Upgrades for AMV8 - old school
Discussion
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
Edited by aston67 on Thursday 6th July 01:04
I booked my car in with Rikki Cann Ltd and was quoted £1500 parts plus £300 labour for said ignition system.
After some research I sourced an ignition system directly stateside for just £650 (USD$1230).
I cancelled the appointment awaiting the shipment. When I phoned for a fit customer parts only price Rikki Cann Ltd merely wasted my time.
Well I suppose I did uncover their unacceptably high margin. I appreciate the recco aston67, but I'm afraid I wouldn't entrust any 'surgery' to someone with such a bedside manner. There are better surgeons around.
Also I would reccommend going direct to www.steelwings.com if you want this kit and as they advised me "any competent mechanic can fit it"
Just checked the Steel Wings site, shows price of USD $1551. How much was the shipping and handling to the UK and duty and taxes? Did you also get the tach adapter kit, you may find the tacho won't work correctly without it. Don't fault UK companies for making a healthy margin on products from the US. They have to stock the items and may sell only a handful each year, it costs money to have expensive parts sitting on shelves waiting for customers. They still have to make a profit to stay in business. In the US we are more fortunate as many manufacturers sell diretly to the public and it cuts out the middle man. Don't forget the warranty side of things, if something goes wrong in the UK you can get them to sort it out and be back on the road in no time. Beats having your car laid up and shipping bits back and forwards to the USA. You may save some money in the short term, but at the end of the day it all balances out. If you don't support your local businesses they wont be there when you do need them
Roo
Roo
Edited by v8vantage on Thursday 10th August 16:52
Roo - I was lucky as I was over in the US and picked it up. Yes it does have the tach adapter kit. All I did was ask them nicely for a small discount and they obliged.
I am all for running a successful business, but you should recognise as an Aston owner that some businesses take advantage of an owner profile like this. I do not agree with this and I will do my best to research and discover real value.
I am all for running a successful business, but you should recognise as an Aston owner that some businesses take advantage of an owner profile like this. I do not agree with this and I will do my best to research and discover real value.
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.
By the way guys I have secured some free flow K&N air filters to directly replace the Aston ones. The K&N model reference is E-9183 and if you call Dave at Demontweaks he can get them for you around £90 per pair delivered.
Wondering how many horses this may add
dr jock said:
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.
By the way guys I have secured some free flow K&N air filters to directly replace the Aston ones. The K&N model reference is E-9183 and if you call Dave at Demontweaks he can get them for you around £90 per pair delivered.
Wondering how many horses this may add
Post Script his number is Direct dial - 01978 663027
v8vantage said:
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
AND....after more research
I found some good quality cold air ducting like the stuff v8vantage has under the hood per pic above. Aparently it is used in industrial applications such as fume extraction.
A guy called Rob sells it on Ebay go to:
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/auto-perform
of course in US is cheaper yet I am totally happy with the installation that Rikki did a couple of years ago and I will tell you why
The price you quoted is incorrect. Once you add import duty, courier and the right mark up it comes around a grand.
But then I can call Rikki at 2,30 in the morning to get it fix.
And Rikki is the official seller for the UK: this means warranty issues are fully covered.
All elements that one has to consider when improving an Aston Martin, not a Lada.
Of course one can buy off eBay bits and bobs: but then you have to get the piece together and pray god you have an honest seller on the other side. Warranty? Forget it.
It seems that a legitimate desire to improve your Aston jock is turning out in fixing the car with cellar tape, industrial pieces and the like.
What good will do this to the value of your car? not to mention the ability to fix the carburettos for the right amount of air flow. Are you going to hire some teenager working in a Fiat garage? Ops I gave you a tip to save some few more bobs...
You screw the engine to save £200 - £300 to do some DIY on an Aston
Of course for heart surgery you can fly to Bolivia... but then you do not know what comes out.
Good luck mate. Really!
A67
The price you quoted is incorrect. Once you add import duty, courier and the right mark up it comes around a grand.
But then I can call Rikki at 2,30 in the morning to get it fix.
And Rikki is the official seller for the UK: this means warranty issues are fully covered.
All elements that one has to consider when improving an Aston Martin, not a Lada.
Of course one can buy off eBay bits and bobs: but then you have to get the piece together and pray god you have an honest seller on the other side. Warranty? Forget it.
It seems that a legitimate desire to improve your Aston jock is turning out in fixing the car with cellar tape, industrial pieces and the like.
What good will do this to the value of your car? not to mention the ability to fix the carburettos for the right amount of air flow. Are you going to hire some teenager working in a Fiat garage? Ops I gave you a tip to save some few more bobs...
You screw the engine to save £200 - £300 to do some DIY on an Aston
Of course for heart surgery you can fly to Bolivia... but then you do not know what comes out.
Good luck mate. Really!
A67
How is Jock wrecking his engine exactly? By fitting a different make of (correct diameter) airbox trunking? I can never really understand the view that most expensive = best. If you can fit the Steel Wings MSD system yourself (and lets be honest, it's only a distributor, coil and ignition box), then why not? I'm actually very jealous - if I'd knew someone going to the states I'd ask them to get me one too! K&N filters - sounds very sensible or will they not be as good as Aston's original paper ones? What's next? Sticking with Avon Turbospeeds because they were originally specified? I'm sure they were top notch in 1974, but time moves on. Gentle upgrading using available technology adds to a car's driveability and hence value, in my opinion, unless all you want to do is trailer it to concours events. Anyway, rant over - if anyone is going to the states, give me a call!
Tim B
Tim B
Edited by doct93 on Thursday 10th August 18:52
you can screw the engine big time
you put the MSD and a bigger flow of air on the carburettos
this means that you have more power hence more heat. One has to readjust properly the carburettos to accomodate for this.
You need the right professional skills
Neglect this and day after day you affect the engine.
We are not talking about changing a light bulb...
but then it is not my car, is it?
while I accept that there can be some savings in the materials per se, it is when something goes wrong that creates the genuine issue.
I want the best for my Aston but I can assure you that I do not like to throw money to wind either.
DYI leaves the door open to a botched job with expensive consequences
I like to have a good deal, by all means, but sometimes there are false economies around the corner
all the best
A67
you put the MSD and a bigger flow of air on the carburettos
this means that you have more power hence more heat. One has to readjust properly the carburettos to accomodate for this.
You need the right professional skills
Neglect this and day after day you affect the engine.
We are not talking about changing a light bulb...
but then it is not my car, is it?
while I accept that there can be some savings in the materials per se, it is when something goes wrong that creates the genuine issue.
I want the best for my Aston but I can assure you that I do not like to throw money to wind either.
DYI leaves the door open to a botched job with expensive consequences
I like to have a good deal, by all means, but sometimes there are false economies around the corner
all the best
A67
Edited by aston67 on Thursday 10th August 19:10
OK Jock, let me see if I have got this right. You bought the MSD system off EBay, for $1230, is that correct. You didn't buy it from Steel Wings or their dealer in the UK. No one else can buy it $1230 so why were you telling porky pies that you bought it from Steel Wings for that price and slagging off Rikki Cann for making a profit and offering service and warranty on the product? I called Steel Wings, mentioned your name and asked for one at the same price you paid. They informed me you never actually bought one from them, however you had emailed asking them for one for free that you could tout in the UK. They declined your offer. Did you bother telling Rikki Cann you had gone round his back, the official UK supplier, and approached the manufacturer directly to be an agent in the UK? Maybe it's time for you to come clean with the whole story rather than slagging off people you have had a disagreement with.
