They told me they were going to do that and then told me I had to have a shop and they would make the check out to me and the shop. Then without even telling me, they sent the check to the shop. Check was for more than the estimate, needless to say the shop ended up having costs almost to the exact amount of the check.

To say I was pi$$ed off with USAA, would be a very big understatement.

Took over 4 months to get me car fixed.

 

There was a moment when they made it sound like they were going to pay the shop directly regardless, and I immediately squashed that. But had they done it anyway I was ready to play hardball.

Four months is inexcusable...

 

Just got confirmation that everything is being prepped for shipment to me, GT12 hood and GT4 side sills included... **** just got real...

 

Latest numbers to keep them ready for updates

Completed:
wheels -24.4 lbs (BC Forged RT50 Redpants fitment vs OEM 7-spoke)
tires -4.0 lbs (MPSS 245/285 vs OEM Bridgestone 235/275)
brake rotors -18.0 lbs (Wilwood 2-piece vs OEM Brembo)
battery -29.5 lbs (Redpants Braille kit vs OEM Varta)
muffler -27.0 lbs (estimate, RSC vs OEM)
high-flow cats -8 lbs (RSC vs OEM)
headers -8.25 lbs (VelocityAP vs OEM)
EGR delete -1 lb (VelocityAP delete)
cargo divider -10 lbs (estimate, only when at the track)
front fender liner pads -1 lb (removed)
oil catch can +2 lbs (VelocityAP/Redpants addition)

TOTAL: 129 lbs weight loss

On Order:
Aston Martin GT12 carbon fiber hood -5 lbs (estimate, will be weighed when it arrives)
Aston Martin Racing GT4 carbon fiber side sills -0 lbs (don't see these dropping weight, honestly)

Upcoming total: 134 lbs weight loss

Still to do:
Recaro Profi SPG seats with Redpants mounting hardware -50 lbs (estimate, both seats combined)
VelocityAP clutch and lightweight flywheel -17 lbs
Aston Martin Racing GT4 front bumper armature -16 lbs

Projected total: 217 lbs weight loss (almost 100 kg!)

With a couple random other things, I should be able to hit 100 kg (220 lbs) without issue. Again, this is with full glass, a/c, Premium Sound, nav, etc. The only creature comforts that have been removed are those in the seats due to the Recaro SPGs.

 

It will be nice to see a North American Vantage with a GT12 hood and GT4 sills, can't wait to see the pictures

 

Should be the only one in the world

 

Wow you're going to do full bucket seats huh? not worried about extended road trips?

 

Nope, I've done 4-hr drives in a Recaro Pole Position just fine. I'm doing my prototyping with a Recaro SPG, which is tighter than the PP, but the hardware will allow for the SPG XL, which is larger than the PP. So if you're on the smaller side (I'm 5'7", 170 lbs) the SPG will work out. If larger, the XL is 1.5" wider.

I'm going to be driving from VA to SC for a film festival in November, and that's 8 hours each way. This might literally bite me in the butt... but no, not too worried.

 

I've got good news and I've got bad news.

The good news is that the GT12 hood arrived with my supplier. The bad news is that we found out, despite the price, it didn't include the vent trim itself. That trim is... expensive. So for those curious about the price of a GT12 hood: The hood, vent, and import duties, you're sitting squarely in the mid-$20k range. Can't quite pull that off right now lol. But hey, this is the scary part of venturing into uncharted territory!

So that sucks.

I'll be sticking with the standard V8V hood. I'm not a fan of the V12V hood so I'm not interested in that. The massive difference in price is going to be applied to buying more inventory, finishing up my Recaro seating project, getting a carbon fiber rear diffuser, and maybe some other carbon fiber trim bits.

 

But man... ain't that a sexy hood!

 

Yeah it really is..... and I'm seriously torn. I'm still staring at pics of GT12s. I can do a custom vent insert and then swap it out for the GT12 carbon one down the road...

So many decisions!!!!

 

i was thinking that as well.

 

Sent out a few feelers to shops that can do it. But I need it done in a VERY tight timeframe. Parts are shipping to me from the UK, then paint is on the 29th, the a photoshoot on Sep 3rd, so it's going to be really tough to get everything to align in time.

