Feedback on Vantage clutch upgrade?

[fvert]

Hi All,
Although I read this forum for a long time, this is my first post
I am the proud owner of a manual V8 Vantage (2006, meteorite grey), and previously owned 911's, Jag XKR conv., Lotus Elise, Boxsters S...
I consider Astons as the most beautiful cars in the world, but my experience is ruined by the clutch. It is very hard (stiff) and requires a lot of efforts (the car is only 47000km). The result is that I enjoy much more driving my Honda S2000.
Therefore I am considering upgrading the clutch to a twin plate clutch, but before investing this money, I would like to know whether this really transform the car and how it compares with a "regular car". I have read the different threads on that topic (yes, I used the search functionallity ), but I really need to know whether I will end up with a "soft clutch" like on my Honda (best gearbox I've tried so far) or will it still requires efforts. Will it still smell burned when reversing uphill? I would really like to enjoy more my vantage!

Thanks in advance for your input.
Fred

Edited by fvert on Thursday 25th August 08:40

[fvert]

Thank you both for your valuable replies.
It is interesting to see that the OE clutch has been so much improved. Now I guess I have to try a later vantage with an OE clutch to see if it fits my expectations... If yes then you made me save lots of money

[fvert]

Thanks, I'll do a presentation once my car is in order
I contacted Appleby and AHM for costs estimate for the 4.7 clutch swap. Here in Switzerland the costs are prohibitives, you can imagine...

Edited by fvert on Thursday 25th August 14:49

[fvert]

Hey Dan, let's meet sometime in Zurich. I was also in the mountains last weekend
Any recommendation for an independent garage to service an Aston around Zurich (200km around)? Whith my previous Porsches I was going to France (Alsace), where the service by the offical Porsche Zentrum was half the price than with Zurich's Porsche Zentrum...
Lucky are the people owning an Aston in UK!!!

[fvert]

So, according to AHM, the 4.7 clutch on a 4.3 is "is almost as heavy on the pedal as the 4.3".
Confusing, especially that I did not find actual testimony/feedback of people who did the swap...

[fvert]

So, I decided to move forward with a twin plate clutch + Flywheel upgrade I haven't decided yet which kit (Appleby or AHM) but it will be done late October (I found a place only 120km away where they can do it at a reasonable price - still 12hours of labor).
I will keep you posted of the outcome

[fvert]

So, I finally got my V8V back last week-end with a brand new twin plate clutch.
First, the mechanics told me that the old clutch was worn at 85%, so anyway fitting a new clutch would have improved the situation
Then when I first pressed the clutch, my foot almost got through the floor At last I have a clutch as light as in any "normal" car!
I did not really notice the improvement brought by the lighter flywheel, but I need to drive it more to see if the engine revs more freely.

In conclusion, I am very please with the new clutch and now I can enjoy driving the vantage, which was not the case previously.

[fvert]

And by the way, if someone wants to compare with his clutch, happy to do so should you be near Zurich

[fvert]

Yelp, I am around, preferrably on sunday. PM me for more

[fvert]

konrad.holl said:

So, what was the place you had it done at (120 km from Zürich) ?

A Garage in soultz specialised in luxury cars , in particular Ferrari (they had an old one insured for 3.5MEuros)
It is a kind of "secret" garage as they want to keep it confidential and be able to select their clients. Not all garages can do it 😂😂😂
I was pleased with the service and the prices (compared to Switzerland of course)
Happy to provide more infos if needed 😁

[fvert]

Hi, I bought the twin plate clutch kit from AHM with lighter flywheel and made it installed by a local garage in France.
The kit consists in an oem clutch from a v12 with all necessary parts to install it. If you are in UK then lucky you, the install will be cheaper 😆

[fvert]

ChilliWhizz said:

Only guessing bogie but it's properly heavy and I've had clutches go on me before so a bit of 'gut' feeling too... Very 'sticky' gear change, and I'm a bit concerned that it might do some damage to the synchro's if it's not disengaging properly... That said, sometimes it feels fine Maybe it's just me

Thanks for the info Fred..

Mine was not slipping at all, but the stiffness was ruining the experience. I am sure I could have kept it many thousands of miles, but I am happy to have replaced it as now I can finally enjoy my car

[fvert]

"Bolides"

[fvert]

fvert said:

So, I finally got my V8V back last week-end with a brand new twin plate clutch.
First, the mechanics told me that the old clutch was worn at 85%, so anyway fitting a new clutch would have improved the situation
Then when I first pressed the clutch, my foot almost got through the floor At last I have a clutch as light as in any "normal" car!
I did not really notice the improvement brought by the lighter flywheel, but I need to drive it more to see if the engine revs more freely.

In conclusion, I am very please with the new clutch and now I can enjoy driving the vantage, which was not the case previously.

So, after less than 3000 km, it appears that the clutch release bearing is dead! Bad metallic noise in neutral with the clutch disengaged, this has been confirmed by the garage.
I contacted AHM to see whether there was any warranty...
Does anyone know if it is possible to change the bearing only or do I have to change the whole slave cylinder?
I will keep you posted...

[fvert]

Thanks, I'll have the garage check it out.

Here is the video of the noise: https://youtu.be/Hq1JLj_4mW4