Over the past 10 years, I have been slowly but extensively modifying my Vantage to what I would have built from the factory. Minimal exterior modifications to (try) and improve on the look, performance upgrades to increase the RWHP from 305 to just under 390, and a weight reduction program to pull as much weight out of the heavy car without losing any of the comfort/feel of the cabin. In the past few months I have pulled out over 100lbs alone with just the Nogaro seats and most recently the Antigravity lithium ion battery! I am now down 223lbs total over the stock car based on Rich (Redpants) calculations on his "time to get nimble post" here. The combination of the increased power and significant weight reduction has turned the little 4.3 Vantage into a brute. She breaks loose the 305 rear tires at will and handles incredibly well.

I did a lot of research into batteries as I knew this was an area I could take significant weight out without any impact to the car. A couple of years back when I looked into them, I found that the price was a bit on the high side and held off. I have been looking into adding a Boxster Spyder and in the Porsche forums noticed many installing Antigravity batteries to lose weight. I reached out and learned that the OEM Aston battery was 54lbs and the Antigravity battery was only 11.5lbs. Given an Immediate weight loss of 43lbs, and the significantly lower prices, I had to have it. I had the previous gen battery sent to me to test out parasitic draw on the Aston last December, you can see the weight difference here: .



After several months of testing out the battery with no issues, I swapped it out for their latest generation restart battery with key fobs. If your car (battery) dies, the battery holds enough in reserve to start your car just by pressing the key fob once! I actually left my key in the ignition by accident a few weeks back (kids, work, other cars, lots going on, lol). Immediately I thought of the fob and pressed it. The car starter tried to turn for a couple seconds, and then she started!! I let her run until she was at full capacity again. The battery also has a Bluetooth tracker that you can add to the battery that has an app that syncs your phone to the battery and shows where the voltage and percent "full". This is also pretty cool as you can set it up to notify you when the battery reaches different voltage levels.



I followed Rich's instructions around how to swap out the battery and it was very straight forward. For me I needed to remove my passenger seat though to access as I have the lightweight, fixed back Cobra Nogaros:



Once I removed my seat, I grabbed the following tools:
T-30 torx bit
10mm socket
13mm socket
Long extension
Ratchet
Philips screwdriver

I then removed the parcel shelf and the styrofoam around the battery. Then you remove the Philips screws along the aluminum bar and pull the bar out of the car. At this point I pulled the carpet back. Next grab your rachet with a long extension and 10mm socket to remove the bracket that goes over the battery. Next up comes the hardest part. Grab your T30 torx and loosen all 4 bolts along the sliding clams (bottom front) of battery. To remove these, I had to slightly trim my carpet on the left of the battery. I used snippers to cut a piece out small enough to not be seen, but enable me to easily pull out the sliding clamps. Remove the clamps. Next remove the vent tube (you will not need this with the Lithium Ion Battery). Grab your 13mm socket and loosen and remove the negative, followed by the positive cables. Pull the boat anchor out and replace with the new battery and repeat steps backwards. Drive your car with 43lbs removed in 1 hr work and pat yourself on the back!

 

for 43 lbs weight loss for my vantage, the keto diet did it for me... lost 50#

 

Nice and congrats! I’m assuming that required significantly more effort than the 1hr I took to install the battery lol

 

Impressive!!! Wow!

 

Thanks!

 

What's the best mod you did to get you to 390RWHP?

Also, how much did your torque increase?

 

The tune from Chris unlocked the most. I did not do before/after’s of every single modification but I believe I remember the cats alone unlocking 22 hp at the rear wheels. Car is quite restrictive and rich stock. In terms of “feel”, the light weight flywheel and dual plate clutch made a big difference.

The most recent dyno I can find is 2 summers ago with tq at 305 at the rear wheels. This pull also had RWHP at 375 in 96 degree heat before all mods were done. I will do some more this fall again.

 

Wow 223lbs! not bad at all!

just ordered a bunch of stuff from VAP so I can't wait to see the difference

 

I wish I could have saved some weight that way. My '11 DB9 hated the AntiGravity, with about half the time not letting me get out of the neighborhood. I then swapped for a H6 sized AGM (down two sizes from OEM), and only saved a few pounds and about $700. Reliability is critical, though.

 

That is impressive. I'm looking forward how the battery holds up.

Do you have installed pictures of your seats?

 

Again I wonder if it is a V12 thing? I have had the antigravity battery installed since last Dec with zero issues at all.

 

Thanks! I love VAP products, enjoy and post your thoughts once installed!

 

Thanks Tobi-the pick on Redpants site have a couple pictures of my car. First shows OEM seat and the Nogaro, the second pic shows both in. Hard to imagine the battery took out almost as much as the seats!!

https://www.redpants.lol/blog/2019/8...htweight-seats

 

Very nice!! Thanks!

I'm excited to read that this seat lowers the seating position. I'm 6.2 and would not be able to wear a helmet in my Vantage.

 

I’m 6’3” and fit before with standard seats but had to duck with a helmet. I went with the low rise risers and my butt is literally 1” off the floor! I absolutely love how it makes me feel connected to the chassis and helmets can be used sitting straight!