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Stopping in to say Hello from Florida!
Got my v8v last June. 2010 Storm black coupe with sport pack and manual tranny. Finally got around to tinkering with her so figured I'd join the group so I can consult the sages.
She already has VAP headers, cats and ECU tune.
I just ordered VS Forged rims (VS-08) in 20x11 and 20x9 plus new PS 4S(305/255). Rims are 4-5 weeks out. Same as the "Martini" v8v on page 11 of the best wheels thread.
H&R lowering springs are waiting in the garage. (3/4" drop)
The AM was on my bucket list for a few years. Finally convinced the wife to let me have a weekend toy again. Car was in decent shape when I got her. Paint had lots of micro scratching where previous owner hit the car wash I guess. Interior flawless. Only 31K miles on the clock. Had 27K when I got her in June. Just had the paint restored, it's much better, and looks great from 5', but at 2' there are still some issues. Perhaps a wrap end of the year to change color? Didn't like the black but wanted a manual, however when the sun hits the car and the silver, gold and red flakes light up, it's amazing and honestly a different car. Almost root bear looking. I did add the Manicci floor mats with black diamond, white stitching, love them! Highly recommend, quality is high, fitment excellent. I had them cut material to make a mat for the rear shelf behind the seats. I will have the edge sewn on locally once I confirm fitment. Trunk mat only covered the bottom of the trunk, I am sending them measurements to cover the gas tank hump as well.
Planned mods over the next few weeks now that my garage is clear. (Grown kids had moved back in for a bit, finally gone.)
Brake pads. Not sure which yet. Occasional spirited street driving, no track duty. Dust and noise level are important. Changing when I put the new rims and lowering springs on.
Replace gears in GPS, does not go 100% up and occasionally just cycles up and down. I can push it with my finger to the upright position and it's fine then. I have the gears already from Red Pants.
Dual plate clutch - Not sure if VAP or AMR
Replace power steering pump, slight whine on current pump. I have already flushed and purged to no avail. I have the replacement pump already from a 2016 in a local yard I picked clean of parts. While at it, I will replace the serpentine belt at the same time.
Replace passenger headlamp. White LED strip is out. I have a replacement from the 2016 yard car already. Once out, I will fix the LED strip and keep as a spare. I plan to make a walk through with part numbers for others to do. I own an LED factory in Shenzen and can source parts if needed.
Install stereo upgrade. Sub is intermittent. New DVC sub (MA Hippo84) in the garage, just need time to put it in. Also can't live with the mid bass roll off. Installing 2 Focal 3 way component speaker set ups (165 AS3 - 6.5" mid bass,4" mid, Tweeter), just need to figure where to mount the 6.5" woofers to look kind of stock...ish.. Also adding new amplifiers. Taking input feed to current amps and soldering on to RCA jacks for new amps, by passing current amps. Then back to original speaker leads.
CF wrap over all silver trim, including door handles and center console ski slope. Currently piano black. Might wrap chrome stick shift surround. Have to see how it looks. Paint speaker grills black with Plasti-dip in case I change my mind.
Rear Kamm style CF spoiler
Update front bumper to "S" version, or add new Vcollection S1 splitter.
CF side strakes and mirror caps
Paint side and hood grills polished bronze to match new rims (Maybe rear Vantage logo as well)
Wrap window chrome in black
That's about it, some of my list may be considered blasphemy, but I don't plan on going too radical or far from the original vision. So far at about 6 months of ownership I am still giddy as a school girl every time I drive her.
I had an Onyx Black 2015 V12S - just thought the car was too 'blackish' and I was going to get the grill done in a bronze plate, but Vescio's Customizing here in Minnesota instead applied a Bronze paint for $100 instead. Thinking it might not hold up, I'd give it a try anyway. About 5,000 miles later it still looked fine - no flaws. I have a 2017 V12S now, and the ski-slope is carbon fiber which I thought I;d hate, but it's weave has a gold in it which goes incredible with the Sahara Tan interior - love it.
I had an Onyx Black 2015 V12S - just thought the car was too 'blackish' and I was going to get the grill done in a bronze plate, but Vescio's Customizing here in Minnesota instead applied a Bronze paint for $100 instead. Thinking it might not hold up, I'd give it a try anyway. About 5,000 miles later it still looked fine - no flaws. I have a 2017 V12S now, and the ski-slope is carbon fiber which I thought I;d hate, but it's weave has a gold in it which goes incredible with the Sahara Tan interior - love it.
That bronze is subtle, I like it. I was going to hit the front grill slats when I did the vents. I might do all 3 with bronze Plasti Dip. Not so permanent then. I know it's cheap, but I have seen some local cars done with Plasti Dip, even full paint jobs, and they look great.
