VelocityAP on a Rapide? (or other exhaust)
Discussion
Hi all,
I've just come across the videos of the VelocityAP systems on the V12. I have to say I do like the high pitched ferrari v12 like tone (and yes, I know that's not what a Rapide is about, and the factory setup sounds amazing too).
Has anyone in the UK fitted the VAP system to a Rapide specifically? I'd love to hear about the results if you have! Or perhaps you've fitted another third party system?
Thanks.....
I've just come across the videos of the VelocityAP systems on the V12. I have to say I do like the high pitched ferrari v12 like tone (and yes, I know that's not what a Rapide is about, and the factory setup sounds amazing too).
Has anyone in the UK fitted the VAP system to a Rapide specifically? I'd love to hear about the results if you have! Or perhaps you've fitted another third party system?
Thanks.....
From personal experience, I would advise starting with a X-Pipe that replaces the secondary cats. That's pretty cheap and easy, and in itself will get you a dual mid/high and low tone that sounds exotic without fully losing the Aston vibe.
The full VelocityAP system is stellar, but very labor intensive to install. Go x-pipe first, see if that's exotic enough for you, and then decide where to go from there.
The full VelocityAP system is stellar, but very labor intensive to install. Go x-pipe first, see if that's exotic enough for you, and then decide where to go from there.
Edited by andratch on Thursday 18th June 17:52
I'm in Stuttgart, Germany, not the UK, but I have the VAP V12 Power Pack installed on my MY11 Rapide. My local mechanic did the work. Is it a pain in the butt to install? Yes, at least for removing and replacing the exhaust manifold. I did it because I had the dreaded Check Emissions System CEL and upon investigation, had the signs of cat deterioration in the primaries. OEM would have cost the same and the problem could have come back, as well as the wait time to get OEM. I have also seen the results of a primary cat being ingested. The powder was everywhere in the engine and components of a Rpaide that was at AM-Stuttgart.
The sound is great, and the tune is great. I did not replace the back box, but have installed the replacement exhaust by-pass valves. I currently still have a metallic rattle and will be adjusting the actuator arms on the bypass valves. Aside from that, if I were to do this over again, I would just get a new back-box as well.
For the sound, with valves open, it is really loud. I was on a tour with some other European Aston owners in France earlier this year and the guy in the car 3 vehicles in front of me could hear it when I accelerated hard!
Anyhow, the VAP V12 Power Pack is a nice touch to the car.
Paul
The sound is great, and the tune is great. I did not replace the back box, but have installed the replacement exhaust by-pass valves. I currently still have a metallic rattle and will be adjusting the actuator arms on the bypass valves. Aside from that, if I were to do this over again, I would just get a new back-box as well.
For the sound, with valves open, it is really loud. I was on a tour with some other European Aston owners in France earlier this year and the guy in the car 3 vehicles in front of me could hear it when I accelerated hard!
Anyhow, the VAP V12 Power Pack is a nice touch to the car.
Paul
pdbollinger said:
I'm in Stuttgart, Germany, not the UK, but I have the VAP V12 Power Pack installed on my MY11 Rapide. My local mechanic did the work. Is it a pain in the butt to install? Yes, at least for removing and replacing the exhaust manifold. I did it because I had the dreaded Check Emissions System CEL and upon investigation, had the signs of cat deterioration in the primaries. OEM would have cost the same and the problem could have come back, as well as the wait time to get OEM. I have also seen the results of a primary cat being ingested. The powder was everywhere in the engine and components of a Rpaide that was at AM-Stuttgart.
The sound is great, and the tune is great. I did not replace the back box, but have installed the replacement exhaust by-pass valves. I currently still have a metallic rattle and will be adjusting the actuator arms on the bypass valves. Aside from that, if I were to do this over again, I would just get a new back-box as well.
For the sound, with valves open, it is really loud. I was on a tour with some other European Aston owners in France earlier this year and the guy in the car 3 vehicles in front of me could hear it when I accelerated hard!
Anyhow, the VAP V12 Power Pack is a nice touch to the car.
Paul
I wonder what the HU (Hauptuntersuchung; "TÜV" in your language) inspector says to the modified exhaust system? I suppose it will be illegal (without ABE)? Or is all this invisible for the untrained average inspector not familiar with Aston Martin?The sound is great, and the tune is great. I did not replace the back box, but have installed the replacement exhaust by-pass valves. I currently still have a metallic rattle and will be adjusting the actuator arms on the bypass valves. Aside from that, if I were to do this over again, I would just get a new back-box as well.
