Tune a 4.3 Vantage, or replace with a 4.7?

[davek_964]

I had been toying with the idea of getting rid of my 4.3 Vantage in the Spring, along with my 360 to fund an MP4-12C. However, even with a healthy dose of man maths I think I've concluded that the negatives outweigh the positives so I'm postponing that plan for now.

Instead, I'm tempted to do something with the Vantage. I bought an early one (2006) in May because I wasn't sure I'd like them, but it turns out I like it a lot and wish I'd bought a bit newer. So I'm debating whether to sell and go shopping again - but I hate the hassle of buying / selling cars so I wonder if there are other options.

The one thing I think mine lacks is a little more response from the throttle. I don't want blistering acceleration - it's not that kind of car for me - but I would like it to be a bit more eager when I'm overtaking somebody.

It is likely my car will need a clutch soon - I've heard LWF makes the car rev a bit more freely - but I assume this won't really make significant difference?
I have seen that BR have an exhaust system, and that might tempt me if it really lives up to the +40bhp claim, although at £5k+vat we're talking a fair chunk of cash. Anybody had one fitted?

Are there any other upgrades that make a noticeable difference without going too far down the modified route?

If not, then I may just have to bite the bullet and sell / buy again. I have an investment maturing over the next 6 months which I always planned would be used for "car upgrade" and it would be pretty much exactly the difference between my current 4.3 and the early 4.7s. But I don't really want the hassle when it's a car I do actually like!

[AMDBSNick]

Bincenzo

[Thorny]

davek_964 said:

I had been toying with the idea of getting rid of my 4.3 Vantage in the Spring, along with my 360 to fund an MP4-12C. However, even with a healthy dose of man maths I think I've concluded that the negatives outweigh the positives so I'm postponing that plan for now.

Instead, I'm tempted to do something with the Vantage. I bought an early one (2006) in May because I wasn't sure I'd like them, but it turns out I like it a lot and wish I'd bought a bit newer. So I'm debating whether to sell and go shopping again - but I hate the hassle of buying / selling cars so I wonder if there are other options.

The one thing I think mine lacks is a little more response from the throttle. I don't want blistering acceleration - it's not that kind of car for me - but I would like it to be a bit more eager when I'm overtaking somebody.

It is likely my car will need a clutch soon - I've heard LWF makes the car rev a bit more freely - but I assume this won't really make significant difference?
I have seen that BR have an exhaust system, and that might tempt me if it really lives up to the +40bhp claim, although at £5k+vat we're talking a fair chunk of cash. Anybody had one fitted?

Are there any other upgrades that make a noticeable difference without going too far down the modified route?

If not, then I may just have to bite the bullet and sell / buy again. I have an investment maturing over the next 6 months which I always planned would be used for "car upgrade" and it would be pretty much exactly the difference between my current 4.3 and the early 4.7s. But I don't really want the hassle when it's a car I do actually like!

I have a 4.3 '06 car and recently had BR put on a twin plate clutch, 200 cell cats and they also remapped the ECU - this has resulted in 410BHP and, more importantly, has made it much nice to drive and quicker to rev. I'd highly recommend - oh, and the exhaust sounds fab and is three-way switchable.

ETA, they also serviced it. Yep c. 5k is a lot but MUCH cheaper than changing for 4.7 and not too sure you'd gain anything significant through that route over slightly modifying?

Edited by Thorny on Thursday 24th September 13:43

[davek_964]

Thorny said:

I have a 4.3 '06 car and recently had BR put on a twin plate clutch, 200 cell cats and they also remapped the ECU - this has resulted in 410BHP and, more importantly, has made it much nice to drive and quicker to rev. I'd highly recommend - oh, and the exhaust sounds fab and is three-way switchable.

ETA, they also serviced it. Yep c. 5k is a lot but MUCH cheaper than changing for 4.7 and not too sure you'd gain anything significant through that route over slightly modifying?

Edited by Thorny on Thursday 24th September 13:43

So 200 Cell cats on the stock exhaust + remap, rather than an entire new exhaust?

