Widest tires you can fit up front? + my project plans
Discussion
If you fit a M3 engine (I have an M3 evo so am also a fan of the engine) then you only need 255 tyres max on the rear and 235s on the front..... this will save masses of weight in the most important place and make a huge difference to the dynamics.
One thing I will point out is that if you go this route you stand the chance of not being able to sell the car for anything like what a V8 powered one will sell for... I know this might not be high on your list but eventually you will want to move on.
One thing I will point out is that if you go this route you stand the chance of not being able to sell the car for anything like what a V8 powered one will sell for... I know this might not be high on your list but eventually you will want to move on.
There is an Ultima out there somewhere with said same engine in it although I do not know what gearbox has been used, so it can be made to work for sure. Your thinking with the rims is also something that I am keen to try and with regards to a wider front rim I think that Ken Wright from over your way has fitted a wider front wheel with maybe a 285 tyre but you will need to get the exact specs from him or have a gander at his website, the address is on the U.S. Owners Club website. With regards to making the overall package lighter with engine and box aside, you will struggle to make any significant savings, if you can shave 150lbs you have done very well and I for one would like to know how you have done it! 
245's are the biggest that will fit without modification.
I dont see the point in all these other power plants, you plan to change the wheels, gearbox and fill it with lardy luxuries so it basically wont be an Ultima. The ethos of the car is V8 power, the SBC is a bit old hat but still great if that isnt good enough for you go with the LS, if imo that doesnt do it for you may i suggest you buy/build something else.
Sorry just my opinion.
I dont see the point in all these other power plants, you plan to change the wheels, gearbox and fill it with lardy luxuries so it basically wont be an Ultima. The ethos of the car is V8 power, the SBC is a bit old hat but still great if that isnt good enough for you go with the LS, if imo that doesnt do it for you may i suggest you buy/build something else.
Sorry just my opinion.
kylemrushall said:
go with the LS, if imo that doesnt do it for you may i suggest you buy/build something else.
Sorry, but that's just rude.You seem to have a problem with anyone wanting to try something a bit different from a Chevy and Porsche box and your 'imo' suggestions on this and other threads smack of elitism!
The world does not start and end with Chevy engines and G50 boxes!
The ethos of an Ultima is to build your OWN supercar, not someone elses... I haven't seen 2 Ultimas the same and lets be hounest the engine makes the car.
The only reason I can give to stick to the SBC is resale value and cost... yes the american V8s are great and the LS's are hard to fault for power per pound, but they are not for everyone and to me they are more a muscle car than a supercar engine.
My friend Ian put 275's on his GTR with no issues and minimal mods, just increased the inner rim size and reduced the steering lock... he even said it made the steering lighter due to the improved kingpin angle.
But my view is you should hot go beyond 235 on the front and go for 255 or 265 on the rear... The M3 is hardly a torque powerhouse itself so is never gona badly spin 255 tyres in a lightweight car like an ultima.
why not go the whole hog and get the Uprights machined to take BMW hubs and fit the M3 wheels?... I got unmachined uprights and had them machined for porsche hubs and so 911 wheels fit my car.
The only reason I can give to stick to the SBC is resale value and cost... yes the american V8s are great and the LS's are hard to fault for power per pound, but they are not for everyone and to me they are more a muscle car than a supercar engine.
My friend Ian put 275's on his GTR with no issues and minimal mods, just increased the inner rim size and reduced the steering lock... he even said it made the steering lighter due to the improved kingpin angle.
But my view is you should hot go beyond 235 on the front and go for 255 or 265 on the rear... The M3 is hardly a torque powerhouse itself so is never gona badly spin 255 tyres in a lightweight car like an ultima.
why not go the whole hog and get the Uprights machined to take BMW hubs and fit the M3 wheels?... I got unmachined uprights and had them machined for porsche hubs and so 911 wheels fit my car.
If you do go the route you are planning you need to think very carefully.... firstly you will not get a new plate as many of your components will be 2nd hand. Then you will not just be able to stick the BMW brakes on as that is for a front engined car not a rear, there is a huge difference in design for the two.
Then there is the retail value of the car... maybe not an issue now, but one day its bound to be.... and finally and most significantly there is the factory support which you will not get by going this route... so you really need to be prepared to sort all your own problems out not matter what they are or how they are caused.
A few of my friends have said that I make complicated things sound too easy to do when in fact they are not (eh graham!)..... to me the changes you have mentioned seem relativelly simple, and I am designing my own car from scratch so I have already done most of them myself (ie 911 wheels and brakes fitting straight on & BMW V12 with twin turbos).
So I am not saying you shouldn't go for it and if you do there are many people who will give you help and advice.... but don't underestimate the task or consequenses.
Then there is the retail value of the car... maybe not an issue now, but one day its bound to be.... and finally and most significantly there is the factory support which you will not get by going this route... so you really need to be prepared to sort all your own problems out not matter what they are or how they are caused.
A few of my friends have said that I make complicated things sound too easy to do when in fact they are not (eh graham!)..... to me the changes you have mentioned seem relativelly simple, and I am designing my own car from scratch so I have already done most of them myself (ie 911 wheels and brakes fitting straight on & BMW V12 with twin turbos).
