Has anyone installed or investigated a GruppeM Ram air system? Any thoughts or info would be great.

 

I put one on a former fcar. I did not dyno it but felt it helped out on both low and high rpm power. Regardless, it looked great and added an awesome sound, like Darth Vadar sucking air. I think you would have to add a free flow exhaust to get any real advantage. Would recommend the quicksilver unit. I had one on my Aston and it was very nice.

 

I've looked into it but haven't found any solid numbers. It looks like it would be very effective based on the design, but before I'd consider dropping around $5500 for it, I'd want to make sure.

I've seen some other posts on other forums of people who have used GruppeM intakes on other types of cars (M cars, etc) without any dyno gains. That said, different cars have different results, and it's really tough to get an accurate dyno on a kit like this unless you can reproduce driving conditions...in other words the air flowing though the ram air system. It seems like the Vantage suffers from lack of airflow at the higher rpms, so something on the intake side should make a difference...the question, then, is if it is $5500 well spent or could you get the same effect with two shielded cone filters for much less $$.

The other issue for me is whether it will interfere with placement of a supercharger kit. I'm going to wait and see what comes out that may need that space first. It sure looks good, though...that's for sure.

 

If the "B" kit is actually $5500 I would suggest the AM Power Kit instead - opened up the front end and ECU w/dyno proven HP for less money. Also does not void your warrenty - though I am not sure a ram air system would either - then again a dealer might be having a bad day and say it does. I combined the AM power kit w/ 200 cell cats and a Quicksilver exhaust - now have a very nice combo for the 4.3 engine. I am looking for some "open" air filters and then I am set.
A superchager system would also be interesting but I'm thinking any good system will cost $10k and probably does not include an exhaust/cat system in that price - of course you would get a very nice HP increase.
Check out the 6-speed 997 threads on superchargers - very positive stuff.

 

Oh yeah, forgot about the crazy prices they charge. I think my setup was 60%off list price(helps to know the right people!).
For over $5k I would not do it. i could tell it added low end torque just by the mountain drive I do on a regular basis and it did sound cool. At $2k its a good deal, at $5k I would pass and add those funds, as Michael suggested, to a power kit or go for the sc kit. I think if you really want the Aston to have the quickness many desire, the sc kit might be the necessary mod. Good luck.

 

The GruppeM kit is listed at 480,000 yen which converts to around $5300, then add in shipping from Japan plus install, etc...at least $5500. The AM kit is probably the best option available right now, although the improvements are mild compared to a supercharger and like you said it still needs a better intake.

Did you notice gains with the cats? I'm tempted to get those but I really like the exhaust sound as is, and I there's always the potential for low-end losses with exhaust mods. I'd like to see a dyno of your car with the AM power kit and the 200 cell cats/QS exhaust.

It looks like this car is very responsive to SC kits, so I'm hopeful more options will come out soon...a roots blower would be ideal.

 

I can't believe that the cost with the exchange is that much. It is alot of carbon fiber but still. I have a quicksilver now and I'm going to get the factory power kit. I never thought about the space that the RAM system takes up. I have a feeling that it would get in the way of a supercharger. I'm really looking forward to information concerning the PES SC kit. From what I understand, the factory power kit and QS exhaust will get me close to 420HP. If the SC adds 35% from there we're talking about close to 550HP. That makes the Vantage world class in power as well as style. I'm trying not to get carried away. I've done that with 2 porsches in the past. I want to be careful with the warranty. It would be great if PES is able to partner with dealerships in that regard. I have a strange feeling though that AM has an SC in their future. They've done it in the past. I just hope that if they make that decision, the will retro fit older cars. I'm having tremendous fun in this car. I too would like to think that I would keep this car for a while but my history is not good.

 

The last posting offers the GruppeM system you guys mentioned here. No price has been mentioned...

 

Go to their website...price is listed as $5280. Was I spot on, or what?

 

Holly @$%@ !!! That is a lot of do-re-mi...

 

Sorry - I missed the earlier question about the cats - yes it made a difference. You can pretty much see thru a 200 cell cat vs a 600 - gives you an idea of airflow ! I tried 3 types of QS mufflers and ended up w/ the "Quiet" version - totally open was beyond race car loud - as in could hardly hear myself talk. So I have a little more sound baffle in the QC muffler and a lot less in the cats ... unfortunatly I did not run the 200 cell cats w/ stock muffler so I can not give you an impression - only w/ the different QCs. I think opening up the cats does help w/ air flow and was a nice combo w/ the Power Kit.