Checking Out Bamford Rose
Discussion
With the mayhem on the Midlands motorways on Tuesday I took some time out on my way home to visit Bamford Rose and see if they live up to the hype. It was slightly surreal driving past Gaydon and seeing a gaggle of Aston’s on trade plates on road tests. There are some fantastic roads out that way!
I sat down with Adrian & Mike for a long chat, interesting place and interesting people! It is quickly apparent these guys are not your typical aftermarket company. Both of them have many years experience and expertise at Gaydon developing the cars. Their technical knowledge on Astons from the Vanquish on is unsurpassed out side the factory. Their plan is to split their effort evenly between motorsport support, after market packages & ongoing support for after those market customers. Quite sensibly they have made the conscious decision not to offer schedule servicing facilities against the dealers. Instead they want to add as much value with their knowledge and experience.
The good thing for us is they know where their talents lie and are keen to use them. Predominantly it is supplying and supporting engines for GT4 race cars, many of which are beating the AM/Prodrive factory cars! They realise this is sporadic work and often on very tight deadlines. So to start with, using their GT4 & factory experience, they have come up with a modular aftermarket package for the V8 Vantage.
They were kind enough to let me throw there 4.3 demo car around the country lanes, (BTW nervous passengers need not apply to sit next to the other Mike as he shows what it can do
) The car is an 07 4.3 coupe that has had the full package applied. So engine reworked to 4.7 GT4 spec (more on this in a mo!) BR/Quicksilver manifolds, 200 cell cats & Super Sport back box, lightened flywheel, double plate clutch and gear linkage mods. (I’m sure I’ve missed something!)
The engine is not just bored out, in essence it is the same as the GT4 race engines, so fully balanced, reworked head, ported and carefully prepared. The bit that amazes me is these do regular back to back endurance races without any intervention. BR “suggests” they come back for a check every 10k race miles. Pretty durable for a race engine then! You can see this with the car idling there is no movement, the engine revs out and returns to idle far quicker than my factory 4.7 does. It sounds less lumpy and doesn’t rock on its mounts.
Boy is it LOUD though, I agree with Mike it needs the quieter QS Sport back box rather than the Super Sport. The clutch takes some getting used to as it feels like it has two bite points close together, so it needs practise to get right. Feels a lot lighter with better feedback than the 4.3 or 4.7 manuals I have driven. The gear box linkage to the lever has also been fettled giving it a more positive action through the gears. Almost made me want to change my Sportshift!
The airboxes are the DBS/N400 valved one for more breathing, the manifold is the only after market Vantage one I know of and the partnership between BR & QS has produced a well thought out and thoroughly test design. Coupled with the QS 200 cell cats and back box (noise level to suit) the engine breathes very well.
So the other Mike “warmed it up” BTW I can confirm he can drive
The chassis copes well with the extra power and torque. The character of the new engine just begs you to rev it out to the red line, only your ears complain with the “middle” noise QS back box on. In Mikes hands it does show the suspension & brakes need some attention. But as you would expect they are already progressing both of these with some excellent solutions.
I can see how it would give a V12V a run for its money in his hands!
The engineering and testing that has gone in to this is way beyond your typical aftermarket bolt on stuff. It surpasses the R&D done by some of the car manufacturers themselves.
This car also has the Sarah Maynard “knobs package” not a fan I’m afraid not too durable, over priced and doesn’t fit the look of the car. IMHO I think 4.3 owners ought to be more interested in retrofitting a 4.7 console :devil:
The annoying thing for me is had this been around 18 months ago I’d have bought an N400 roadster and given it to BR to “improve”. What a car that would be. Too late though I’m committed to a Vantage S. So BR will not see any of my cash for a few years. Almost embarrassing that! Saving grace is I’ve discussed what they could do with the S once the warranty is up!
I’m sure BR will come up with other interesting ideas & packages as the business grows and I’m sure they will move on to the V12’s as well at some point. I wish them the best of luck with it.
I sat down with Adrian & Mike for a long chat, interesting place and interesting people! It is quickly apparent these guys are not your typical aftermarket company. Both of them have many years experience and expertise at Gaydon developing the cars. Their technical knowledge on Astons from the Vanquish on is unsurpassed out side the factory. Their plan is to split their effort evenly between motorsport support, after market packages & ongoing support for after those market customers. Quite sensibly they have made the conscious decision not to offer schedule servicing facilities against the dealers. Instead they want to add as much value with their knowledge and experience.
The good thing for us is they know where their talents lie and are keen to use them. Predominantly it is supplying and supporting engines for GT4 race cars, many of which are beating the AM/Prodrive factory cars! They realise this is sporadic work and often on very tight deadlines. So to start with, using their GT4 & factory experience, they have come up with a modular aftermarket package for the V8 Vantage.
