Factory Visit

[454]

Hi,

I've been following this forum for some time and am finally in the position to order my GTR kit

I saw a GTR in the flesh for the first time 2 years ago at Le Mans and I just knew I had to some day own one of these beasts.

I've booked an appointment with the factory this weekend and to say I am excited is a major understatement

Can anyone give me any tips on stuff to look out for or questions I should be asking while I am there ?
I have quite a few of my own already as I am planning on building a fully specced up car with a fairly tuned engine - approx 600bhp.

Any tips or things to avoid welcomed.

[timsta]

I remember Ted taking me for my test drive. All I can suggest is:

Take spare pants!

[Crazy of Cookham]

Congrats. Enjoy the factory. It took sometime for my hands to stop shaking after test drive to enable the signing of the order form. Whilst at the factory try to meet Richard (Ted Son) you will be dealing with him on day to day order of bits and Andy who will build the car over the phone with you. Bunch of great guys.
Check carefully leadtimes on bits. If you order in stages as I did check the availability on the major items so you can schedule them in. I think maybe I ran ahead of the normal build time completing in 9-10 months.
Take a digital camera if you have one and take 100's picture of engine suspension etc they will be invaluable.
You might like to ask about the wearing of suspension joints which has been an issue.

Have a great day!.

[Steve_D]

Ted will take you through a local town to show you how tractable the car is. Don't be fooled, the high speed dash down country lanes is only just round the next corner.
Enjoy.
On my test drive we came upon a Noble but it had the good sense to turn off before we got close.
Steve

[454]

Thanks guys

So far my list of things to remember is as follows :

Digi-camera
Brown Trousers

Really looking forward to this now, it's been a while since I've heard the rumble of a big V8

[ultimapaul]

454 - Also, try inserting a coat hanger between your cheeks for about an hour a day between now and the visit.



It helps them adjust to the constant smile stuck to your chops after the test drive.

Best of luck

Paul.

[barter]

May I add...ensure your seat belt is very tight! These things stop as fast (if not faster) than they accelerate. I came closely aquainted with the passenger foot rest because I didn't do the belt up tight enough.

My intial thoughts on approaching the 1st country road bend with Ted driving was 'Oh my god I'm going to die!' followed 2 seconds later by...'I've got to have this!'.

[BigAl1]

They are a very friendly group, very nice to deal with. As for questions - maybe ask if there any incremental upgrades to the design. The rear suspension bushing was already mentioned, maybe ask about the fuel tank link pipe being made larger so both tanks can be filled from one side? Ask for their opinion about LS1/LS6 engines as these are becoming more popular and available.
Allan

[GTR-TT]

barter said:

My intial thoughts on approaching the 1st country road bend with Ted driving was 'Oh my god I'm going to die!' followed 2 seconds later by...'I've got to have this!'.

Exactly my first thought as well but my second was 'It has a FIA rollcage so maybe I will survive...'

[gtrmannen]

GTR-TT said:

barter said: My intial thoughts on approaching the 1st country road bend with Ted driving was 'Oh my god I'm going to die!' followed 2 seconds later by...'I've got to have this!'. Exactly my first thought as well but my second was 'It has a FIA rollcage so maybe I will survive...'

Me too, me too

[timsta]

GTR-TT said:

barter said: My intial thoughts on approaching the 1st country road bend with Ted driving was 'Oh my god I'm going to die!' followed 2 seconds later by...'I've got to have this!'. Exactly my first thought as well but my second was 'It has a FIA rollcage so maybe I will survive...'

That's it. I'm going back for another "test drive."

