V8 Vantage Bodywork Upgrade

[Curlyapplehead]

So I have wanted to update the body work on my car from the pre 2011 spec:






To the Vantage S look:






Started this afternoon on one of the ramps at work:




And then proceeded to remove the wheels, inner wheel arches, rear lights (to access some of the rear bumper bolts) and then finally the front and rear bumpers..






Quickly hung the front bumper on to check the paint match which was spot on and got me all excited for it to be finished..




Replacing the already uprated AM Sports Pack dampers, with these shiny shiny Nitron R3 Race Dampers :-) will post updates of fitting them and routing the remote reservoirs!

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8257/8634435093_2557...

Fitting this 6 slat front grill in matt black too: http://www.davidapplebyengineering.com/wpimages/wp...

Some more upgrades in the pipeline too which I will post about in due course! Let me know your thoughts all!

[Gettoff]

Looking good so far James, will reserve final judgement until I see it in the flesh, keep up the good work

[tail slide]

Interesting that you decided to upgrade the dampers.

I have the sports pack on my V8V that I've only driven a little so far (so too early to thoroughly judge) but also have the Nitron 3-ways on my road/track TVR that I've driven for 20k miles.

Having the high-speed bump and low-speed bump adjustment separate is very useful to keep roll/dive tied down tightly while still retaining supple bump absorption. Took a lot of experimenting to get it right though, particularly a long way onto soft setting for high-speed bump screw, and fairly soft rebound too.

I'll be interested to hear how it pans out on the Vantage.

Edited by tail slide on Tuesday 9th April 22:02

[mikey k]

I've had Nitron's on previous cars great kit, remote adjusters were a PITA though.
A few on here and 6speed will be interested to know if you have had to replace the arch liners and under trays to get the new bumpers to fit.

[Curlyapplehead]

Got the front reservoirs mounted quite nicely just got to look at how to do the rears as well. Yea got to replace all four inner arches and the front undertray for the updated bodywork.

[Markv8v]

Hi

Really like what you are doing with the body work.

Obviously there is a considerable cost what would be a ball park to do the front and rear?

Please PM me if you don’t want to post public.

Markv8v

[triple5]

Ooooh this looks good.

[ds2000]

Looks a fun project

[timwhayden]

What are the "inner arches"?

[mikey k]

timwhayden said:

What are the "inner arches"?

Wheel arch liners (on all four corners)

[Curlyapplehead]

Small Update,

Got the front bumper, 6 bar black grill, front central toeing eye, front number plate and the dampers fitted, just got to mount the reservoirs to finish those off.

[tonyhall38]

looking good mate....still not as nice as mine....lol...will be up to see you all in a couple of weeks...will have a good look at it then...

[GlynV8]

Out of interest how much did you get the later spec bumpers for?

[paddy328]

Don't forget to get it polished once the work has all been done, just to put the icing in the cake.

[Curlyapplehead]

paddy328 said:

Don't forget to get it polished once the work has all been done, just to put the icing in the cake.

Is that an offer that you want to come and do it for free Paddy?

[Curlyapplehead]

Hi everyone, back from my little holiday

Thought I would update this thread with the finished pictures

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8403/8704199305_3a94...

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8121/8704197751_bed7...

Tried using the image uploader and it doesn't work...again...its cr*p!

[Jockman]

Curlyapplehead said:

Hi everyone, back from my little holiday

Oi CurlyWurly it's bad form to mention holidays on the forum

Can't comment on your pics as my Mauritian WiFi is blocking them

[stevewushu]

Was looking at pics of your car this morning at the factory when I dropped mine off. Felt quite jealous when my Mrs' eyes lit up and the word "ooooooh lovely" came out!
Makes me wanna change the colour, change the suspension, DEFINITELY get a V8VS front bumper, maybe bootlid or lip but possibly a carbon diffuser (not liking the new rear bumper so much).

Very nicely done on yours. I like ;-)