Upgrades for AMV8 - old school
Discussion
G'day Jock,
the MSD system consists of a billet alloy distributor built to fit the Aston V8 engine along with a high voltage amplifier and enhanced coil. The precision distributor eliminates the scatter caused by the wear on the old Lucas after many years of service. Additionally the amplifier creates a double spark below 3000 rpm for more efficient combustion. On a scale of 1-10 the Lucas produces a 3 spark while the MSD is closer to 10, 10 being the highest. Driveabilty of the cars is enhanced and fuel economy improves, torque is also up by 10% in the lower rev range according to the Steel Wings dyno. The UK agent for the MSD system is Rikki Cann in Southend, 01702 291818. He also does the larger airbox on an exchange basis.
Roo
the MSD system consists of a billet alloy distributor built to fit the Aston V8 engine along with a high voltage amplifier and enhanced coil. The precision distributor eliminates the scatter caused by the wear on the old Lucas after many years of service. Additionally the amplifier creates a double spark below 3000 rpm for more efficient combustion. On a scale of 1-10 the Lucas produces a 3 spark while the MSD is closer to 10, 10 being the highest. Driveabilty of the cars is enhanced and fuel economy improves, torque is also up by 10% in the lower rev range according to the Steel Wings dyno. The UK agent for the MSD system is Rikki Cann in Southend, 01702 291818. He also does the larger airbox on an exchange basis.
Roo
Thanks Roo, most informative.
Jock, the filters I was looking at are these
www.racetep.com/ramflolynx.html
As far as I can tell the 400 series will bolt straight onto 42 DCNF. I’m still uncertain whether it would show an improvement or not but it would certainly free up some space and keep the intake hoses away from the belts.
Jock, the filters I was looking at are these
www.racetep.com/ramflolynx.html
As far as I can tell the 400 series will bolt straight onto 42 DCNF. I’m still uncertain whether it would show an improvement or not but it would certainly free up some space and keep the intake hoses away from the belts.
G'day AlanQ and DrJock,
here's a picture of the big bore airbox with 4" diameter inlet trunking. Only problem with the getting rid of the airbox and going for the RAM air filters is getting cold air to them. According to wind tunnel tests performed by AML at MIRA back in the 1970's the V8 develops a pressure bubble under the bonnet which would starve the carbs of airflow. You need to get air to them somehow which would still need some sort of trunking.
here's a picture of the big bore airbox with 4" diameter inlet trunking. Only problem with the getting rid of the airbox and going for the RAM air filters is getting cold air to them. According to wind tunnel tests performed by AML at MIRA back in the 1970's the V8 develops a pressure bubble under the bonnet which would starve the carbs of airflow. You need to get air to them somehow which would still need some sort of trunking.
Edited by v8vantage on Thursday 6th July 20:02
G'day Will,
the airbox and cam covers are powder coated in crackle black finish. It's a little personalisation I have on all my cars, as you say much preferable to the silver hammerite. It's a finish used on the factory protoypes of the era. The very first V8 race engines and those in the first DBSV8s were finished with cam covers in this colour, so too the airbox of the prototype V8 Vantage in 1977. Good to see your DBSV8 made the pilgrimage down to Le Mans and back, are you still dreaming of rebuilding all those wrecked Vanquish prototypes out the back of the factory carpark?
Roo
the airbox and cam covers are powder coated in crackle black finish. It's a little personalisation I have on all my cars, as you say much preferable to the silver hammerite. It's a finish used on the factory protoypes of the era. The very first V8 race engines and those in the first DBSV8s were finished with cam covers in this colour, so too the airbox of the prototype V8 Vantage in 1977. Good to see your DBSV8 made the pilgrimage down to Le Mans and back, are you still dreaming of rebuilding all those wrecked Vanquish prototypes out the back of the factory carpark?
Roo
Thanks Roo, you’re a mine of information! Just thinking it through, I can understand that a high pressure zone will develop in that area at speed but I’d have thought that would assist rather than hinder the air intake? I appreciate that it’d be sucking in warm air though. I’m guessing the MIRA tests led to the vantage blanked off grill and lower front air dam as well?
(lovely engine bay BTW)
(lovely engine bay BTW)
Alanq said:
Thanks Roo, most informative.
