V8 4.3 380hp: Who has modified theirs, and how?
Discussion
I've owned my 4.3 for nearly two years now, and am well aware that the airboxes, manifolds and CATs can all be replaced with better items which (along with a mild re-map) will help release 40+ hp.
Redpants and other sellers also have the lightweight alloys for the Vantage which would help with unsprung mass at each corner. Along with lighter batteries, lightweight flywheels and clutch packs et al.
Unlike previous cars that I have owned, the cost of 'basic' mods such as these is pretty pricey for the Aston. So it's hard for me to gauge if some of the mods would be worthwhile or not? When i bought my car it had already had the lightweight clutch and flywheel fitted 18 months prior when the original clutch started slipping. So i already have one upgrade which does seem to allow quicker revs than the stock Vantage (basing this on my test drives of other Vantages prior to buying this one).
How many folks on here have actually modified their Vantages, and to what level?
Were the mods a worthwhile improvement to the stock 4.3?
For me, the remap, air box, and 200 cell cats are take away basically any lust I have for the 4.7. I say basically, mind you.
It's a great mod, and weirdly, one I have done twice now, on both 4.3s that I have had. I also have sports pack wheels on mine. I haven't bothered with a lighter battery, though I see the appeal, having taken my battery out last year for charging. What a pain that is! Anyway, I do recommend the mods as they to refresh the car somewhat. They're not necessary, but I have no regrets.
I plan on looking into a refreshed suspension/bushes etc to improve the ride. Clutch seems fine to me at present, but that and flywheel are also under consideration. It does indeed all add up, but you can space these things out.
My biggest issue right now is that I hoped to drive over to the UK at the end of the summer last year for a service (it'd been a year) and 6 months later here I am. Granted, the car has hardly moved, but I still want that service. It looks like I'll be able to get it done this year at some point though, no matter what I will drive over, so it'll get done.
Normally I would be taking lots of photos of the car but I've hardly driven it in the last 6 months, but things are picking up again now.
I hope that's of some help; if you have any specific questions about the mods I am sure myself or another member would comment with feedback.
It's a great mod, and weirdly, one I have done twice now, on both 4.3s that I have had. I also have sports pack wheels on mine. I haven't bothered with a lighter battery, though I see the appeal, having taken my battery out last year for charging. What a pain that is! Anyway, I do recommend the mods as they to refresh the car somewhat. They're not necessary, but I have no regrets.
I plan on looking into a refreshed suspension/bushes etc to improve the ride. Clutch seems fine to me at present, but that and flywheel are also under consideration. It does indeed all add up, but you can space these things out.
My biggest issue right now is that I hoped to drive over to the UK at the end of the summer last year for a service (it'd been a year) and 6 months later here I am. Granted, the car has hardly moved, but I still want that service. It looks like I'll be able to get it done this year at some point though, no matter what I will drive over, so it'll get done.
Normally I would be taking lots of photos of the car but I've hardly driven it in the last 6 months, but things are picking up again now.
I hope that's of some help; if you have any specific questions about the mods I am sure myself or another member would comment with feedback.
I had the BR remap/200cell cats done to my car at the start of 2020 which takes it up to about 400hp for ~£2,000. This is a really good way to dip your toe in the water as it makes a big difference to how the car drives for (relatively) little outlay.
At the start of this year I had the BR manifolds and twinplate clutch/lightweight flywheel fitted too which again make a big difference to the way the car drives but quite a substantial outlay. Upgrading the clutch is a no brainer if it needs replacing, and it saves a bit on labour if you do the manifolds at the same time.
At the start of this year I had the BR manifolds and twinplate clutch/lightweight flywheel fitted too which again make a big difference to the way the car drives but quite a substantial outlay. Upgrading the clutch is a no brainer if it needs replacing, and it saves a bit on labour if you do the manifolds at the same time.
I've got a bunch of information about how I modified my car here:
https://www.redpants.lol/redpants-supercharged-v8-...
