Biting the bullet!
Discussion
Afternoon all,
Well I have been looking for a car to build for over a year now and after what seems to be a lifetime of reading reviews on the web I have decided there really is only one choice, an Ultima. I am opting for a GTR over the Can-Am through personal choice. I would like to say a huge thank you to Stig, your GTR site is about the best source of info anywhere on the net for someone looking to take the plunge, I must have read it about 4 times by now. Anyway I am booked in at the factory for next weekend, cheque book in hand ready to get the fist bits of my car. Does anyone have any recommendations regarding spec or optional bits that are a total must have?
Thanks guys
Brad
Well I have been looking for a car to build for over a year now and after what seems to be a lifetime of reading reviews on the web I have decided there really is only one choice, an Ultima. I am opting for a GTR over the Can-Am through personal choice. I would like to say a huge thank you to Stig, your GTR site is about the best source of info anywhere on the net for someone looking to take the plunge, I must have read it about 4 times by now. Anyway I am booked in at the factory for next weekend, cheque book in hand ready to get the fist bits of my car. Does anyone have any recommendations regarding spec or optional bits that are a total must have?
Thanks guys
Brad
Hi Brad,
Well it doesn't seem five mins since I was in the same position myself....jeez.......its six months already.
Most GTR's seem to go with the full cage and aircon options, lowered floors now come as standard.
Also depends on how much you plan to order during the first visit.
I concluded that I'd build the car in the same way you would do a re-shell job.....so went for the chassis,ally panels/d-skins and 1st-fit plumbing/electrics.... initially.
Although I'm not now stuck for space to build, I just did not see the point of fitting the dangly bits early on (wishbones brakes etc). They are only there to wipe out your kneecaps or gather dust during the initial stages.
Get going on a build trolley too and maybe some stout wooden trestles (for when you rivet the underside).........very useful.
Maybe keep your eye's open for a G50 type transaxale too...good ones do occasionally come up in the classifieds or E-bay.
I find that pacing it out allows me to fine tune as I go, both in spec and construction technique.
LS motors seem to be in favour these days although I'm with the old school SBC for now.
Good luck and enjoy your test run.
Well it doesn't seem five mins since I was in the same position myself....jeez.......its six months already.
Most GTR's seem to go with the full cage and aircon options, lowered floors now come as standard.
Also depends on how much you plan to order during the first visit.
I concluded that I'd build the car in the same way you would do a re-shell job.....so went for the chassis,ally panels/d-skins and 1st-fit plumbing/electrics.... initially.
Although I'm not now stuck for space to build, I just did not see the point of fitting the dangly bits early on (wishbones brakes etc). They are only there to wipe out your kneecaps or gather dust during the initial stages.
Get going on a build trolley too and maybe some stout wooden trestles (for when you rivet the underside).........very useful.
Maybe keep your eye's open for a G50 type transaxale too...good ones do occasionally come up in the classifieds or E-bay.
I find that pacing it out allows me to fine tune as I go, both in spec and construction technique.
LS motors seem to be in favour these days although I'm with the old school SBC for now.
Good luck and enjoy your test run.
Edited by 738 driver on Wednesday 4th March 13:34
Edited by 738 driver on Wednesday 4th March 15:28
kikets said:
yes...still helps! and a lot! sometimes, for non english native people like me it's a little bit difficult to understand, so it takes more time to read it!
btw, anyone knows a "building diary" in spanish?? unlikely...
cheers,
Kike
Try to contact Srreck who is in Spain....btw, anyone knows a "building diary" in spanish?? unlikely...
cheers,
Kike
http://www.8cilindros.com/
Good luck!
FIA compliance??..... I can't confirm that point Stig but it is the full-cage option which on earlier models was a welded fixture.
Currently those two rear braces bolt (m14-m16 maybe) to fixings in the rear hoop and via a tube/tab arrangement to the rear chassis top rails. The main body appears to be supplied full depth to extend all the way down to the main sideframe level. Again I have seen pictures of earlier full-cage builds where the rear body was almost fully cut out to fit around the rear cage tubes. Obviously now not neccesary.
Currently those two rear braces bolt (m14-m16 maybe) to fixings in the rear hoop and via a tube/tab arrangement to the rear chassis top rails. The main body appears to be supplied full depth to extend all the way down to the main sideframe level. Again I have seen pictures of earlier full-cage builds where the rear body was almost fully cut out to fit around the rear cage tubes. Obviously now not neccesary.
Brad: roll Cages aside, get ready to have one hell of a good time putting your GTR together. I am not saying that there will not be days when you wonder why the sawp needed draining in the first place. But I think when your done, if you take your time and pay attention you will be very satisfied with the overall experince. Ultima, meaning Ted and Richard make a great product and provide A+ product support.
So be happy don't worry. Lee
So be happy don't worry. Lee
Thank you all for your help! I am really looking forward to Sat now, I just can’t wait to get the car and start building. I have decided on what I think the spec of my car should be, though I’m sure after speaking with Ted and Richard it could change slightly. The one thing I am slightly unsure of is my choice of engine, I know it is going to be 500bhp+ but I’m unsure if I should opt for a supercharged heart or not.
