V8 Vantage tuning (SLINC) - AM Power Pack

[SLINC]

Hi all,

This was my first upgrade.

Location
Aston Martin Sevenoaks
Tel: [phone] (service)

Work
Fitting of official AM Power Pack upgrade.
(option for all 4.3 Vantages)
Essentially this is a redesigned valved airbox (plus other intake pipework) which allows greater airflow at higher revs.
Visual change is a black air plenum rather than the standard silver/grey.
Cost: c.£3,200

Results
Very good.
A decent boost in top end power and midrange torque.
This is essentially the power part of the upgrade that gave rise to the N400 special edition Vantage.
Power boost is advertised at an extra 20bhp and subsequent dyno runs pretty much confirmed this.

Summary
It's a pricey option but sets up a far better foundation for future upgrades (especially Sports Cats & Air Filters).
Recommended for the noticeable performance gain as well as the fact it's the only official power upgrade that AM provide.
Should help resale value too...

[355f]

I have completed the 2010 sports pack upgrade and consider that worth the money for the suspension.

BUT £3k FOR 20BHP i just cant justify!!

[SLINC]

355f said:

I have completed the 2010 sports pack upgrade and consider that worth the money for the suspension.

BUT £3k FOR 20BHP i just cant justify!!

Yeah it's very pricey, but does provide a good platform for other mods to work to their max (imo).

I just wanted my 4.3 to be the best it possibly could be and (sort of) justified the extra outlay by the fact I'd picked up an example some £8k less than anything comparable at an AM dealer.

I'd echo your comment re the Sports Suspension - it gives the car a proper driver's feel...

Definitely go for the TDI Geometry fitting (as I mentioned in a previous post).
I guarantee you'll be delighted with the handling improvements it brings..

[brumma]

I am resurrecting this topic because I'd like to hear any comments SLINC might have regarding the change in sound of his car before and after the installation of the Power Upgrade. Did you notice a difference in tone, pitch, etc.? I am considering it in hopes that it will smooth out throttle response and help me drive better.

[355f]

brumma said:

I am resurrecting this topic because I'd like to hear any comments SLINC might have regarding the change in sound of his car before and after the installation of the Power Upgrade. Did you notice a difference in tone, pitch, etc.? I am considering it in hopes that it will smooth out throttle response and help me drive better.

yes, It does alter the tone of the exhaust, deeper and slighly louder. the throttle response is the biggest change. I was very sceptical before I had mine done but would def recommend it.

[Jockman]

Any Difference to mpg?

Any Difference to Insurance?

If so, are these covered by increased resale value?

[SLINC]

brumma said:

I am resurrecting this topic because I'd like to hear any comments SLINC might have regarding the change in sound of his car before and after the installation of the Power Upgrade. Did you notice a difference in tone, pitch, etc.? I am considering it in hopes that it will smooth out throttle response and help me drive better.

The AM Power Pack doesn't sound the change of the car.
It essentially involves a redesigned air-box allowing the engine to breathe easier which in turn allows it to rev more freely (particularly at the top end).
Throttle response is a little quicker too.
The only way to really change the sound is to fit Sports Cats and/or a sports back-box.
I went for the full Milltek exhaust system (cats,main exhaust tubing and back-box) which sounds fantastic.
A really deep bassy tone at idle and a smooth hardening up to the redline.
No "step change" in volume at 4000 revs either (with the OEM exhaust), which I prefer.
It was £2,800 fully fitted - and worth every penny.
So much so that I'm in the process of transferring it on to my latest carriage - a 4.7 Vantage!

Hope this helps.
SLINC

[SLINC]

Jockman said:

Any Difference to mpg?Any Difference to Insurance?If so, are these covered by increased resale value?

I don't believe the AM Power Pack reduces mpg, although if anything it may have dropped cos I was driving faster!!
I informed my insurer that it'd been fitted but it made a negligable difference to the premium - still an utter rip off.
Resale value is usually enhanced by c.30% of the tuning spend (so c.£1k extra), if you sell privately. I've just part-ex'd my 4.3 for a 4.7 to an AM dealer.
Unfortunately they don't officially "recognise" the Power Pack when deciding a p/x value.
It's a bizarre paradox.

