Aston Martin advice from Bamford Rose independent specialist

[Sydney V8V]

Maxxy ,where are you located.?. We have 4 owners of classic Vanquish in Sydney waiting for borders to open if and when virus is gone. As BR is sending a mechanic out to fit Vanquish upgrades. , Maybe can arrange to do your Aston too.?

[Graze01]

Maxy333 said:

i tried contacting Bamford rose for some help, i am based in Austrailia and never got a response after a couple of attempts, understandbly they are very UK focused and its hard to support products from a far, however i have been dealing with AP Velocity as i am looking to remove primary cats on my DB9 and their agents in Australia and Stuart have been fantastic and have a global distribution and support network set up also are knowledgable on astons, cats to be removed in early 2020 !

I might be interested in getting this done too if Steve can arrange the mechanic out here

Graze (Brisbane)

[Sydney V8V]

Hi Graze , will email you with details in a day.

[PorscheGirl]

So here's a thing.

I have a 2011 V8VS with the Bamford Rose manifolds, cats and tune. It's on the AMR wheels, PS4s but stock (new ash) clutch. The car is a rocket. i'd like it to be a bit sharper when I want to play, a lot torquier when I am not ringing it out, quieter on a long trip and better secondary ride when on causing (on a long trip).

I could stump up the cash and ask Mike to fit the mag ride kit and increase the engine capacity but the time we've done the lightweight flywheel / BR twin plate clutch too - I would be into a fair chunk I am guessing.

The alternative is a Vanquish 2 (6 speed) and have Mike fit the high flow cats and headers to that.

OR get a V12VS and do the same.

I'm kicking the ideas around so experiences of the above are most welcome!

[V8V Pete]

PorscheGirl said:

I have a 2011 V8VS with the Bamford Rose manifolds, cats and tune. It's on the AMR wheels, PS4s but stock (new ash) clutch. The car is a rocket. i'd like it to be a bit sharper when I want to play, a lot torquier when I am not ringing it out, quieter on a long trip and better secondary ride when on causing (on a long trip).

I could stump up the cash and ask Mike to fit the mag ride kit and increase the engine capacity but the time we've done the lightweight flywheel / BR twin plate clutch too - I would be into a fair chunk I am guessing.

The alternative is a Vanquish 2 (6 speed) and have Mike fit the high flow cats and headers to that.

OR get a V12VS and do the same.

I'm kicking the ideas around so experiences of the above are most welcome!

Sharper when you want to play - Clutch/flywheel upgrade makes the engine & transmission sharper (manual or SS). BR fast road geo makes handling sharper.

Quieter on a long trip - an exhaust valve switch or remote sorts that out.

Better ride on a long trip - then you need the BR switchable adaptive dampers as you say.

A lot torquier when I am not ringing it out - then you need a V12. The V8 with all the mods is great but it will never match the V12 for torque & flexibility. So my advice would be test drive a V12VS. If you love the torque and don't mind the extra weight over the front axle then save yourself the trouble and get a V12VS. If not, then do the other mods on the V8S.

I went the modified V8S route but it's horses for courses. I love the Vanquish but when I test drove one I very much missed my manual V8S and realised I was at least 10 years away from owning a GT cruiser

[PorscheGirl]

Valid points.

If I knew how much the Bamford Rose 5.0 Litre conversion was then I could make a value judgment on the efficacy of that vs changing the car.

I’ve not driven the Vanquish 2 yet. I’ve driven a DBS back in the day (and loved it)- hoping that the Vanq2 has that feel but better all round.

[MichaelV8V]

PorscheGirl said:

Valid points.

If I knew how much the Bamford Rose 5.0 Litre conversion was then ...

You need a proper quote from BR, but I think I saw something suggesting it is over £20,000

[V8V Pete]

MichaelV8V said:

PorscheGirl said:

Valid points.

If I knew how much the Bamford Rose 5.0 Litre conversion was then ...

You need a proper quote from BR, but I think I saw something suggesting it is over £20,000

I'm not sure that they really offer a 5L conversion. They tried it once (maybe more), had some problems and then shelved it AFAIK. It is, after all, only a 6% increase in capacity over 4.7L so not a huge step.

