Help & advice from GTWayne
Discussion
Sorry Wayne realised my 'intro' thread was getting a little long so started this new thread on the specific technical issues you advised on.....thought it'd be easier for you to notice!
I agree 650hp is more than enough and is almost certainly the way I will go and spending money on getting the correct gear set is probably the optimal 'performance' solution......Brake wise all of the feedback I've read on the Ultima AP set-up supports your view also and given the car should be sub 1000kg (with the Dyamags/LS7)think I'd rather spend the extra on a few more trackdays!!
Regards the rad I had not picked up on the rad itself being the problem with the cooling other than Ultima now supplying the uprated 5 core unit as standard & owners fitting uprated fans with manual overides.........really interested now in the alumunium rad set-up you mention.....is this something I can talk to Richard/Ted about supplying or can you recommend supplier/spec for this and the fans?
Really appreciate quick response if poss as I want to finalise as much of the spec as possible and final kit content with Richard this week...obviously if I need to cancel order on rad/fans etc be good to know asap.......I've already deleted wheels last week in lieu of going with the Dymags.....
ATB, Simon
Really appreciate all the early advice and feedback......ATB, Simon
I agree 650hp is more than enough and is almost certainly the way I will go and spending money on getting the correct gear set is probably the optimal 'performance' solution......Brake wise all of the feedback I've read on the Ultima AP set-up supports your view also and given the car should be sub 1000kg (with the Dyamags/LS7)think I'd rather spend the extra on a few more trackdays!!
Regards the rad I had not picked up on the rad itself being the problem with the cooling other than Ultima now supplying the uprated 5 core unit as standard & owners fitting uprated fans with manual overides.........really interested now in the alumunium rad set-up you mention.....is this something I can talk to Richard/Ted about supplying or can you recommend supplier/spec for this and the fans?
Really appreciate quick response if poss as I want to finalise as much of the spec as possible and final kit content with Richard this week...obviously if I need to cancel order on rad/fans etc be good to know asap.......I've already deleted wheels last week in lieu of going with the Dymags.....
ATB, Simon
Really appreciate all the early advice and feedback......ATB, Simon
LS7TANGO said:
Really appreciate all the early advice and feedback......ATB, Simon
Whilst I'm not Wayne (thankfully 
) I would say that the more you deviate from the factory spec. the more you'll be relying on help and advice here.Not that there's anything wrong with that, but the factory will only support the options that they supply on the basis that they're tried and tested - which is reasonable enough.
My advice - don't go asking Ted for non-standard bits unless you like the sound of the dial tone
Hi Stig....thanks for the reply - my intention is to stick with a factory build spec and I really appreciate the tried and tested approach from the factory. Obviously the aluminium rad and uprated fans was perhaps an interesting route with minimum issue to factory build but will consider carefully - at present have decided I will stick with my existing order (basically I have already ordered all except body and g/box with delivery around Mid Oct).
The one area I am working on is the wheels & whilst Richard has been at pains to express the problems they have seen with alternatives re:wheel to body fit-up I am still pursuing the Dymag carbon/mag set-up at present. Quality wise Dymag products are proven and absolutely top-notch and Richard has been kind enough to supply key dimensions - in addition I will be taking further key measurements when I visit the factory week in a couple of weeks or so........other than that I will source my own 320mm steering wheel (with factory supplied quick release..)as I want to go with Alcantara rather than leather!!
All in all it's really helpful to hear the options and thoughts ref build spec but my plan was and is to build a high end spec to factory std and then live with and mod the car as I go.....but then again the best laid plans often go astray!
Really appreciate the effort you've put into your Ultima websites....very, very helpful as are all the various build sites....only hope I can be as organised & record my build for others!!
ATB, Simon
The one area I am working on is the wheels & whilst Richard has been at pains to express the problems they have seen with alternatives re:wheel to body fit-up I am still pursuing the Dymag carbon/mag set-up at present. Quality wise Dymag products are proven and absolutely top-notch and Richard has been kind enough to supply key dimensions - in addition I will be taking further key measurements when I visit the factory week in a couple of weeks or so........other than that I will source my own 320mm steering wheel (with factory supplied quick release..)as I want to go with Alcantara rather than leather!!
All in all it's really helpful to hear the options and thoughts ref build spec but my plan was and is to build a high end spec to factory std and then live with and mod the car as I go.....but then again the best laid plans often go astray!
Really appreciate the effort you've put into your Ultima websites....very, very helpful as are all the various build sites....only hope I can be as organised & record my build for others!!
ATB, Simon
got to add my two penneth worth here on the subject of rads/overheating. I have never had the problem until last week when in Germany. 26 degrees, and on the motorways no problems...80 - 87 degrees coolant temprature. But once off into the city, temp started to climb to 100+. Twice she went off the scale and boiled up which was very worrying as I envisaged being stuck abroad with huge repair and breakdown costs, but fortunately I mangaged to get parked up quick, and replenish the water (once she cooled down). I think the rad design is ok, and its down to the location (at 45 degrees) and perhaps also the header tank size...not enough coolant in the system. I wonder if fitting a larger header tank will help??
Cooling eh ? I recently had a similar hot weather experience - temp briefly hit 120 but thankfully no damage. After a call to the Factory, Ted supplied me with a new temperature sender unit that triggers at lower temps. It seems to work, but I need a really hot day to give it maximum stress. I'll keep you posted.
