Hoping to record sound difference with V12VS back box on V8V
Discussion
One of the features of the V8VS over the base model is the sports exhaust. But after parking mine next to a V8VS at yesterday's Supercar Fest near Worcester, I really could confirm to myself that there isn't really any audible difference from the outside. At least nothing to justify any upgrade to that.
When I bought my 2014MY V8V (non-S) recently, the sales guy at AM Bristol suggested fitting the V12 Vantage S exhaust back box:
This suggestion followed my wittering about really wanting a V8VS. As it turned out, I personally now think the key advantages are all there in the 2012.25MY updates - thanks to The Definitive Guide.
Now that I've driven the V8V for a couple of hundred miles - few on motorways - I'm convinced that a little more voice is needed inside the cabin. I'm not seeking any power advantage as it's already more than I'm used to or can realistically be deployed on country lanes. I still have much to learn about handling this car and look forward to that process!
Strangely one of the benefits of the Vantage is that it really is the car that makes be a better driver, sticking to limits in built-up areas (and everywhere else obviously
) in an almost saintly manner. I feel that a lot of this is do with the noise. It simply sounds like you're going fast with few revs. An even more characterful noise should simply cement that mentality.
Neither am I looking to annoy the neighbours or disturb the insurance or AM warranty, so the upgrade needs to keep the switchable exhaust value.
So it's soon off to AM Bristol again for the V12VS back box.
I've had great email conversations with their Parts Advisor, Kyle who also suggested the de-cat option. Apparently it doesn't affect the warranty, MOT/emissions, but enhances the sound further. It's not a bad price either. However, I've decided to do this in stages; back box first and then see what the difference is. I simply don't want to go too far and detract from the amazing touring ability the V8V has demonstrated (my desire for S-spec Sports suspension was a red-herring now I've experienced the perfectly-judged Comfort suspension on country lanes).
With the changeover happening, I'm looking to make a good quality audio recording of the before/after sounds (external and internal). It may be of interest to others looking to have a different tone in their V8V?
When I bought my 2014MY V8V (non-S) recently, the sales guy at AM Bristol suggested fitting the V12 Vantage S exhaust back box:
This suggestion followed my wittering about really wanting a V8VS. As it turned out, I personally now think the key advantages are all there in the 2012.25MY updates - thanks to The Definitive Guide.
Now that I've driven the V8V for a couple of hundred miles - few on motorways - I'm convinced that a little more voice is needed inside the cabin. I'm not seeking any power advantage as it's already more than I'm used to or can realistically be deployed on country lanes. I still have much to learn about handling this car and look forward to that process!
Strangely one of the benefits of the Vantage is that it really is the car that makes be a better driver, sticking to limits in built-up areas (and everywhere else obviously
) in an almost saintly manner. I feel that a lot of this is do with the noise. It simply sounds like you're going fast with few revs. An even more characterful noise should simply cement that mentality.Neither am I looking to annoy the neighbours or disturb the insurance or AM warranty, so the upgrade needs to keep the switchable exhaust value.
So it's soon off to AM Bristol again for the V12VS back box.
I've had great email conversations with their Parts Advisor, Kyle who also suggested the de-cat option. Apparently it doesn't affect the warranty, MOT/emissions, but enhances the sound further. It's not a bad price either. However, I've decided to do this in stages; back box first and then see what the difference is. I simply don't want to go too far and detract from the amazing touring ability the V8V has demonstrated (my desire for S-spec Sports suspension was a red-herring now I've experienced the perfectly-judged Comfort suspension on country lanes).
With the changeover happening, I'm looking to make a good quality audio recording of the before/after sounds (external and internal). It may be of interest to others looking to have a different tone in their V8V?
The secondary cat pipe replacement is about £400 plus fitting. I did mine last year (Dec 2012 Roadster) Same reason - I drove an S and sure there was a bit of a difference but not *that* much and certainly not £2000 of back box worth.
I would do the cat pipes first and see what you think, personally, with the fuse out, its perfect for me on volume/ exhaust note
I would do the cat pipes first and see what you think, personally, with the fuse out, its perfect for me on volume/ exhaust note
bogie said:
The secondary cat pipe replacement is about £400 plus fitting. I did mine last year (Dec 2012 Roadster) Same reason - I drove an S and sure there was a bit of a difference but not *that* much and certainly not £2000 of back box worth.
I would do the cat pipes first and see what you think, personally, with the fuse out, its perfect for me on volume/ exhaust note
Thanks bogie!I would do the cat pipes first and see what you think, personally, with the fuse out, its perfect for me on volume/ exhaust note
Must admit I'm also interested in the different tone that will come with the V12VS back box. Would you say that the de-cat option changes the tone and/or volume?