For the brake pads, conventional wisdom here is to get the Porterfield R4S. You can get them from Redpants.
Since you're not planning on taking it to the track I'd recommend the Velocity AP twin-plate clutch instead of the AMR. But take my advice with a grain of salt; I just got my VAP clutch kit and haven't had it installed yet, so I can't give you firsthand experience regarding how it drives.
Since you're doing the steering pump and serpentine belt you might want to replace the thermostat while you are in the area. They're prone to failure. I just did mine a couple weeks ago after buying the part from Redpants (it's a jaguar part and only costs about $80 if I remember correctly), and it's pretty easy. If you do it, though, make sure you use the right coolant.
Question: what are you planning to do with the original wheels?
For the brake pads, conventional wisdom here is to get the Porterfield R4S. You can get them from Redpants.
Since you're not planning on taking it to the track I'd recommend the Velocity AP twin-plate clutch instead of the AMR. But take my advice with a grain of salt; I just got my VAP clutch kit and haven't had it installed yet, so I can't give you firsthand experience regarding how it drives.
Since you're doing the steering pump and serpentine belt you might want to replace the thermostat while you are in the area. They're prone to failure. I just did mine a couple weeks ago after buying the part from Redpants (it's a jaguar part and only costs about $80 if I remember correctly), and it's pretty easy. If you do it, though, make sure you use the right coolant.
Question: what are you planning to do with the original wheels?
Good idea on the thermostat, added to the list.
Not sure on sure old wheels. I'll have no need for them.
__________________ Stuart Dickinson Managing Director Velocity Automotive Performance Limited 206 Maple Avenue Oliver, BC Canada V2A 4W6 Office: (1)250-485-5126 www.velocityap.com
Thanks Stuart! Quick question, car already has the ECU tune from VAP. Is it possible for you to program a little fuel overrun at throttle closing to get more crackle in the exhaust, similar to the F-type? For cars with only 1 high flow cat. My wife has the F-type R. Take the Vantage note on acceleration and the f-Type on deceleration and you would have exhaust nirvana IMO.
Thanks Stuart! Quick question, car already has the ECU tune from VAP. Is it possible for you to program a little fuel overrun at throttle closing to get more crackle in the exhaust, similar to the F-type? For cars with only 1 high flow cat. My wife has the F-type R. Take the Vantage note on acceleration and the f-Type on deceleration and you would have exhaust nirvana IMO.
Did the previous owner provide you with the VTech flashing tool? We can do pops & crackles for these cars, generally recommend catless or sport cats if so.
Shoot me an email to Stuart@VelocityAP.com with the VIN and I can get you some more info.
__________________ Stuart Dickinson Managing Director Velocity Automotive Performance Limited 206 Maple Avenue Oliver, BC Canada V2A 4W6 Office: (1)250-485-5126 www.velocityap.com
Did the previous owner provide you with the VTech flashing tool? We can do pops & crackles for these cars, generally recommend catless or sport cats if so.
Shoot me an email to Stuart@VelocityAP.com with the VIN and I can get you some more info.
Thanks! They did not. I will email for replacement cost. I have the 200 cell cats and headers.
You mentioned you pulled the passenger headlight from a 2016 yard car... does that car still have its driver-side headlight? How much did they charge you for one?
You mentioned you pulled the passenger headlight from a 2016 yard car... does that car still have its driver-side headlight? How much did they charge you for one?
It's at Butler recycling in Pensacola, Florida. The drivers side took the impact, they didn't have that headlamp listed. Amazingly the passenger side was fine. One broken mounting tab. I swapped the rear section from the old light over. They had it listed flir $700, talked then down to $350 out the door.
They do have some other parts left including most of the interior.
It's at Butler recycling in Pensacola, Florida. The drivers side took the impact, they didn't have that headlamp listed. Amazingly the passenger side was fine. One broken mounting tab. I swapped the rear section from the old light over. They had it listed for $700, talked then down to $350 out the door.
They do have some other parts left including most of the interior.
Damn, that's sad to see. I'll let you know if I need any interior parts.
Interior flawless. Only 31K miles on the clock. Had 27K when I got her in June. Just had the paint restored, it's much better, and looks great from 5', but at 2' there are still some issues. Perhaps a wrap end of the year to change color? Didn't like the black but wanted a manual, however when the sun hits the car and the silver, gold and red flakes light up, it's amazing and honestly a different car. Almost root bear looking. I did add the Manicci floor mats with black diamond, white stitching, love them! Highly recommend, quality is high, fitment excellent. I had them cut material to make a mat for the rear shelf behind the seats. I will have the edge sewn on locally once I confirm fitment. Trunk mat only covered the bottom of the trunk, I am sending them measurements to cover the gas tank hump as well.
