Ultima Open Day
Discussion
Ultima are holding an open day at their factory in Hinckley, Leicestershire on Sunday 21st April 2002. Day starts at 10.00. A (small) convoy will be traveling up from the south meeting up at the Sutton Scotney Services on the A34 at 07.30 to 07.45 and at the services on the Peartree Roundabout A34 at 08.30 to 08.45.
Anyone planing on making the trip are welcome to join us. (I'll be driving a Red GTR reg. no FL02 ZVR)
>>> Edited by ultimapaul on Friday 12th April 22:30
Anyone planing on making the trip are welcome to join us. (I'll be driving a Red GTR reg. no FL02 ZVR)
>>> Edited by ultimapaul on Friday 12th April 22:30
Road Runner - Not a debate I would want to get deeply into, but, the term 'economies of scale' spring's to mind!
Also, do you have the option of building your own 911 Turbo. Through their spare parts department, to buy all the required components, you probably wouldn't get much change out of £400k .... Just a thought!
I too could not afford a factory car, nor wanted one, so I built my own.
Also, do you have the option of building your own 911 Turbo. Through their spare parts department, to buy all the required components, you probably wouldn't get much change out of £400k .... Just a thought!
I too could not afford a factory car, nor wanted one, so I built my own.
That's great if you have the time and space to do it! Well done if you have. I love the look of the GTR in black on their website. Can't help thinking the pricing's a joke though. The +500bhp chevy lump only cost 5k, I've been told. Compare this finished cost to the new Ascari with a rather pricey tuned up twin turbo Audi motor included. A GTR would be considered if the finished article came in at 50k.
quote:
quote:
I too could not afford a factory car, nor wanted one, so I built my own.
And, as anyone else who saw it on Sunday would agree, a bloody good job you made of it too
Damned straight!
That is a wonderful car you have built yourself there Paul. Must be a wonderful sense of achievement.
Matt.
The 5k Chevy lump I mentioned with 500bhp (525bhp to be exact) is the exception to the general rule. Ultima will charge you more like 15k for the 500bhp engine option.
The reason the one I found was so cheap was because I scoured the US Chevy engine specialists, then found the price for a relatively low tune small block with a whopping great supercharger. It was also 'undressed'.
www.paceparts.com is a good place to browse, in their crate engine section, but these are not highly tuned (brand new though!). The Ultima 550bhp engine is much more highly tuned and normally aspirated, this accounts for its cost.
It was really to show that the engine and box on an Ultima are quite cheap - I reckon 7k would happily do a rebuilt G50 transaxle and a 400bhp plus Chevy small block. The basic kit is also very good value - it's just that by the time you've lobbed big brakes on it and adjustable suspension, things get up to 40k plus.
If I had a garag, a few more tools and a bit more time I would already have given Ted Marlow my credit card number!!!
I went to their last open day, and they are a great bunch of people. Fascinating seeing the part builds - almost convinced me I could do it.
I also got to sit in one and they made an Exige look easy to get into ;-)
Rgds
Domster
The reason the one I found was so cheap was because I scoured the US Chevy engine specialists, then found the price for a relatively low tune small block with a whopping great supercharger. It was also 'undressed'.
www.paceparts.com is a good place to browse, in their crate engine section, but these are not highly tuned (brand new though!). The Ultima 550bhp engine is much more highly tuned and normally aspirated, this accounts for its cost.
It was really to show that the engine and box on an Ultima are quite cheap - I reckon 7k would happily do a rebuilt G50 transaxle and a 400bhp plus Chevy small block. The basic kit is also very good value - it's just that by the time you've lobbed big brakes on it and adjustable suspension, things get up to 40k plus.
If I had a garag, a few more tools and a bit more time I would already have given Ted Marlow my credit card number!!!
I went to their last open day, and they are a great bunch of people. Fascinating seeing the part builds - almost convinced me I could do it.
I also got to sit in one and they made an Exige look easy to get into ;-)
Rgds
Domster
Thanks for the remarks regarding my car folks, glad all those hours tucked away in the garage were not wasted!
