Alternatives to the Expensive Factory Options
Discussion
Whats up guys. I've been reading this forum for a few months now trying to gain some knowledge on the GTR. One thing I have noticed is that, while the base kit for the Ultima is very reasonable, the "options" list can cost almost as much as the the base kit.
Some of the options seemed a little steep in price. For example,rear tires from Ultima cost around $600 each, and you can comparable tires from www.tirerack.com for $370.
For those who have built their Ultima, I was wondering what areas of the car where you were able to save a couple bucks by not going with the factory parts. Some other expensive options I see are the seats, brakes, and even the radiator assembly (Ive had custom radiators built before that did not cost near $1200). Thanks guys.
Some of the options seemed a little steep in price. For example,rear tires from Ultima cost around $600 each, and you can comparable tires from www.tirerack.com for $370.
For those who have built their Ultima, I was wondering what areas of the car where you were able to save a couple bucks by not going with the factory parts. Some other expensive options I see are the seats, brakes, and even the radiator assembly (Ive had custom radiators built before that did not cost near $1200). Thanks guys.
The whole stage 1-17 is misleading has you will also need 75% of what they call accessories. You will find the accessories are going to cost you much more than the base kit.
There are some places you can cut cost by going with non-factory parts, but I have not found many. They’re where a bunch of factory parts that I though where over priced, before I started looking for non-factory replacements. In most cases I found the factory prices to be pretty close.
mark
There are some places you can cut cost by going with non-factory parts, but I have not found many. They’re where a bunch of factory parts that I though where over priced, before I started looking for non-factory replacements. In most cases I found the factory prices to be pretty close.
mark
I am trying to build my GTR on a budget and look at each stage or part with a view to finding a cheaper alternative.
You can find cheaper wheels but have not found any that look better. You can source the alloy chassis skins if you have the ability/tools to cut and bend the panels. In the US you are bound to be able to source a cheaper engine. Seats have been mentioned but the factory ones are very comfortable (admits to having sat in the empty chassis going Broom, Broom). The cooling system could be sourced elsewhere as the prices for radiators would suggest but what you are paying for from the factory is the shape of the alloy cooling pipes that run down both sides of the car. If you have never seen one you will never work out what shape it needs to be.
For the small savings you can make you will cause yourself huge amounts of heartache trying to design all the little brackets and fixings that Ultima have developed over 8 or 10 years.
I looked at the oil cooler option and found prices for the major parts and thought that I could do the system myself but when I checked every pipe, fitting, adaptor and mounting bracket I had only made a few quid on what the factory option cost. If I made a mistake on what fittings/threads I had purchased at £12 per fitting I would have made a loss.
The main benefit for those in the US will be to buy as many stages and options as possible up front as the shipping costs for multiple deliveries will be a problem. If you ordered every stage and every option it would all still come in the one box.
You can find cheaper wheels but have not found any that look better. You can source the alloy chassis skins if you have the ability/tools to cut and bend the panels. In the US you are bound to be able to source a cheaper engine. Seats have been mentioned but the factory ones are very comfortable (admits to having sat in the empty chassis going Broom, Broom). The cooling system could be sourced elsewhere as the prices for radiators would suggest but what you are paying for from the factory is the shape of the alloy cooling pipes that run down both sides of the car. If you have never seen one you will never work out what shape it needs to be.
For the small savings you can make you will cause yourself huge amounts of heartache trying to design all the little brackets and fixings that Ultima have developed over 8 or 10 years.
I looked at the oil cooler option and found prices for the major parts and thought that I could do the system myself but when I checked every pipe, fitting, adaptor and mounting bracket I had only made a few quid on what the factory option cost. If I made a mistake on what fittings/threads I had purchased at £12 per fitting I would have made a loss.
The main benefit for those in the US will be to buy as many stages and options as possible up front as the shipping costs for multiple deliveries will be a problem. If you ordered every stage and every option it would all still come in the one box.
I've said it before and I'll say it again (although others seem to share the same view).
Whilst it may be possible to source slightly cheaper parts, don't expect to get the same quality. As the old adage says "You pays yer money, you take your choice!".
I (like many others) started off down this route, but once you've weighed up the saving vs. the inferior goods and the effect it will have on resale value as it will no longer be 'factory spec' it defeats the object.
Whilst it may be possible to source slightly cheaper parts, don't expect to get the same quality. As the old adage says "You pays yer money, you take your choice!".
I (like many others) started off down this route, but once you've weighed up the saving vs. the inferior goods and the effect it will have on resale value as it will no longer be 'factory spec' it defeats the object.
It's easy to say that you can source parts cheaper elsewhere. However, I'd chalenge anybody to buy components of the same quality for less. Also remember that when you buy a part from the factory it'll come with all of the fixings and brackets that you will need to put it together, and you'll find that you can't save more than a few pennies here or there.
