Mustang to V8 Vantage

[XMark]

Hi, having fallen for manual V8s the search was on for another replace my Mustang, doing the autotrader search for no particular reason that I think most of us do, a green Vantage stopped me in my tracks and it was just instant love. Picked it up yesterday and I’m so happy with it, few jobs needing done, mainly that it needs more volume, but I just want to drive it for now

Afaik it’s Almond Green with Parliament/Sandstorm leather, I’m sure I may be corrected on that!

Edited by XMark on Sunday 29th September 14:28

[Import]

Beautiful find..more pics when you can..unusual colour…enjoy.

[XMark]

Thanks! I was sure this was almond green, just saw an online build sheet that states DBR9 racing green, investigation needed!

[LTP]

XMark said:

Thanks! I was sure this was almond green, just saw an online build sheet that states DBR9 racing green, investigation needed!

In that light that is a lovely-looking green and a nice looking car. I think some interior shots are called for now.

As for the volume (and I assume you mean noise rather than interior space or cubic capacity) I think that there's options to suit every taste, right up to full-on, neighbours-hate-me hooligan. Assuming I'm right and that's a 4.3 then it's already one of the nicest-sounding standard Vantages

[XMark]

Haha yes, more volume the better but I’ll start with 200 cel cats and see how it goes.
I’ve just checked the sticker in the boot cubby and it is indeed DBR9 Racing green AST5019D so means it has to be a rare beast!

Interior shot…..

[N430]

XMark said:

Hi, having fallen for manual V8s the search was on for another replace my Mustang, doing the autotrader search for no particular reason that I think most of us do, a green Vantage stopped me in my tracks and it was just instant love. Picked it up yesterday and I’m so happy with it, few jobs needing done, mainly that it needs more volume, but I just want to drive it for now smile

Afaik it’s Almond Green with Parliament/Sandstorm leather, I’m sure I may be corrected on that!

Welcome to Aston Martin ownership, it’s a real sense of occasion. That is a lovely colour for a Vantage.

One immediate thing you can do for noise is to remove fuse 15 or 16 (check handbook) from the boot fuse box this will keep the exhaust baffles open at all times. As others have said there are lots of options going forward and many specialists to help along the way.

If you email Tim Cottingham at Aston Martin Heritage Trust he provides a service where he produces a certificate based on build uniqueness etc!

[ZT260SE]

Looks lovely and many congrats. You’re in the right place for advice and know how too.

[Go60 Jay]

Aww, I remember my first one about 14 years ago. Congratulations and enjoy every moment 🙃

John

[Dewi 2]

XMark said:

Haha yes, more volume the better but I’ll start with 200 cel cats and see how it goes.

Welcome Mark. Your Vantage looks great.
I note no roof aerial, which indicates towards the end of 4.3 production.

For more volume, I would respectfully suggest, that buying 200 cel cats would be wasting your money.
You are fortunate, because Vantages up to about 2010 all have the same exhaust system. It consists of just one cat per cylinder bank, containing a 400 cell matrix and a 900 cell matrix. Later models have a different system, incorporating manifold cats.

Remove the cats, eliminate the internal 900 cell matrix, refit. Cat remains looking original and on my car, the MoT emissions figures have not changed.
Think a coding adjustment might then be necessary.
Finally it is very worthwhile having a hidden, wired 3-way exhaust valve switch fitted. OEM setting; Always Open; Always Closed.
The result is fantastic, can be subdued for cruising (and startup if desired), or ear splitting under full acceleration. I have only ever heard the exhaust sound from the drivers seat, but under bridges gives me an idea of the external sound - probably the best exhaust sound of all. Can be so loud under bridges, that I don't play hooligan if there are people around.

The other good mod to bear in mind for the future if your clutch wears out, is a twin plate clutch, probably in conjuction with a lighter flywheel. The pedal is so much lighter and the bite point less abrupt. Should last longer too.

Enjoy your car.

Edited by Dewi 2 on Thursday 5th September 22:16

[XMark]

N430 said:

XMark said:

Hi, having fallen for manual V8s the search was on for another replace my Mustang, doing the autotrader search for no particular reason that I think most of us do, a green Vantage stopped me in my tracks and it was just instant love. Picked it up yesterday and I’m so happy with it, few jobs needing done, mainly that it needs more volume, but I just want to drive it for now smile

Afaik it’s Almond Green with Parliament/Sandstorm leather, I’m sure I may be corrected on that!

