Hi there all, I'm a stranger popping in and hoping you boys can offer some advise:

I'm based in the UK and currently speccing up a Ultima that I'll be 90% building myself. The standard engine option is a chevy small block in various states of tune from American Speed (official engine supplier for Ultima).

At present I'm looking at the 550bhp 406 CID Brutus 550 off this list: http://www.amerspeed.com/cgi-bin/showultimaengines.cgi.

However, not all the Ultima owners I've spoken too have been entirely happy with the American Speed engines, with many complaining that they don't make anything like the power they're supposed to, so I thought I'd do a bit of fishing to see what else would be available. There's not a whole lot of expertese on HiPo small blocks on this side of the pond so I thought I'd see what you guys could recommend.

I especially liked the idea of using an aluminium LS1 block, as weight is a critical factor (whole car should weigh in under 990kg with an iron block), so I figured the Corvette boys should be the first ones to ask.

I've got two lines of attack here, first, if anyone can recommend a builder who'd be able to do a fully build engine ready to ship that'll give better power, more reliability or better value than American Speed, that'd be a great start.
My second option would be to ship a block over along with a wish list of parts and have it built over here - if I were to go down this route, what would be your dream spec LS1? (Budget $14-16k).

Just a couple of points to add - it looks like I don't have an option other than NA, as the small-ish mid-mounted engine bay does cause some heat issues. Also, this is, at the end of the day, a roadcar, so while a lumpy idle is acceptable, a full race spec style idle is not.

Cheers in advance

N

 

Lingenfelter Engineering, 427cid bored/stroked and Darton sleeved LS1/6. Depending on cam choice 650hp at the crank, or ~550ish rwhp is regularly achieved and dependably run on daily driven Corvettes.

http://www.lingenfelter.com

Cheers!

 

Here's another one...Doug Rippie Mototsports (DRM. These guys build some fantastic machines. I've seen some of their work and am having some of my own performed next week. Here's the link:

http://www.dougrippie.com/


Ed

 

i can only recommend one!!!!!!!!!!!! http://www.aandacorvette.com just call his cell phone and let the discussion begin.... i cant say enough about his hospitality and great service.... i sent my car over 1000 miles to him...and i would do it over and over if needed......never have i heard any negative misfortunes with his company.......just give him a call and you will feel the trust and knowledge instantly