Classic owners?
Discussion
Hi ff
I like you have a number of cars. TVR,XJSV12 Manual, and my 1977 AMV8 which frankly I love to bits. Just can't beat it. I check though the Forums most days and apart from the TVR Cerb forum there is little on them for us who own classic stuff. I note your an Essex lad. I'm a reguler attender of AMOC area 11. I'm assuming we have not met?
Mike
I like you have a number of cars. TVR,XJSV12 Manual, and my 1977 AMV8 which frankly I love to bits. Just can't beat it. I check though the Forums most days and apart from the TVR Cerb forum there is little on them for us who own classic stuff. I note your an Essex lad. I'm a reguler attender of AMOC area 11. I'm assuming we have not met?
Mike
Hello Chaps!
I recently acquired a Virage. And yes - like the earlier contributor, I was not a fan, but I discovered that the cars are rather different and more impressive in the flesh than when depicted in photos and described in articles.
One question that I have regrds the exhaust mod on these cars - removal of the cats. Does anyone have info on this?
I will also take a look on the forum.
Have not joined the club or any local groups as yet. Hope to meet other owners and enthusiasts in due course.
Many thanks.
JJ
I recently acquired a Virage. And yes - like the earlier contributor, I was not a fan, but I discovered that the cars are rather different and more impressive in the flesh than when depicted in photos and described in articles.
One question that I have regrds the exhaust mod on these cars - removal of the cats. Does anyone have info on this?
I will also take a look on the forum.
Have not joined the club or any local groups as yet. Hope to meet other owners and enthusiasts in due course.
Many thanks.
JJ
Edited by firefox1712 on Monday 1st September 17:48
Hi FF, coincidentally I also have a TVR (Griff 500) and a classic Aston, however I think mine's even more classic than you meant i.e. older 
it's a 1958 DB 2/4 MK III and yes I'm frequently on here and the AMOC site. 
Rich...
p.s. nice collection of cars you have there...
it's a 1958 DB 2/4 MK III and yes I'm frequently on here and the AMOC site. Rich...p.s. nice collection of cars you have there...
Edited by RichB on Monday 1st September 22:25
Hi FF,
I have removed the cats on my Virage, and also put a Works Service sports exhaust on it.
You get better response when you push the loud pedal, the car feels swifter, BUT you get a lot
of booming in the interior around 2000 rpm. This is OK when the top is open, but with closed top it
is a bit annoying. I have now put them back in place, and in combination with the Works Service sports
exhaust it makes the right noise.
Some power is lost now, but it will never be a sports car, even without the cats. The Virage is a perfect
cruiser, but if you look for real performance you need a Supercharged 550 Vantage, or an earlier V8 Vantage X-Pack.
I have removed the cats on my Virage, and also put a Works Service sports exhaust on it.
You get better response when you push the loud pedal, the car feels swifter, BUT you get a lot
of booming in the interior around 2000 rpm. This is OK when the top is open, but with closed top it
is a bit annoying. I have now put them back in place, and in combination with the Works Service sports
exhaust it makes the right noise.
Some power is lost now, but it will never be a sports car, even without the cats. The Virage is a perfect
cruiser, but if you look for real performance you need a Supercharged 550 Vantage, or an earlier V8 Vantage X-Pack.
Gentlemen -
Thank you for your replies.
I purchased my Virage with wheel and brake upgrades, and with the straight through, de-catted exhaust.
As far as I can see, the original exhaust has two manifolds each going through a cat and the pipes then merge to travel through a length that runs under the centre of the car.
From what I understand, when the cats are removed the pipes then run directly into individual boxes under each seat which then pass through pipes to the rear of the car and out though the back box - this being the 'standard' de-cat modification. I understand it gives another 20 BHP or so. My car has this.
My question is - is there another, better way? Are there some particular, specified heat shields for the exhaust boxes under the seats to cope with this modification?
I am all for keeping things original, but am happy with in-period modifications and/or alternatives so feel comfortable with the de-cat mod.
I also understand that the black-box gets re-sited into various positions due to heat problems. I can't see mine anywhere, so maybe it's under one of the seats! Have some of these cars had these totally removed? Any thoughts?
I have also heard thast there is an air-con upgrade. I found this after some searching on the web but cannot find it again. With the extra heat being generated by exhaust boxes under seats, any info on this would be handy.
I purchased my car with a few improvements and with a few quirks and foibles as we all often do with an old motor. I'm sure that these little items will all gradually get sorted and your help and advice would be greatly appreciated.
I am not a mechanic, but like to think I understand the basics about car engineering - but having virtually taken cars apart in the past, I don't get my hands dirty these days. Any recommendations re good quality motor engineers in the N.E. Essex area would be most welcome and any expert 'home' emgineers who wrangle the spanners and who might like to help from time to time will be given a firm handshake and a good pint of British beer in return!