Jock, the filters I was looking at are these
www.racetep.com/ramflolynx.html
As far as I can tell the 400 series will bolt straight onto 42 DCNF. I’m still uncertain whether it would show an improvement or not but it would certainly free up some space and keep the intake hoses away from the belts.
Jock, the filters I was looking at are these
www.racetep.com/ramflolynx.html
As far as I can tell the 400 series will bolt straight onto 42 DCNF. I’m still uncertain whether it would show an improvement or not but it would certainly free up some space and keep the intake hoses away from the belts.
I think these will work well for your car as you have the bonnet intake, but Roo is right about the pressure bubble and with no scoop the trunking and box is required to maximise cold air.
v8vantage said:
G'day Jock,
the MSD system consists of a billet alloy distributor built to fit the Aston V8 engine along with a high voltage amplifier and enhanced coil. The precision distributor eliminates the scatter caused by the wear on the old Lucas after many years of service. Additionally the amplifier creates a double spark below 3000 rpm for more efficient combustion. On a scale of 1-10 the Lucas produces a 3 spark while the MSD is closer to 10, 10 being the highest. Driveabilty of the cars is enhanced and fuel economy improves, torque is also up by 10% in the lower rev range according to the Steel Wings dyno. The UK agent for the MSD system is Rikki Cann in Southend, 01702 291818. He also does the larger airbox on an exchange basis.
Roo
the MSD system consists of a billet alloy distributor built to fit the Aston V8 engine along with a high voltage amplifier and enhanced coil. The precision distributor eliminates the scatter caused by the wear on the old Lucas after many years of service. Additionally the amplifier creates a double spark below 3000 rpm for more efficient combustion. On a scale of 1-10 the Lucas produces a 3 spark while the MSD is closer to 10, 10 being the highest. Driveabilty of the cars is enhanced and fuel economy improves, torque is also up by 10% in the lower rev range according to the Steel Wings dyno. The UK agent for the MSD system is Rikki Cann in Southend, 01702 291818. He also does the larger airbox on an exchange basis.
Roo
Hey Roo do you know the part refernces for the specific MSD system in this case. They sell direct but I need to know the part refs.
aston67 said:
the MSD ignition is from Steel Wings (see their website via Google)
the "surgery" was done by Dr. Rikki Cann
who takes care of my car
At Silverstone Purdey was the only Vantage Volante in Rolls Royce Royal Blue and no, I was not at LeMans
A67
the "surgery" was done by Dr. Rikki Cann
who takes care of my car At Silverstone Purdey was the only Vantage Volante in Rolls Royce Royal Blue and no, I was not at LeMans
A67
Same question to you A67 - Can you please let me know the parts references then I can source the bits. Thanks
G'day Jock,
you can buy parts from MSD but they wont fit your car. Steel Wings machines the distributor to fit the Aston V8 and also modifies the advance curve internally. You can buy direct from Steel Wings in the USA or through their agent Rikki Cann in the UK. Unless you have a machine shop or are a skilled machinist yourself it's not worth the bother to modify the MSD unit yourself.
Roo
you can buy parts from MSD but they wont fit your car. Steel Wings machines the distributor to fit the Aston V8 and also modifies the advance curve internally. You can buy direct from Steel Wings in the USA or through their agent Rikki Cann in the UK. Unless you have a machine shop or are a skilled machinist yourself it's not worth the bother to modify the MSD unit yourself.
Roo
This is something which you certainly can take to a non-Aston specialist. It is, afterall only a Chrysler box.
Mine was recon'd in 2003, and had the quick-shift kit added then (and, looking at the invoice in front of me they do call it a TF2). In 2003 they charged £100, but that was probably because the labour was included with the rebuild.
The company was Sussex auto services, 01323 846 666. Not dealt with them, but the box feels great.
Mine was recon'd in 2003, and had the quick-shift kit added then (and, looking at the invoice in front of me they do call it a TF2). In 2003 they charged £100, but that was probably because the labour was included with the rebuild.
The company was Sussex auto services, 01323 846 666. Not dealt with them, but the box feels great.
Edited by williamp on Tuesday 11th July 09:21
G'day Jock,
check to see which transmission you have. If it has the lock up torque converter the shift kit may not function properly and could lead to damage to the transmission. Even though the lock up transmission was fitted from the early 1980's onwards, any car that has been serviced or maintained at AML Works will likely have been converted back to the non lock up unit. The first lock up units had a terminal problem that should have resulted in a general recall, instead the units were quietly changed over with no charge to the customer when they came in for service at Newport Pagnell. It was all kept very quiet as AML were in a cash crisis at the time and it may well have took them to the edge if they had to replace every auto box on every car under warranty.
Roo
check to see which transmission you have. If it has the lock up torque converter the shift kit may not function properly and could lead to damage to the transmission. Even though the lock up transmission was fitted from the early 1980's onwards, any car that has been serviced or maintained at AML Works will likely have been converted back to the non lock up unit. The first lock up units had a terminal problem that should have resulted in a general recall, instead the units were quietly changed over with no charge to the customer when they came in for service at Newport Pagnell. It was all kept very quiet as AML were in a cash crisis at the time and it may well have took them to the edge if they had to replace every auto box on every car under warranty.
Roo
williamp said:
This is something which you certainly can take to a non-Aston specialist. It is, afterall only a Chrysler box.
Mine was recon'd in 2003, and had the quick-shift kit added then (and, looking at the invoice in front of me they do call it a TF2). In 2003 they charged £100, but that was probably because the labour was included with the rebuild.
The company was Sussex auto services, 01323 846 666. Not dealt with them, but the box feels great.
Mine was recon'd in 2003, and had the quick-shift kit added then (and, looking at the invoice in front of me they do call it a TF2). In 2003 they charged £100, but that was probably because the labour was included with the rebuild.
The company was Sussex auto services, 01323 846 666. Not dealt with them, but the box feels great.
Edited by williamp on Tuesday 11th July 09:21
Thanks WIll I'll give them a call ASAP.
v8vantage said:
G'day Jock,
check to see which transmission you have. If it has the lock up torque converter the shift kit may not function properly and could lead to damage to the transmission. Even though the lock up transmission was fitted from the early 1980's onwards, any car that has been serviced or maintained at AML Works will likely have been converted back to the non lock up unit. The first lock up units had a terminal problem that should have resulted in a general recall, instead the units were quietly changed over with no charge to the customer when they came in for service at Newport Pagnell. It was all kept very quiet as AML were in a cash crisis at the time and it may well have took them to the edge if they had to replace every auto box on every car under warranty.
Roo
check to see which transmission you have. If it has the lock up torque converter the shift kit may not function properly and could lead to damage to the transmission. Even though the lock up transmission was fitted from the early 1980's onwards, any car that has been serviced or maintained at AML Works will likely have been converted back to the non lock up unit. The first lock up units had a terminal problem that should have resulted in a general recall, instead the units were quietly changed over with no charge to the customer when they came in for service at Newport Pagnell. It was all kept very quiet as AML were in a cash crisis at the time and it may well have took them to the edge if they had to replace every auto box on every car under warranty.
Roo
Hey Roo - Wow, what a revelation. I have heard some of the stories about how AML nearly went broke several times. This is another real surprise! Now I am suitably concerned
the question is: How can I tell the type of box it is?
williamp said:
This is something which you certainly can take to a non-Aston specialist. It is, afterall only a Chrysler box.
Mine was recon'd in 2003, and had the quick-shift kit added then (and, looking at the invoice in front of me they do call it a TF2). In 2003 they charged £100, but that was probably because the labour was included with the rebuild.
The company was Sussex auto services, 01323 846 666. Not dealt with them, but the box feels great.
Mine was recon'd in 2003, and had the quick-shift kit added then (and, looking at the invoice in front of me they do call it a TF2). In 2003 they charged £100, but that was probably because the labour was included with the rebuild.
The company was Sussex auto services, 01323 846 666. Not dealt with them, but the box feels great.
Edited by williamp on Tuesday 11th July 09:21
Will - Awesome information.
I called them up and: 1 Sussex Autos (Paul) really knew the score as they do these jobs for Aston works and Heritage
2 confirmed the box type, lock up or not (cheers Roo)
3 have a fixed charge of £177+VAT plus ATF (circa £50)
4 can take the car this week whilst I am in the US so it will be ready on my return to London
In summary this is half the price of the London Aston specialists and no workshop waiting list (which typifies London Aston dealers). SO far so Good.
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