Advice please...
Discussion
Guys
I am considering buying a kit that has been started and it would be great if anyone can answer a couple of questions:
1 - The chassis is a standard one with full roll cage, built to accommodate an SBC. I would want to put in an LS7, but will this cause me any problems, ie will the chassis need modifying etc?
2 - The shocks are Protech rather than Intrax. Is this good, bad or indifferent?
3 - The tyres are Pirrelli rather than either of the Ultima recommended ones. Again is this good or bad?
4 - Are there any inteligent questions I ought to ask the seller?
If I can find a ready built one soon, I would probably go for that, but if I want to have one for next year and can't find a ready built one, I need to start building soon.
Any advice greatly appreciated.
Cheers
Andrew
I am considering buying a kit that has been started and it would be great if anyone can answer a couple of questions:
1 - The chassis is a standard one with full roll cage, built to accommodate an SBC. I would want to put in an LS7, but will this cause me any problems, ie will the chassis need modifying etc?
2 - The shocks are Protech rather than Intrax. Is this good, bad or indifferent?
3 - The tyres are Pirrelli rather than either of the Ultima recommended ones. Again is this good or bad?
4 - Are there any inteligent questions I ought to ask the seller?
If I can find a ready built one soon, I would probably go for that, but if I want to have one for next year and can't find a ready built one, I need to start building soon.
Any advice greatly appreciated.
Cheers
Andrew
Andy,
you could probably satisfy your concerns if you answered your own question first, do you really want to 'build or buy'?
Stuff like shocks,tyres, engines, mounts etc are all variables which the builder/owner/driver can and in the case on an Ultima, will most likely tweek to suit their taste and pocket. The tyres are going to wear out shortly anyway!
If you are in a hurry to have a car for next spring/summer then maybe a build would not be best. I dont think an Ultima built under time pressure would result in a personally satisfactory end product. You will find that as you go through planning, purchase and construction your initial ideas will become modified, improved and honed to produce a better car. This usually involves input from those with experience of the car and careful personal consideration too, which all takes time and if you get it wrong...big funds.
There are many extremely helpful, experienced guys and gals on here who will offer to answer most questions..... Im certainly not one of the experienced on this car but I sense from your post that you still had a few initial 'If's' about your goal for next year. Be completely honest with yourself and you might save lots of time and money.
Good luck with your new motor.
you could probably satisfy your concerns if you answered your own question first, do you really want to 'build or buy'?
Stuff like shocks,tyres, engines, mounts etc are all variables which the builder/owner/driver can and in the case on an Ultima, will most likely tweek to suit their taste and pocket. The tyres are going to wear out shortly anyway!
If you are in a hurry to have a car for next spring/summer then maybe a build would not be best. I dont think an Ultima built under time pressure would result in a personally satisfactory end product. You will find that as you go through planning, purchase and construction your initial ideas will become modified, improved and honed to produce a better car. This usually involves input from those with experience of the car and careful personal consideration too, which all takes time and if you get it wrong...big funds.
There are many extremely helpful, experienced guys and gals on here who will offer to answer most questions..... Im certainly not one of the experienced on this car but I sense from your post that you still had a few initial 'If's' about your goal for next year. Be completely honest with yourself and you might save lots of time and money.
Good luck with your new motor.
The chassis will be fine for SBC or LS engines, the factory supply engine mounts for either.
Pirelli's are ok not as grippy as some other tyres but they are ok
Protech are again fine perhaps not as good as intrax but again they will do the job.
Find out exactly what is included in the sale and check its worth against the ultima price lists.
there are some good deals on LS7's in the states at the mo and also G50's.
Pirelli's are ok not as grippy as some other tyres but they are ok
Protech are again fine perhaps not as good as intrax but again they will do the job.
Find out exactly what is included in the sale and check its worth against the ultima price lists.
there are some good deals on LS7's in the states at the mo and also G50's.
Dave - you are of course quite right about making the decision, but I have a list of about 10 pro's & cons of each. In fact when I bought my last Porsche it took 3 weeks to choose the colour and I still ended up changing my mind on the last day of finalising the order!
I have had some doubt over my technical competency, but I do love a challenge and having thorughly read 4 or 5 build sites, I reckon I could probably do it. Like you say, everyone on here seems really helpful, so I'm sure the build problems can be ironed out. The time issue is a big one, as I don't like the idea of not having a fun car for the summer, but I'd get over it.
Kyle - thanks for your comments to. Not too worried by the tyres as (Dave mentioned) they wont last too long. The shocks could always be flogged on in favour of Intrax ones, if the general feeling is they are better. I'd sooner build best to start with than try switching bits later.
Cheers guys
I have had some doubt over my technical competency, but I do love a challenge and having thorughly read 4 or 5 build sites, I reckon I could probably do it. Like you say, everyone on here seems really helpful, so I'm sure the build problems can be ironed out. The time issue is a big one, as I don't like the idea of not having a fun car for the summer, but I'd get over it.
Kyle - thanks for your comments to. Not too worried by the tyres as (Dave mentioned) they wont last too long. The shocks could always be flogged on in favour of Intrax ones, if the general feeling is they are better. I'd sooner build best to start with than try switching bits later.
Cheers guys
If you want it for next summer then I think building is out of the question.
You say you doubt your ability so trying to build to a timescale will likely result in something less than you would be happy with. I believe anyone can build the car but it will take longer if the builder has to double check each stage. I am an engineer and have been playing with cars since I was 14 and it took me 18 months to build the car I wanted.
Steve
You say you doubt your ability so trying to build to a timescale will likely result in something less than you would be happy with. I believe anyone can build the car but it will take longer if the builder has to double check each stage. I am an engineer and have been playing with cars since I was 14 and it took me 18 months to build the car I wanted.
Steve
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