Advice for newbie - lowering springs & tyres for 4.3L V8
Discussion
Hi everyone,
I'm new in the aston community, with a 4.3L coupe which I'd like to continue upgrade its exterior looks, before moving to the engine (bamford rose in mind), to give it the looks of a V8S or a V12. Some of you might wonder why I simply didn't form start to this model.....Well, it's a question of budget....
I have so far fitted 19'' inches AM 10 spoke wheel, clear rear lights and the v12 side sills. Coming up is the more inclined tailgate (rsc tuning) as well as the carbon side vent blades. On order with rsc tuning, are the wheel spacers in 15mm front and 20mm back.
This has nicely improved the looks of the car, without deteriorating its profile. But I find the car not enough "muscular" and somewhat of weaker appear than the v8S which is the "target".....So here I am asking for advise to all of you more experienced.
My car currently has wheels fitted with 19"x8.5" 235/40/19 (96Y) potenza front and 19"x9.5" 275/35/19 (92Y) potenza rear....but I find this leaves a too large a gap between the tyre and the body of the car, while not giving the desired muscular look. Changing to 20" alloys is going to be to expensive for me and I was wondering whether :
(i) the wheel spacers will help me achieve visual looks of 250 front and 295 rear ?
(ii) using lowering springs will diminish the gap I mentioned ? But then, which dimensions should I go for in order to have the impression I've fitted 20"" alloys ?
(iii) my tyres are needs changing but I don't know if with my alloys and can go for front 255/35/19 and rear 295/30/19 or if i have to go for something else. Is there a good web site that provides you advise on wheel dimensions to choose ?
Finally, when looking at anAmv8S, I do have the impression the car is more massive / impressive than my 2007 model. Is the body of the V8s made in a different material than old 4.3L or is it the paint (onyx black) which is old giving that impression
All these questions might sound trivial for most of you....but i'd really appreciate your advice. The AM dealers in France (3) are that cooperative and don't seem to know more than just selling you a new car or doing the simple mods / servicing recommended by the factory..... So many thanks in advance for those dropping me a line to advice
I'm new in the aston community, with a 4.3L coupe which I'd like to continue upgrade its exterior looks, before moving to the engine (bamford rose in mind), to give it the looks of a V8S or a V12. Some of you might wonder why I simply didn't form start to this model.....Well, it's a question of budget....
I have so far fitted 19'' inches AM 10 spoke wheel, clear rear lights and the v12 side sills. Coming up is the more inclined tailgate (rsc tuning) as well as the carbon side vent blades. On order with rsc tuning, are the wheel spacers in 15mm front and 20mm back.
This has nicely improved the looks of the car, without deteriorating its profile. But I find the car not enough "muscular" and somewhat of weaker appear than the v8S which is the "target".....So here I am asking for advise to all of you more experienced.
My car currently has wheels fitted with 19"x8.5" 235/40/19 (96Y) potenza front and 19"x9.5" 275/35/19 (92Y) potenza rear....but I find this leaves a too large a gap between the tyre and the body of the car, while not giving the desired muscular look. Changing to 20" alloys is going to be to expensive for me and I was wondering whether :
(i) the wheel spacers will help me achieve visual looks of 250 front and 295 rear ?
(ii) using lowering springs will diminish the gap I mentioned ? But then, which dimensions should I go for in order to have the impression I've fitted 20"" alloys ?
(iii) my tyres are needs changing but I don't know if with my alloys and can go for front 255/35/19 and rear 295/30/19 or if i have to go for something else. Is there a good web site that provides you advise on wheel dimensions to choose ?
Finally, when looking at anAmv8S, I do have the impression the car is more massive / impressive than my 2007 model. Is the body of the V8s made in a different material than old 4.3L or is it the paint (onyx black) which is old giving that impression
All these questions might sound trivial for most of you....but i'd really appreciate your advice. The AM dealers in France (3) are that cooperative and don't seem to know more than just selling you a new car or doing the simple mods / servicing recommended by the factory..... So many thanks in advance for those dropping me a line to advice
Hi Yeti,
Thanks for taking the time to help me out. Indeed much appreciated.
For the wheels, I bought the 10 spoke ones, which I understand are known as the "spider" ones. I don't think there the ones on the sport pack, but rather those on the N420 model.
Anyways, you seem to have done an extraordianry job with your car. Must be quiet a ride !!! And for indeed a budget indeed less than that of the DBS. Dream car, by the way !!!
Regarding your precisions, I have further questions (apologies for that). By the way is it ok with form rules to keep posting on, or should I pm you ?
Questions are as follows :
- Spacers : post fitting and with the original OEM springs, do I need to reset the geometry ?
- H&R progressive springs : what type of budget are we speaking about ? Funnily enough, I would have imagined you'd have lowered front by 20mmm and rear by 15mm for a more aggressive look ....or I am not getting things right ?
What would be your recommended settings....
- Will recheck the vantage collection. Where did you get your DBS bonnet from ?
- Paint : is the Onyx Black at stake....or is it the age of the paint ?
- Tyres : Do you think changing the dimensions of the tyres will make any difference ? Is there any web site which could help me in knowing which size will work ?
Cheers
Thanks for taking the time to help me out. Indeed much appreciated.
For the wheels, I bought the 10 spoke ones, which I understand are known as the "spider" ones. I don't think there the ones on the sport pack, but rather those on the N420 model.
