New UK Builder (West Sussex)
New UK Builder (West Sussex)
Author
Discussion

mahmad

Original Poster:

5 posts

170 months

Wednesday 18th January 2012
quotequote all
Good Afternoon All,

I have ordered Stages 1 & 2 and am planning to build in stages, (Work / family, commitments). I would like some help on choosing the engine. Due to emissions law in the UK, I have been told the LS engines are the ones to go for.

From www.amerspeed.com I am quite keen on the following:

LS-3 6.2L 530hp
LS-7 7.0L 575hp

Also have come across this website www.partsworldperformance.com through this forum.

Can anyone recommend which engine?

Regards
Mus

356Speedster

2,294 posts

254 months

Wednesday 18th January 2012
quotequote all
Welcome! Good to hear from another builder, there's a few of us out here now smile

LS engine route is definately a good move. HOWEVER: it's well publicised that tuned LS3s and std LS7s are very, very, very, very, difficult to make pass the IVA emissions test. Many have tried and most have failed.... do a quick forum search and take heed from other's comments.

Don't make life hard for yourself, go for a standard LS3, get your reg plates, get used to the car, then add the tuning parts later.

Are yuo doing a build diary? Would be good to see another one come together smile

Mark

Storer

5,024 posts

238 months

Wednesday 18th January 2012
quotequote all
Welcome and enjoy.

Budget will be a factor when deciding on an engine and if you have only just ordered your chassis then the engine is a way off yet. The only decision at the moment is CBC, LS or something else so you can order the correct chassis.

Plenty of good build sites and lots of threads on here. Find a few owners in you area so you can talk spec over a beer while checking out completed/part built cars.


Paul

mahmad

Original Poster:

5 posts

170 months

Wednesday 18th January 2012
quotequote all
Good Afternoon,

Thank you for all the input. Yes I will be putting togeather a build diary and will be posting bits as the build goes on. Loads of info on here which is very good.


356Speedster - I see your in IT....same here 3rd Line Network Engineer. Very tedious but rewarding!!

Best Regards
Mus

V8 Vum

3,206 posts

244 months

Wednesday 18th January 2012
quotequote all
mahmad said:
Good Afternoon,
Thank you for all the input. Yes I will be putting togeather a build diary and will be posting bits as the build goes on. Loads of info on here which is very good.
356Speedster - I see your in IT....same here 3rd Line Network Engineer. Very tedious but rewarding!!
Best Regards
Mus
Your MAD - totally, totally MAD to do this... Prepare to suffer wallet-rape (many times), a rapidly declining relationship with your Wife (or GF), sleepless nights tossing and turning and not being able to switch off, terrible back-pain due to bending around all the awkward bits while building, your nuts being freezed off in the cold winters while you convince yourself that you 'gotta' just do that one extra thing..., become a total freakin' bore to all your Mates whilst you ramble on about how you did this, did that, and how it is going to do a million miles an hour, become paranoid because you worry about being caught at work when you 'just take a quick peak at pistonheads to see if your question has been answered!', and become a bit disillusioned because it is taking YEARS longer to get your baby on the road, than you thought it would! ..but I promise...it will pass!

So...a warm welcome to our particular section of the mental health clinic - we are all very nice people here..'tick', tick'..don't worry if we occasionally repeat ourselves, repeat ourselves, repeat ourselves, repeat ourselves, repeat ourselves, repeat ourselves...(SMACK!) - sorry...

...or start talking in a strange language.... Just ignore that, and you will be fine!biggrin

K

mahmad

Original Poster:

5 posts

170 months

Wednesday 18th January 2012
quotequote all
LOL, Love the comment (V8 Vum)

Regards
Mus

highflyer

1,899 posts

249 months

Wednesday 18th January 2012
quotequote all
+1 biglaugh

356Speedster

2,294 posts

254 months

Wednesday 18th January 2012
quotequote all
Soz, missed the std factory caveat, should have said if you go off-pieste you'll make life difficult for registration as many here have found wink

Keith's comments are amusingly tongue in cheek, but sometimes we all feel a bit like that biggrin You'll love the challenges of a build tho'. Oh and you'll realise we're all slightly mad here too jester

MarkWebb

983 posts

240 months

Wednesday 18th January 2012
quotequote all
I guess the factory missed the word "tuned" We all know that the std LS engines will pass.

deadscoob

2,265 posts

283 months

Wednesday 18th January 2012
quotequote all
Tuned AS engines should pass too...