They were kind enough to let me throw there 4.3 demo car around the country lanes, (BTW nervous passengers need not apply to sit next to the other Mike as he shows what it can do
) The car is an 07 4.3 coupe that has had the full package applied. So engine reworked to 4.7 GT4 spec (more on this in a mo!) BR/Quicksilver manifolds, 200 cell cats & Super Sport back box, lightened flywheel, double plate clutch and gear linkage mods. (I’m sure I’ve missed something!)The engine is not just bored out, in essence it is the same as the GT4 race engines, so fully balanced, reworked head, ported and carefully prepared. The bit that amazes me is these do regular back to back endurance races without any intervention. BR “suggests” they come back for a check every 10k race miles. Pretty durable for a race engine then! You can see this with the car idling there is no movement, the engine revs out and returns to idle far quicker than my factory 4.7 does. It sounds less lumpy and doesn’t rock on its mounts.
Boy is it LOUD though, I agree with Mike it needs the quieter QS Sport back box rather than the Super Sport. The clutch takes some getting used to as it feels like it has two bite points close together, so it needs practise to get right. Feels a lot lighter with better feedback than the 4.3 or 4.7 manuals I have driven. The gear box linkage to the lever has also been fettled giving it a more positive action through the gears. Almost made me want to change my Sportshift!
The airboxes are the DBS/N400 valved one for more breathing, the manifold is the only after market Vantage one I know of and the partnership between BR & QS has produced a well thought out and thoroughly test design. Coupled with the QS 200 cell cats and back box (noise level to suit) the engine breathes very well.
So the other Mike “warmed it up” BTW I can confirm he can drive
The chassis copes well with the extra power and torque. The character of the new engine just begs you to rev it out to the red line, only your ears complain with the “middle” noise QS back box on. In Mikes hands it does show the suspension & brakes need some attention. But as you would expect they are already progressing both of these with some excellent solutions.
I can see how it would give a V12V a run for its money in his hands!
The engineering and testing that has gone in to this is way beyond your typical aftermarket bolt on stuff. It surpasses the R&D done by some of the car manufacturers themselves.
This car also has the Sarah Maynard “knobs package”
not a fan I’m afraid not too durable, over priced and doesn’t fit the look of the car. IMHO I think 4.3 owners ought to be more interested in retrofitting a 4.7 console :devil:The annoying thing for me is had this been around 18 months ago I’d have bought an N400 roadster and given it to BR to “improve”. What a car that would be. Too late though I’m committed to a Vantage S. So BR will not see any of my cash for a few years. Almost embarrassing that! Saving grace is I’ve discussed what they could do with the S once the warranty is up!
I’m sure BR will come up with other interesting ideas & packages as the business grows and I’m sure they will move on to the V12’s as well at some point. I wish them the best of luck with it.
I wondered why you put an insert in the "SPOTTED" thread on Tuesday, going past Gaydon. I was going to ask if you were going on the Factory Tour but then I thought better of it because - let's face it - what on earth would you learn on the Tour, eh ???
As I mentioned in Mr Jellison's thread, it's great to see the creativity coming through with new ideas so long as it's done properly. No doubt JohnG1 will be salivating on this one.
I bet you were like the proverbial kid in a sweet shop
As I mentioned in Mr Jellison's thread, it's great to see the creativity coming through with new ideas so long as it's done properly. No doubt JohnG1 will be salivating on this one.
I bet you were like the proverbial kid in a sweet shop
Great write up; it really sets the scene. However, stop it, Mikey! This isn't helping my car choice decision at all! 
I've only ever had engine mods for previous cars as and when i've felt like having them. This write up makes me salivate at the thought though. Oh, do they do a supercharger with optional Mouse installation?
I've only ever had engine mods for previous cars as and when i've felt like having them. This write up makes me salivate at the thought though. Oh, do they do a supercharger with optional Mouse installation?
Jockman - Well spotted I learnt more from the BR guys than I did in several factory tours, and stuff the factory would never tell you
HRD - no mice or blowers in sight the thing I like about their approch is it is modular so you can do as little or as much as you like and in as many stages as you like. Plus they will provide ongoing support on all aspects of the car once you are customer.
George - possibly I've no idea on the price point, thats a commerical decision for BR to consider. But I'd guess it is less than a supercharger package. The dyno figures are very surprising as well
I learnt more from the BR guys than I did in several factory tours, and stuff the factory would never tell you HRD - no mice or blowers in sight
the thing I like about their approch is it is modular so you can do as little or as much as you like and in as many stages as you like. Plus they will provide ongoing support on all aspects of the car once you are customer.George - possibly I've no idea on the price point, thats a commerical decision for BR to consider. But I'd guess it is less than a supercharger package. The dyno figures are very surprising as well
Jockman said:
I wondered why you put an insert in the "SPOTTED" thread on Tuesday, going past Gaydon. I was going to ask if you were going on the Factory Tour but then I thought better of it because - let's face it - what on earth would you learn on the Tour, eh ???
As I mentioned in Mr Jellison's thread, it's great to see the creativity coming through with new ideas so long as it's done properly. No doubt JohnG1 will be salivating on this one.
I bet you were like the proverbial kid in a sweet shop
I will be popping up to see Mike & team shortly to get a super stealth hi-tech performance modification to my V12.....As I mentioned in Mr Jellison's thread, it's great to see the creativity coming through with new ideas so long as it's done properly. No doubt JohnG1 will be salivating on this one.
