And all I got was a sweaty knob.........
Discussion
170 miles, 4 pints of sweat, 1 missing front clip outer grille, and 0 SVA pass....... but a massive grin!! 
Many thanks to Paul for answering my speedo issue and a megga big thanks to Andy from Factory for answering all my knee jerk questions.
I must admit before I go on that a number of the failed items could have been avoided if I had done thorough research but time and my liking of the unknown, has got me this result.
Went to Southampton, left at 5.30 after finishing last night at 3am! Lovely and cool on the way down, not a jam anywhere. I guess you owner's will know the type of driving conditions I mean. Got to the Centre and was met buy the tester who very quickly set out his stall with the statement that never has a kit car passed first time!!
The next 7 hours were mainly spent learning. He and the other guys there really know their stuff and had me in and outta the car, opening this, showing that etc.
The car was behaving really badly, I've not touched a thing apart fron the idle screw since it came outta the box, and all I get is a stall or a rather racy 1200 rpm, making clutch depression, braking and 'dancing' a rather annoying if not embarasing side effect. I tried my best to get her to iddle, but my eyes were watering with fumes and the smell was quite overwelming.
It became evident fairly early on that it was a fail, and to then change tack and become a good student, trying to learn as much as possible and fully understanding the cause and remedy.
So here goes:
Anti theft device - doh! Will add a battery cut off switch.
Brake balance bar, must have bar and push rods not with locknuts - but with roll pins.
Emissions - Although I had a letter from American Speed saying that the block was 1973 and document from GM to say that it was of this spec, the chap wanted evidence from GM stating the year of manufacture. This meant it had to undergo a test and the n/s bank failed and the off side passed!
Proof of material of the side screens
Proof that the seatbelt ancorage bolts are at least to 8.8 (the say 'L' on them)
Proof from Goodyear that the ZR rating (149ish??) can be extended to the declared top speed of 160.
Removal of sharp edges to reflectors (off my bike!!) and the sharp edge on the upper gear linkage rose joint.
So if your gonna fail, and have to go back, you might as well get your £30 quids worth! I don't think they could have been anymore thorough and that makes for a safer motor right?
Finally.....
Git to get this thing running sweat and get some gas in that aircon - as I was really loosing grip of my knob. Can anyone suggest a specialis in the surrey area who has experience of the AS/holley/ultima combo - someone in Woking was it???
Don't know what to do now....drink, sleep or tidy the garage...........not.....
!!
(not so) Lucky Pierre
Many thanks to Paul for answering my speedo issue and a megga big thanks to Andy from Factory for answering all my knee jerk questions.
I must admit before I go on that a number of the failed items could have been avoided if I had done thorough research but time and my liking of the unknown, has got me this result.
Went to Southampton, left at 5.30 after finishing last night at 3am! Lovely and cool on the way down, not a jam anywhere. I guess you owner's will know the type of driving conditions I mean. Got to the Centre and was met buy the tester who very quickly set out his stall with the statement that never has a kit car passed first time!!
The next 7 hours were mainly spent learning. He and the other guys there really know their stuff and had me in and outta the car, opening this, showing that etc.
The car was behaving really badly, I've not touched a thing apart fron the idle screw since it came outta the box, and all I get is a stall or a rather racy 1200 rpm, making clutch depression, braking and 'dancing' a rather annoying if not embarasing side effect. I tried my best to get her to iddle, but my eyes were watering with fumes and the smell was quite overwelming.
It became evident fairly early on that it was a fail, and to then change tack and become a good student, trying to learn as much as possible and fully understanding the cause and remedy.
So here goes:
Anti theft device - doh! Will add a battery cut off switch. Brake balance bar, must have bar and push rods not with locknuts - but with roll pins. Emissions - Although I had a letter from American Speed saying that the block was 1973 and document from GM to say that it was of this spec, the chap wanted evidence from GM stating the year of manufacture. This meant it had to undergo a test and the n/s bank failed and the off side passed! Proof of material of the side screens Proof that the seatbelt ancorage bolts are at least to 8.8 (the say 'L' on them) Proof from Goodyear that the ZR rating (149ish??) can be extended to the declared top speed of 160. Removal of sharp edges to reflectors (off my bike!!) and the sharp edge on the upper gear linkage rose joint. So if your gonna fail, and have to go back, you might as well get your £30 quids worth! I don't think they could have been anymore thorough and that makes for a safer motor right?
Finally.....
Git to get this thing running sweat and get some gas in that aircon - as I was really loosing grip of my knob. Can anyone suggest a specialis in the surrey area who has experience of the AS/holley/ultima combo - someone in Woking was it???
Don't know what to do now....drink, sleep or tidy the garage...........not.....
!! (not so) Lucky Pierre
Bad luck. As I said on the phone earlier I chose Nottingham because they are familiar with Ultimas. This way you avoid problems about sidescreen material and saftey belt spec as they have seen all that before. They were also happy with a letter from Ultima Sports saying that my block was pre 1973. In the words of the examiner "Ultima are the manufacturer of the car so we have to take their word for the age of the engine". They wouldn't accept my AS invoice which stated 1972 block, but Richard from the factory faxed over a letter to the examiner and he was happy.
As far as I know all cars produced after 1998 that need a SVA have to be fitted with at least a Cat 2 Alarm/Imob . Don't think a Battery Disconnect s/w will be enough....
Have SVA'ed about 12 Cars so far, so understand a little more than most....
Most Ult's that go to Nottingham SVA Centre, pass first time. And that bloke at Southampton was proud to say He Failed a Macca F1 before..... Silly Man
Have SVA'ed about 12 Cars so far, so understand a little more than most....
Most Ult's that go to Nottingham SVA Centre, pass first time. And that bloke at Southampton was proud to say He Failed a Macca F1 before..... Silly Man
luckyp said:
Git to get this thing running sweat and get some gas in that aircon - as I was really loosing grip of my knob. Can anyone suggest a specialis in the surrey area who has experience of the AS/holley/ultima combo - someone in Woking was it???
(not so) Lucky Pierre
GRL Motors, Woking. They have a web site but I can't remenber the address. I'm sure Google will find it for you! They sorted out my GTR some 6 years ago (They were recommended to me by Real Steel who supplied my engine. By the way they are usually very busy)
Yep, I second GRL Motors. Speak to Ian. He did a great job on my original AS engine 
although this rebuilt one of mine has baffled everyone.
GTRMikie is right about him being busy. Don't expect to be able to leave it with him for just a day. I would guess a week at least!
You must be shattered, Pete!!
What's the next move with SVA, then. Are you going to book it into Nottingham?
although this rebuilt one of mine has baffled everyone. GTRMikie is right about him being busy. Don't expect to be able to leave it with him for just a day. I would guess a week at least!
You must be shattered, Pete!!
What's the next move with SVA, then. Are you going to book it into Nottingham?
Heard about the problems with the tyres before. The factory sent me a copy of the Goodyear datasheet/letter which confirms that they are good for over 160 along with a letter about the side screens. My car was the first through the Bishopbriggs SVA centre near Glasgow...in the end it proved not to be a problem. The guy hated the gearstick though because he kept banging his knee agaist it getting in and out so I had a lot of rubber wrapped around it.
I'll second the opinion on the immobiliser. My SVA regs say you need a Cat2 or better. Surely the insurance people were expecting a Cat1?
Hope it all goes well the next time.
I'll second the opinion on the immobiliser. My SVA regs say you need a Cat2 or better. Surely the insurance people were expecting a Cat1?
Hope it all goes well the next time.
Gassing Station | Ultima | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff