V8V How to Tell if Performance Pack Installed?
Discussion
I'm currently considering a 2008 V8V and the dealer is telling me the car has the engine performance pack installed. The pack apparently brings the car to >420HP. Are there any telltale signs that it's installed? One thing that is different is the engine manifold is black instead of gray like pictured here:
I also read that the performance pack has a switchable exhaust bypass valve allowing it to always be open. Where is the switch?
The only performance pack I could find was from Prodrive that Aston pushed a few years ago. I'm going to look around but if anyone has experience or can help me with telltale signs I'd appreciate it.
TIA
I also read that the performance pack has a switchable exhaust bypass valve allowing it to always be open. Where is the switch?
The only performance pack I could find was from Prodrive that Aston pushed a few years ago. I'm going to look around but if anyone has experience or can help me with telltale signs I'd appreciate it.
TIA
Edited by RossL on Tuesday 18th October 05:31
Buy yourself a 4.7 and avoid all the potential confusion and hassle! More power and lots of other improvements/facelifts thrown in to boot!
Power is raised to 400BHP not 420BHP too - it is the 4.7 that has 420BHP.
Official bumph on the AM performance pack is here : http://site.astonmartin.com/eng/worksservice/optio...
If you are still sure that you want a modified 4.3 then read this thread on AMOC : http://www.amoc.org/index.php?option=com_wrapper&a...
You will see that the picture you have posted above is a normal 4.3, not a perfomance pack car. The performance pack black manifold looks like this :
Power is raised to 400BHP not 420BHP too - it is the 4.7 that has 420BHP.
Official bumph on the AM performance pack is here : http://site.astonmartin.com/eng/worksservice/optio...
If you are still sure that you want a modified 4.3 then read this thread on AMOC : http://www.amoc.org/index.php?option=com_wrapper&a...
You will see that the picture you have posted above is a normal 4.3, not a perfomance pack car. The performance pack black manifold looks like this :
Edited by Adam2S on Tuesday 18th October 08:08
I believe the exhaust switch is fitted as part of the Prodrive performance upgrade, not the AM in house one. As far as I am aware the grey box is the only visible sign of the AM upgrade.
ETA: the AM upgrade takes the 4.3 to 400bhp, the Prodrive upgrade takes it to 425bhp.
ETA: the AM upgrade takes the 4.3 to 400bhp, the Prodrive upgrade takes it to 425bhp.
Edited by Colesie on Tuesday 18th October 08:07
Edited by Colesie on Tuesday 18th October 08:08
RossL said:
I also read that the performance pack has a switchable exhaust bypass valve allowing it to always be open. Where is the switch?
The switch, if you have it, will be on the left of the steering column, but I don't believe it comes as part as the performance pack. My switch was fitted prior to the performance upgrade.
Steve*B said:
And if I'm not mistaken Adam, that's also mine 
Ahh - if you are STV8 on amoc then yes it is as I just resposted the img from that thread. Here is the correct link to the full to amoc thread : http://www.amoc.org/forum/index.php?topic=21391.0
yeti said:
Rye p said:
In order to take full advantage of the AM power pack you need to use high octane fuels. At least thats what I know.
Correct me if I am wrong.
IIRC it wasn't even super that was needed to get the full power quoted, I think it was 100 RON, not easy to come by! Correct me if I am wrong.
only make maximum power on 98RON.
To get 400bhp from the 4.3 with the AM power upgrade you need to use 100 RON fuel. You can use 95 or 98 or 100 as the anti-knock sensors will figure it out. But lower grade fuel means less than 400bhp.
The chap who designed that upgrade can confirm it but you have to post on the Bamford Rose thread, Mike is not supposed to post outside of that thread!
The chap who designed that upgrade can confirm it but you have to post on the Bamford Rose thread, Mike is not supposed to post outside of that thread!
JohnG1 said:
To get 400bhp from the 4.3 with the AM power upgrade you need to use 100 RON fuel. You can use 95 or 98 or 100 as the anti-knock sensors will figure it out. But lower grade fuel means less than 400bhp.
The chap who designed that upgrade can confirm it but you have to post on the Bamford Rose thread, Mike is not supposed to post outside of that thread!
Apologies, thought it was OK on 98 RON.The chap who designed that upgrade can confirm it but you have to post on the Bamford Rose thread, Mike is not supposed to post outside of that thread!
Copied and pasted from the Bamford Rose thread - to save everyone else finding the relevant bit:-
BamfordRose said:
That being said, the only ECU update / kit with any credibility is actually being offered by the factory. This kit comprises of a new airbox which reduces induction system losses and an ECU programmed to advance the spark if 100 Octane fuel is used. The factory took this kit from the N400 and now offers as a retro fit to 4.3L Vantage at the price of £2k. The factory declares 20BHP, this represents approx. 50/50 split from the increased performance coming from each element (airbox/fuel). But, the factory upgrade here, similar to the exhaust system modifications, will only return more performance / better driveability above 5500rpm. And if the driver hasn’t filled with 100 octane, the kit will only return 10 of the 20BHP due to the knock control system reducing spark back down to 97 Octane numbers.
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