 

Hi Telum01,

I am loving your project. I am currently planning with some partners very similar ideas on my Aston and I just wanted to give you my feedback. First and foremost, weight reduction is not only a playground or a hobby. This makes a serious difference.

The following things are planned or currently developed to save a total of 91 kg:

1. Change standard seats (26,5kg x 2) to Recaro Pole Position seats (11,8 kg). Weight reduction: 29,5 kg
2. Bamford Rose full exhaust. Weight reduction: 18 kg
3. New Clutch & Flywheel. Weight reduction: 7,5 kg
4. Rear window in Polycarbonat. Weight reduction: 10kg*
5. Changement of Standard battery (24,3 kg) to Lightweight battery (10.8 kg). Weight reduction: 13,5 kg
6. Delete Cargo Divider. Weight reduction: 4.5 kg
7. Change to 2-Brake Rotors. Weight reduction: 8 kg
8. Lightweight wheels, new tires. Weight reduction: ?

A weight reduction in combination with a power upgrade (air, exhaust, tune) for example of Bamford Rose transforms the car totally. To give you an example: the standard V8V with 385hp and a weight of 1570kg has a power/weight ratio of 4.07. Take the weight reduction and a power upgrade into consideration (430hp and 1479 kg) and the power/weight ratio transforms the car to a competitive 3.43. Here some cars for comparison:

Porsche GT3 (2006-2008): 3.31 kg/Ps (1375kg, 415 Ps)
Aston Martin with weight reduction and power upgrade: 3.43 kg/Ps (1479 kg, 430 Ps)
BMW M3 GTS (ab 2010): 3.43 kg/Ps (1546 kg, 450 Ps)
BMW M3 CSL (2003): 3.84 kg/Ps (1385 kg, 360 Ps)
Audi R8 (2006-2015): 3.89 kg/Ps (1635kg, 420 Ps)
Aston Martin Standard: 4.07 kg/Ps (1570kg, 385 Ps)
Porsche Cayman S (2005-2009): 4.83 kg/Ps (1425kg, 295 Ps)

*I have seen that you do not take a change of the rear window into consideration. However, I think you should. I am currently developing a Polycarbonat rear window together with a very experienced partner, a German glazing company, which is well known in the racing scene and works as a partner for many different motorsport teams (for example Mathey Racing). The change of the original glas window is not only often seen in the motorsport, but also more and more in modern Sportscars. Just look at the Vantage GT8 or GT12, which both have a rear window in Polycarbonat in order to save weight. The rear window that we develop is TUV-certified, out of 3mm thick polycarbonate, both-sided scratch proof coated, and has such as the original glas window a black side frame. The weight reduction will be around 50%. As the original rear window weights around 25kg, this is a massive improvement. The price of the rear window will be around 1.300€ netto. This is a cheap investment for 10-12 kg weight reduction. As soon as I have more Information about it I will let you know.

I hope my ideas help you for your project.

Best,
Maximilian

 

I decided to cancel the GT12 hood. I got a couple quotes for ~$2k to do a custom vent, but the additional cost (which wasn't budgeted for in this build) and the time crunch are making it far too stressful to pursue at the moment. I'm still planning to do it down the road, but doing it now would be more trouble than I can add to my plate. Instead, I'm sticking with the standard V8 hood and getting the N400 carbon fiber rear diffuser. The extra cash from those vs the GT12 hood will be used to build up inventory for my, especially the Recaro seating project.

Maximilian -

You and I think a lot alike. My 4.3L has 430 ps and my car has lost 59 kg, not including the seats. I'm hoping to have my seating project done by the end of the month. It will retain use of the original 3-point harness. My next step with it is a harness bar but that will be very challenging to meet my personal standards because of the safety aspects.

Keep me updated on the rear window. It's something I didn't want to do because my goal is to maintain as much comfort as possible without the car looking too modified. Enhancing performance and driver's enjoyment through weight loss without compromising the ability to enjoy the car.

If the rear window maintains the look and quality of the OEM rear glass, but at half the weight - sign me up!