Anyways, you seem to have done an extraordianry job with your car. Must be quiet a ride !!! And for indeed a budget indeed less than that of the DBS. Dream car, by the way !!!
Regarding your precisions, I have further questions (apologies for that). By the way is it ok with form rules to keep posting on, or should I pm you ?
Questions are as follows :
- Spacers : post fitting and with the original OEM springs, do I need to reset the geometry ?
- H&R progressive springs : what type of budget are we speaking about ? Funnily enough, I would have imagined you'd have lowered front by 20mmm and rear by 15mm for a more aggressive look ....or I am not getting things right ?
What would be your recommended settings....
- Will recheck the vantage collection. Where did you get your DBS bonnet from ?
- Paint : is the Onyx Black at stake....or is it the age of the paint ?
- Tyres : Do you think changing the dimensions of the tyres will make any difference ? Is there any web site which could help me in knowing which size will work ?
Cheers
Hi Mikey K,
Thansk ! At this stage, I must admit it more about the looks than the performance. Radars are all over the place now in France and going beyond 150km/h is getting risky for one's driver license....
Do let me post some pictures as soon as I can and I'm sure you'll understand why I want to improve its looks.
I'm in Paris. Central. More that happy to buy you a couple of beers if you do stop by
By the way, if anyone knows how to patch photos from an ipad onto the forum...that would definitively help. Yeti, the modus operandi doesn't work for me on the ipad
Thansk ! At this stage, I must admit it more about the looks than the performance. Radars are all over the place now in France and going beyond 150km/h is getting risky for one's driver license....
Do let me post some pictures as soon as I can and I'm sure you'll understand why I want to improve its looks.
I'm in Paris. Central. More that happy to buy you a couple of beers if you do stop by
By the way, if anyone knows how to patch photos from an ipad onto the forum...that would definitively help. Yeti, the modus operandi doesn't work for me on the ipad
Hi,
Thanks Georges
Pictures of the car are on http:/photobucket.com/albums/u387/jedi4727
Looking forward to reading your comments and leads to improve the car !
Cheers
Thanks Georges
Pictures of the car are on http:/photobucket.com/albums/u387/jedi4727
Looking forward to reading your comments and leads to improve the car !
Cheers
For those who will no doubt notice the carbon tail gate has not yet been fitted....I just layed it on the trunk for the picture.
Wheels spacers have not yet arrived, with the carbon side vent blades. All this will be fitted once I'm delivered and once I've ordered the lowering springs
Wheels spacers have not yet arrived, with the carbon side vent blades. All this will be fitted once I'm delivered and once I've ordered the lowering springs
Here's a picture without the spoiler :
Thanks for the comment.
Wheels are nice indeed.
But I just hate the gap between the car and the tyre, which I find too large. Not looking to drop it too much tough as it wouldn't comply with Aston's spirit ! I reckon 1" will be a maximum. However, reading various posts, I understand that you're never sure about the drop (at least with the lowering springs) and that the real solution is coilovers..... Oups....it's far from being the same price ! So any advice on this would be appreciated
Second thing I dislike is the fineness impression the body shape gives, especially compared to the v8s or v12. Just like one had the impression a 4.3L wasn't made in the same material. This is especially true when you compare the car, on a profile / lateral view.
Thanks for the comment.
Wheels are nice indeed.
But I just hate the gap between the car and the tyre, which I find too large. Not looking to drop it too much tough as it wouldn't comply with Aston's spirit ! I reckon 1" will be a maximum. However, reading various posts, I understand that you're never sure about the drop (at least with the lowering springs) and that the real solution is coilovers..... Oups....it's far from being the same price ! So any advice on this would be appreciated
Second thing I dislike is the fineness impression the body shape gives, especially compared to the v8s or v12. Just like one had the impression a 4.3L wasn't made in the same material. This is especially true when you compare the car, on a profile / lateral view.
Yeti,
I've been looking at H&R web site, but to be franck, lack the knoweldge to be make a proper choice on my own. Is it better to go for straight lowering springs or for coilovers ? Will the garage which will be fitting those in Paris be able to adjust the height of the car to the level I want ?
By the way, the following web site might be of interest to some of you. It gives parts numbers and diagram for Astons.... www.scuderiacarparts.com
Signing in - which gives access to the whole database - is pretty straight forward.
I've been looking at H&R web site, but to be franck, lack the knoweldge to be make a proper choice on my own. Is it better to go for straight lowering springs or for coilovers ? Will the garage which will be fitting those in Paris be able to adjust the height of the car to the level I want ?
By the way, the following web site might be of interest to some of you. It gives parts numbers and diagram for Astons.... www.scuderiacarparts.com
Signing in - which gives access to the whole database - is pretty straight forward.
Thank you all for your welcome. Glad to be part of the community, and hopefully one day i'll be able to help someone else just like you guys have done for me
The v12 sills are OEM parts, but i got a 40pct discount from a dealer in south of France. Happy to connect any of you if that helps. With sterling so high....it might be of advantage to you
Fitting them instead of the standard part was somewhat of a hassle. But it's a 30min job. So you guys will probably do it in half the time
The v12 sills are OEM parts, but i got a 40pct discount from a dealer in south of France. Happy to connect any of you if that helps. With sterling so high....it might be of advantage to you
Fitting them instead of the standard part was somewhat of a hassle. But it's a 30min job. So you guys will probably do it in half the time
Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff