Just Installed Power Upgrade and Exhaust
Discussion
Picked up my car from the dealer today with the mods installed (Power Upgrade & Paramount Exhaust).
The power gain was well worth it, however the exhaust sound is really disappointing. The sound is deeper at low RPM, but when accelerating in high RPM the sound goes away and you hear more of the engine. Unlike the stock exhaust where you can hear more of a loud growling sound at high RPM due to the valves, this exhaust makes the car sound more like an M power vehicle.
I don't know if its due to the exhaust being new out of the box, a faulty box or just the normal sound of a paramount exhaust. I would appreciate it if members could weigh in on the subject. I am going to contact Paramount tomorrow to discuss the matter, specially since they have a clip on their website linked to the exhaust (not cats) that sounds completely different than what i got.
The power gain was well worth it, however the exhaust sound is really disappointing. The sound is deeper at low RPM, but when accelerating in high RPM the sound goes away and you hear more of the engine. Unlike the stock exhaust where you can hear more of a loud growling sound at high RPM due to the valves, this exhaust makes the car sound more like an M power vehicle.
I don't know if its due to the exhaust being new out of the box, a faulty box or just the normal sound of a paramount exhaust. I would appreciate it if members could weigh in on the subject. I am going to contact Paramount tomorrow to discuss the matter, specially since they have a clip on their website linked to the exhaust (not cats) that sounds completely different than what i got.
I once fitted a sports exhaust to my remapped 360 and it sounded different to the video clips I had heard. I was told this was due to the re-mapped ECU changing the engine power, hence sound characteristics, and ultimately the exhaust note. Was never too sure wether to belive that really. To be 100% sure in your case, you need to get the dealer to remove and fit that exhaust system to a standard AMV8, and compare the sounds, then you'll know for sure. Or revert your ECU to 'standard' setting. The dealer might just fudge the settings and say he has reverted it to save time/cost, so you really should try and get that exhaust system onto another car.
Paramount advertise on their website their AMV8 exhaust as a complete Paramount system. To quote Paramount: "This Aston Martin Vantage performance exhaust systems sound amazing; it’s a full system not just noisy back boxes available else where." However, there are 2 points here:
1) the sound clip on their site is of a PistonHeads member's car - FloPlast, fitted with actually a Larini rear box. This is what the OP heard and expected from Paramount, I would presume. And quite right too, as that is the clip they display.
2) However, based on what the OP is saying the full Paramount exhaust system he ended up with sounds quieter than even the original exhaust. Nice.
Unless I am mistaken, isn't what Paramount doing technically illegal - using a soundclip of one exhaust to demonstrate 'their' product, but then supplying another????
Paramount advertise on their website their AMV8 exhaust as a complete Paramount system. To quote Paramount: "This Aston Martin Vantage performance exhaust systems sound amazing; it’s a full system not just noisy back boxes available else where." However, there are 2 points here:
1) the sound clip on their site is of a PistonHeads member's car - FloPlast, fitted with actually a Larini rear box. This is what the OP heard and expected from Paramount, I would presume. And quite right too, as that is the clip they display.
2) However, based on what the OP is saying the full Paramount exhaust system he ended up with sounds quieter than even the original exhaust. Nice.
Unless I am mistaken, isn't what Paramount doing technically illegal - using a soundclip of one exhaust to demonstrate 'their' product, but then supplying another????
Edited by runway78 on Monday 13th July 19:15
Thank you runway78 and FloPlast for your insights on the matter, it's quite frustrating...
I spoke to paramount earlier today and they informed me that the exhaust sound should change after about 400 miles when the bedding sets in. I followed up by asking if there were any solutions to the sound after the wait, the response I got was "if you require more sound, we recommend you purchase the sport cats".
After reading the provided information, what kind of action can I pursue... I had to pay for the shipping and installation of an exhaust that in the end was not what I wanted.
I must say the car drives much better and throttle response has improved, however I did them both at the same time which makes it impossible to know the contribution of each upgrade.
I spoke to paramount earlier today and they informed me that the exhaust sound should change after about 400 miles when the bedding sets in. I followed up by asking if there were any solutions to the sound after the wait, the response I got was "if you require more sound, we recommend you purchase the sport cats".
After reading the provided information, what kind of action can I pursue... I had to pay for the shipping and installation of an exhaust that in the end was not what I wanted.
I must say the car drives much better and throttle response has improved, however I did them both at the same time which makes it impossible to know the contribution of each upgrade.
sultanattar said:
Thank you runway78 and FloPlast for your insights on the matter, it's quite frustrating...
