Hi I just bought a 2007 Vantage Coupe from GALPIN Aston Martin in So Cal.
I love car and was thinking of a few mods that I would like to do.

1. Fiber-optic update to head unit to be able to connect iPod or iPhone and glovebox, it will also charge the phone. GALPIN gave me a quote of $900.

2. The other is the powerpack upgrade for the motor which gains you 20 hp from 380 - 400HP. This is through AstonMartin and warrantee I'm getting a price of around $4700 an $800 savings installed. Is it worth the $ ? It is a lot of $ per HP.
Any help of info would be great.
I added a photo from today at the Concourso in Monterey.

Thanks,
Ron

 

#2 price is correct. Is it worth it depends on the owner - lot of other threads on this topic. I have the PowerPack+QuicksliverSS and enjoy it. Stewart & others have additional options such as cats & headers. The price of doing this work will quickly exceed the differential of buying an '09.

 

+20HP for $1,500 and (supposedly) doesn't effect warranty: http://www.rsctuning.com/products/as...l#.U-OhHfldXhs

Most of the power from the power pack comes from the ECU flash. This does basically the same thing and is supposedly undetectable by AM dealer when removed before service. Throw in some RSC filters for an addl $130 and you've probably got about +30BHP at a minimum.

$900 from what I hear isn't bad for the iPod update. Most dealers charge around $1,500 and the part alone to connect the iPod is around $500 is I remember karlfranz's thread correctly. I'd say $900 is a fair price installed. If you wanna save the $400 I don't think it looked very difficult. There have been a few threads about installing the ipod interface - take a poke around in karlfranz's sticky.

 

Thanks for your quick reply, so you can feel the added HP in the upper rev rang then? How long did the install take? Did they need to send any of the parts (ECU) ect back to Aston? Or are the new parts that come with the kit that get installed? I am still waiting for my dealer to get back to me on these points. Would sou say that you cut a few 1/10"s of a sec off the 0-60 time. Sorry for so many question, it is just a lot of $ for this mod.
Thanks,
Ron

 

Thanks for the info, I think I will do the I pod mod after I get back from Monterey in a few weeks. As for the Power pack up grade. I usually will stick with the factory stuff even though it can run more $. It just makes me feel better, especially with affect them under one year warranty now.
Thanks,
Ron

 

My car had the Power Pack on it when I bought it. It also has high-flow cats and a rear exhaust, so it's hard to determine the performance boost from the Power Pack alone. That said, I've got friends with Porsches that say I'm the only V8V that's been able to hang with them when they, um, get into spirited driving lol.

If you want to stay factory and don't mind the cost, yes, I'd recommend the Power Pack - the 20 hp and 9 tq does help. If you want bang for your buck and don't mind aftermarket, get high-flow cats and a tune. Or, get all of it!

 

Oh, also:

I have a iPod connection in my '07. It was $1300 parts and labor, but works very well. Uses a JL Audio CleanSweep and iSimple Jamlink. The iSimple connector is fantastic - great quality and is able to both charge and carry audio, which most connectors don't seem to do. There's more to it than just those two parts, but that's all I can remember of it off the top of my head.

 

Thanks for the info on both of my question, I think if I do the power pack upgrade, it would be the factory option. I will know more after spending two weeks in the car up to and back from Monterey starting tomorrow .
Ron

 

I cannot speak to the difference between stock 4.3 and PP4.3 as the first owner made the modifications. I'm not interested in 0-60 times or beating my Porsche & Ferrari neighbors. If I was looking for speed I would have kept my C6. I bought the Aston for the styling and to pickup chicks. The only reason I even considered purchasing a modified vehicle is everything was done at the dealership and it's a factory kit (and the low miles, and he traded on a V8S). The dealership does all the work inhouse.

It is a lot of money which you will not get back on the other side but unlike a supercharger or spinners it will not cause excessive depreciation. It seems quite a few 4.3L have been PP upgraded but hard to say if it's 25% or 50%.

 

For what it's worth there isn't a single V8 for sale on ebay with the PowerPack.

 

Check out the new photo

 

Ok everyone, I now have around 1000 miles more on my Vantage (3900 total) then when I bought it.
So far I'm loving the car in every way. I did however make a big decision, I ordered the parts for the powerpack upgrade. The dealer offered me a discount on the price. The list price installed is $5600, I was offered the powerpack upgrade installed for $4700. I know it is a lot of money per horsepower gained, but I feel it will be worth it in the long run plus I get to keep all the original parts. I was told the parts should be here in a week and installation only takes a day. I will let you guys know how well it turns out. I also ordered from Aston Bits in England, locking wheel nuts, first aid kit, and front stone guard / mud flaps. I have already picked up stone chips on the rear wheel arches behind the front doors. I did have clear bra installed on the backs of the mirrors, the noise of the car plus the hood and the rocker panels. So I'm really excited about this can't wait to drive the car when it is installed. PS check out the picture I added to my original post.
Ron

 

I can't recall ever seeing another V8V with the Power Pack in person aside from my own in nearly 3 years of ownership. Very, very few cars have had it installed. I would imagine most that want the extra power go aftermarket or trade into a 4.7L.

 

I have power pack with high flow cats also. It makes a difference provided you have good fuel in the car. Also, cooler weather helps too. The 4.7 has more bottom but they feel the same above 5k rpm. ( I know the additional gates open at 5.5k, but feels the same). Saw an am power upgrade kit on ebay, but ecu would still need flashed by AM dealer. My car came with it. After driving several 4.7 before deciding on the 4.3 I have, I believe I would have installed the upgrade, had it not had it. It really just flies to the Rev limiter in 2 3 and 4.