Has anyone looked / used Quicksilver headers, cats and exhaust? They claim large gains for their setup. In terms of looking clean they win over the other headers posted here. Looks does not mean better as we all know.

Also is GrouppeM the only intake change for the Vantage?

 

I haven't used the QS setup. I've heard it's fairly loud, and would be too loud for my taste. Noise level might be worth looking into if that's important to you.

I'm going to venture out on a limb and say the GruppeM intake is a massive waste of money and only worthwhile if you want to dress up your engine bay. Just my opinion, of course. The intake is already fairly good on our cars. IIRC the restriction, from what I've been told, is the cylinder heads.

 

IMHO, the intake is a waste of time from a performance perspective, although it certainly is a nice looking piece. Intake side mods for the AMV8 really require a twin-throttle conversion in order to make any additional power.

I would love to have the opportunity to speak to you about my company's offerings. I believe we are the only company in the market offering a truly equal length primary header, and at $5495 for Headers, Cats, Filters & Tune I humbly submit that we offer the best value for money as well.

http://www.velocityap.com/ProductDet...MV8PPNoExhaust

 

Is your products compatable with a vantage S? I am still mauling over which is the next car between a V8 S , DBS or Gallardo, F430. I am leaning more towards Vantage as from reading it is more of the back roads blaster I am looking for. Issue is weight but oh well.

Trying to figure out where the short falls are on the V8 and where there is power to be gained. Just doing HW at the moment.

telum01 I might ping you off line if I do end up with a Vantage as I know you modified your car a bit on the other thread we are on.

Cheers

 

Sure thing, hit me up whenever and I'll do my best to help. About what you're looking at: I've driven a stock 4.3L V8V, my mod'd V8V, a DBS, and Gallardo. Haven't driven an F430 or V8VS.

The stock 4.3L has room for improvement. Tasteful mods go a long way on these cars. I'm doing some legwork to fix some of the British-ness of the engine (lol sorry, no offense to any Brits on here!), look at my AOS Catch Can thread. I'd still go this route again if I were to be in my shoes 1.5 years ago knowing what I know now. I also prefer the 4.3L's interior to the new interior.

Mod'd 4.3L's are very fun, extremely rewarding cars. They don't have the low-end torque of the 4.7L, but really you don't notice 95% of the time. I'm extremely happy with mine and wouldn't give it up for anything.

The DBS is everything the Vantage is, but more. I loved it, but the difference for me wasn't enough to get me out of my V8V. Plus, I love how nimble my car is. The size and weight of the DBS are well managed, but they're noticeable compared to a Vantage. I highly recommend the DBS, though.

I absolutely hated the Gallardo. I hated it. With hatred. It was horrible to drive under 40 mph, and parking it is a chore because the diffs bind. (Supposedly that's because they're "geared for high speed maneuvering" but whatever, it sucked). Not much room for your feet. Not the slightest modicum of practicality. If you're looking for a car that is flashy and fast, a Gallardo does that. I hated it.

I've heard great things about the V8VS, but it only comes with sport-shift and I have to have a manual transmission. The 6-speed in the Vantage is an lovely thing to work. So I haven't bothered looking into those.

 

I have SMG II in my M3 so I am used to that style of transmission. Also based on what I have seen it is like SMG, a love hate.

I am going to figure out a time to test drive one in the bay area. I am 6'5 so every car is a tight fit. As long as I am not cramed in the car the V8 S is my top choice. DBS I can't find that much owner data on as well as the weight is a concern. I am a back roads driver and drive leader so 3500 lb is more than either of my cars now.

Thanks for the 411 on the lambo LOL. I think you might have hated that car..

 

If you want paddles and back roads, V8VS or F430 would be the way to go!

Edit: cramped cabin might be an issue for both cars.

 

I'm also 6'-5" tall and found the Vantage a bit too small. Just traded a DB9 (same interior space as a DBS) that had a manual trans. Was a tight fit but doable. Now have a Virage with a. TT2 and extremely happy.

Unless you're going to track the DBS, would the added weight really be a negative? Power should make up for additional weight? How fast can you really drive on the back roads anyway? Nothing like a V12..... Just sayin.