What they do offer is their 4.7L GT4 engine build which comes in at about 500bhp. Forged steel rods. Dynamically balanced pistons, rods and crankshaft. Hand ported cylinder heads. If you have a donor engine this build is very much less than the £20,000 mentioned above but I don't have an exact figure. Mated to all the other mods they offer (airbox, exhaust, clutch/flywheel) this, for me, is the ultimate V8 and what I hope to end up with one day but can't justify it whilst my current engine isn't broken.

[cornershop]

V8V Pete said:

MichaelV8V said:

PorscheGirl said:

Valid points.

If I knew how much the Bamford Rose 5.0 Litre conversion was then ...

You need a proper quote from BR, but I think I saw something suggesting it is over £20,000

I'm not sure that they really offer a 5L conversion. They tried it once (maybe more), had some problems and then shelved it AFAIK. It is, after all, only a 6% increase in capacity over 4.7L so not a huge step.

What they do offer is their 4.7L GT4 engine build which comes in at about 500bhp. Forged steel rods. Dynamically balanced pistons, rods and crankshaft. Hand ported cylinder heads. If you have a donor engine this build is very much less than the £20,000 mentioned above but I don't have an exact figure. Mated to all the other mods they offer (airbox, exhaust, clutch/flywheel) this, for me, is the ultimate V8 and what I hope to end up with one day but can't justify it whilst my current engine isn't broken.

I met Bruce Bermingham last year - he quoted £12k for the basic engine rebuild, plus the extra of manifolds, cats etc - so £20k not far off I don’t think.

[V8V Pete]

cornershop said:

I met Bruce Bermingham last year - he quoted £12k for the basic engine rebuild, plus the extra of manifolds, cats etc - so £20k not far off I don’t think.

PorscheGirl said in her original post that she already has the manifolds & cats so she wouldn't need to buy them again. To clarify, I was talking about the engine work itself (without ancillaries) and I suspect that £12K isn't far off depending on the exact spec. chosen.

[cornershop]

V8V Pete said:

cornershop said:

I met Bruce Bermingham last year - he quoted £12k for the basic engine rebuild, plus the extra of manifolds, cats etc - so £20k not far off I don’t think.

PorscheGirl said in her original post that she already has the manifolds & cats so she wouldn't need to buy them again. To clarify, I was talking about the engine work itself (without ancillaries) and I suspect that £12K isn't far off depending on the exact spec. chosen.

Yes fair point, my bad

You’d have to really love a V8S to spent that kind of money on it - has to be close to V12V money?

[V8V Pete]

cornershop said:

You’d have to really love a V8S to spent that kind of money on it - has to be close to V12V money?

I totally agree with this which is why I said this earlier in the thread:

V8V Pete said:

The V8 with all the mods is great but it will never match the V12 for torque & flexibility. So my advice would be test drive a V12VS. If you love the torque and don't mind the extra weight over the front axle then save yourself the trouble and get a V12VS. If not, then do the other mods on the V8S.

Which is why there are many more V12V owners out there than owners of very highly modified V8Ss. However, there are a few of us who have test driven the V12V/V12VS several times (and could afford to buy one) but have made the conscious decision to stick with the less powerful but better handling car. I still question my decision occasionally because the V12V is a spellbinding car and I think the V12 can sound better than the V8 (just) but a properly sorted V8S is IMHO a better handling car and that is why I am where I am. I've kept it nearly 6 years now too, so the love is a lasting one

[Speedraser]

V8V Pete said:

Which is why there are many more V12V owners out there than owners of very highly modified V8Ss. However, there are a few of us who have test driven the V12V/V12VS several times (and could afford to buy one) but have made the conscious decision to stick with the less powerful but better handling car. I still question my decision occasionally because the V12V is a spellbinding car and I think the V12 can sound better than the V8 (just) but a properly sorted V8S is IMHO a better handling car and that is why I am where I am. I've kept it nearly 6 years now too, so the love is a lasting one

Nicely said. I've driven the V12V, and it's an epic car. I would love to have one. And yet... I bought my V8V (manual Sports Pack) new in '09 and I absolutely love it. The handling balance is one of the biggest reasons that, wonderful as the V12V is, I kept my V8V and doubt I'll ever sell it. I think the V8V is often seriously underrated in stock form, but I certainly understand owners who love them enough to spend considerable sums to increase their performance if they want more. The appeal of that V12 engine was strong, though, which led to my buying an '05 Vanquish S.