JJ
Thank you for your replies.
I purchased my Virage with wheel and brake upgrades, and with the straight through, de-catted exhaust.
As far as I can see, the original exhaust has two manifolds each going through a cat and the pipes then merge to travel through a length that runs under the centre of the car.
From what I understand, when the cats are removed the pipes then run directly into individual boxes under each seat which then pass through pipes to the rear of the car and out though the back box - this being the 'standard' de-cat modification. I understand it gives another 20 BHP or so. My car has this.
My question is - is there another, better way? Are there some particular, specified heat shields for the exhaust boxes under the seats to cope with this modification?
I am all for keeping things original, but am happy with in-period modifications and/or alternatives so feel comfortable with the de-cat mod.
I also understand that the black-box gets re-sited into various positions due to heat problems. I can't see mine anywhere, so maybe it's under one of the seats! Have some of these cars had these totally removed? Any thoughts?
I have also heard thast there is an air-con upgrade. I found this after some searching on the web but cannot find it again. With the extra heat being generated by exhaust boxes under seats, any info on this would be handy.
I purchased my car with a few improvements and with a few quirks and foibles as we all often do with an old motor. I'm sure that these little items will all gradually get sorted and your help and advice would be greatly appreciated.
I am not a mechanic, but like to think I understand the basics about car engineering - but having virtually taken cars apart in the past, I don't get my hands dirty these days. Any recommendations re good quality motor engineers in the N.E. Essex area would be most welcome and any expert 'home' emgineers who wrangle the spanners and who might like to help from time to time will be given a firm handshake and a good pint of British beer in return!
JJ
The closest to essex would be Rikki Cann, although you could also look at Stratton Motor company in Norfolk, or someone like Desmon Smail in Bucks.
I have an article about a chip and exhaust mod done by Oselli engineering in Oxfordshire. Why not talk to them? They might have done the original exhaust. You can also try Trinity engineering, who do a lot of mods for customers.
I have an article about a chip and exhaust mod done by Oselli engineering in Oxfordshire. Why not talk to them? They might have done the original exhaust. You can also try Trinity engineering, who do a lot of mods for customers.
The mot prep grew to a respray and others, but I'm nearly there! And its only 1 yr 10 months...Never really been a fan of the Virage, but followed a dark blue/green one for a few miles out of Brighton last night and it certainly brightened up a dreary drive home in the rain.
Have a good friend with a late V8 (1989) in black (I think it may have a Vantage nose/grill, added by previous owner). Low mileage, pristine. He loans it to me now and then when I fancy a change
Old school but gorgeously British
Have a good friend with a late V8 (1989) in black (I think it may have a Vantage nose/grill, added by previous owner). Low mileage, pristine. He loans it to me now and then when I fancy a change
Old school but gorgeously British
I have a Classic Aston too.
An 87 Vantage....always wanted one cos it was my pin up as a kid.
I love cars too and have a stupid collection going on...SIII Commemorative to name one....love buying, hate selling..
AMOC would probably serve you better.
Rikki Cann for servicing over in Shoeburyness (sp?) top guy. He's got my car right now.
An 87 Vantage....always wanted one cos it was my pin up as a kid.
I love cars too and have a stupid collection going on...SIII Commemorative to name one....love buying, hate selling..
AMOC would probably serve you better.
Rikki Cann for servicing over in Shoeburyness (sp?) top guy. He's got my car right now.
FF, if your looking for additional heat shield maybe i can help, i have been working as a fabricator/panel beater for an Aston specialist for several years now and have recently took the plunge and started out on my own. I normally fabricate new heat shield for our restoration projects- with cars going to hotter climates such as Dubai its more important, and i'm sure i could help.
Sorry to highjack the post but...
Stampede,
If your DBS needs structural work for the MOT(and unfortunately they usually do!) i would be more than happy to help, give me a mail if you're interested.
Sorry to highjack the post but...
Stampede,
If your DBS needs structural work for the MOT(and unfortunately they usually do!) i would be more than happy to help, give me a mail if you're interested.
Thanks Dan - I will get in touch.
No comments yet about splitting the exhaust down each side being the standard modification when decatting. I got an email re list of parts from an Aston Specialist a while ago that suggest that this is the standard mod - I just wondered what your thoughts were. Similarly the location of the black box.
I did find another Aston specialist in Essex a while back; in Tiptree - between Colchester and Maldon. I'll see if I can post up some details in case this will be of use to others.
JJ
No comments yet about splitting the exhaust down each side being the standard modification when decatting. I got an email re list of parts from an Aston Specialist a while ago that suggest that this is the standard mod - I just wondered what your thoughts were. Similarly the location of the black box.
I did find another Aston specialist in Essex a while back; in Tiptree - between Colchester and Maldon. I'll see if I can post up some details in case this will be of use to others.
JJ
Edited by firefox1712 on Sunday 14th September 10:34
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