AM Bristol wrote that they were thinking of changing a V8 in stock to a de-cat (not the V12VS back box) so that customers could hear the difference. It would be very interesting if this were to happen and we could have 3 options side-by-side; standard, de-cat, V12VS back box.
Also, you may want to check prices with Kyle at AM Bristol if interested as they are a little keener than above.
The secondary cat pipes do change the tone and increase the volume. You can leave the fuse in and have a 2 stage sound or fuse out and it really rumbles from tickover. On a Roadster there is no need for more, otherwise I fear it would be too intrusive. i wear earplugs when riding a motorcycle, i dont want to do the same in the car 
martindesu said:
I'm very, very interested in this.
I want a switchable valve exhaust but find the standard box too quiet. Most after market boxes with no switch do make the car feel faster as it's so loud, but it can drone a bit at 2-3k rpm on a long drive. Also, cold starts will annoy the neighbours, and mine's a daily.
I'd love to hear the difference. There's just not the theatre in the cabin that I'd like. DB9 can be muted, I feel the vantage should be a little more raw. GT8 sounds amazing.
Yep - I'm taking a little risk with changing up to a sound I've not heard or experienced. But what the heck...I want a switchable valve exhaust but find the standard box too quiet. Most after market boxes with no switch do make the car feel faster as it's so loud, but it can drone a bit at 2-3k rpm on a long drive. Also, cold starts will annoy the neighbours, and mine's a daily.
I'd love to hear the difference. There's just not the theatre in the cabin that I'd like. DB9 can be muted, I feel the vantage should be a little more raw. GT8 sounds amazing.
As the car's done <11k miles, the existing back box should be in good condition, so I plan to keep it until I'm sure I'm 100% happy with the new box. I realise it would be a faff, but changing back could still be an option. My wife would be so happy to see me spend the prodigy's inheritance on that
bogie said:
The secondary cat pipes do change the tone and increase the volume. You can leave the fuse in and have a 2 stage sound or fuse out and it really rumbles from tickover. On a Roadster there is no need for more, otherwise I fear it would be too intrusive. i wear earplugs when riding a motorcycle, i dont want to do the same in the car
LOL! You could always wear AM-branded ear defenders. I hear that's all the rage in Mayfair...Would be interested to hear the de-cat'd result!
If you're after a V12 Vantage S back box, my dads car just had the Performance Pack fitted with the titanium exhaust. Bristol have the bits taken off the car at the moment as didn't have space to bring them back with us today, so drop me a message if you're interested in buying the exhaust.
Thorburn said:
If you're after a V12 Vantage S back box, my dads car just had the Performance Pack fitted with the titanium exhaust. Bristol have the bits taken off the car at the moment as didn't have space to bring them back with us today, so drop me a message if you're interested in buying the exhaust.
Thanks for the offer! Bristol did suggest at the start of the conversation that a used V12VS back box may become available in the near future - this could well be yours.However, I decided that I'd go for a new one in the end and Kyle (parts at AM Bristol) sent me a photo of the boxed arrival yesterday
I'm sure it will find a good home in no time. Enjoy the new symphony behind you!
I'm having a wobble and thoughts appreciated...
The car's going down the AM Bristol tomorrow for the V12VS back box to be fitted. Really curious regarding the results and looking forward to it. As they will be keeping it for several weeks at my request, I took it for an evening country lane charge last night and am still over the moon with it... but still think it could be louder without being offensive.
I understand the V12VS back box will change the tone but not affect the volume so much. The de-cat option could see to that. I originally planned to do this in two stages to judge the sound, but as it'll be with them, should I just de-cat at the same time? How have others found the de-cat option on the V8V?
As it's an AM official upgrade, I presume (a) it won't affect emissions testing in future MOTs and (b) it won't have to be declared with insurance as a modification? Neither the backbox nor de-cat upgrades are being fitted to increase power as there's enough of that!
Thanks!
The car's going down the AM Bristol tomorrow for the V12VS back box to be fitted. Really curious regarding the results and looking forward to it. As they will be keeping it for several weeks at my request, I took it for an evening country lane charge last night and am still over the moon with it... but still think it could be louder without being offensive.
I understand the V12VS back box will change the tone but not affect the volume so much. The de-cat option could see to that. I originally planned to do this in two stages to judge the sound, but as it'll be with them, should I just de-cat at the same time? How have others found the de-cat option on the V8V?
As it's an AM official upgrade, I presume (a) it won't affect emissions testing in future MOTs and (b) it won't have to be declared with insurance as a modification? Neither the backbox nor de-cat upgrades are being fitted to increase power as there's enough of that!
Thanks!
Huge thanks to AM Bristol once more for such excellent service.
Took the Vantage over yesterday (great drive down the Wye valley past Tintern - always recommended) with my young son. Kyle from the parts department met us then turned to my son and said "your dad can't have all the fun" and handed him an AM Bristol bag containing a AMR baseball hat and AM pin. That was my son's first ever experience of an AM dealer. Reckon they've won a fan? Might have to wait a few years, but I think his chances of ignoring red prancing horse cars has increased... thank you Kyle!