I have articles in the works for three other cars but not sure when I'll have them finished. I might do one for my red V8V as well but there wasn't much to say so I'm not sure if it'll be worthwhile. But it could serve as a good example for "basic" stuff so I might still do it.
https://www.redpants.lol/redpants-supercharged-v8-...
I have articles in the works for three other cars but not sure when I'll have them finished. I might do one for my red V8V as well but there wasn't much to say so I'm not sure if it'll be worthwhile. But it could serve as a good example for "basic" stuff so I might still do it.
I guess it all depends on what you want from your car. I had the twin plate clutch and lightened flywheel fitted to my car in January this year which is an expense but worthwhile upgrade if you need to change a clutch and it's not that much difference in price to the stock clutch. I decided at the time to also get the 200 cell cats, air filter upgrade (GT4 I think) and remap. All together it makes quite a difference to the car and to me well worth doing.
The only other thing I would consider would be the replacement of the stock manifolds but his is a much bigger job in terms of labour.
The only other thing I would consider would be the replacement of the stock manifolds but his is a much bigger job in terms of labour.
Agreed- when I set about upgrading mine, it was throttle response that I really wanted to fix. The remap and 200 cell cats make the biggest difference here.
With the clutch, I just wanted it to be less arduous to drive in traffic. The manifolds were a bonus, but still make me chuckle as you get higher up the rev range. Looking forward to a track day now that I’ve done all of the upgrades.
With the clutch, I just wanted it to be less arduous to drive in traffic. The manifolds were a bonus, but still make me chuckle as you get higher up the rev range. Looking forward to a track day now that I’ve done all of the upgrades.
I can waffle on at length about the upgrades I made to my 4.3, and all were worth it to me. I did the clutch, flywheel, manifolds, cats, airbox and remap all in one hit, and it was transformative, as I hoped. What small parts alone will do I cannot say, certainly this was a chunk of change but always on my playlist after I decided to go for a 4.3 rather than 4.7. People I drove with that knew the Vantage were always surprised by the speed and responsiveness, and delighted by the sound.
This was the toughest thing about letting it go earlier this year, all the personalisation of making it MY car. If I`d done nothing it would have been much less mental drama to relinquish, and while doing all this work to it, selling was never a part of the plan. I would say, if you have aspirations for another vehicle in the not too distant future, go easy, but if you will keep it long term...
If you are exceedingly bored, or need help sleeping, below is a link to my five years of Astonitis.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
This was the toughest thing about letting it go earlier this year, all the personalisation of making it MY car. If I`d done nothing it would have been much less mental drama to relinquish, and while doing all this work to it, selling was never a part of the plan. I would say, if you have aspirations for another vehicle in the not too distant future, go easy, but if you will keep it long term...
If you are exceedingly bored, or need help sleeping, below is a link to my five years of Astonitis.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
A couple of questions:
Does anyone know what the air box modification is? Early on people were fitting the n400 boxes with actuated flaps, but it sounds like at least BR is just modifying the existing ones?
Secondly, has anyone outside the UK had Bamford Rose parts and the ECU flash supplied? Can the ECU be done remotely? I’m in New Zealand so clearly shipping the car or flying in a tech isn’t happening.
Does anyone know what the air box modification is? Early on people were fitting the n400 boxes with actuated flaps, but it sounds like at least BR is just modifying the existing ones?
Secondly, has anyone outside the UK had Bamford Rose parts and the ECU flash supplied? Can the ECU be done remotely? I’m in New Zealand so clearly shipping the car or flying in a tech isn’t happening.
Logannz said:
A couple of questions:
Does anyone know what the air box modification is? Early on people were fitting the n400 boxes with actuated flaps, but it sounds like at least BR is just modifying the existing ones?
Secondly, has anyone outside the UK had Bamford Rose parts and the ECU flash supplied? Can the ECU be done remotely? I’m in New Zealand so clearly shipping the car or flying in a tech isn’t happening.
