New evo engine build.

kwasham · #1 (**permalink**) 08-13-2008, 08:26 AM

Hello all, this will be a fairly involved question, so please bear with me.

I have run into a little bit of cash, so I am going to start putting a new evo together. I have never built one before, but I have built plenty of V-8's in my time, and I can follow an assembly manual with the best of 'em. Anyway, my question is this: I am trying to decide whether to build an S&S 124 or an ultima 127. I went by my local chop shop yesterday to get pricing and advice, but he didnt convince me one way or the other. they issues I am wrestling over are this. I want to know why there is such a price difference between these two motors. Does S&S use that much better quality parts in there engines, or are they just comfortable charging more because they have a more established name? I have $2,200 and I want to get the crankcases and the flywheel, and both companies charge close to that. As you can tell, this is going to be a ground up build. Another thing that concerns me is that, if you go to S&S website, they have a ton of technical info and tech sheets and contact info and service manuals and, well...... you get the point. Ultima on the other hand, is not so open with there information. I haven't been able to find any service manuals, or assembly manuals or tech sheets, or contact info or, well...... you get the point. This motor is going to cost, between $4000- $7000 depending on the options. I dont know about you, but to me, that is a lot of damn money, so if I buy these components one at a time, I want to know if I have any questions, will I have the proper tech support from ultima. Basically it comes down to this:

S&S = more money, better tech support and documentation, (maybe better quality???)

Ultima= Less money, less tech support and documentation, (maybe less quality???)

Please help me decide which company to give my money to. I want this to be a fun learning experience, not a freaking nightmare. Thanks

kwasham · #2 (**permalink**) 08-13-2008, 02:20 PM

Anyone. Bueller

Tailspnr · #3 (**permalink**) 08-13-2008, 02:25 PM

I know that Frank (Mr. Scary) has personally built an El Bruto 127" so he can probably shed some light on at least that portion.

Mr Scary · #4 (**permalink**) 08-13-2008, 02:27 PM

Tune em right...right away...(and I'm not talking about taking a someones word for it that they tuned it right for you)...

And you'll be fine.

kwasham · #5 (**permalink**) 08-13-2008, 04:06 PM

So Mr. Scary
What did you think of the technical documentation that you got from ultima?

Mr Scary · #6 (**permalink**) 08-13-2008, 04:08 PM

What documentation do you mean?

I'm in a little different situation than you may be...

I really didn't need much.

Andrew C · #7 (**permalink**) 08-13-2008, 04:13 PM

S&S has earned their reputation and stand by their product, for this you pay they are proven and have good a good history and good commercial support. Ultima is still building it's reputation and does not have the history behind it that S&S does. Now that being said I can tell you that the R&D and support that Ultima has put into their products still astounds me. There is obviously $$backing somewhere and their product support has a good reputation. Check out Scary's engine build and judge for yourself. Also I do not own an Ultima motor but found myself doing lots of research on them last year. They are a big bang for your buck and if I was in the market they would be a serious contender for sure. The Ultima belt drive I bought was priced right, packed flawlessly, polished to a gleam and every nut bolt and safety pin was there with no problems. Do a search for a horse article (I think this is the mag) that goes behind the scenes of Ultima, their R&D process. It was second to none in my opinion. I would equate Ultima to be the Baker transmission company of motors. Good luck --Drew