In the meantime, Ted also mentioned that you should never keep more than 1000 rpm when stationary. I had my foot on the throttle a little to keep the engine from stalling with the air con on. Apparently this is a real No-No as the temp will (and did) rocket!
The factory have also fitted me an adjustable "plunger" on the throttle to up the revs a little when the air con is on, but it keeps below 1000 rpm. Stalling is no longer an issue.
The factory also don't recommend taking out the thermostat, which was my first thought.
In the meantime, Ted also mentioned that you should never keep more than 1000 rpm when stationary. I had my foot on the throttle a little to keep the engine from stalling with the air con on. Apparently this is a real No-No as the temp will (and did) rocket!
The factory have also fitted me an adjustable "plunger" on the throttle to up the revs a little when the air con is on, but it keeps below 1000 rpm. Stalling is no longer an issue.
The factory also don't recommend taking out the thermostat, which was my first thought.
I have also had the cooling issue. I have the standard Ultima Rad but did upgrade the fans to twice spec'd capacity. I also drained and replaced the cooling system fluid and used a good quality coolant. When in traffic I switch on the manual over ride immediately and then if there for a long time I also short shift to keep the revs down if crawling along. I no longer have any issues. The car gets to 95-100 and sits there, then quickly reduces when moving. I have also set the tickover to run without the air con at 800 RPM. This does mean that you have to switch the air con off when at tick over otherwise the enigne has a high probability of stalling. I have as yet not gone to tick over at 800 with the air con on as this means that when the car is at stop the tickover is too high without air con. I'll live with it for the moment. I open the door if at stop or crawling.
My two pennies worth.
S
My two pennies worth.
S
It will also depend on the engine of choice. I had a lot of overheating issues with my 427 SBC. I upgraded the fans and it was marginal but worked on all but the hottest days. Whey I switched to the LSx motor with fuel injection the engine pretty much sits on the thermostat temp even in 100F weather. Crawling or on the track I do not see above 95C ever.
Simon
Regarding the Dynamags, great wheels but we weighed them and they are only a few kgs different for a complete set than the Ultima wheels, you then have to add on the extra weight (1-2kgs a corner) and cost (£1500) for the conversion from studs to centrelocks... personelly I'd only fit these if you can get them to fit the original stud patern without going centrelock.
The way to save weight is to go down a wheel size... the Ultima 18's (and the dymag 18's) were around 20kgs+ heavier than the 17's I originally had on my Canam.... also consider the Kinetic ones that others have fitted on here, I am sure we can get some acuate weights from owners.
Another big saving is the clutch the one myself and Wayne have used is nearly 30kgs lighter than the std porsche clutch and flywheel, not a simple or cheap option though.
Might be worth speaking to GTRCLIVE if Waynes not around.
Regarding the Dynamags, great wheels but we weighed them and they are only a few kgs different for a complete set than the Ultima wheels, you then have to add on the extra weight (1-2kgs a corner) and cost (£1500) for the conversion from studs to centrelocks... personelly I'd only fit these if you can get them to fit the original stud patern without going centrelock.
The way to save weight is to go down a wheel size... the Ultima 18's (and the dymag 18's) were around 20kgs+ heavier than the 17's I originally had on my Canam.... also consider the Kinetic ones that others have fitted on here, I am sure we can get some acuate weights from owners.
Another big saving is the clutch the one myself and Wayne have used is nearly 30kgs lighter than the std porsche clutch and flywheel, not a simple or cheap option though.
Might be worth speaking to GTRCLIVE if Waynes not around.
Thanks for the info Andy....
I'd intended to stay with the original stud pattern in any event - want to keep the build as simple as possible and have no need for centrelocks.....the Dymag I'm looking at is not the 18" hollow mag 5 spokes but the newer 18" carbon/mag combo......not sure of the weight on these yet as Dymag have never supplied in original fitment size before......I'm at the factory week after next and will be discussing options with Richard and again with the guys at Dymag. Quite like the look of the Kinetic...Kinesis? but having had a quick look thought they only went up to a 12"...?
Reducing weight whilst maintaining a std build is the route I'm trying to go but the choice of wheel is also dictated by the look I want to achieve which is with an all black wheel set-up...
Really interested in the clutch set-up you mention though.....is this clutch and flywheel? Appreciate some more info if poss...
Thanks again for the info...
ATB, Simon
I'd intended to stay with the original stud pattern in any event - want to keep the build as simple as possible and have no need for centrelocks.....the Dymag I'm looking at is not the 18" hollow mag 5 spokes but the newer 18" carbon/mag combo......not sure of the weight on these yet as Dymag have never supplied in original fitment size before......I'm at the factory week after next and will be discussing options with Richard and again with the guys at Dymag. Quite like the look of the Kinetic...Kinesis? but having had a quick look thought they only went up to a 12"...?
Reducing weight whilst maintaining a std build is the route I'm trying to go but the choice of wheel is also dictated by the look I want to achieve which is with an all black wheel set-up...
Really interested in the clutch set-up you mention though.....is this clutch and flywheel? Appreciate some more info if poss...
Thanks again for the info...
ATB, Simon
Stig said:
GTWayne said:
Stig said:
Whilst I'm not Wayne (thankfully)
You never know Stig, you should try it sometime, if nothing else you may at least still have an Ultima as a result? 
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