I may be wrong here however, I thought the BR airbox resulted in the airbox delete and replacing with the GT4 air filters. I didn't get mine done at BR but the garage that did mine removed the airboxes completely as I have them in my shed complete with filters ... if anyone is interested they came off a 2009 4.3 and are in very good condition.Does anyone know what the air box modification is? Early on people were fitting the n400 boxes with actuated flaps, but it sounds like at least BR is just modifying the existing ones?
Secondly, has anyone outside the UK had Bamford Rose parts and the ECU flash supplied? Can the ECU be done remotely? I’m in New Zealand so clearly shipping the car or flying in a tech isn’t happening.
Andy, seriously mate I would defiantly call Mike at Bamford Rose and chat to him, the upgrades he does will be done properly.
Redpants stuff I wouldn't consider as they all have issues.
Be prepared to spend some cash though as good engine mods dont come cheap.
Redpants stuff I wouldn't consider as they all have issues.
Be prepared to spend some cash though as good engine mods dont come cheap.
Edited by paulrog1 on Thursday 3rd June 22:07
Logannz. we being waiting for Mike at BR to reply to emails and phone calls for months ; We have 4 Vanquish owners and V12V owner in Sydney who like Bespoke exhaust headers and high flow cats and high lift cams and ECU update to be fitted to our cars by BR mechanic who visits OZ each year to visit relatives, and who will stay extra time to do the work on our cars after relo' visits before returning to UK. Last two years , he hasnt come out due to CCP Virus.. When travel is reinstated , we may have work done and he may pop over to NZ to do yours as well same month. Just need to have parts shipped over before he arrives.
Jon39 said:
paulrog1 said:
Redpants stuff I wouldn't consider as they all have issues.
Are you perhaps referring to the starter motor failure and fuel system diagnosis story ?
Basically the engine wasn't designed by the factory to have forced induction, and the manifolds will cook the ancillaries.
So as an engineer IMO these products just make the car worse as you will get reliability issues.
People can do what they want it's their car and their cash.
paulrog1 said:
The two most expensive engine upgrades they have for sale are the supercharger kit, and the exhaust manifolds.
Basically the engine wasn't designed by the factory to have forced induction, and the manifolds will cook the ancillaries.
So as an engineer IMO these products just make the car worse as you will get reliability issues.
People can do what they want it's their car and their cash.
The two most expensive engine upgrades I offer on Redpants are the supercharger kit, which I stopped accepting orders for due to manufacturing delays (but I love having on my own car), and exhaust manifolds, which I've torture tested without issue (these later became homologated for the Vantage GT4 race cars).Basically the engine wasn't designed by the factory to have forced induction, and the manifolds will cook the ancillaries.
So as an engineer IMO these products just make the car worse as you will get reliability issues.
People can do what they want it's their car and their cash.
Forced induction on n/a engines is extremely common. Just because you don't have experience with it, it doesn't mean it isn't happening constantly and on a massive scale.
Which ancillaries get cooked? I've had unshielded manifolds on my car for several years (40k miles? 50k?) and haven't had any heat-related issues. What data do you have on that?
I've got over 90k miles, done plenty of track time, and even crashed the car a few times. If something can survive my treatment, it will survive the vast majority of Aston Martin owners.
As an engineer, you should be able to appreciate data better than anecdote. If you have data I don't, I'd love to see it.
Edited by telum01 on Friday 4th June 08:55
Supercharger and manifolds are out of my current scope (charger isn't a route i want to take, the manifolds are, but.... pricey from all sellers).
My first steps will be the CATS (200 cell i would guess) and possibly the airbox mod, plus a mild remap to make the car aware of these additions. Coupled with the lightweight clutch/flywheel that the car already has i think this will be the most sensible initial approach.
