Vantage V8S Bamford Rose Performance Upgrade
Discussion
Sorry that I have been a bit quiet of late so thought I would give you an update on my car.
Firstly after 800 miles no problems whatsoever! Not that I was expecting any. The car is transformed. I need Molly to post the dyno readout to confirm this. There is more power and torque everywhere. Peak revs have been elevated to 7400rpm, believe me the engine really rushes to that figure. It is though it has been de-strangled.
To describe the driving experience would be as follows, the car now has 3 very distinct characters. 1. Sport button and exhaust bypass switch in the off position, the car is now in stealth mode, almost as quiet as before, interestingly the valves stay shut upto about 100mph allowing quiet unnoticed cruising. 2 Sport button on bypass switch off, big difference now, slightest whiff of throttle and the valves open allowing all that extra power and torque making for very rapid overtaking. Off the gas at pretty much any speed then they shut. 3. Sport button and bypass both on. It is now the car that Aston Martin would love to be allowed to produce. The sounds it produces are spine tingling, it is truly fabulous. Molly has done a few fast runs past me the car sounds almost scary! When the engine is started the valves as we know are briefly open to allow that "Look at me " sound. As a result I no longer reverse into the garage because that V8 blat would awaken the dead!
Other things have come to light, going up hills at relatively low speeds the gear box would change down from seventh to sixth, not any more, it will stay in seventh. Also it will bumble along in top gear at 35 mph. It didn't do that before either. As an experiment I drove from Cheltenham to home (38 miles) staying at all times within the speed limit. The fuel consumption was showing 30.2 mpg. I have never seen that before.
Would I recommend Bamford Rose's conversion?
YES! In every respect my beautiful Vantage S has been improved dramatically. My heartfelt thanks are extended to Mike and staff at Bamford Rose for doing an excellent job
Firstly after 800 miles no problems whatsoever! Not that I was expecting any. The car is transformed. I need Molly to post the dyno readout to confirm this. There is more power and torque everywhere. Peak revs have been elevated to 7400rpm, believe me the engine really rushes to that figure. It is though it has been de-strangled.
To describe the driving experience would be as follows, the car now has 3 very distinct characters. 1. Sport button and exhaust bypass switch in the off position, the car is now in stealth mode, almost as quiet as before, interestingly the valves stay shut upto about 100mph allowing quiet unnoticed cruising. 2 Sport button on bypass switch off, big difference now, slightest whiff of throttle and the valves open allowing all that extra power and torque making for very rapid overtaking. Off the gas at pretty much any speed then they shut. 3. Sport button and bypass both on. It is now the car that Aston Martin would love to be allowed to produce. The sounds it produces are spine tingling, it is truly fabulous. Molly has done a few fast runs past me the car sounds almost scary! When the engine is started the valves as we know are briefly open to allow that "Look at me " sound. As a result I no longer reverse into the garage because that V8 blat would awaken the dead!
Other things have come to light, going up hills at relatively low speeds the gear box would change down from seventh to sixth, not any more, it will stay in seventh. Also it will bumble along in top gear at 35 mph. It didn't do that before either. As an experiment I drove from Cheltenham to home (38 miles) staying at all times within the speed limit. The fuel consumption was showing 30.2 mpg. I have never seen that before.
Would I recommend Bamford Rose's conversion?
YES! In every respect my beautiful Vantage S has been improved dramatically. My heartfelt thanks are extended to Mike and staff at Bamford Rose for doing an excellent job
Neil1300R said:
Glad you put in about stealth mode - have always been put off exhaust upgrades in case they are too noisy when motorway cruising.
Interesting point. I have a Sport button fitted which does the job of the Fuse 22 switch, i.e. opens or closes the baffles and am surprised at how often I use the stealth mode! Almost always when round town, almost always with roof up, and usually when on a boring motorway cruise. Not like I dont LOVE the noise, but the ability to be able to shut it off when it's not wanted is amazing. And then when you do want all the sound of that wonderful engine and exhaust, it's always a laugh-out-loud moment when I press the button 
A huge plus point to the BR manifold and cat system over a simple dumb-metal backbox change. Noise on demand and of coure extra torque and power all the time when needed
Took Molly out for dinner tonight, took the S. It really is amazing . We now have new fronts to compliment the new rears so the handling and steering are back where they should be . I have now come to the conclusion that the best setting is Sport on, valve switch off. To anyone contemplating BR's upgrade please be assured it is well worth it. I cannot see that by just changing the rear silencer that there would be any gains to be had other than a load of noise.
To anyone considering keeping their car for the next few years the BR conversion should be at the top of the "Must Do's" My only concern is that in 14 months I have racked up 10000 miles! What is the opinion my fellow PH'ers? I think I should reel it in a bit but there is always some excuse to take it out.
robgt said:
To anyone considering keeping their car for the next few years the BR conversion should be at the top of the "Must Do's" My only concern is that in 14 months I have racked up 10000 miles! What is the opinion my fellow PH'ers? I think I should reel it in a bit but there is always some excuse to take it out.
Rob. I was initially worried about this. However the more I use it the more I want to and I will. We quite simply had a hoot on Sunday in the same way as your little run out was brilliant 
I did not pay nearly six figures to look at it
robgt said:
To anyone considering keeping their car for the next few years the BR conversion should be at the top of the "Must Do's" My only concern is that in 14 months I have racked up 10000 miles! What is the opinion my fellow PH'ers? I think I should reel it in a bit but there is always some excuse to take it out.
Drive it like you stole it and wring every bit of joy you can from your car.The only value owners should equate are smiles per mile, at which point all other considerations drop away like a stone.
Here's to your 10,000 miles, may you be blessed with more"smiles per mile"!
Edited by Mr Aston Martin on Tuesday 4th September 14:20
Mr Aston Martin said:
Drive it like you stole it and wring every bit of joy you can from your car.
The only value owners should equate are smiles per mile, at which point all other considerations drop away like a stone.
Here's to your 10,000 miles, may you be blessed with more"smiles per mile"!
The only value owners should equate are smiles per mile, at which point all other considerations drop away like a stone.
Here's to your 10,000 miles, may you be blessed with more"smiles per mile"!
Mr Aston Martin said:
Drive it like you stole it and wring every bit of joy you can from your car.
The only value owners should equate are smiles per mile, at which point all other considerations drop away like a stone.
Hear hear!! Have doubled the mileage on my car since I have owned it... Don't care. A few more years and it will be a very 'leggy' example... Don't care The only value owners should equate are smiles per mile, at which point all other considerations drop away like a stone.
They are to be used and used well. you want to go posing, get a Lambo
Rob, I think I missed the thread that says what you've done.
Is it just the BR manifolds, CATS, and exhaust valve switch (standard S silencer still installed)?
You mentioned that you'll post the dyno sheets (I take it it was a rolling road one), it would great to see them when you had a moment.
Greg
Is it just the BR manifolds, CATS, and exhaust valve switch (standard S silencer still installed)?
You mentioned that you'll post the dyno sheets (I take it it was a rolling road one), it would great to see them when you had a moment.
Greg
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