As for factory cars. I'm really not in a position to comment. Like I said, a factory car never really came into the thought process as I new I wanted to build my own. You should also consider the time required to build a car, that would not be an inconsiderable cost. Remember, Ultima are in the business of supplying kits, so ease, not speed of build is the primary requirement.
With the engine debate, I believe that Ultima, as a rule, do not get involved in supplying engines (too many warranty issues I guess. Who's gonna pick up the bits because some numptie misses a gear half way down the Hangar Straight.) What they did with me was put me in touch with American Speed who's web site I browsed! I also spoke to Real Steel (£6.5k for 350bhp !!!!) and Peter Knight (never got to quoting stage) but I was lucky enough to source my own engine through the owners club.
Before doing this I too had heard all the stories about 500bhp for little bucks. What put me off was the poor sod I know who spent £12k !!! on one of these miracle engines with massive horse power only to find a)It ran like a pig b)When dyno'd struggled to make 320bhp c)went 'POP' after little or no provication. Would you want to get into a legal arrgument with some strangers 6,000 miles away through the U.S. courts? He was lucky, he got his money back, it could so easily have ended in tears though!
One of the down sides of living this side of the pond I guess.
As for supercharging, I've not looked into it, but I would guess space and cooling would become difficult issues to overcome. Not impossible tho'!
>> Edited by ultimapaul on Tuesday 16th April 20:17
>> Edited by ultimapaul on Tuesday 16th April 20:20
As for factory cars. I'm really not in a position to comment. Like I said, a factory car never really came into the thought process as I new I wanted to build my own. You should also consider the time required to build a car, that would not be an inconsiderable cost. Remember, Ultima are in the business of supplying kits, so ease, not speed of build is the primary requirement.
With the engine debate, I believe that Ultima, as a rule, do not get involved in supplying engines (too many warranty issues I guess. Who's gonna pick up the bits because some numptie misses a gear half way down the Hangar Straight.) What they did with me was put me in touch with American Speed who's web site I browsed! I also spoke to Real Steel (£6.5k for 350bhp !!!!) and Peter Knight (never got to quoting stage) but I was lucky enough to source my own engine through the owners club.
Before doing this I too had heard all the stories about 500bhp for little bucks. What put me off was the poor sod I know who spent £12k !!! on one of these miracle engines with massive horse power only to find a)It ran like a pig b)When dyno'd struggled to make 320bhp c)went 'POP' after little or no provication. Would you want to get into a legal arrgument with some strangers 6,000 miles away through the U.S. courts? He was lucky, he got his money back, it could so easily have ended in tears though!
One of the down sides of living this side of the pond I guess.
As for supercharging, I've not looked into it, but I would guess space and cooling would become difficult issues to overcome. Not impossible tho'!
>> Edited by ultimapaul on Tuesday 16th April 20:17
>> Edited by ultimapaul on Tuesday 16th April 20:20
There is a lovely magazine a mate bought back from the US for me...
'Chevy Hi-Performance magazine'
You can imagine that it is a feast for those into small block iron!!!! The issue I have had features an article about a bloke's *love affair* with his tool chest. I kid you not.
I still reckon about 5-7k is feasible for decent (dyno-tested) power, but this may be undressed, so you could spend another 1-3k on ancilliaries, depending on whether they 'just work' or 'work well and look shiny'.
Paceparts are amazing. Peter Knight is well respected, but I think his engines cost a certain amount more. Alkso check out www.pdsportscars.co.uk.
Rgds
Domster
'Chevy Hi-Performance magazine'
You can imagine that it is a feast for those into small block iron!!!! The issue I have had features an article about a bloke's *love affair* with his tool chest. I kid you not.
I still reckon about 5-7k is feasible for decent (dyno-tested) power, but this may be undressed, so you could spend another 1-3k on ancilliaries, depending on whether they 'just work' or 'work well and look shiny'.
Paceparts are amazing. Peter Knight is well respected, but I think his engines cost a certain amount more. Alkso check out www.pdsportscars.co.uk.
Rgds
Domster
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