At a later date i might start to look at lighter alloys and maybe 2 part rotors etc (unsprung mass reduction makes sense to me). But again there is a cost here that will mean i cant do this at the same time as the CATS and airbox.
I have the stock alloys (19") on my car. Front and rear, what are the typical weights of these vs lighter options? (Is there a stats page somewhere for the stock alloy weights?)
Cheers
My first steps will be the CATS (200 cell i would guess) and possibly the airbox mod, plus a mild remap to make the car aware of these additions. Coupled with the lightweight clutch/flywheel that the car already has i think this will be the most sensible initial approach.
At a later date i might start to look at lighter alloys and maybe 2 part rotors etc (unsprung mass reduction makes sense to me). But again there is a cost here that will mean i cant do this at the same time as the CATS and airbox.
I have the stock alloys (19") on my car. Front and rear, what are the typical weights of these vs lighter options? (Is there a stats page somewhere for the stock alloy weights?)
Cheers
andyvvc said:
Supercharger and manifolds are out of my current scope (charger isn't a route i want to take, the manifolds are, but.... pricey from all sellers).
My first steps will be the CATS (200 cell i would guess) and possibly the airbox mod, plus a mild remap to make the car aware of these additions. Coupled with the lightweight clutch/flywheel that the car already has i think this will be the most sensible initial approach.
At a later date i might start to look at lighter alloys and maybe 2 part rotors etc (unsprung mass reduction makes sense to me). But again there is a cost here that will mean i cant do this at the same time as the CATS and airbox.
I have the stock alloys (19") on my car. Front and rear, what are the typical weights of these vs lighter options? (Is there a stats page somewhere for the stock alloy weights?)
Cheers
What about just trading the car in for a 4.7 with sport pack? I reckon you will spend less in the long run doing that....My first steps will be the CATS (200 cell i would guess) and possibly the airbox mod, plus a mild remap to make the car aware of these additions. Coupled with the lightweight clutch/flywheel that the car already has i think this will be the most sensible initial approach.
At a later date i might start to look at lighter alloys and maybe 2 part rotors etc (unsprung mass reduction makes sense to me). But again there is a cost here that will mean i cant do this at the same time as the CATS and airbox.
I have the stock alloys (19") on my car. Front and rear, what are the typical weights of these vs lighter options? (Is there a stats page somewhere for the stock alloy weights?)
Cheers
Just a thought.
telum01 said:
paulrog1 said:
The two most expensive engine upgrades they have for sale are the supercharger kit, and the exhaust manifolds.
Basically the engine wasn't designed by the factory to have forced induction, and the manifolds will cook the ancillaries.
So as an engineer IMO these products just make the car worse as you will get reliability issues.
People can do what they want it's their car and their cash.
The two most expensive engine upgrades I offer on Redpants are the supercharger kit, which I stopped accepting orders for due to manufacturing delays (but I love having on my own car), and exhaust manifolds, which I've torture tested without issue (these later became homologated for the Vantage GT4 race cars).Basically the engine wasn't designed by the factory to have forced induction, and the manifolds will cook the ancillaries.
So as an engineer IMO these products just make the car worse as you will get reliability issues.
People can do what they want it's their car and their cash.
Forced induction on n/a engines is extremely common. Just because you don't have experience with it, it doesn't mean it isn't happening constantly and on a massive scale.
Which ancillaries get cooked? I've had unshielded manifolds on my car for several years (40k miles? 50k?) and haven't had any heat-related issues. What data do you have on that?
I've got over 90k miles, done plenty of track time, and even crashed the car a few times. If something can survive my treatment, it will survive the vast majority of Aston Martin owners.
As an engineer, you should be able to appreciate data better than anecdote. If you have data I don't, I'd love to see it.
Edited by telum01 on Friday 4th June 08:55
To give balance I think the Redpants website sell some great stuff especially for the AM owners in the US, I just don't think it's wise to sell kit that have flaws to unsuspecting owners who will probably get reliability issues in the future.
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