Stig would you say the supercharger makes the car unbearable for weekend driving or only suitable for track use?
Anyway I have plenty of time to which engine to go for. In the mean time popped out to Berkshire metals over the weekend so I now have everything to make my chassis dolly (thanks again Stig), so that is my first job this week.
I will keep you all posted.
Brad
Stig would you say the supercharger makes the car unbearable for weekend driving or only suitable for track use?
Anyway I have plenty of time to which engine to go for. In the mean time popped out to Berkshire metals over the weekend so I now have everything to make my chassis dolly (thanks again Stig), so that is my first job this week.
I will keep you all posted.
Brad
738 driver said:
FIA compliance??..... I can't confirm that point Stig but it is the full-cage option which on earlier models was a welded fixture.
Currently those two rear braces bolt (m14-m16 maybe) to fixings in the rear hoop and via a tube/tab arrangement to the rear chassis top rails. The main body appears to be supplied full depth to extend all the way down to the main sideframe level. Again I have seen pictures of earlier full-cage builds where the rear body was almost fully cut out to fit around the rear cage tubes. Obviously now not neccesary.
It may have only been available as a welded feature on the Sports chassis - but not the GTR IIRC.Currently those two rear braces bolt (m14-m16 maybe) to fixings in the rear hoop and via a tube/tab arrangement to the rear chassis top rails. The main body appears to be supplied full depth to extend all the way down to the main sideframe level. Again I have seen pictures of earlier full-cage builds where the rear body was almost fully cut out to fit around the rear cage tubes. Obviously now not neccesary.
There were two 'full' roll cages available for GTRs. The 'normal' full one that has two bolt in braces (that 99% of GTR owners opt for - I did
) and then there was an FIA spec one, which was a bit thicker IIRC and had the rear braces welded in place - however, I see from the latest factory site/pricing that it no longer seems to be an option (though I'm sure you could get a welded in version if you wanted):Roll bar comprising of a single hoop and diagonal in 3.2mmx38mm
Cold drawn seamless tube with rear braces to engine bay.
£483.00
(this is the single hoop to the rear of the cockpit)
Full roll cage in 38mmx3.2mm wall thickness CDS as single
hoop but with hoop around windscreen braced back to rear hoop.
£920.00
(This is the 'normal' full cage option.)
I expect the old 'FIA' spec. option has disappeared due to lack of takers?
B_Roberts2 said:
Thank you all for your help! I am really looking forward to Sat now, I just can’t wait to get the car and start building. I have decided on what I think the spec of my car should be, though I’m sure after speaking with Ted and Richard it could change slightly. The one thing I am slightly unsure of is my choice of engine, I know it is going to be 500bhp+ but I’m unsure if I should opt for a supercharged heart or not.
Stig would you say the supercharger makes the car unbearable for weekend driving or only suitable for track use?
Anyway I have plenty of time to which engine to go for. In the mean time popped out to Berkshire metals over the weekend so I now have everything to make my chassis dolly (thanks again Stig), so that is my first job this week.
I will keep you all posted.
Brad
Hi Brad,Stig would you say the supercharger makes the car unbearable for weekend driving or only suitable for track use?
Anyway I have plenty of time to which engine to go for. In the mean time popped out to Berkshire metals over the weekend so I now have everything to make my chassis dolly (thanks again Stig), so that is my first job this week.
I will keep you all posted.
Brad
If you are looking for a drivable 500bhp car then I would recommend you go for either an LS2 or an LS7 engine. I have ended up going with a custom built EFI engine for various reasons (read - couldn't resist the Kinsler injection system!), but an LS7 IMO was always the way to go...
They are a modern, reliable, lightweight engine and I think ideally suited to the Ultima. Quite a few have now fitted these engines including the factory, so there is plenty of experience around for advice.
Good luck with the visit. You will never forget that first ride in an Ultima!
Cheers,
Mart
Unless you enjoy regular tinkering inside your engine then the LS advice is probably spot on but it doesn't have to be the latest version. If you do initially go that route at 450-500+hp I would have good think about the future too. As many seem to, you might want to increase your power level at a later stage...... maybe build that into your initial thoughts. (engine position, gearbox/ratio selection, to name a few)
Fitting a blower (turbo or supercharger) is a great way to up the LS power whilst still retaining its street manners.
If you do fancy the old school SBC, save a few more pennies and insist on a new, aftermarket, iron block.
Lots of various ideas with engines, capacities, combos etc.
Take your time with the selection of engine and matching transmission........(are six gears really needed!!!!!)
Fitting a blower (turbo or supercharger) is a great way to up the LS power whilst still retaining its street manners.
If you do fancy the old school SBC, save a few more pennies and insist on a new, aftermarket, iron block.
Lots of various ideas with engines, capacities, combos etc.
Take your time with the selection of engine and matching transmission........(are six gears really needed!!!!!)
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