V8 VANTAGE Clutch
Discussion
Wynn432 said:
I’m looking at buying a V8 Vantage, and am wondering how much I should budget to replace a clutch at a specialist. Also is the 4.7 a lot better than a 4.3?
It will be a keeper hopefully.
It will be a keeper hopefully.
1. About £3,000 ish. A far longer job than say a Ford Escort (torque tube and rear transaxle).
Don't rush to have the standard clutch fitted, carefully consider the twin plate version.
2. Not a lot better, but many parts were improved.
Sometimes it can even be financially worth paying the extra. Eg. A few 4.3 owners have paid to improve power and suspension. The 4.7 is already fitted with the improved Bilstein dampers.
Decide carefully whether you like the Sportshift. Not to everyone's liking.
Great cars, ideal as a keeper for the timeless looks alone . You will enjoy.
Like Jon said, around 3 to 3.5k assuming you are talking about SportShift which includes the flywheel, bearing, all the bolts and nuts, the exhaust gaskets and of course labour which in my case was around 1200 pounds
It should last you around 40 to 50k miles if you know how to treat the clutch, i.e. avoid hill starts especially when reversing, don't press the comfort button, avoid stop start traffic, when changing gear lift the gas pedal etc etc
When buying a 4.3 check there's no oil leak. 4.7 has a bit more power and a better interior including the crystal start engine key but a 4.3 sounds better because you have to rev it
It should last you around 40 to 50k miles if you know how to treat the clutch, i.e. avoid hill starts especially when reversing, don't press the comfort button, avoid stop start traffic, when changing gear lift the gas pedal etc etc
When buying a 4.3 check there's no oil leak. 4.7 has a bit more power and a better interior including the crystal start engine key but a 4.3 sounds better because you have to rev it
Edited by Greathey on Tuesday 7th September 21:01
As stated around £3.5k will get you a twin plate clutch and lightened flywheel. So much better than the stock clutch.
As for which engine is better, all depends on budget. I would say go for the best all round car within your budget, if that gets you a good condition, low mileage 4.3 then sobeit.
Best advice for anyone looking to get into the brand and buying used is get the car independently checked over.
As for which engine is better, all depends on budget. I would say go for the best all round car within your budget, if that gets you a good condition, low mileage 4.3 then sobeit.
Best advice for anyone looking to get into the brand and buying used is get the car independently checked over.
My experience of the vantage clutch is more that it lacks a great deal of feel and is pretty high.
I tend to think many owners ride them and boot it whilst still not fully engaged.
Oh and driving around letting the torque do the work which won’t help either.
I’d be inclined to keep a buffer of money incase of issues personally.
I tend to think many owners ride them and boot it whilst still not fully engaged.
Oh and driving around letting the torque do the work which won’t help either.
I’d be inclined to keep a buffer of money incase of issues personally.
Literally, just collected my car from VE with a new AMR twin plate clutch and new propshaft bearings. I've only had my 4.7 since the beginning of May so still felt I was getting used to it but the new clutch is a lot lighter and more positive. The car had done over 40k miles on the last clutch. The cost was £4k all in.
As far as engine choice is concerned, I have to say I agree with the go for the best car approach. I went for the 4.7, in the end, because I feel it will hold it's value better and I had the budget to do so. I wouldn't have gone for a cheap 4.7 just to say I'd got the bigger engine as I'm sure it would have bitten me financially.
Adi
As far as engine choice is concerned, I have to say I agree with the go for the best car approach. I went for the 4.7, in the end, because I feel it will hold it's value better and I had the budget to do so. I wouldn't have gone for a cheap 4.7 just to say I'd got the bigger engine as I'm sure it would have bitten me financially.
Adi
Toby Tram said:
Literally, just collected my car from VE with a new AMR twin plate clutch and new propshaft bearings. I've only had my 4.7 since the beginning of May so still felt I was getting used to it but the new clutch is a lot lighter and more positive. The car had done over 40k miles on the last clutch. The cost was £4k all in.
As far as engine choice is concerned, I have to say I agree with the go for the best car approach. I went for the 4.7, in the end, because I feel it will hold it's value better and I had the budget to do so. I wouldn't have gone for a cheap 4.7 just to say I'd got the bigger engine as I'm sure it would have bitten me financially.