I spoke to paramount earlier today and they informed me that the exhaust sound should change after about 400 miles when the bedding sets in. I followed up by asking if there were any solutions to the sound after the wait, the response I got was "if you require more sound, we recommend you purchase the sport cats".
After reading the provided information, what kind of action can I pursue... I had to pay for the shipping and installation of an exhaust that in the end was not what I wanted.
I must say the car drives much better and throttle response has improved, however I did them both at the same time which makes it impossible to know the contribution of each upgrade.
Hi there, the issue is this: you asked your dealer to order you a Paramount exhaust based on the clip you heard on the Paramount website underneath a picture of their exhaust. Unfortunately, the clip they used is from a different exhaust manufacturer to the one in the picture. In the UK, and any other country, that is called fraud. You have made Paramount aware of your issues and now they want you to spend another £1500 to buy sports cats. That is disgraceful behaviour! If you have purchased using a credit card, tell your credit card company all of this and they will immediately suck the momey out of the dealers account and refund it to you. The dealer can then go and chase Paramount for a refund, and can return the goods back to the UK. (I am presumimg your dealer bought the goods for you, and you paid them). If you bought the goods direct from Paramount, then the card company will refund your card, and you must inform Paramount to collect their goods from Saudi Arabia.I spoke to paramount earlier today and they informed me that the exhaust sound should change after about 400 miles when the bedding sets in. I followed up by asking if there were any solutions to the sound after the wait, the response I got was "if you require more sound, we recommend you purchase the sport cats".
After reading the provided information, what kind of action can I pursue... I had to pay for the shipping and installation of an exhaust that in the end was not what I wanted.
I must say the car drives much better and throttle response has improved, however I did them both at the same time which makes it impossible to know the contribution of each upgrade.
Will a Paramount exhaust quieter than the OE item, after 400 miles sound louder than a 'proper' sports exhaust: I doubt it, hence they want you to buy their sports cats.
providence1 said:
Out of interest what was the power gain with this particular combination?
That's a great question. FloPlast had a re-map, exhaust and cats done if I recall, quite a while back by Paramount. Unfortunately, those were the days when Paramount Performance had a habit of handing customers who had their ECU re-map and any sports exhaust and sports cats fitted by them, a dyno sheet with circa 450bhp! Forget Prodrive, Aston Martin, Larini, Tubi and all...it's all about Paramount Performance and their team of genius ECU engineers. I wonder if they've stopped that practise now. Hmmm????Edited by runway78 on Monday 13th July 22:14
IMO: I would ask for an exhaust that you were expecting and viewed on the sound clip. You could always return the new back box and install original or ask them to order you a larini as a replacement.
In the UK you could have the sale of goods act behind you - Abroad could be more tricky! open up further conversation and see where it goes- Good luck
In the UK you could have the sale of goods act behind you - Abroad could be more tricky! open up further conversation and see where it goes- Good luck
Im pretty sure Paramount generally uses Milltek systems.
Also quicksilvers are pretty popular on Astons. I have also heard good things on the AMOC site about RSC systems.
One thing about the larini- at least on the V12s it makes them sound somewhat "italian" instead of the British growl. I heard one V8v with the full larini system and it was a bit too heavy of a sound.
Also quicksilvers are pretty popular on Astons. I have also heard good things on the AMOC site about RSC systems.
One thing about the larini- at least on the V12s it makes them sound somewhat "italian" instead of the British growl. I heard one V8v with the full larini system and it was a bit too heavy of a sound.
Just to be clear on the matter, I purchased the exhaust from Paramount themselves and of course I did use a Credit Card. However, I was hoping to resolve the matter with them directly.
On another note, would it be possible to fit the larini cats on the original exhaust with no problems. My dealer did tell me that they have had issues with cats and that they usually cause the oxygen sensor to go off in the dash.
Has anyone tried the quicksilver super sport plus?
On another note, would it be possible to fit the larini cats on the original exhaust with no problems. My dealer did tell me that they have had issues with cats and that they usually cause the oxygen sensor to go off in the dash.
Has anyone tried the quicksilver super sport plus?
[quote=sultanattar
On another note, would it be possible to fit the larini cats on the original exhaust with no problems. My dealer did tell me that they have had issues with cats and that they usually cause the oxygen sensor to go off in the dash.
[/quote]
Yes, this is what I have done. The Larini cats are 200 cell, if you go lower on the cell count then this will trigger the oxygen sensor I was informed. Since I have had mine done about six weeks ago I have had no problems. It just sounds fantastic. Low end rumble and pops and bangs on demand, with a race car howl under full throttle.