For the sound, with valves open, it is really loud. I was on a tour with some other European Aston owners in France earlier this year and the guy in the car 3 vehicles in front of me could hear it when I accelerated hard!
Anyhow, the VAP V12 Power Pack is a nice touch to the car.
Paul
Sadly, my AM service advisor recently confirmed that the crumbling catalyzers of the older V12 engines increasingly present a problem.
With the government proposals regarding car modifications, especially emissions, i would seriously reconsider any exhaust modifications.
In a few years time you'll be looking for original manifolds, they'll be hard to find and very expensive as most owners of decatted VH platform Astons will be buying them too.
In a few years time you'll be looking for original manifolds, they'll be hard to find and very expensive as most owners of decatted VH platform Astons will be buying them too.
paulrog1 said:
With the government proposals regarding car modifications, especially emissions, i would seriously reconsider any exhaust modifications.
In a few years time you'll be looking for original manifolds, they'll be hard to find and very expensive as most owners of decatted VH platform Astons will be buying them too.
While you make a good point, from Bamford rose you can put a new exhaust manifold on but route some fresh primary cats further down the system so they are not sitting just above the block. You should be fine in that regard.In a few years time you'll be looking for original manifolds, they'll be hard to find and very expensive as most owners of decatted VH platform Astons will be buying them too.
paulrog1 said:
With the government proposals regarding car modifications, especially emissions, i would seriously reconsider any exhaust modifications.
In a few years time you'll be looking for original manifolds, they'll be hard to find and very expensive as most owners of decatted VH platform Astons will be buying them too.
When I had mine done, I retained the originals, so if this dipstick proposal goes through and I am obliged to reverse any changes, I can.In a few years time you'll be looking for original manifolds, they'll be hard to find and very expensive as most owners of decatted VH platform Astons will be buying them too.
Emilio Largo
Love the forum name, by the way!
I am in a unique position. I am a US government and Army reserve Officer stationed in Germany.
As for the TüV, I bought my VAP system from Valiant Ecosse up in Nurburgring. There is a lot of talk about what is and isn't allowed/authorized for use on the roads. I haven't had any issues. The only challenge I had was when I had a DB7 Vantage and one neighbor complained and said it was loud. I told him I would be willing to trade it for a Harley. That ended any further complaints!
Anyhow, the TüV and the process for legalizing modifications isn't as bad as everyone makes it sound. It's like everyone in the US that thinks the Autobahn has unlimited speeds all over the place...they just haven't driven the A7 during the holiday months with all the caravans that don't want to be stuck behind the big rigs, but can't be bothered to get out of the way and cause the long traffic jams at 85 kmph...
Paul
Love the forum name, by the way!
I am in a unique position. I am a US government and Army reserve Officer stationed in Germany.
As for the TüV, I bought my VAP system from Valiant Ecosse up in Nurburgring. There is a lot of talk about what is and isn't allowed/authorized for use on the roads. I haven't had any issues. The only challenge I had was when I had a DB7 Vantage and one neighbor complained and said it was loud. I told him I would be willing to trade it for a Harley. That ended any further complaints!
Anyhow, the TüV and the process for legalizing modifications isn't as bad as everyone makes it sound. It's like everyone in the US that thinks the Autobahn has unlimited speeds all over the place...they just haven't driven the A7 during the holiday months with all the caravans that don't want to be stuck behind the big rigs, but can't be bothered to get out of the way and cause the long traffic jams at 85 kmph...
Paul
Thanks. I was just wondering if the Velocity AP exhaust system had a general type approval for Germany (Allgemeine Betriebserlaubnis - ABE) or if MAYBE an individual type approval process had taken place. Anyway, A. Robertson will hopefully have sold you a legitimate exhaust system and fingers crossed that future HU-situations will remain as stress-free for you as they seemingly are right now.
Interesting news for me that at AM Stuttgart they take a cat-damaged engine apart to look into the cat ingestion issue. I wouldn´t have thought that a German main dealer has such abilities/facilities.
Interesting news for me that at AM Stuttgart they take a cat-damaged engine apart to look into the cat ingestion issue. I wouldn´t have thought that a German main dealer has such abilities/facilities.
Yes, I did get the system through Ali. I will probably have to get the type-rating when i retire and "import" the vehicle off the US Army system into the regular German system, but I'll worry about that later.
AM - Stuttgart do have quite the capabilities. They can also leverage their other AM dealerships throughout the central European region. I beleive they have an AM Heritage location just down the roda from me in Switzerland.
AM - Stuttgart do have quite the capabilities. They can also leverage their other AM dealerships throughout the central European region. I beleive they have an AM Heritage location just down the roda from me in Switzerland.
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