Adi
So much better isn't it Adi? My car goes to VE on 17th September for their uprated shocks and MOT. Terry and the crew are very good.As far as engine choice is concerned, I have to say I agree with the go for the best car approach. I went for the 4.7, in the end, because I feel it will hold it's value better and I had the budget to do so. I wouldn't have gone for a cheap 4.7 just to say I'd got the bigger engine as I'm sure it would have bitten me financially.
Adi
Yep, VE have got a nice balance. They clearly pay attention to what they’re doing but Terry always has time to discuss anything from their latest restoration work to having covid!!!! He’s also passionate about the engineering development they do and as an ex chartered engineer it’s nice to see and we have some interesting conversations.
His employees too have a relaxed demeanour and offer helpful advice.
Adi
His employees too have a relaxed demeanour and offer helpful advice.
Adi
I’ve always thought that it depends where you live and what you use the car for. Mine’s a toy and I live in Sussex, so I wouldn’t consider a Sportshift. Plus, I’ve always considered it to be another level of complication. I have a friend who has recently bought herself a Tiptronic 911, but she lives in London so the thought of working a clutch for a manual must be horrendous.
I don’t know where you live but I would speak to Terry at VE and get his view. He’s not biased either way so would probably give you a decent perspective.
Whichever you choose, you’ll be turning heads. I had to take mine up the road today so that I could check that the people doing my drive could check that they weren’t going to cause a trip hazard for the front splitter. Everyone seemed to take an interest……. Maybe they were just waiting for the crunch, of course!!!😱
I don’t know where you live but I would speak to Terry at VE and get his view. He’s not biased either way so would probably give you a decent perspective.
Whichever you choose, you’ll be turning heads. I had to take mine up the road today so that I could check that the people doing my drive could check that they weren’t going to cause a trip hazard for the front splitter. Everyone seemed to take an interest……. Maybe they were just waiting for the crunch, of course!!!😱
Wynn432 said:
Is the sportshift box a big no no in your opinions. My preferences on my recent cars are auto’s but are newer cars.
Are you familiar with the numerous different types of automatic and automated gearboxes?
Vantages all have the same type of gearbox (transaxle).
The Sportshift cars replace the gearlever with a computer controlled gearchange. Very different from a torque shift automatic.
The Sportshift is great when driving quickly with faster gearchanges than a manual, but can sometimes have a few quirks when manoeuvring, driving in crawling traffic, or reversing.
Jon39 said:
Wynn432 said:
Is the sportshift box a big no no in your opinions. My preferences on my recent cars are auto’s but are newer cars.
Are you familiar with the numerous different types of automatic and automated gearboxes?
Vantages all have the same type of gearbox (transaxle).
The Sportshift cars replace the gearlever with a computer controlled gearchange. Very different from a torque shift automatic.
The Sportshift is great when driving quickly with faster gearchanges than a manual, but can sometimes have a few quirks when manoeuvring, driving in crawling traffic, or reversing.
Sportshift is NOT an automatic! It is an automated manual.
If you want to drive it in "auto" mode, then pretty much everyone universally agrees its poor to terrible being driven this way. In flappy paddle mode, i.e. semi-manual, then it has its fans and detractors - it is however undoubtably at its best when pressing on hard on twisties. Is that the kind of driving you envisage, or more urban?
That said if you really don't get on with manuals then maybe you will still find SS better than a manual. Also be aware there are 3 versions of SS to consider, which progressively became available with the newer and "better" models... SS, SSII and SSIII. The later versions offering improvements all round to the former version.
If you want a true automatic, then you need to look at other models of Astons. The Vantage is the only one fitted with SS, the rest have true automatic gearboxes. Maybe a different model would be more suited to you?
Finding Neutral said:
You sort of need to drive them. I couldn’t stand the sportshift personally.
There’s a place allocated in hell for the bloke who put that gearbox in that car.
Personal opinion Ofcourse.
There’s a place allocated in hell for the bloke who put that gearbox in that car.
Personal opinion Ofcourse.
I expect you probably know this anyway.
It is on race tracks where the Sportshift performs.
The Vantage GT4 cars have Sportshift, because they can achieve better lap times than manuals.
AdamV12V said:
That said if you really don't get on with manuals then maybe you will still find SS better than a manual. Also be aware there are 3 versions of SS to consider, which progressively became available with the newer and "better" models... SS, SSII and SSIII. The later versions offering improvements all round to the former version.
SSIII was only available on the V12V; V8V had 6-speed SSI followed by 7-speed SSII. SSIII had a twin-plate clutch as standard; SSI and SSII had the much-criticised single-plate unit.
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