James
James
At first the radiator seems expensive until you realize it includes fans and brackets, mandrel bent aluminum cooling tubes that run down the length of the chassis. You may be able to save a bit on the brakes but you'll spend loads of time and money experimenting with pads, master cylinder ratios, etc. Why cheap out on the most important part of the Car? The factory engineered brakes work great. Seats and tires you could save some, but most other seats are too wide, I've only found 3-4 choices that fit. The factory seats are reclined a touch and are very comfy. In the end your only going to save a couple grand, percentage wise, that's not much.
Hi All,
By cutting and forming the panels myself (access to a laser cutter and pressbrake), I have found a significant $ savings for my planned budget. However, there will be many hours of measuring and making templates before I have metal parts I can rivet in - it's a tradeoff. It seems the rest of the hard components from the factory are very close price-wise to the alternatives. I'll be visiting the factory on June 6,7 to finalize my plan.
Allan
Ontario, Canada.
By cutting and forming the panels myself (access to a laser cutter and pressbrake), I have found a significant $ savings for my planned budget. However, there will be many hours of measuring and making templates before I have metal parts I can rivet in - it's a tradeoff. It seems the rest of the hard components from the factory are very close price-wise to the alternatives. I'll be visiting the factory on June 6,7 to finalize my plan.
Allan
Ontario, Canada.
I bought the kit complete from the factory with all the options except the engine, transaxle and tires. The single package was very complete and saves the time, effort and money of finding and substituting questionable alternatives. I felt most comfortable taking Ted and Richards advice on how to specthe car as they have the most experience doing so. The engine, trans and tires were less expensive finding them here stateside but in the long run.....not much. Quality before cost was my goal. Good Luck.
Brad Z
Chicago
Brad Z
Chicago
The only real way to make significant savings in my view is to make things yourself.
The kits seem expensive but as said previously you get everything. The example used is the radiator kit, you get the rad, two fans, two 6ft long alloy pre bent pipes, silicon hoses, alloy expansion tank, alloy top up tank etc... you get the message.
It's much like deciding you don't want to buy your bits from Ferrari because they are a bit pricey....do so ONLY if you really know what you are doing.
The kits seem expensive but as said previously you get everything. The example used is the radiator kit, you get the rad, two fans, two 6ft long alloy pre bent pipes, silicon hoses, alloy expansion tank, alloy top up tank etc... you get the message.
It's much like deciding you don't want to buy your bits from Ferrari because they are a bit pricey....do so ONLY if you really know what you are doing.
vette7294 said: What about brakes? I know the AP brakes are awesome, but I wouldn't be doing a lot of racing. I was thinking some brakes off of either a Corvette Z06 or Porsche would be plenty of stopping power for such a light car
Brakes are one of the parts I though was over priced but after contacting may places I found the price wasn't bad. In most case by the time you get custom hats made, rotor, calipers, + custom brackets I found the price was around 2800. The factory AP set up is 3200. So you could save 400 but is that worth having a brake set up that may or may work properly.
With that said I contacted www.precisionbrakescompany.com who is apparently working with an ultima owner to come up with a brake kit for the car. Depending on the price and brakes they use it may be an option.
Has for using parts off a Corvette Z06 or Porsche who knows. I have never known factory parts to be cheap. If you found some used ones, by the time you make brackets + have the hats milled to the correct size you may not save much. Depending on the piston sizes you might have to get a hold of different master cylinders has they are match to the piston size.
Believe me I am trying to cut cost everywhere I can to. So far the only big cuts I found where tires, rear wing, gauges, seats + shocks.
Mark
I had a set of Brembo brakes designed for my car, as I have a "little man" who happens to work for Brembo, and does this sort of thing as a side line. I wanted the best brakes I could get for the car, as I would be racing. They were expensive (partly due to the development cost, but also due to the fact that they use expensive components), but I've never owned a car that would stop as quickly.
You haven't lived until you've out-braked a Caterham in an Ultima
)
James
You haven't lived until you've out-braked a Caterham in an Ultima
) James
Certainly is. It's actually one large tank that sits behind the driver. It's a bag tank that sits inside an ally bulkhead. The front of the bulkhead forms the back of the drivers seat, and is shaped to fit (so you actually sit partially inside the fuel tank). It's the safest place to have the fuel tank on a race car, since it's in the least likely place to be damaged (and if it does get to the point where it's crushed, the driver would be well gone by then too).
I actually got hold of it from Ultima. It was something that they had custom made as an experiment, but never got around to using. It was quite pricey though. It cost over 1500 GBP to get it manufactured.
I believe that the GTR running in the GT's this year has a similar setup.
James
I actually got hold of it from Ultima. It was something that they had custom made as an experiment, but never got around to using. It was quite pricey though. It cost over 1500 GBP to get it manufactured.
I believe that the GTR running in the GT's this year has a similar setup.
James
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