On another note, would it be possible to fit the larini cats on the original exhaust with no problems. My dealer did tell me that they have had issues with cats and that they usually cause the oxygen sensor to go off in the dash.
[/quote]
Yes, this is what I have done. The Larini cats are 200 cell, if you go lower on the cell count then this will trigger the oxygen sensor I was informed. Since I have had mine done about six weeks ago I have had no problems. It just sounds fantastic. Low end rumble and pops and bangs on demand, with a race car howl under full throttle.
Just to give you guys an update on the matter...
I contacted Paramount again regarding this matter and they mentioned that the video on their site was "for an exhaust we use to sell" and that it should not be there. However, they were not aware that I was basing my decision on that clip to purchase their exhaust.
They move on to say that because I inquired on the system shown at ebay (which is the exact same system on their site with the same picture and paramount logo on top of the picture), they did not know that I listened to the clip on the site and if I would have asked for the video clip they would have provided me with the Miltek clip which is "too large a file to post on their website".
I of course mentioned that it was unacceptable and I would like a full refund (including shipping back and forth which is about 800 pounds to Saudi) since the advert was misleading. They then forwarded my complaint to the MD. This was even worse because he was contradicting what first person was saying by mentioning that the system on ebay was not the same as the one on the site (even though I cut both adverts, there was no difference and the advert on ebay had a link to the site) and that they had 4 different types of exhausts.
I explained that I didn't enquire about the system on ebay to begin with; I just requested a price match after my initial quotation since it was going for 200 pounds less than their site. I also called to talk to the MD who was "busy with another customer", I spoke to the person who sold me the exhaust instead and I point blank asked him why they were trying to find loopholes. I also asked him straightforward questions; is the clip on your site for the exhaust advertised? His answer was no. Is the exhaust on ebay the same as the one on your site? He answered, yes. Is it your company's mistake that the clip is still on? He answered, yes. Then why is your MD trying to find excused which is offending to me? I'm sure he did not mean to offend you. He mentioned that he would talk to the MD and have him call me, This was on Friday morning. Of course, he didn't call.
My last communication was an email from the MD stating that they have a 30 day return policy for unsatisfied customers and they would refund, however they were not at fault nor did they misrepresent their product.
No response yet on the shipping charges.
This with no exaggeration took about eight back and forth emails to get to this stage.
I contacted Paramount again regarding this matter and they mentioned that the video on their site was "for an exhaust we use to sell" and that it should not be there. However, they were not aware that I was basing my decision on that clip to purchase their exhaust.
They move on to say that because I inquired on the system shown at ebay (which is the exact same system on their site with the same picture and paramount logo on top of the picture), they did not know that I listened to the clip on the site and if I would have asked for the video clip they would have provided me with the Miltek clip which is "too large a file to post on their website".
I of course mentioned that it was unacceptable and I would like a full refund (including shipping back and forth which is about 800 pounds to Saudi) since the advert was misleading. They then forwarded my complaint to the MD. This was even worse because he was contradicting what first person was saying by mentioning that the system on ebay was not the same as the one on the site (even though I cut both adverts, there was no difference and the advert on ebay had a link to the site) and that they had 4 different types of exhausts.
I explained that I didn't enquire about the system on ebay to begin with; I just requested a price match after my initial quotation since it was going for 200 pounds less than their site. I also called to talk to the MD who was "busy with another customer", I spoke to the person who sold me the exhaust instead and I point blank asked him why they were trying to find loopholes. I also asked him straightforward questions; is the clip on your site for the exhaust advertised? His answer was no. Is the exhaust on ebay the same as the one on your site? He answered, yes. Is it your company's mistake that the clip is still on? He answered, yes. Then why is your MD trying to find excused which is offending to me? I'm sure he did not mean to offend you. He mentioned that he would talk to the MD and have him call me, This was on Friday morning. Of course, he didn't call.
My last communication was an email from the MD stating that they have a 30 day return policy for unsatisfied customers and they would refund, however they were not at fault nor did they misrepresent their product.
No response yet on the shipping charges.
This with no exaggeration took about eight back and forth emails to get to this stage.
sultanattar said:
Has anyone tried the quicksilver super sport plus?
No - warned off the SS 'plus' for road use, so fitted Super Sport - with good results (sound levels and lack of resonance) - no proof of power, but combined with AM upgrade noticeable power & drivability difference.Graham
nickco201 said:
I have also heard good things on the AMOC site about RSC systems.
Thanks Nick. We're working pretty hard to become the 'Go-To' guys on Aston performance and styling products, and to provide expectional customer service. Nice to hear that word is getting out there! If anyone needs any info on our stuff PM me and I'd be happy to discuss.Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff