How long did your build take?
Discussion
Intrigued to know how long other Ultima owners have taken to build their cars. I'm following CJ's build list which shows about 110 hrs left on my build, but I get the feeling the last 20% is going to take 80% the time.
I've got all the parts for my car now, including lots of upgrades from AutoBionics to help simplify build, but with limited time to work on the car I can see my build going in to next year. During moments of weakness I have even considered taking a hit and selling car as is. Luckily have Speedster356 who keeps geeing me along, but I'm sure other builders recognize the low points during build where you feel like giving up,especially when the summer goes by with no hoon car!
So how many hours then guys? Already guessing Keith will break all records
Dave
I've got all the parts for my car now, including lots of upgrades from AutoBionics to help simplify build, but with limited time to work on the car I can see my build going in to next year. During moments of weakness I have even considered taking a hit and selling car as is. Luckily have Speedster356 who keeps geeing me along, but I'm sure other builders recognize the low points during build where you feel like giving up,especially when the summer goes by with no hoon car!
So how many hours then guys? Already guessing Keith will break all records
Dave
As you know, Dave.... I received my chassis in July of last yr and am just coming to the end of the engine bay build (http://www.facebook.com/Ultima.Can.Am.Build).... I want to be on the road 1st week of Sept, but we'll see as I refuse to compromise on anything.
Will be intreagued to hear how long it's taken others too...
Will be intreagued to hear how long it's taken others too...
02PRUV said:
Took me 220 hours over 6 weeks. 2 weeks were sitting around waiting for the second shipment of parts from Ultima. If I had all the parts to start with I would of had it done in 4 weeks.
Wow, fair play, that's going some! I think it's best if I don't count the hrs spent in the garage, eek!!02PRUV said:
Took me 220 hours over 6 weeks. 2 weeks were sitting around waiting for the second shipment of parts from Ultima. If I had all the parts to start with I would of had it done in 4 weeks.
Jeeez !!!! Was just about to ask how much you would charge to finish mine so I could use this summer, then noticed your location LOL.Storer said:
Building with new parts would be much faster (and probably cheaper).
Agree with your thoughts there Paul. Many factors affect build time and 'Ultimate'-ly, ones enthusiasm.... Space, experience with and tooling to hand, availabilty of extra supplies locally, other commitments, funds etc etc. The biggest time/money consumer will always be rework and mods to the plan.
The very best route is to stick firmly to factory build and enjoy the standard product...The next best alternative being research, plan and document your build mods in the lead up to order and during delivery time. Nothing worse than building only to dissassemble, risk damage, mod, clean up and refit as and when mods evolve during the build.
Lots of info and experience on here to help with ones unique ideas (many will already have been tried in some form or other plus a 'top mod' list exists on here somewhere)
200-400 hours of 'actual assembly' should cover most stock new-builds.
..he say's, having had a chassis and 95% of the parts for 3.5 years !!
However have built a Seven some years back in just under 220 hours including engine spec, machine / build and gearbox-diff refurbs (in quite a small shed back then)
It'll be worth the cheesy grin.
G luck.
The very best route is to stick firmly to factory build and enjoy the standard product...The next best alternative being research, plan and document your build mods in the lead up to order and during delivery time. Nothing worse than building only to dissassemble, risk damage, mod, clean up and refit as and when mods evolve during the build.
Lots of info and experience on here to help with ones unique ideas (many will already have been tried in some form or other plus a 'top mod' list exists on here somewhere)
200-400 hours of 'actual assembly' should cover most stock new-builds.
..he say's, having had a chassis and 95% of the parts for 3.5 years !!
However have built a Seven some years back in just under 220 hours including engine spec, machine / build and gearbox-diff refurbs (in quite a small shed back then)
It'll be worth the cheesy grin.
G luck.
It is important that you enjoy the build process IMO. If you are rushing to a deadline and making yourself work on it when you don't feel like it then it will become a chore.
If you build it yourself you will "own" the car far more than if you have someone else do it for you. Get help with bits if you need it but still work alongside/assist and you will know the finished product far better.
There have been times when I have designed a modification, part built it and then decided not to use it. This may have taken a day or two all for nowt. But I am happy with the finished (almost) product. I had hoped to have it done in 5 months but it has taken 17. But it has been time well spent for me.
Paul
If you build it yourself you will "own" the car far more than if you have someone else do it for you. Get help with bits if you need it but still work alongside/assist and you will know the finished product far better.
There have been times when I have designed a modification, part built it and then decided not to use it. This may have taken a day or two all for nowt. But I am happy with the finished (almost) product. I had hoped to have it done in 5 months but it has taken 17. But it has been time well spent for me.
Paul
sone said:
Dave to calculate your build time you have to actually go into the garage, you can't run the clock while your just talking about it
In the garage today and managed :-- ecu fitted in luggage pod and wiring loom fed into engine bay
- engine dropped in to line up AB fuel system
- swirl pot mounted and fuel lines temporarily attached
- cooling pipes tested for fit.
Slowly slowly .........
738 driver said:
Many factors affect build time and 'Ultimate'-ly, ones enthusiasm.... Space, experience with and tooling to hand, availabilty of extra supplies locally, other commitments, funds etc etc. The biggest time/money consumer will always be rework and mods to the plan.
The very best route is to stick firmly to factory build and enjoy the standard product...The next best alternative being research, plan and document your build mods in the lead up to order and during delivery time. Nothing worse than building only to dissassemble, risk damage, mod, clean up and refit as and when mods evolve during the build.
Lots of info and experience on here to help with ones unique ideas (many will already have been tried in some form or other plus a 'top mod' list exists on here somewhere)
200-400 hours of 'actual assembly' should cover most stock new-builds.
..he say's, having had a chassis and 95% of the parts for 3.5 years !!
However have built a Seven some years back in just under 220 hours including engine spec, machine / build and gearbox-diff refurbs (in quite a small shed back then)
It'll be worth the cheesy grin.
G luck.
Agree re research and double checking everything before committing. Thanks for tips. The very best route is to stick firmly to factory build and enjoy the standard product...The next best alternative being research, plan and document your build mods in the lead up to order and during delivery time. Nothing worse than building only to dissassemble, risk damage, mod, clean up and refit as and when mods evolve during the build.
Lots of info and experience on here to help with ones unique ideas (many will already have been tried in some form or other plus a 'top mod' list exists on here somewhere)
200-400 hours of 'actual assembly' should cover most stock new-builds.
..he say's, having had a chassis and 95% of the parts for 3.5 years !!
However have built a Seven some years back in just under 220 hours including engine spec, machine / build and gearbox-diff refurbs (in quite a small shed back then)
It'll be worth the cheesy grin.
G luck.
TangoGTR said:
Okay didn't mean it literally for everything . Should have said key measurements or lining something up before drilling holes. Yes adds a few seconds or minutes here and there, but from experience saves having to re work areas where something is miscalculated.
Agree.... measure 15 times, cut once. That way it's right first time and you're not re-doing work . Should have said key measurements or lining something up before drilling holes. Yes adds a few seconds or minutes here and there, but from experience saves having to re work areas where something is miscalculated. 
Err....
...this is scary!
I had a look back on my old emails and found....
Ordered Oct 2005 - WHAA? 2005?
First bit arrived Jan 2006...
1-and-a- bit years off the job due to the other half insisting on an extension to the house (and I snuk a new garage into the plans - heh!)...
So where are we... Ummmmm! wiv the missing year and a bit, just under 5 years then! and includes some off-plan excursions!
Dave, I had the 'builders-blues' a few years ago, believe me! I think most of us go through this. It is important to seek a cuddle from your other Ultima building buddies and buddies that have one on the road, which should either:
a) Get you back in the mood, and refresh all those night dreams of driving your beast...or
b) get you arrested!
..and as I have, and continue to find out, it is always the last bits that seem to take the longest!
Gettin' exciting now for me... tis going up to the land of SS for a new exhaust next week...
Fell about laughing last night! Asked the missus to get into the car to help me bleed/fill the brakes for the first time, and to check the clutch pedal...
errr, she got halfway in and got stuck! - couldn't move bless her - at 63 she was very brave even to attempt it! I had visions of calling in the fire brigade!
- took about 20 mins to extract her - found her vocabulary rather extensive during the episode! She used expletive words that I never knew even existed! 
Keep going Dave
...this is scary!
I had a look back on my old emails and found....
Ordered Oct 2005 - WHAA? 2005?
First bit arrived Jan 2006...
1-and-a- bit years off the job due to the other half insisting on an extension to the house (and I snuk a new garage into the plans - heh!)...
So where are we... Ummmmm! wiv the missing year and a bit, just under 5 years then! and includes some off-plan excursions!
Dave, I had the 'builders-blues' a few years ago, believe me! I think most of us go through this. It is important to seek a cuddle from your other Ultima building buddies and buddies that have one on the road, which should either:
a) Get you back in the mood, and refresh all those night dreams of driving your beast...or
b) get you arrested!
..and as I have, and continue to find out, it is always the last bits that seem to take the longest!
Gettin' exciting now for me... tis going up to the land of SS for a new exhaust next week...
Fell about laughing last night! Asked the missus to get into the car to help me bleed/fill the brakes for the first time, and to check the clutch pedal...
errr, she got halfway in and got stuck! - couldn't move bless her - at 63 she was very brave even to attempt it! I had visions of calling in the fire brigade!
- took about 20 mins to extract her - found her vocabulary rather extensive during the episode! She used expletive words that I never knew even existed! Keep going Dave
TangoGTR said:
Okay didn't mean it literally for everything . Should have said key measurements or lining something up before drilling holes. Yes adds a few seconds or minutes here and there, but from experience saves having to re work areas where something is miscalculated.
I was being sarcastic about the fact you posted twice!. Should have said key measurements or lining something up before drilling holes. Yes adds a few seconds or minutes here and there, but from experience saves having to re work areas where something is miscalculated. Paul
6 months ish for the GTR then 18 months for the Can-Am (my first son arrived during the Can-Am build!).
As said above, it largely depends on how you spec the car and how far you deviate from the standard build. Whilst straying from standard is a great (research and then execution) it can offer satisfaction and frustration in equal measure at times.
My sites show the hours pretty accurately and I benefitted from having a decent workshop and pretty much every tool known to mankind at my disposal.
The absolute key is to plan the build (again, especially if going non-standard). There's nothing more frustrating than trying to complete a part of the build and finding you don't have the right bits (this is guaranteed to happen whenever shops/suppliers are shut :hehe), or you do things and then find you have to 'undo' them later in the build.
That said, it's all part of the fun. The build for most of us is as enjoyable as the end result. Take your time and enjoy it
As said above, it largely depends on how you spec the car and how far you deviate from the standard build. Whilst straying from standard is a great (research and then execution) it can offer satisfaction and frustration in equal measure at times.
My sites show the hours pretty accurately and I benefitted from having a decent workshop and pretty much every tool known to mankind at my disposal.
The absolute key is to plan the build (again, especially if going non-standard). There's nothing more frustrating than trying to complete a part of the build and finding you don't have the right bits (this is guaranteed to happen whenever shops/suppliers are shut :hehe), or you do things and then find you have to 'undo' them later in the build.
That said, it's all part of the fun. The build for most of us is as enjoyable as the end result. Take your time and enjoy it
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