So we then had a tour of the shop floor (which is what I cheekily requested for my son) with the usual kid-in-in-a-sweetshop-effect and was also led into the parts office where Kyle had laid up the V12VS back box destined for my V8V against a stock back box. Whoa! Around half the silencer box volume
I am curious though... A kind fellow-PH'er emailed me yesterday with feedback (thank you!) and suggested that the exhaust valve on the V12VS box bypasses the silencer altogether. I think he's right looking again at the diagram and photo. Or is it a partial bypass with some of the gasses going through the box and the remainder straight-through?
It'll be a few weeks until I pick up (on my request) but this could be very interesting!!!
Took the Vantage over yesterday (great drive down the Wye valley past Tintern - always recommended) with my young son. Kyle from the parts department met us then turned to my son and said "your dad can't have all the fun" and handed him an AM Bristol bag containing a AMR baseball hat and AM pin. That was my son's first ever experience of an AM dealer. Reckon they've won a fan? Might have to wait a few years, but I think his chances of ignoring red prancing horse cars has increased... thank you Kyle!
So we then had a tour of the shop floor (which is what I cheekily requested for my son) with the usual kid-in-in-a-sweetshop-effect and was also led into the parts office where Kyle had laid up the V12VS back box destined for my V8V against a stock back box. Whoa! Around half the silencer box volume
I am curious though... A kind fellow-PH'er emailed me yesterday with feedback (thank you!) and suggested that the exhaust valve on the V12VS box bypasses the silencer altogether. I think he's right looking again at the diagram and photo. Or is it a partial bypass with some of the gasses going through the box and the remainder straight-through?
It'll be a few weeks until I pick up (on my request) but this could be very interesting!!!
Kyle from AM Bristol kindly sent the photo of the V12VS back box (one the floor) about to be put in place. It also shows how immaculate their workshop is - ask for a quick tour as it's always filled with delicious AM's.
I've been without the car for several weeks at my request as the drive is getting done, and am really itching to drive it again... and hear what the new back box will sound like!
Hope to collect this coming Thursday and make the audio recordings then
justin220 said:
Very interested to hear your thoughts..
I think I want a GT8 exhaust on mine, not sure if that can be done though
gt8 exhaust exits centrally so can't be fitted to any other Vantage, however the new titanium AMR system will fit both V8 and V12 VantageI think I want a GT8 exhaust on mine, not sure if that can be done though
http://www.astonmartin.com/en/accessories/amr/amr-...
jonby said:
gt8 exhaust exits centrally so can't be fitted to any other Vantage, however the new titanium AMR system will fit both V8 and V12 Vantage
http://www.astonmartin.com/en/accessories/amr/amr-...
Thankshttp://www.astonmartin.com/en/accessories/amr/amr-...
nickv8 said:
Kyle from AM Bristol kindly sent the photo of the V12VS back box (one the floor) about to be put in place. It also shows how immaculate their workshop is - ask for a quick tour as it's always filled with delicious AM's.
I've been without the car for several weeks at my request as the drive is getting done, and am really itching to drive it again... and hear what the new back box will sound like!
Hope to collect this coming Thursday and make the audio recordings then
Well, things have unfortunately not worked out... 
It turns out that the V12VS back box does not fit on a manual car. To quote Kyle at AM Bristol:
The V12S box sticks out slightly further than the standard box, normally this wouldn’t be an issue, however, because your car is a manual, you have an oil cooler mounted on the rear crash bar that obstructs the box(outlined in red on the attached image).
Very unfortunate. I understood that this was going to be one of the first conversions, so just one of those things.
Edit: as a V12VS manual exists, does that mean the rear-mounted radiator is placed differently on a V12 model?
Thanks to Kyle for keeping me informed.
It turns out that the V12VS back box does not fit on a manual car. To quote Kyle at AM Bristol:
The V12S box sticks out slightly further than the standard box, normally this wouldn’t be an issue, however, because your car is a manual, you have an oil cooler mounted on the rear crash bar that obstructs the box(outlined in red on the attached image).
Very unfortunate. I understood that this was going to be one of the first conversions, so just one of those things.
Edit: as a V12VS manual exists, does that mean the rear-mounted radiator is placed differently on a V12 model?
Thanks to Kyle for keeping me informed.
Edited by nickv8 on Saturday 1st July 09:11
nickv8 said:
Edit: as a V12VS manual exists, does that mean the rear-mounted radiator is placed differently on a V12 model?
I believe, the V8 Vantage S seven speed SS2 gearbox does not have an oil cooler at the rear. It may be the same for the V12Edited by nickv8 on Saturday 1st July 09:11
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