Advices on an Ultima I might buy

[Cayman48]

Hello,

I'am Frederic from France
I have never posted on Ultima's forum

I own one of the 3 TVR T350 with french plates (they are hard to register in France).

It's a great car, I love it but it's not enough fo trackdays...I'm looking for something more build for tracks, I was thinking of buying a Radical SR3 or a Westfield, I really love the Ultima too.

Today, I have the opportunity to exchange my T350 against an Ultima GTR in France with english plate (but doesn't matter I'll use it only on track).

I'm hesitating because it's more expensive than a Radical SR3, Westfield or Catheram
It’s a 2003 factory build but delivered with no gearbox and engine
Plate number : SV03 JWF
Serial Number : ULT1MA215210
The french owner bought it in november 2011 near Edinburgh. The seller had another Ultima (720HP)

I will call Ultima to have some informations about build specifications but here is what I know :
16000 miles
Black
5.7l chevrolet corvette engine
G50 Gearbox
Full DART engineering USA Engine block with 468hp at the wheel
Edelbrock eletronic injection
Holley Engine management programmable
Oil pan + Accusump + oil radiator
Nitron suspensions
Big Brembo bracks
Willans Seats and belts
AC

In case you have some informations on the car or any feeling on the specifications, it would be very appreciate to let me know !
Thanks

[ultimass]

Assuming the engine and gearbox are coming separately from the car, if the engine has done 16000 miles it will need a rebuild before tracking it.

You will also need at least a Canton track sump or a dry sump system to prevent oil starvation around long fast corners.

If you are interested, i have a Canton track sump somewhere in my garage.

Martin.

[7litrebig]

I think the OP means it was a factory build, but supplied without engine & box...

Also - a full rebuild after 16k... really?

[Cayman48]

7litrebig said:

I think the OP means it was a factory build, but supplied without engine & box...

Also - a full rebuild after 16k... really?

Exact for the engine and box.
And yes a rebuild at 16k...?


But I just call Ultima and they said it was delivered as a kit car in 2001, I guess the french seller doesn't know this

Edited by Cayman48 on Tuesday 10th April 09:53

[ROWDYRENAULT]

Cayman: good luck in going forward with an Ultima. I have to disagree with Martin. With 16,000 miles on a small block tuned to only 468hp the engine should be in very good shape depending on its use and maintanance up to this point. I would run a compression check on the motor and check the main bearings, if all appears to be in order, run it. I do agree with part of the comment above, dry sump the motor. Asking this motor to live with a stock wet sump pan in this car is like asking a avaition motor not approved for inverted flight to be reliable in a Pitts Aerobatic Specail. "DIfferent horses for different courses" Lee

[budala]

Salut Frédéric from France,
Assez d'accord avec le message précédent, fais un test de compression ou un passage au banc et vérifie les coussinets de vilebrequin... Mais surtout essaie la voiture avant de l'acheter car vu ton parcours, tu pourrais être déçu avec "seulement" 468 cv. C'est ce qu'avais la mienne (malgré une fiche prétendant 550 cv) et je suis passé à un LS7 car je n'avais pas trouvé les sensations espérées avec le SBC...

[Cayman48]

Thanks for your answer


@ Budala >>> Ce serait la plus puissante voiture que j'ai jamais eu (et de loin) mais aussi la plus légère alors je ne pense pas du tout que je serai déçu. Pour les tests cela sera difficile à mettre en place avec le vendeur mais ce serait le mieux oui. Where do you come from ?

I have another opportunity to sold my T350 against a kit car who look like a Catheram or Westfield.
in fact it's a company who build kit car and I can choose all the specifications so it's sold as new.
So I wait and see...

[budala]

Je suis dans le sud, entre Toulon et Marseille. J'ai mon Ultima depuis 4 ans bientôt et je l'utilise un peu sur route et surtout sur le HTTT.
Bonne chance pour ta future acquisition, quelle qu'elle soit...