SLINC

[brumma]

Does it make the pedal more sensitive? One thing I didn't like about my Maserati was how difficult it was to start from a stop due to the overly sensitive accelerator pedal. I'm hoping that it will make rev matching a bit easier--I always feel like I need to press the pedal down a lot more and longer than I should to get the revs to rise.

Edited by brumma on Sunday 3rd April 16:45

[SLINC]

No the AM PP doesn't make the pedal any more sensitive as such.
It just makes the car go a bit quicker when you press it.

[brumma]

355f said:

yes, It does alter the tone of the exhaust, deeper and slighly louder. the throttle response is the biggest change. I was very sceptical before I had mine done but would def recommend it.

SLINC said:

The AM Power Pack doesn't sound the change of the car.

Hmmm... There seems to be a difference of opinion here. I love the sound of the standard 4.3L--nice and snorty, and very distinctive--so I'd rather not change it.

[Jockman]

SLINC said:

It's a bizarre paradox.

SLINC

Aren't they all

I love your erudite turn of phrase.

I just hope that you enjoy your car and that you make an absolute mint when you upgrade.

[Neil1300R]

brumma said:

355f said:

yes, It does alter the tone of the exhaust, deeper and slighly louder. the throttle response is the biggest change. I was very sceptical before I had mine done but would def recommend it.

SLINC said:

The AM Power Pack doesn't sound the change of the car.

Hmmm... There seems to be a difference of opinion here. I love the sound of the standard 4.3L--nice and snorty, and very distinctive--so I'd rather not change it.

As its a change to airbox / induction the overall sound will change, as you will get more induction roar - basically you get and can hear a far deeper harder suck

[SLINC]

Neil1300R said:

As its a change to airbox / induction the overall sound will change, as you will get more induction roar - basically you get and can hear a far deeper harder suck

Unfortunately it's been quite a while since my last Induction Roar...

[brumma]

Neil1300R said:

As its a change to airbox / induction the overall sound will change, as you will get more induction roar - basically you get and can hear a far deeper harder suck

Forgive my ignorance when it comes to the terminology, but are you saying that it's not so much a change in the exhaust note, but more of an increase in that "sucking" sound of air being inhaled from the front of the car?

[Steve*B]

brumma said:

Forgive my ignorance when it comes to the terminology, but are you saying that it's not so much a change in the exhaust note, but more of an increase in that "sucking" sound of air being inhaled from the front of the car?

There is no noticeable change in the exhaust note with the pp upgrade brumma.

[355f]

brumma said:

Hmmm... There seems to be a difference of opinion here. I love the sound of the standard 4.3L--nice and snorty, and very distinctive--so I'd rather not change it.

Dont worry it just improves it slighly. We have one poster that maintains no difference anyway!- I am sure you will notice a slight variance!

[Neil1300R]

brumma said:

Forgive my ignorance when it comes to the terminology, but are you saying that it's not so much a change in the exhaust note, but more of an increase in that "sucking" sound of air being inhaled from the front of the car?

Yes. Its not so much a sucking sound you actually hear as the overall increase in air being shifted through the airbox, which sets up resonances (sound waves) within the airbox. This will add to the overall sound effect from the car. At high speed you will actually hear more from the induction than the exhaust (with the Aston power upgrade), as the exhaust outlet is behind you exiting into the slipstream. Other cars etc will hear the exhaust more than you will.

[Neil1300R]

SLINC said:

Neil1300R said:

As its a change to airbox / induction the overall sound will change, as you will get more induction roar - basically you get and can hear a far deeper harder suck

Unfortunately it's been quite a while since my last Induction Roar...

All the women I've had in the car really enjoy the full aural experience of the Aston and usually beg for more

[1st_petrolhead]

Out of interest has anyone had the Prodrive upgrade done? - http://www.prodrive.com/products_level2.html?id=76...

Compared to the AM upgrade it does seem to be much better value offering and extra 45 over 20 bhp