months

Monday 26th February
quotequote all
I’m in the market for a Ultima to use for a few track days and as mostly a road car.

I’m wondering how impressive a Ultima with a SBC with 350bhp would be?

I think the 350bhp motor will be less fragile and need less major maintenance than a higher turned (650bhp) SBC and there fore I can enjoy the car more having less worries etc.

Not having driven one I thought I’d ask here, I currently have a supercharged VX220 (250bhp) and a BEC Fisher Fury (150bhp) so think the Ultima will slip in to the fleet nicely…

Arnold Cunningham

3,874 posts

259 months

Tuesday 27th February
quotequote all
Depends on your expectations. There are many big hp cars around these days, but IMVHO in a 900kg car, 350-400hp is pretty sweet.
I am just re-engineing my spyder to an Audi V8 (see readers rides) at 350hp. Not even an SBC. I could have gone with more hp, but I felt the £/enjoyment ratio didn't work - it ends up being "about the car" rather than "enjoying the car" - a mistake I've made on powerboats before.

TR3B

174 posts

58 months

Tuesday 27th February
quotequote all
Ipj1978 said:
I’m in the market for a Ultima to use for a few track days and as mostly a road car.

I’m wondering how impressive a Ultima with a SBC with 350bhp would be?

I think the 350bhp motor will be less fragile and need less major maintenance than a higher turned (650bhp) SBC and there fore I can enjoy the car more having less worries etc.

Not having driven one I thought I’d ask here, I currently have a supercharged VX220 (250bhp) and a BEC Fisher Fury (150bhp) so think the Ultima will slip in to the fleet nicely…
If the VX220 and the BEC are your point of reference, I think you'd be over the moon with 350hp in an Ultima.

confusionhunter

449 posts

228 months

Friday 1st March
quotequote all
Having been in several Ultimas a 350bhp Ultima will feel OK, but wont feel 'Ultima fast' IMHO.
TBH spending time and effort on getting the right set up is also important.

The good news here is SBCs are one of the best 'bang for buck' and tunable engines that exist which is why they are still sold and have LOADS of tuning options. A stroker kit and some Cam mods will stick on 100-150bhp if you want to upgrade and EFi If you want modern drivability.


GTR720

19 posts

23 months

Friday 1st March
quotequote all
I have 720bhp in my GTR720 and want more!

Boosted LS1

21,198 posts

266 months

Friday 1st March
quotequote all
GTR720 said:
I have 720bhp in my GTR720 and want more!
Then you'll need turbo's :-)

Thevet

1,798 posts

239 months

Saturday 2nd March
quotequote all
Boosted LS1 said:
GTR720 said:
I have 720bhp in my GTR720 and want more!
Then you'll need turbo's :-)
And money, space, time, heat management and patience, but forced induction is the only way to get there really.


AceRockatansky

2,404 posts

33 months

Saturday 2nd March
quotequote all
Thevet said:
Boosted LS1 said:
GTR720 said:
I have 720bhp in my GTR720 and want more!
Then you'll need turbo's :-)
And money, space, time, heat management and patience, but forced induction is the only way to get there really.
SC surely on these.

I've got 330hp in my 880kg escort. You'll need more in an Ultima i'd have thought. Those big tyres will have plenty of grip and you'll want more fun to go with the looks.

JayMF1

1 posts

74 months

Thursday 28th March
quotequote all
Boosted LS1 said:
Then you'll need turbo's :-)
My 7.0L made 806hp on 93 octane NA and spins 8600 rpm smile

Boosted LS1

21,198 posts

266 months

Thursday 28th March
quotequote all
That must sound mental :-)