[454]

OK,

I've added the rear bushes issue and fuel line sizes to my ever increasing list of questions.
I've also got numerous things to ask regarding block age and fuel injected motors so I'll cover the LS1/LS6 while I'm about it.
Ideally I need to find a way of getting a newer block through the SVA without all the hassle of Cats etc.
I've got a few ideas but I won't post them on here as it's a public forum and you never know if Mr SVA is watching

Are there any areas of the build that aren't covered very well in the build manual that I should concentrate on getting some shots of ?
I'm sure I will be on the phone to the factory every other weekend anyway but every little helps

Thanks for all the help guys, I've read lots and lots of previous posts on here and it's a very informative and friendly forum, keep up the good work

[GTRClive]

Never worry about the build manual as there are loads of us that have built them that are only to willing to help. This sight does have a Serious side as well as a funny one. Emailing pictures is a very helpful thing, as the factory are closed on sundays and late at night when most of these cars are built, this network of Ultima Nuts is very helpful, and allways willing.

Have fun ... Live Long and Prosper ... NAN NU NAN NU...
oopslostitagainsorrymusttakemytablets.

[Steve_D]

454
If you have it in mind to start placing orders you may want to post a list of the options you have decided for or against. We can then tear it apart for you. There are money saving options on the way you build dependant on your engineering skill. There are also options on instumentation you may wish to consider.
Steve

[454]

OK, here goes, I've tried to list everything on the options list I plan to add to the base kit, if I've missed anything off or I've made some bad choices please feel free to point it out

As you can see there are some items at the bottom I am considering sourcing myself, mainly to save a few £'s and also to see if I can improve on these areas slightly, it may turn out that the hassle involved outweighs the benefits, in which case I will go with the factory parts. Hopefully my trip to Hinckley this weekend will clarify some of these areas.

Full RAC Roll Cage
Intrax coilovers
Remove all flash lines
Body Grills
Carbon Sports Mirrors
Helicopter vents
AP Brakes
AP Handbrake kit
Accelerator cable kit
Silicone hose kit
Clutch kit
Transaxle invert kit
Gearbox/engine adaptor
Porsche starter ring
Rear Light kit
Front Light kit
Switches
Relays and Fuses
Wiper kit
Seats, considering sourcing my own
Twin fuel pump kit - probably source my own fuel pumps as I have some good sources
A/C Kit - will source my own, a friend works for a large MOD A/C engineering company
Mild Steel Exhaust - coated with camcoat to reduce engine bay temps
Intruments - going to look at the Ultimna ones and see how nice they are, I like the idea of not mucking around with the wiring too much
Oil cooler kit - will source this myself, I have a good contact at MOCAL

[454]

... continued

Wheels - hopefully going for some custom ones
G50 Gearbox - preferably 5 speed and the strongest one I can find
Engine - Target of 600 flywheel BHP and maybe a little more with some NOS for drag and top speed runs. Looking to go with big cubes to achieve this e.g 427/454. I plan to spec this up and put it together myself (with a little help from some engineer type friends )

Sorry for the ramble, hopefully some of you are still awake

[Chewy]

I have not seen the carbon fibre sports mirrors in use and dont know whether they have the same field of view but I would not be without the electric mirrors myself.
I appreciate that you may not need to move them once set up for normal use but I do occasionally alter mine for reversing which is a little tricky as the mirrors are set inboard of the vehicle sides. Are the carbon fibre mirrors SVA compliant? I think that you have to be able to adjust your mirrors whilst sat in the normal driving position which would be difficult with the sports mirrors.

[Chewy]

I take it you are going for the twin fuel tank option -the price list only covers single option so you'll have to double it.
There is also:
Alloy Double skin kit
Gas Strut kit - I wouldn't like to open canopy without
Luggage containers/cover- to cary all your spares etc
Porsche starter motor

They all add up!

>> Edited by Chewy on Wednesday 15th October 16:53

[454]

Chewy,

Thanks for the feedback, I've added your suggestions to my list, I'm also going to ask about the mirrors on Saturday.

[barter]

454 - Have a look at this spreadsheet. I created it last year so the prices may be out of date and I think the steering rack has only the one choice now (the Ultima bespoke one).

>> Edited by barter on Wednesday 15th October 17:40