Roo
Roo
doct93 said:
How is Jock wrecking his engine exactly? By fitting a different make of (correct diameter) airbox trunking? I can never really understand the view that most expensive = best. If you can fit the Steel Wings MSD system yourself (and lets be honest, it's only a distributor, coil and ignition box), then why not? I'm actually very jealous - if I'd knew someone going to the states I'd ask them to get me one too! K&N filters - sounds very sensible or will they not be as good as Aston's original paper ones? What's next? Sticking with Avon Turbospeeds because they were originally specified? I'm sure they were top notch in 1974, but time moves on. Gentle upgrading using available technology adds to a car's driveability and hence value, in my opinion, unless all you want to do is trailer it to concours events. Anyway, rant over - if anyone is going to the states, give me a call!
Tim B
Tim B
Edited by doct93 on Thursday 10th August 18:52
Yeah Avon Turbospeeds !!!
! Nice one Tim. I'm back to the states on 21st Aug for 10 days ! Let me know what you want - sorry no hand luggage or liquids, but I have one when I return. 
And aston67 maybe your loyalty is strong older Jedi, but I don't share your view. Who said anything about going 'cellar tape' (sic) cheap. Just for clarity I have done my research and have the same bits which will be fitted by Aston Dealer for around half the cost of that quoted by Rikki Cann Ltd. Here endeth the lesson/rant.
Dr Jock
I was really willing to listen to your argument, together with others we have suggested in good faith (and based on our personal experiences) how to improve your Aston according to your initial post.
You have turned this as a mini-crusade on Rikki but, sorry old chap, you lost a lot of credibility here. Your intentions look at this point (to me, at least) little honourable.
About loyalty, this hardly respected commodity nowadays (at least you seem to think it in that way)... you see Rikki had to EARN my loyalty during 3 years and if I am not happy I walk away. He knows that and he acts and works accordingly. He is not the only person looking after AMs with love, care and passion. There are others out there. There is genuine competition. Hence he is no fool. He has to be professional. He is professional. The AM community is quite small and words spread quickly. I had my share of crap with certain others AM "dealers" hence I know the difference in my pocket.
Does this apply to the person where you will bring you car for a "quickie"? Will that person be interested in providing you a service that goes the "extra mile" knowing that you are "cheap" and willing to move at the first whiff of a bill?
He will certainly fix the car for you but since your brought the materials he will never be responsible for that.
And differently from you, I am not asking for freebies to sponsor a firm/person/garage. Like many out there I love my Aston and I want the best for her. I would not dare to save few bobs to make a point that, most certainly, you are going to regret later for the excessive heat and wrong carburation.
You see there is a bit of know-how associated with fitting the MSD ignition (there are some other considerations to be done, really) and this is gained with hands-on experience: you will not have any of that.
But you know already everything I believe, right?
And on that bombshell I wish you good luck with your car
A67
I was really willing to listen to your argument, together with others we have suggested in good faith (and based on our personal experiences) how to improve your Aston according to your initial post.
You have turned this as a mini-crusade on Rikki but, sorry old chap, you lost a lot of credibility here. Your intentions look at this point (to me, at least) little honourable.
About loyalty, this hardly respected commodity nowadays (at least you seem to think it in that way)... you see Rikki had to EARN my loyalty during 3 years and if I am not happy I walk away. He knows that and he acts and works accordingly. He is not the only person looking after AMs with love, care and passion. There are others out there. There is genuine competition. Hence he is no fool. He has to be professional. He is professional. The AM community is quite small and words spread quickly. I had my share of crap with certain others AM "dealers" hence I know the difference in my pocket.
Does this apply to the person where you will bring you car for a "quickie"? Will that person be interested in providing you a service that goes the "extra mile" knowing that you are "cheap" and willing to move at the first whiff of a bill?
He will certainly fix the car for you but since your brought the materials he will never be responsible for that.
And differently from you, I am not asking for freebies to sponsor a firm/person/garage. Like many out there I love my Aston and I want the best for her. I would not dare to save few bobs to make a point that, most certainly, you are going to regret later for the excessive heat and wrong carburation.
You see there is a bit of know-how associated with fitting the MSD ignition (there are some other considerations to be done, really) and this is gained with hands-on experience: you will not have any of that.
But you know already everything I believe, right?
And on that bombshell I wish you good luck with your car
A67
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