Stig's new engine.
Discussion
Absolutlely spot on stig. Who am I to stand in front of a man and his checkbook. Drove my friends ford F-150 lightning pickup two weeks ago. 5.4 liter V8, blower, puts out about 390plus HP. "Any gear heads that know the exact figures, great." This is a factory set up and comes with a full warranty! I was suprised by the whine of the engine at full throttle, practically drowned out the exhaust. Keeping it below 80mph took some concentration.
I live in Central Pennsylvania, close to Hershey and Carlisle. They both host two of the largest auto shows or Autojumbles in the world. I have also been fortunate enough to attend the Goodwood festival of speed in 1996.
Enough grand-standing I just wanted to show that I am totally into cars, and have several friends with very exotic machines.
Many of them do not enjoy the toys that they have built because of drivability or worse yet, the attention from both the public and the law. My friend hand-built a porsche 904 from the ground up using molds that he acquired in california. The blueprints for the car were copied from originals by a person at the porsche museum in stuttgart. The car was built up from parts taken from an early seventies 914/6. The end result is stunning, right down to reproduced badging. Because he used a porsche 914/6 as a donor car it is registered in Pennsylvania as such with an antique tag. He has spent enough money and time on this project to build several high spec ultimas. The end result is a car that cannot be taken anywhere without causing a major disturbance. And yes he does offer rides if asked.
Stig, I absolutely love the engine that your putting in your ultima and cannot wait for an update.
I live in Central Pennsylvania, close to Hershey and Carlisle. They both host two of the largest auto shows or Autojumbles in the world. I have also been fortunate enough to attend the Goodwood festival of speed in 1996.
Enough grand-standing I just wanted to show that I am totally into cars, and have several friends with very exotic machines.
Many of them do not enjoy the toys that they have built because of drivability or worse yet, the attention from both the public and the law. My friend hand-built a porsche 904 from the ground up using molds that he acquired in california. The blueprints for the car were copied from originals by a person at the porsche museum in stuttgart. The car was built up from parts taken from an early seventies 914/6. The end result is stunning, right down to reproduced badging. Because he used a porsche 914/6 as a donor car it is registered in Pennsylvania as such with an antique tag. He has spent enough money and time on this project to build several high spec ultimas. The end result is a car that cannot be taken anywhere without causing a major disturbance. And yes he does offer rides if asked.
Stig, I absolutely love the engine that your putting in your ultima and cannot wait for an update.
Keithl - glad you see things my way 
The only person to stand in the way of me and my chequebook seems to be the bank manager!
I started off with the intention of going the 'budget' route, but it just wasn't doing the Ultima justice.
I hope that mine will be one of the most awesome examples on the road (and track). There's no compromise on the build components, it's now just up to me to get them together with the care and attention they deserve.
Needless to say, I'm not putting a pair of Wok's, 400 kilos of stereo equipment and 4 gallons of Sikaflex in it
The only person to stand in the way of me and my chequebook seems to be the bank manager!
I started off with the intention of going the 'budget' route, but it just wasn't doing the Ultima justice.
I hope that mine will be one of the most awesome examples on the road (and track). There's no compromise on the build components, it's now just up to me to get them together with the care and attention they deserve.
Needless to say, I'm not putting a pair of Wok's, 400 kilos of stereo equipment and 4 gallons of Sikaflex in it
ultimapaul said:
keithl said: ... Im very curious. I have been reading through the forum section and have not heard of anyone wanting a smaller engine. You can build a very nice 330 cubic inch engine. Lightweight crank. forged 10:1 pistons. heavier profile to the cam, lightened flywheel. Top it off with a 600CFM Holly vacumn secondary carb. The result is an engine that will rev higher than the high horse muscle blocks, decent gas mileage and be bullet proof. Has anyone taken this approach?
Up untill about a couple of years ago a lot of owners were happy to go with a stock 350HO. I think now with the factory pointing virtually all customers in the direction of American Speed. They see their price list and can not resist.
Given that even a stock 350HO costs about 7k from a UK builder, it makes no sense to buy one here. American Speed know Ultima's, how much space there is to play with, what power delviery works etc. which makes the task of dropping one in WAY easier.
Just look at the builders who have ended up having to modify sumps, change water pumps, use smaller alternators etc.
Turnkey from American Speed means just that!
Stig said:
I hope that mine will be one of the most awesome examples on the road (and track). There's no compromise on the build components, it's now just up to me to get them together with the care and attention they deserve.
Hello Stig
This post is i planning to take, one of the fastes street ultimas in the world...When ypu going to look at my build spec you going to think others with build alternativs
GTRmannen said:
Stig said:
I hope that mine will be one of the most awesome examples on the road (and track). There's no compromise on the build components, it's now just up to me to get them together with the care and attention they deserve.
Hello Stig
This post is i planning to take, one of the fastes street ultimas in the world...When ypu going to look at my build spec you going to think others with build alternativs
Errrrrr..... right?