410 is probably a figure I'd be happy with. Think I might need to have a chat with BR and discuss costs.....

[Thorny]

davek_964 said:

Thorny said:

I have a 4.3 '06 car and recently had BR put on a twin plate clutch, 200 cell cats and they also remapped the ECU - this has resulted in 410BHP and, more importantly, has made it much nice to drive and quicker to rev. I'd highly recommend - oh, and the exhaust sounds fab and is three-way switchable.

ETA, they also serviced it. Yep c. 5k is a lot but MUCH cheaper than changing for 4.7 and not too sure you'd gain anything significant through that route over slightly modifying?

Edited by Thorny on Thursday 24th September 13:43

So 200 Cell cats on the stock exhaust + remap, rather than an entire new exhaust?

410 is probably a figure I'd be happy with. Think I might need to have a chat with BR and discuss costs.....

Yes - exactly, I did it because the car was in pieces anyway to have the clutch done so Mike said do you fancy it?! so much cheaper all in all.

[gilbo]

I know you said you didn't want to go down the major mod route but there was a company at the Autosport show last year who specialised in supercharging the Vantage. They offered a fully fitted package for £15k which took the 4.3 to just shy of 600bhp. I'm tempted by this I must say

[300bhp/ton]

davek_964 said:

I have seen that BR have an exhaust system, and that might tempt me if it really lives up to the +40bhp claim, although at £5k+vat we're talking a fair chunk of cash. Anybody had one fitted?

£5k for an exhaust only in the "supercar" world...

Seriously though, if that exhaust doesn't come with a fornight in Florida included in the price, it has to be a rip off.

Aston's adhere to the same laws of physics as everyone else, so a performance exhaust for one, won't fundamentally be doing anything any different than on any other car.

If that exhaust is full stainless (or titanium) and includes long tube exhaust manifold headers, connecting pipe, high flow cats and the rest of the catback, including fitting. Then it's still probably 100% over priced. If it's just a catback, then you seriously do need more money than braincells to opt for it.

[JS1500]

I have a 4.3 and think it's great but I would say a 4.7 is what you're wanting.
I'm sure you could get a decent/hassle free deal trading it in to a dealer or specialist such as McGurk.

[Jon39]

davek_964 said:

The one thing I think mine lacks is a little more response from the throttle. I don't want blistering acceleration - it's not that kind of car for me - but I would like it to be a bit more eager when I'm overtaking somebody.

I have an investment maturing over the next 6 months which I always planned would be used for "car upgrade" and it would be pretty much exactly the difference between my current 4.3 and the early 4.7s.

My observations.
We have seen on this forum, that owners of modified cars have usually had to remove all of the modifications before selling their cars. One owner though did find a buyer who wanted a modified Vantage.

The change to a 4.7 might cost quite a lot (fewer per year made), but as you will know, the list of changes to MY 2009 cars is lengthy. You will get 10% more power, and considerably more torque.
The early 4.7s have been holding their value quite well too, reflecting demand. Whether that aspect continues, probably depends upon what the reaction to the replacement model is like.

[JohnG1]

gilbo said:

I know you said you didn't want to go down the major mod route but there was a company at the Autosport show last year who specialised in supercharging the Vantage. They offered a fully fitted package for £15k which took the 4.3 to just shy of 600bhp. I'm tempted by this I must say

Ah, let's resurrect this one. Where's that chap jellimim or whatever it was who was advocating that...

[Jon39]

JohnG1 said:

gilbo said:

I know you said you didn't want to go down the major mod route but there was a company at the Autosport show last year who specialised in supercharging the Vantage. They offered a fully fitted package for £15k which took the 4.3 to just shy of 600bhp. I'm tempted by this I must say

Ah, let's resurrect this one. Where's that chap jellimim or whatever it was who was advocating that...

The car was on display at various events, but were any installations actually sold?

[JohnG1]

300bhp/ton said:

davek_964 said:

I have seen that BR have an exhaust system, and that might tempt me if it really lives up to the +40bhp claim, although at £5k+vat we're talking a fair chunk of cash. Anybody had one fitted?

£5k for an exhaust only in the "supercar" world...

