Project "Top Gun" Underway!

[supraholic]

Hi Gang,

I introduced myself back in April on my first PH post here: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&... . The wait is finally over as my Evo Convertible arrived last week! I opted to have the crates delivered to my house rather than renting a truck, picking up from port, unloading myself, etc...and boy, it was the best money I've ever spent.

My son and I have named this project "Top Gun" -- mostly in reference to the all time classic movie I fell in love with as a kid; plus my son is all into it now (and can't wait for the new movie this summer!). Plus, there's not many bigger guns on the street that will top the performance of this thing. :-) Here are some pics of the big day:









The driver got both crates in my garage perfectly and he earned himself a nice tip!

Here's some de-crating action:







I used my engine hoist to get the car off the crate and onto my roller dollies...(which I made using wood planks from the shipping crate(s)!)





First up is removing the rear clam so I can test fit the V10 engine and S-tronic 7-spd dual clutch transmission...I did some quick measurements and it's going to be very tight (height wise) for both. Aside from removing the LS engine mount tripods (which I knew I would have to do anyway to have a shot at fitting this motor), i might have to do a couple additional chassis mods in the engine bay to get this to fit...This engine/trans combo is the heart of the build so i want to get it settled before I do anything else.



Stay tuned for regular updates...(on the Facebook group as well!).

Best,
-Dan

UPDATE: I started another thread on the official build here: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&... .

Edited by supraholic on Tuesday 25th February 14:50

[supraholic]

Turn7 said:

Has that engine ever been put into an Ultima before ?

I've seen older Audi V10 engines in Ultima's before but not with OEM intake plenum...due to engine height, individual throttle bodies are used to replace OEM intake plenum. However, my goal is to retain the OEM engine as pictured. It will require chassis modifications as the engine as-is is about 2" too tall to fit in the engine bay. I plan on modifying the lower crossmember and based on measurements, it should be pretty straight forward. (But not for the faint of heart as you cut/weld on your brand new and beautifully powder coated chassis!)

So net/net, I think this will be the first with this layout...(and I've scoured the internet!)

-Dan

[supraholic]

giorgio01 said:

Hi,
I think there's one.
Try to Google Rebellion RK2
Thanks

WHOAH! Now that's a customized Ultima like I've never seen...I won't be going anywhere to these extremes with my build but certainly demonstrates the possibilities with time, money and patience! The video clip of the sound is intoxicating--i nice glimpse at what my car will sound like when it comes to life. :-)

[supraholic]

TR3B said:

Hey Dan! Thanks for posting. This is awesome. I'm waiting now for mine and it's excruciating. Seeing stuff like this only makes it worse!

Question; did the delivery company bring their own forklift?

Yes, it was part of the residential delivery service. It cost me $1300 to get it delivered in this manner (~140 mile round trip) from the shipping port to my house. I contemplated renting an Enterprise flatbed truck and picking it up myself but all the running around, no easy way to unload off the flatbed, the winter weather, etc., I decided to pony up the extra $$ for peace of mind. It was the best $1300 i spent!