Edited by Speedraser on Thursday 11th March 04:51

[PorscheGirl]

Good stuff guys..!

So I put my car on the market just to see if there are bites to be had. I didn't bond with the V12 Vantage (perhaps the V12S is different). I'm not a fan over the weight over the front but I am led to believe that the 12S is better. If the modifications that I could make to my car add up to a significant part of the gap between Domino (my V8VS) then I should not spend more but should change cars. However...

...long story short, It's becoming a moot point. 2 Dealers I have spoken to don't 'get' my car (stupidly low offers - frankly bonkers) so I may well determine that I am better off getting the mag ride fitted and getting BR to do the engine blue printing. Then I would (as was said earlier) have one lovely V8VS.

If only there was a cure for the poor headlights..!

[Speedraser]

PorscheGirl said:

Good stuff guys..!

So I put my car on the market just to see if there are bites to be had. I didn't bond with the V12 Vantage (perhaps the V12S is different). I'm not a fan over the weight over the front but I am led to believe that the 12S is better. If the modifications that I could make to my car add up to a significant part of the gap between Domino (my V8VS) then I should not spend more but should change cars. However...

...long story short, It's becoming a moot point. 2 Dealers I have spoken to don't 'get' my car (stupidly low offers - frankly bonkers) so I may well determine that I am better off getting the mag ride fitted and getting BR to do the engine blue printing. Then I would (as was said earlier) have one lovely V8VS.

If only there was a cure for the poor headlights..!

For what it's worth, the V12VS has a slightly more forward-biased weight distribution at 52F/48R, vs the earlier V12V at 51F/49R (due to the 7-spd 'box weighing less than the 6-spd, I believe). Obviously the suspension setup is different, so the S may not feel more nose-heavy, but those are the numbers. BTW, the original V8 is slightly rear-biased at 49F/51R.

[PorscheGirl]

So having had with my other half last night it seems the road for Domino is set!

Switchable dampers (are the 2 or 3 position switchable?)
GT4 engine blueprinting including the twin intake - subject to a sensible price.
...and I might as well do the twin plate clutch and flywheel and I'll flee bay my 4,000 mile single plate clutch and flywheel I suppose
I'll get the tasty carbon door handles for the interior (in satin twill) and do the same effect on the ski slope.

Should be a nice car after all that.

If only I could get Bamford Mike to answer his e-mails - I could get it booked in !

Domino is over at Nic Mee for her service at the moment but will be back soon,

Porsche Girl.

[paulrog1]

PorscheGirl said:

If only I could get Bamford Mike to answer his e-mails - I could get it booked in !

.

Call him on the phone, you sometimes don't get a reply on email.

[V8V Pete]

PorscheGirl said:

I'll get the tasty carbon door handles for the interior (in satin twill) and do the same effect on the ski slope.

Should be a nice car after all that.

Carbon door handles and ski slope to go with manifolds, cats, clutch and flywheel on a V8S for the win

I've not got the suspension or GT4 engine in mine yet but I'm sure it'll happen one day.

[PorscheGirl]

Was it a pain to fit the ski slope - from whom did you source the parts?

[V8V Pete]

PorscheGirl said:

Was it a pain to fit the ski slope - from whom did you source the parts?

My original piano black ski slope started cracking (at the corners of the satnav opening) whilst still in warranty so was replaced by the main dealer. I paid about £500 extra to have CF rather than piano black and they fitted it. I don't think it's a particularly tricky job but mind the leather on either side.

I got the door handles from AstonMartinBits.com and they were secondhand so not as crazy expensive as new ones. Beware, the door handle pull on the CF ones is slightly different so you need those too (mine were included as second hand complete units). There are aftermarket vendors of CF bits for Astons such as https://ecpsgroup.com I've not used them but people on here vouch for the quality.