Seriously though, if that exhaust doesn't come with a fornight in Florida included in the price, it has to be a rip off.

Aston's adhere to the same laws of physics as everyone else, so a performance exhaust for one, won't fundamentally be doing anything any different than on any other car.

If that exhaust is full stainless (or titanium) and includes long tube exhaust manifold headers, connecting pipe, high flow cats and the rest of the catback, including fitting. Then it's still probably 100% over priced. If it's just a catback, then you seriously do need more money than braincells to opt for it.

Where on earth can you get a proven, warrantied V8 exhaust system in titanium for £2,500?

[300bhp/ton]

JohnG1 said:

Where on earth can you get a proven, warrantied V8 exhaust system in titanium for £2,500?

On any other car that isn't an Aston
Ti is over rated anyhow, it isn't a race car and saving a few lbs of weight on a GT car like this will make no odds whatsoever.


Seriously though, if you guys are happy paying £5k for an exhaust, then so be it. But you clearly have too much money to spend. (IMO)

[ds2000]

I think if you're planting the seeds for a change then the 4.7 route is the one to take.... unless you prefer the older dash.

[mikey k]

BR's exhaust package normally includes headers & cats leaving the OEM back box

[davek_964]

ds2000 said:

I think if you're planting the seeds for a change then the 4.7 route is the one to take.... unless you prefer the older dash.

Actually I think I do.

The comment about selling heavily modified cars is valid though. However, LWF shouldn't be a big negative and I guess a remap and cats should be easily reversible so that might be a sensible choice if it makes enough difference.

[V8Andrew]

Jon39 said:

My observations.
We have seen on this forum, that owners of modified cars have usually had to remove all of the modifications before selling their cars. One owner though did find a buyer who wanted a modified Vantage.

I'm guessing that was me. For me I didn't have 4.7 money to spend but wanted the extra power and noise. My exhaust sounds great, and effectively someone else paid for it as the cars price did not reflect the amount of money spent which is often the case with modified cars. The modification added about 36bhp but more importantly about 25ftlbs of torque, and even more importantly a great sound. Bamford Rose and David Appleby Engineering both offer full exhaust options. Mines from DAE and I'm happy with it. Others have Bamford Rose and are also happy. I've talked to DAE about a possible flywheel and clutch and may do that at some point in the future as I've read good things here about them.

As for the price of the exhaust you can buy a full exhaust system for say a Focus ST for about £1,200 (which I have recently). Manufacturing overhead will inevitably differ on a short batch when compared to a mass produced system as the same economy of scale cannot be reached. There are probably more Ford Focus STs with full aftermarket exhausts than there are V8 Vantages in total. That's also why the supercharger is so expensive. It's actually £15k plus VAT. It is f£@ing quick, had a go in it at Autosport. Said he'd sold a few and good luck to him. Personally I'd spend £20k on another car.

[rossyl]

Dave

I would make the changes, if we are talking about money, if you think you can later take the parts off and get a half decent return. If you sell a modified car, you normally end up getting the same money as a non-modified car.

If you do not think that you will see much return from second hand performance parts, then I would question the upgrades on monetary terms. It might be better to put the extra cash into a 4.7 that should give you what you want.

They again...have you actually driven a 4.7 to know that it gives you the extra power that you need. Going off figures on a sheet is very different to real world driving.

[gilbo]

Fair comment. £15-20k can buy a decent caterham. So best of both worlds.

[JohnG1]

300bhp/ton said:

JohnG1 said:

Where on earth can you get a proven, warrantied V8 exhaust system in titanium for £2,500?

On any other car that isn't an Aston
Ti is over rated anyhow, it isn't a race car and saving a few lbs of weight on a GT car like this will make no odds whatsoever.


Seriously though, if you guys are happy paying £5k for an exhaust, then so be it. But you clearly have too much money to spend. (IMO)

You have ducked the question though haven't you? I'm aware of the issues with welding Titanium. But you claim that £2,500 is a fair price for a V8 titanium exhaust system and I am politely asking where on earth can you buy one for any V8 powered car for that price?