Bewarned, I know of at least two Can-am's out there that have £30k+ engines in them!
With 100kgs less weight than the GTR's and engines like these, we will all be playing catchup.
Still when you get to this level of performance it comes down to the drivers skill more than anything.......thats me buggered, I'll go home now!
With 100kgs less weight than the GTR's and engines like these, we will all be playing catchup.
Still when you get to this level of performance it comes down to the drivers skill more than anything.......thats me buggered, I'll go home now!
Stig said:
ultimapaul said:
keithl said: ... Im very curious. I have been reading through the forum section and have not heard of anyone wanting a smaller engine. You can build a very nice 330 cubic inch engine. Lightweight crank. forged 10:1 pistons. heavier profile to the cam, lightened flywheel. Top it off with a 600CFM Holly vacumn secondary carb. The result is an engine that will rev higher than the high horse muscle blocks, decent gas mileage and be bullet proof. Has anyone taken this approach?
Up untill about a couple of years ago a lot of owners were happy to go with a stock 350HO. I think now with the factory pointing virtually all customers in the direction of American Speed. They see their price list and can not resist.
Given that even a stock 350HO costs about 7k from a UK builder, it makes no sense to buy one here. American Speed know Ultima's, how much space there is to play with, what power delviery works etc. which makes the task of dropping one in WAY easier.
Just look at the builders who have ended up having to modify sumps, change water pumps, use smaller alternators etc.
Turnkey from American Speed means just that!
Yep, just my point
One way to look at it is, when you are spending over £30K on the car before engine and gearbox. The choice to spend £7k on a 350bhp or £10k on a 500+bhp engine isn't really a hard one.
I tried the Budget build with 350bhp planned, the car itself cost me more than I budgeted and I thought B@$$@ks and took the plung. 'In for a penny. In for a pound'
Just don't tell the wife.
I tried the Budget build with 350bhp planned, the car itself cost me more than I budgeted and I thought B@$$@ks and took the plung. 'In for a penny. In for a pound'
Just don't tell the wife.
I had no idea that chevy's were so expensive in England. My friends that race all purchase their engines from major suppliers. They have the talent and the knowledge but it just doesn't make any sense to assemble your own engine. The fact that you can purchase a properly assembled engine that fits without any fuss or modifications. Or minor modifications as some suppliers tell you. Well.. Its money well spent.
Question? Has anyone modified an ultima to accept a big-block motor? That, my friends would open up a new world of torque and horspower to you. You could easily break into the 750hp range!! I realize that the ultima has been superbly engineered to utilize a small block chevy. There has to be someone that has thought about it, or even attempted it.
Question? Has anyone modified an ultima to accept a big-block motor? That, my friends would open up a new world of torque and horspower to you. You could easily break into the 750hp range!! I realize that the ultima has been superbly engineered to utilize a small block chevy. There has to be someone that has thought about it, or even attempted it.
ultimasimon said: come on GTRMannen, spill the beans then, wot-u-got ??
Hello
Eveything is not ready yet but I can tell you what is ready yet...
I have orderd a black GTR with FIA spec cage...I have orderd all stages but have skipt on a few things...brakes,shocks,wheels,engien,gearbox
The skipt thing is skipt becouse of bigger and better things...And the Enigin part is not decided yet but a Chey can I tell you that is not going to be...Im not a Yankie engien lover.......
GTRmannen said: No I can promise you
No decided on what engien yet....The only thing I now is a chey small block is not an alternive...And I now that I have been driven turbo car al my life...So a twin turbo v8a is probebly the choice but what make is not decided yet
Cool, so by the time your turbo's have spun up, I'll have just disappeared over the horizon
Three good reasons to stick to a chevy.
1. They are proven to work in the car.
2. Cheap to buy, tune and get working.
3. The bits to fit them are available off the shelf.
4. Old block means zero emissions regs and thus more power.
The last one is worth remembering, newer BMW, Merc, Audi, Lexus V8's will struggle to match the power as they will be subject to stricter emisions which strangle power.
I really wanted a BMW V8 from the M series, but would never have got it on the road.
Let us know what you do.
And as a final thought, there is a GTR in the USA with twin turbos on a chevy V8 that can go over 1200bhp with the wick turned up (not with NOS).
There is always someone that has gone one better.
1. They are proven to work in the car.
2. Cheap to buy, tune and get working.
3. The bits to fit them are available off the shelf.
4. Old block means zero emissions regs and thus more power.
The last one is worth remembering, newer BMW, Merc, Audi, Lexus V8's will struggle to match the power as they will be subject to stricter emisions which strangle power.
I really wanted a BMW V8 from the M series, but would never have got it on the road.
Let us know what you do.
And as a final thought, there is a GTR in the USA with twin turbos on a chevy V8 that can go over 1200bhp with the wick turned up (not with NOS).
There is always someone that has gone one better.
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