So I am not saying you shouldn't go for it and if you do there are many people who will give you help and advice.... but don't underestimate the task or consequenses.
. Steve_D said:
Have to agree with Kyle.
Think your heading in completely the wrong direction from how an Ultima was designed to be and the style of car it was born from.
Again just my opinion.
Steve
yep .... Think your heading in completely the wrong direction from how an Ultima was designed to be and the style of car it was born from.
Again just my opinion.
Steve
please dont think im being negative but i for one would not be interested in purchasing a straight 6 powered Ultima, it needs a nice big capacity V8 imo. The beauty of Ultima ownership is we all see things differently, so again good luck with your plans but as Steve said i also think you are going the wrong way.
Strange in here sometimes. There was a slightly heated thread a while back where owners with modified Ultimas didn't "get" why others may prefer a factory standard car. Now someone wants to stick an M3 engine in and that's wrong too.
Each to their own, I certainly prefer the US V8s in them, but let's face it, anyone who buys one of these and tries something different should be applauded, whether you/me/we think it's ridiculous or not.
Each to their own, I certainly prefer the US V8s in them, but let's face it, anyone who buys one of these and tries something different should be applauded, whether you/me/we think it's ridiculous or not.
Agree entirely Mr Scoob.
As for all this 'it will effect your resale value'... who cares? It's so bloody difficult to sell Ultima's anyway... you build one, then you'd better be prepared to want to keep it for a long time! Chevy engine or not!
The chevy scene is all well and good for the Ultima faithful, but ask the uninitiated (who is your most likely customer when that time comes) what engine he would prefer in his potential car... Audi RS4 / BMW M3 / etc or a Chevrolet SBC / LS? I know which side the majority would fall on! Why? Because these euro brands are a known quantity / quality, and most over this side of the pond assosciate the Chevy brand with sh*te cars / sh*te quality.
As long as the engineering quality on the install and the set-up are top notch, then I think engine brand is an irrelevance.
Yes - we know the SBC / LS engines are stormers (unlike their cars in general), and that the SBC was the 'original' engine in the car, but it's a kit-car for goodness sake - lets not get all precious about 'keeping it old skool'!
As for all this 'it will effect your resale value'... who cares? It's so bloody difficult to sell Ultima's anyway... you build one, then you'd better be prepared to want to keep it for a long time! Chevy engine or not!
The chevy scene is all well and good for the Ultima faithful, but ask the uninitiated (who is your most likely customer when that time comes) what engine he would prefer in his potential car... Audi RS4 / BMW M3 / etc or a Chevrolet SBC / LS? I know which side the majority would fall on! Why? Because these euro brands are a known quantity / quality, and most over this side of the pond assosciate the Chevy brand with sh*te cars / sh*te quality.
As long as the engineering quality on the install and the set-up are top notch, then I think engine brand is an irrelevance.
Yes - we know the SBC / LS engines are stormers (unlike their cars in general), and that the SBC was the 'original' engine in the car, but it's a kit-car for goodness sake - lets not get all precious about 'keeping it old skool'!
i kind of agree with both sides,having owned a SBC v8 engined car i know the sound and power is awsome but Dawns s50 engined Z3m is a cracking motor that gives great power ,high revs and sounds wicked when it is flat out so i guess its each to his own ,either way would love to see the end result !!!!
Scotty-Boy said:
Agree entirely Mr Scoob.
As for all this 'it will effect your resale value'... who cares? It's so bloody difficult to sell Ultima's anyway... you build one, then you'd better be prepared to want to keep it for a long time! Chevy engine or not!
The chevy scene is all well and good for the Ultima faithful, but ask the uninitiated (who is your most likely customer when that time comes) what engine he would prefer in his potential car... Audi RS4 / BMW M3 / etc or a Chevrolet SBC / LS? I know which side the majority would fall on! Why? Because these euro brands are a known quantity / quality, and most over this side of the pond assosciate the Chevy brand with sh*te cars / sh*te quality.
As long as the engineering quality on the install and the set-up are top notch, then I think engine brand is an irrelevance.
Yes - we know the SBC / LS engines are stormers (unlike their cars in general), and that the SBC was the 'original' engine in the car, but it's a kit-car for goodness sake - lets not get all precious about 'keeping it old skool'!
If it is irrelevant what engine is fitted then why are you getting so upset when i and others dont agree??As for all this 'it will effect your resale value'... who cares? It's so bloody difficult to sell Ultima's anyway... you build one, then you'd better be prepared to want to keep it for a long time! Chevy engine or not!
The chevy scene is all well and good for the Ultima faithful, but ask the uninitiated (who is your most likely customer when that time comes) what engine he would prefer in his potential car... Audi RS4 / BMW M3 / etc or a Chevrolet SBC / LS? I know which side the majority would fall on! Why? Because these euro brands are a known quantity / quality, and most over this side of the pond assosciate the Chevy brand with sh*te cars / sh*te quality.
As long as the engineering quality on the install and the set-up are top notch, then I think engine brand is an irrelevance.
Yes - we know the SBC / LS engines are stormers (unlike their cars in general), and that the SBC was the 'original' engine in the car, but it's a kit-car for goodness sake - lets not get all precious about 'keeping it old skool'!
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