 

Yes, the Power Pack we offer is 100% compatible with the V8VS. Provided that you do the headers & cats at the same time (due to some changes between the model years, you can swap both at once, but not one or the other.) You will see a very, very geniune 40-45BHP, and similar torque from the midrange-on.

I am also due to be releasing a similar package for the V12 Engined Astons very soon!

 

The V8 is a Ford redesign of a Jag engine so I guess that makes it American

The V8VS has been available as a manual for around a year, the first manual manual S was posted in here being sold by a US dealer.

Best gains on the V8 seem to be N400 intakes, aftermarket headers and sports cats
Back box changes do little other than add noise and possibly reduce weight
Some hold stock in ECU tweaks but others don't like to lean the AFR out for the extra gains, either way they are going to be small on a NA engine and only be realised on high Octane fuels
Cam & head work are also an option.

I've opted for a 5.0 GT4 conversion with twin throttles and all the above, that will put me up there with the Vanquish2 and V12VS figures, just waiting on the build completing and dyno testing before I thrash it round Scotland

 

IME its not the weight (it has a better power to weight ration than the V8 Vantage)
The length and the weight over the front make it less agile

I've often contemplated the longer VH cars (DBS, DB9.2 Virage) but know I could not do this with them in the same way I do the Vantage



Now the V12 Vantage that's a different animal

 

AM Power pack (N400 intakes and tune) gives you 20 HP and 9 lb/ft. You can get an aftermarket tune and intake, but the N400 intakes require a modification to the intake manifold. All depends on what price-for-performance you're looking at.

An aftermarket tune will sharpen your throttle response and give you more HP/TQ. Leaning out the AFR on these cars shouldn't be a bad thing at all. Every tuner I've talked to has said these things run pig rich.

200-cell cats gives you maybe 10-15 HP (your results may vary, always consult your physician before undertaking any new dietary program). Plus these make the car sound MUCH better. The rear muffler gives little gains, mainly swapped out for sound and weight improvements. Exhaust manifolds give gains but are more expensive and labor-intensive to install. (Again, price-for-performance.)

For the 4.3L, a lightened flywheel will increase throttle response and free up a few WHP.

Shifter control retunes are available for the Sport Shift, I've heard good things about them.

When you go big baller like Mikey K, that's when it gets REALLY expensive! But damn he's got an awesome setup.

I refuse to acknowledge that my British work of art is American

Not in the US! (Unless I've completely missed something, which is entirely possible haha)

 

Thanks for the 411 on the upgrades. I never leave a car alone so I like to know what I can do to the car to make it work the way I want.

All of this of course could be in vain as I could go and test drive / fit and go FAIL. Sucks sometimes being built light a line backer =(

Though I do fit in my 1M and when I drove a F430 and 360 I did fit. Granted the F430 I needed a shoe horn LOL.

Aside from the power, what suspension changes can you do to remove the under steer? I have not found sway bars from anyone yet but I can find springs or coil overs easy enough.

Quick recap for those who read this at a later date:

Engine
N400 Intake (but might not be worth it)
Performance air filters
Velocity Automotive (or other headers and aftermarket cats)
Muffler change (for new exhaust note or weight reduce - little to no gains)

Suspension:
H&R Springs or KW coil overs (spring rates are unknown at the moment)

Software
Reprogram ECU for new parts.

Feel free to updates / modify the list as you know - find updates

 

I have H&R springs and love the ride quality, stance, and performance. Handled amazingly on the track, yet perfectly comfortable on the street. You do have to be careful as the car is very low and you can scrape (or get stuck lol) in driveways/parking garages/and speed bumps. Planning accordingly reduces the risk of this (ie, avoid parking garages hahaha).

You can get a lot of benefit from upgrading the shocks along with the springs or getting coilovers. But springs alone are amazing bang for your buck.

You should be able to get a thicker rear sway bar for the 4.3L from the V8VS, 4.3L sport pack, or the roadster. If I remember correctly, these are all thicker than the original sway bar that comes on the 4.3L coupe.

Also look into wheel spacers if you're keeping the stock 7-spoke wheels.

For reference, here's my car. Photo was taken by the original owner, another 6speed member, he's the one that setup my the car. This is the stance with the springs and spacers (sway bar doesn't affect the look). Wheel gap is spot-on and wheel wells are filled out perfectly.

 

Very nice setup. Exactly how I would set it up as well.