TangoGTR

1,671 posts

204 months

Wednesday 18th January 2012
quotequote all
Welcome smile.

Have used PWP for my LS3 engine, but have stayed standard to ensure there are no IVA issues.

Look forward to seeing your build diary

Cheers Dave

Steve_D

13,801 posts

281 months

Wednesday 18th January 2012
quotequote all
If you fancy a trip across the border into Hampshire come and visit our workshop and talk Ultima.
See my profile for details and links.

Steve

738 driver

1,202 posts

216 months

Thursday 19th January 2012
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Or... SBC it first..... leaving you a multitude of options and less emission hassle's.
A GM factory recon small block on a 75 based block can be had for £1200 and gives you and future owners 4.5% CO to play with whatever engine route you wish to go (actually a selling point in my opinion).. Or you could just mess around changing cams and maps every 12 months as modern test requirements become increasingly stringent.
You'll soon run up carefully managed conversion costs in labour and downtime after 4-5 MOT's.

356Speedster

2,294 posts

254 months

Thursday 19th January 2012
quotequote all
Considered tuning post IVA should provide any real issues, as the MOT is less stringent.

Or.... we should just all go for VW 2.0 TDIs wink

Spid

381 posts

265 months

Thursday 19th January 2012
quotequote all
Hi Mus
I live in Horsham keep my car at work in Crawley, pop in for a chat if you like
Adam

738 driver

1,202 posts

216 months

Thursday 19th January 2012
quotequote all
Ultima factory said:
It is well documented in this forum that there are substantial costs and substantial labour time involved to convert from SBC to LS engines.
The MOT Test emissions will always be a direct copy of the same emissions test that the vehicle was subjected to at its IVA Test, as listed on the vehicle registration document.
We have carefully planned a solution for the benefit of Ultima customers by using an engine supplier that are able to supply emission compliant LS engines in excess of 700bhp.

Regards to All,
That depends on the initial build and careful parts/cost management Richard..
In fact you could encourage this method to boost attraction in lean times..
People could get their basic car on the road for 12-15k less with a bit of application and support in this area.. leaving you to welcome them back for a complete performance upgrade package supplied and warrantied by the factory.....retaining the range of standardized products, quality and value (current or resale).
How many new builders eyes are far bigger than their wallets.... perhaps difficult to admit but Im sure a common issue.
Most businesses have to respond to lean times... am sure the factory will do their best.
Rgds to you too.

mahmad

Original Poster:

5 posts

170 months

Thursday 19th January 2012
quotequote all
Spid said:
Hi Mus
I live in Horsham keep my car at work in Crawley, pop in for a chat if you like
Adam
Afternoon Adam,

Will indeed, I work in Colgate (Off Blackhouse Road). I'll be in touch very soon.

Regards
Mus

V8 Vum

3,206 posts

244 months

Thursday 19th January 2012
quotequote all
Oh Richy-Babe! byebye

You are soooo Modest!

Go on....Why don't you tell us how good your products are?

shout ...OOOUUCH! .................Er! ...You did!



byebye

Paul.B

3,949 posts

287 months

Thursday 19th January 2012
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/\/\/\/\/\ But Keith. That post was OBVIOUSLY written by Ted. wink

V8 Vum

3,206 posts

244 months

Friday 20th January 2012
quotequote all
coffee
Not got Teds mit-prints on this one IMHO!

Anyway, Ted is getting very old you know....(even older than me - if you can believe such a thing!)

Think he is casting longing looks at green pastures, and pictures of caribbean beaches...

I am already making enquiries with Age concern for him! (Dayam - that was confidential!) -



...think I will go hide now... getmecoat

Edited by V8 Vum on Friday 20th January 12:50