I bet you were like the proverbial kid in a sweet shop
The ability to lower the drivers side window without the ECU in the slot.
I will also have a wee chat about what can be done to monster the V12 once the warranty has expired. I suspect that with new heads, pistons, con-rods, crank, exhaust manifolds, 200 cell cats, a jump to the left, a step to the right and a few pounds we should be able to liberate about 700bhp from the V12.
I quite like the idea of having the fastest AML V12 road car on the south side of £1million...
JohnG1 said:
I will be popping up to see Mike & team shortly to get a super stealth hi-tech performance modification to my V12.....
The ability to lower the drivers side window without the ECU in the slot.
I will also have a wee chat about what can be done to monster the V12 once the warranty has expired. I suspect that with new heads, pistons, con-rods, crank, exhaust manifolds, 200 cell cats, a jump to the left, a step to the right and a few pounds we should be able to liberate about 700bhp from the V12.
I quite like the idea of having the fastest AML V12 road car on the south side of £1million...
Nice plan The ability to lower the drivers side window without the ECU in the slot.
I will also have a wee chat about what can be done to monster the V12 once the warranty has expired. I suspect that with new heads, pistons, con-rods, crank, exhaust manifolds, 200 cell cats, a jump to the left, a step to the right and a few pounds we should be able to liberate about 700bhp from the V12.
I quite like the idea of having the fastest AML V12 road car on the south side of £1million...
But I'm not sure how Rocky Horror fits in
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_7u3nhANa4
mikey k said:
Ah, nice spot!I periodically do TV interviews, press and conferences. I always try and squeeze in a song title or a movie reference. Just to keep my own interest levels up!
JohnG1 said:
I will be popping up to see Mike & team shortly to get a super stealth hi-tech performance modification to my V12.....
The ability to lower the drivers side window without the ECU in the slot.
I will also have a wee chat about what can be done to monster the V12 once the warranty has expired. I suspect that with new heads, pistons, con-rods, crank, exhaust manifolds, 200 cell cats, a jump to the left, a step to the right and a few pounds we should be able to liberate about 700bhp from the V12.
I quite like the idea of having the fastest AML V12 road car on the south side of £1million...
....and I'll be in the queue for the second fastest John!The ability to lower the drivers side window without the ECU in the slot.
I will also have a wee chat about what can be done to monster the V12 once the warranty has expired. I suspect that with new heads, pistons, con-rods, crank, exhaust manifolds, 200 cell cats, a jump to the left, a step to the right and a few pounds we should be able to liberate about 700bhp from the V12.
I quite like the idea of having the fastest AML V12 road car on the south side of £1million...
I was also fortunate enough to take Jessica for a test drive a couple of weeks ago... and as ‘mikey k’ has said the performance upgrade is phenomenal!!
The sound track with the revised exhaust system was a bit loud for my liking... But it certainly left me wanting more from my 4.3.
As well as the performance improvement I was also amazed by the clutch upgrade.. getting away in first was 'different' but once mastered, up and through the gears was amazing...
BR also serviced my car while I was there, no drama at all. In fact the tweak my front suspension has transformed the handling...
Thanks to Mike and Adrian for a very informative day.. and thanks to pommehogster for having the b*lls to undertake this amazing upgrade.
Daisy and I hope to be back at BR soon.
The sound track with the revised exhaust system was a bit loud for my liking... But it certainly left me wanting more from my 4.3.
As well as the performance improvement I was also amazed by the clutch upgrade.. getting away in first was 'different' but once mastered, up and through the gears was amazing...
BR also serviced my car while I was there, no drama at all. In fact the tweak my front suspension has transformed the handling...
Thanks to Mike and Adrian for a very informative day.. and thanks to pommehogster for having the b*lls to undertake this amazing upgrade.
Daisy and I hope to be back at BR soon.
MrOrange said:
mikey k said:
BR “suggests” they come back for a check every 10k race miles. Pretty durable for a race engine then!
Really? That would equate to more than 5 back-to-back 24hr races. Or 100hrs at full GT3 race pace, how many seasons is that?Unreal.
We will be using on of BR's engines in the Britcar 24 later this year.
Looking forward to firing it up for the first time
MrOrange said:
mikey k said:
BR “suggests” they come back for a check every 10k race miles. Pretty durable for a race engine then!
Really? That would equate to more than 5 back-to-back 24hr races. Or 100hrs at full GT3 race pace, how many seasons is that?Unreal.
The normal calendar for most teams would be a full formula entry (AMOC, GT4 UK, GT4 Euro or VLN). Together with 1 24 hour event per season (britcar, Nurburg, Dubai). So at the end of a normal formula entry and a 24hrs race the engine would come back for refresh to start the next season fresh. But yes, in theory a team could perform 3 back to back Nurburg 24hrs - albeit with an oil and filter change and tyre kick between races without problem.
Even when a race team pushes out the service schedule to 12-15k kms, when taken apart, normally, the only real wear is isolated to valvetrain - the bottom end for sure would go on further.
Would you believe teams who run Astons alongside other race cars complain about the incredibly low service (10kms) schedule because cars like S2000's go for 30k's race miles..!!
Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff