De-cats for the V8V ... AKA the epiphany!
Discussion
Today was finally the day - the V8V found its voice. And boy... what a voice!
Shortly after buying the 2014 V8V from AM Bristol in May, it was back to have a V12VS exhaust fitted. Unfortunately even following the best efforts by AM Bristol, it just couldn't happen due to the rear-mounted manual gearbox radiator. ( Previous write-up.)
The clear alternative was to get the car de-cat'd using the official AM retro fit kit which replaces the secondary cats.
Must I admit I was a bit reluctant as even though I wanted to make the car more vocal when pressing on, I didn't want it to sound shouty at every moment including starting up and creeping away from the neighbours. I figured that's exactly what the de-cats would do.
On the plus side, the de-cat option was a third of the price of the full V12VS exhaust (both prices including fitment). So, after a bit of advice from fellow PH'ers plus hearing alternatives including the V8VS and GT12 Vantage(!) setups at local events I lumped for it.
I needn't have worried. In fact, I should have had it done on the day of collection! Oh my... oh my!!!!!!! To paint the picture...
I must have looked like a loon for the first few miles. I was genuinely laughing at how great it was.
Seriously - if you think your V8V lacks a little on the audio scale, just do it. Don't delay. I can't wait to take Vantage beyond 3-4,000 revs again. Truly addictive.
Interestingly, it doesn't appear to have any downsides. It's not boomy or noticeably noisier in the cabin (and I doubt outside) when not stomping on the right pedal. The Sports button now makes a real difference, so if you want to sneak around, resist temptation and leave those exhaust valves alone.
Most likely the best money I'll ever spend on this car
Footnote: huge thanks to AM Bristol as always. Extremely professional service, prompt, friendly (they were as pleased to show me the stunningly beautiful V12 Vantage Zagato they had in the service bay as I was to go weak at the knees staring at it), really good price, etc. They also managed to work on the warranty tweaks without the slightest fuss including a new rear light (misted up), fuel cap stickiness and some other odds and ends. And really carefully washed the car following my dirty (roads!) weekend in Wales.
Shortly after buying the 2014 V8V from AM Bristol in May, it was back to have a V12VS exhaust fitted. Unfortunately even following the best efforts by AM Bristol, it just couldn't happen due to the rear-mounted manual gearbox radiator. ( Previous write-up.)
The clear alternative was to get the car de-cat'd using the official AM retro fit kit which replaces the secondary cats.
Must I admit I was a bit reluctant as even though I wanted to make the car more vocal when pressing on, I didn't want it to sound shouty at every moment including starting up and creeping away from the neighbours. I figured that's exactly what the de-cats would do.
On the plus side, the de-cat option was a third of the price of the full V12VS exhaust (both prices including fitment). So, after a bit of advice from fellow PH'ers plus hearing alternatives including the V8VS and GT12 Vantage(!) setups at local events I lumped for it.
I needn't have worried. In fact, I should have had it done on the day of collection! Oh my... oh my!!!!!!! To paint the picture...
I must have looked like a loon for the first few miles. I was genuinely laughing at how great it was.
Seriously - if you think your V8V lacks a little on the audio scale, just do it. Don't delay. I can't wait to take Vantage beyond 3-4,000 revs again. Truly addictive.
Interestingly, it doesn't appear to have any downsides. It's not boomy or noticeably noisier in the cabin (and I doubt outside) when not stomping on the right pedal. The Sports button now makes a real difference, so if you want to sneak around, resist temptation and leave those exhaust valves alone.
Most likely the best money I'll ever spend on this car
Footnote: huge thanks to AM Bristol as always. Extremely professional service, prompt, friendly (they were as pleased to show me the stunningly beautiful V12 Vantage Zagato they had in the service bay as I was to go weak at the knees staring at it), really good price, etc. They also managed to work on the warranty tweaks without the slightest fuss including a new rear light (misted up), fuel cap stickiness and some other odds and ends. And really carefully washed the car following my dirty (roads!) weekend in Wales.
HBradley said:
Nick, could I ask what the procedure cost?
It's around £650 which includes the AM de-cats, new gaskets, clamps and fitting. Best thing is that this would not affect the AM warranty.If you're interested, you may wish to contact Kyle McLoughlin, Parts Advisor at AM Bristol - t. 01179 007 007 (only just realised the tel number when copying out from his business card!)
My insurance charged £19 extra annually for this mod which is OK IMHO. But all these figures pale into insignificance compared to the smiles/miles ratio of the new noise
shinjuku said:
Great read!
I was considering the V12 backbox, but it doesn't fit on the 4.3L V8 due to the oil cooler in the rear section I believe?
Would love a video of your car now.
I know exactly what you mean btw—it's funny what an exhaust does
Exactly! The noise adds at least 50mph to any gear I was considering the V12 backbox, but it doesn't fit on the 4.3L V8 due to the oil cooler in the rear section I believe?
Would love a video of your car now.
I know exactly what you mean btw—it's funny what an exhaust does
I would assume the manual 4.3 V8V also has a rear mounted gearbox radiator so your AM-derived options are reduced.
Would also like to record a video, but it would have to be on the move above 4k RPM. Need somebody who can hold a mic very firmly LOL!
Edited by nickv8 on Thursday 17th August 16:48
HBradley said:
Thanks Nick, very tempting!! I'm wondering what difference it'll make to a V8VS?!
As the V8VS has a slightly different exhaust, the end result is likely to be different too. But from my initial sample (70 miles in mixed roads including motorway, familiar fast A roads and sweeping B roads), I think it's safe to say it simply adds extra audio "texture" when pressing on especially beyond 3k RPM. Not the full pops and bangs, but then I wasn't after the "turn it up to 11" effect.I haven't done the Fuse 22 trick as there are moments I want to creep and GT cruise, so to me it's a safe bet, especially at this price point and reverse-ability. Stay out of sports mode and keep the revs low, and the Vantage does it's magic as a GT. But now it has the option to get more angry in a perfectly British gentleman kinda-way
Craig said:
I've tried calling a couple of dealers - HWM and Brentwood - but they couldn't find anything listed. I've tried Kyle McLoughlin at AM Bristol as mentioned here but he hasn't got back to me.
Middle of summer holiday season - he may be away?Perhaps try Finn at AM Bristol. He kindly phoned me back the other day and is likely to be able to help.
Wouldn’t surprise me if it’s the same part as later models. Sorry - don’t know the number.
simon578 said:
Can someone with a de-catted V8V 4.7 (MY12.25+ if possible) let me know what the 'soundtrack' is like? Is it a deep burble at idle and just louder (but same pitch) when pushing on at over 4000 rpm?
I know that what something sounds like is in the ear?! of the beholder, but what I don't want to attain from a de-cat is a higher pitched noise, as per italian cars...I just want a nice deep burbly/bassy sound that's 'classic V8' in nature. Will a de-cat achieve this, and does anyone have an opinion on straight through pipes vs. X-Pipe configuration?
I've watched a few videos on Youtube to get a feel for what an aftermarket exhaust / de-cat / GT4 exhaust / X-Pipe sounds like but of course the sound you hear on a video could be totally different to what it's like in the flesh.
It's an interesting topic that'll come up again and again. I really should have got around to sound recording the previous non-S 4.7 V8V before and after the de-cat. Beforehand it was too "refined" (ie. very little exhaust note in the cabin). After, it had the most glorious and rich American V8 style low-down burble. Pulling at low revs filled you with pride. Hitting the pace with revs above 5k was spine-tingling.I know that what something sounds like is in the ear?! of the beholder, but what I don't want to attain from a de-cat is a higher pitched noise, as per italian cars...I just want a nice deep burbly/bassy sound that's 'classic V8' in nature. Will a de-cat achieve this, and does anyone have an opinion on straight through pipes vs. X-Pipe configuration?
I've watched a few videos on Youtube to get a feel for what an aftermarket exhaust / de-cat / GT4 exhaust / X-Pipe sounds like but of course the sound you hear on a video could be totally different to what it's like in the flesh.
Never high-pitched, it was one of the best exhaust notes I experienced. And you could easily live with it in every situation. It wasn't "boy racer" or too over. The Spot button (ie. opening the exhaust value earlier in the rev range) made very little difference for me personally. It would open up a little bit more, but not a startling difference.
But when de-cat'ing the V8VS... now that appears to be another world.
Just completed a good journey yesterday. About 60% motorway, 30% A/B roads, 10% single track country lanes over 250+ miles. I'm still getting used to this car having collected it two weeks ago (and a week holiday getting in the way between).
I never realised the difference the standard S model's sports exhaust would make. It's MUCH louder. the Sport button really makes an effect. Trailing throttle results in a new noise. The very occasional pop on changing.
I have the Sport button set by default. But now I do consider turning it off when trying to drive in a civilised way through villages, past dogs and horses, etc. (Children definitely require the Sport button
). Is it too boy-racer? Maybe. More Marmite in some ways. But there was a point in the drive yesterday when the noise was soooooo glourious, it literally made me laugh out loud.However, it remains deep-chested and never becomes Italian / high-pitched in style. It's simply louder.
I wonder how much more the GT8 was. I recall in the reviews (Henry Catchpole in Evo?) that it could even be too much.
Addition: to clarify, even with the de-cats, cruising on a motorway is actually very civilised! As the revs are still just under 3,000rpm and there's relatively little throttle travel, you can't really hear the exhaust. Put your foot down to overtake a lumbering caravan and there's no need to warn others of your presence
Edited by nickv8 on Thursday 16th August 08:00
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