Vantage throttle lag - the definitive answer?

[QuantumV8]

Hey Team. I thought I would find these answers via Search, but to my surprise I've spent the last hour scouring the forums, the FAQ and many pages of the BR thread without any real success. I hope y'all can help!

I assume the answers will be the same for 4.3/4.7 and possibly other models, but if not, my heart lies with the 4.7L

1. Did we determine over the years whether the up-to-0.5 second throttle delay / no-response time on the V8 Vantage was primarily due to:
a) computer-controlled throttle smoothing
b) any other uncontrolled lag in the electronics
c) any particular mechanical compromises such as weight

2. If computer-controlled, do we know if it is for emissions control, or for a 'smooth drive'?

3. Has anybody had first-hand experience with an ECU tune substantially eliminating the no-response time?
(getting 30% more revs for the same blip, with the same initial no-response time, is not the same thing )

4. If not, has anybody had first-hand experience substantially eliminating the no-response time via any other method?

thanks all.

[NickXX]

I went from many years of owning an e46 M3 to a 2007 V8V (4.3) and had the same questions/frustrations as you. I had had the V8V for 3.5 years and decided that I either needed to sell it or fix the throttle 'problem'.

It's a shame that Mike from Bamford Rose no longer posts here as I asked him the same question at the start of the year, and his answer was along the lines of:

- The standard throttle map is for smoothness and emissions, but ended up being more lethargic than intended.
- The 4.3 cats are very restrictive (as are the secondary ones in the 4.7).
- The flywheel should never have been as heavy as it is (I believe the one in the 4.7 is lighter than the 4.3's).
- The manifolds are more restrictive than they should be.
- The throttle body/inlet chamber isn't a great design if you want a sharp throttle response.

Apparently a lot of this was down to the design team being ex-Jaguar.

I had the BR cheap option (c. £2k) installed on my car in January and it made a world of difference. In this you get an ECU remap, 200 cell cats, less restrictive airbox modification and a 3 way exhaust switch. The throttle response is night and day compared to the factory set up - the main contributors being the revised map and the 200 cell cats.

I have the car booked in again next January as I am now so happy with the car that I want the lightened flywheel/twin plate clutch and BR manifolds fitted. My expectation is that the flywheel will make a big difference again to throttle response, and the manifolds will help with top end power, albeit at a significant cost over the basic upgrades that I've already had done.

Once I've had these done, I will have addressed 4 of the 5 problem areas. The final throttle body issue can also be fixed, but at enormous cost (google Purdey's twin throttle bodies).

Happy to be corrected on any of the above, but this has been my interpretation and experience so far. One thing that is also worth checking is that I understand from RedPants videos that the throttle body itself can get gummed up and need cleaning which seems relatively easy to do. If you have particularly poor throttle response, it could be related to this - although I have not experienced this first hand.

If you can wait until next Feb, I can give you and update on the flywheel/clutch/manifolds for fixing your problem, but I would absolutely recommend the BR remap and 200 cell cats as a start as they make a big difference for a relatively small outlay. It's transformed the car for me, but has also started me on the slippery slope of trying to realise the car's full potential .

Edited by NickXX on Sunday 22 November 18:08

[V8V Pete]

NickXX said:

Lots of good info

I can't really comment on which modification gives you the biggest bang for buck because I had them all done at once (clutch, flywheel, manifolds, cats, remap) but I can confirm that it is possible to get excellent throttle response (and significantly more power) from the V8 with these changes.

Once you've done this you will probably then want to change your pedals so that you can put that newly found response to use with heel & toe down changes (assuming manual box). This is because as standard there is a huge void between brake and throttle pedals that even the widest feet will find it hard to bridge. I started with an extended throttle pedal (from Ultimate pedals https://www.ultimatepedals.com/aston_martin/vantag... ) and this was great with my normal shoes/boots. I then got some race boots for track use and as these are quite narrow was finding the gap just a bit too big again. So when my car was serviced at BR last week they made me a new brake pedal, by cutting down a Sportshift brake pedal, and now the gap is much reduced again. This works well but if, in the long term, I find this new gap too small for normal road use I can simply swap between pedals as it is only two bolts.

NickXX said:

It's transformed the car for me, but has also started me on the slippery slope of trying to realise the car's full potential .

Nothing wrong with this. It's a fun and rewarding journey that keeps the car fresh and means you don't have to keep changing it.

[NickXX]

Thanks Pete - good to know that you have are happy with the full kit!

Those pedals look great - for some reason I've never had a problem with heel & toe on a track with the standard pedals (at least since getting the BR remap/200 cell cats). The wider accelerator pedal does look good though for road use - I always found it a shame that the Vantage didn't have a floor hinged accelerator.

[Manners79]

I've also had the approx £2k BR remap/200 cell cats (it also included new 'easier flowing' airboxes IIRC) on a 4.7 and can confirm it significantly sharpens throttle response.

Souinds glorious too!