Can-Am build US
Discussion
I have so many questions I'm not sure where to start. First off, I'm glad I found this board! I would like to build a Can-Am in the US and have loads of questions.
1) Are there any Can-Am's in the Eastern US? Any that I could perhaps take a look at?
2) How much does this thing really cost (US dollars)? I know the base is just below 30k but obviously more pieces are necessary. I would initially fit it with a Chevy small block (350ci) and a Porsche G50 transaxle. Some other stuff will be custom but I'm looking for a ballpark figure for this thing.
3) Has anyone used dual hoop rollbars instead of the single hoop? I despise the single hoop and would want to use a dual hoop (ala Boxster etc.). Not having seen the Ultima up close, I can't determine if this is feasible.
4) I'm an interior man and plan to go nuts in this arena. All of the Ultima's that I've found are pretty much empty inside. I would like to make a custom dash with center column, stereo, upholstered doors, etc. Has anyone also done this... pictures?
5) Safety... This car is just looking to get steamrolled... Has anyone fitted airbags? Is it even feasible on the driver's side? Has anyone wrecked their car? Are there any published safety tests on this car?
6) I'm not a wing man - but in the interest of safety, I will consider fitting a custom wing, not for downforce, but to hold a center tail light. Anyone done this?
7) Are the Can-am doors fly or like the GTR?
8) How good is the optional top? I would have considered the GTR but I do not like the engine cover or the backwards slope of the roof. It makes it look like the car is leaning back. I like the open top Can-Am with the full windscreen but I still want to use the car in all weather (within reason of course!)
More questions later but thanks for listening!
1) Are there any Can-Am's in the Eastern US? Any that I could perhaps take a look at?
2) How much does this thing really cost (US dollars)? I know the base is just below 30k but obviously more pieces are necessary. I would initially fit it with a Chevy small block (350ci) and a Porsche G50 transaxle. Some other stuff will be custom but I'm looking for a ballpark figure for this thing.
3) Has anyone used dual hoop rollbars instead of the single hoop? I despise the single hoop and would want to use a dual hoop (ala Boxster etc.). Not having seen the Ultima up close, I can't determine if this is feasible.
4) I'm an interior man and plan to go nuts in this arena. All of the Ultima's that I've found are pretty much empty inside. I would like to make a custom dash with center column, stereo, upholstered doors, etc. Has anyone also done this... pictures?
5) Safety... This car is just looking to get steamrolled... Has anyone fitted airbags? Is it even feasible on the driver's side? Has anyone wrecked their car? Are there any published safety tests on this car?
6) I'm not a wing man - but in the interest of safety, I will consider fitting a custom wing, not for downforce, but to hold a center tail light. Anyone done this?
7) Are the Can-am doors fly or like the GTR?
8) How good is the optional top? I would have considered the GTR but I do not like the engine cover or the backwards slope of the roof. It makes it look like the car is leaning back. I like the open top Can-Am with the full windscreen but I still want to use the car in all weather (within reason of course!)
More questions later but thanks for listening!
Those are all excellent questions. I am interesting in hearing the answers myself. In the mean time I would suggest you check out www.ultimaclub.com. Go to their links button and you can see how some other people have built their cars. Surf the web too. There are a few other people who post their construction process. You should consider joining the Ultima Club at the mentioned site above too. They sound like they could help answer most of your questions. You could go to a club meet on a trip back to the UK to get a close look at the cars.
Good Luck the Ultima rules!!
Good Luck the Ultima rules!!
Cartwright - So, so many questions. As already mentioned have a look at the club web site. I also know that there is a US branch of the club which you may find very useful. Secondly, some of your questions are quite technical and really need to be answered by the factory, their web site is
www.ultimasports.co.uk
I do know that they attend regular shows in the US so they should be able to help when the nearest is to you.
Good luck with the project and believe me, you will not be disapointed.
www.ultimasports.co.uk
I do know that they attend regular shows in the US so they should be able to help when the nearest is to you.
Good luck with the project and believe me, you will not be disapointed.
Hi Cartwright. I can help a little.
3. I know of at least 2 Spyders that have had Hoops. Since the chassis is basically the same on the Can-Am as the Spyder I expect that this mod is possible.
4. see www.drac-cars.com although its a GTR the ideas are transferable.I know of several similar projects. Personnally I prefer the race look interior but each to their own as we say.
5. Having seen the results of high speed crashes on several competition and road cars, I can tell you that the crumple zones front,rear and side work effectively.
6. The Can-am wing could be adapted to carry a light.
7. The doors hinge vertically upward and forward, not like the GTR.
8. The new weather equipement works very well. It is flap free and watertight. As a bonus it is drop dead gorgeous too!
3. I know of at least 2 Spyders that have had Hoops. Since the chassis is basically the same on the Can-Am as the Spyder I expect that this mod is possible.
4. see www.drac-cars.com although its a GTR the ideas are transferable.I know of several similar projects. Personnally I prefer the race look interior but each to their own as we say.
5. Having seen the results of high speed crashes on several competition and road cars, I can tell you that the crumple zones front,rear and side work effectively.
6. The Can-am wing could be adapted to carry a light.
7. The doors hinge vertically upward and forward, not like the GTR.
8. The new weather equipement works very well. It is flap free and watertight. As a bonus it is drop dead gorgeous too!
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