Welcome to Aston Martin ownership, it’s a real sense of occasion. That is a lovely colour for a Vantage.

One immediate thing you can do for noise is to remove fuse 15 or 16 (check handbook) from the boot fuse box this will keep the exhaust baffles open at all times. As others have said there are lots of options going forward and many specialists to help along the way.

If you email Tim Cottingham at Aston Martin Heritage Trust he provides a service where he produces a certificate based on build uniqueness etc!

Thank you
I was a bit disappointed when I stopped to remove the fuse to find it already gone, the car sounds lovely, great tone, just a little quiet for me.
I’ll email Tim, much appreciated

[XMark]

ZT260SE said:

Looks lovely and many congrats. You’re in the right place for advice and know how too.

Thank you

[XMark]

Go60 Jay said:

Aww, I remember my first one about 14 years ago. Congratulations and enjoy every moment ??

John

Thanks John

[XMark]

Dewi 2 said:

Welcome Mark. Your Vantage looks great.
I note no roof aerial, which indicates towards the end of 4.3 production.

For more volume, I would respectfully suggest, that buying 200 cel cats would be wasting your money.
You are fortunate, because Vantages up to about 2010 all have the same exhaust system. It consists of just one cat per cylinder bank, containing a 400 cell matrix and a 900 cell matrix. Later models have a different system, incorporating manifold cats.

Remove the cats, eliminate the internal 900 cell matrix, refit. Cat remains looking original and on my car, the MoT emissions figures have not changed.
Think a coding adjustment might then be necessary.
Finally it is very worthwhile having a hidden, wired 3-way exhaust valve switch fitted. OEM setting; Always Open; Always Closed.
The result is fantastic, can be subdued for cruising (and startup if desired), or ear splitting under full acceleration. I have only ever heard the exhaust sound from the drivers seat, but under bridges gives me an idea of the external sound - probably the best exhaust sound of all. Can be so loud under bridges, that I don't play hooligan if there are people around.

The other good mod to bear in mind for the future if your clutch wears out, is a twin plate clutch, probably in conjuction with a lighter flywheel. The pedal is so much lighter and the bite point less abrupt. Should last longer too.

Enjoy your car.

Edited by Dewi 2 on Thursday 5th September 22:16

Thank you, great info! It is indeed a 4.3, original sale date was 01/07/08.
I already bought a valve controller, loud start, from CC Charger, fuse out is a bit of a bodge to me so being able to choose closed when I eventually have the volume increased will be useful.

I had convinced myself that I was only buying one with a twin plate already done, this just stood out as special to me and against my better judgement, had to have it. There’s 37k miles on it and tbh I find it really comfortable to use, hopefully it lasts until I can get it done at a time of my choosing lol

[XMark]

I just love the colour, looks a different shade in different light, this is home, looking different again

[p102768]

Good looking car!

I have a 2018 Mustang GT in the stable although mine has the awful 10 speed auto as I am lazy. It makes me smile every time I start it though and can't believe the startup noise is even better than my V12 Aston.

[XMark]

p102768 said:

Good looking car!

I have a 2018 Mustang GT in the stable although mine has the awful 10 speed auto as I am lazy. It makes me smile every time I start it though and can't believe the startup noise is even better than my V12 Aston.

I had mine almost 3 years and enjoyed it, Roush exhaust with no resonator made it loud, luckily I have no neighbours lol

[davidexige]

XMark said:

Thank you
I was a bit disappointed when I stopped to remove the fuse to find it already gone, the car sounds lovely, great tone, just a little quiet for me.
I’ll email Tim, much appreciated

Fitting 200 cel cats will transform the sound of the car, honestly you wont believe what a difference it will make.

[Dewi 2]

XMark said:

Thank you, great info! It is indeed a 4.3, original sale date was 01/07/08.
I already bought a valve controller, loud start, from CC Charger, fuse out is a bit of a bodge to me, so being able to choose closed when I eventually have the volume increased will be useful.

Remote valve controllers can only switch between OEM and valves Always Open.

The approximate OEM is;
0 to 1,500 rpm Open
1,500 to 4,000ish rpm Closed
>4,000ish Open.

If valves Always Closed is required, then a wired switch is needed.

[Janluke]

XMark said:

I had mine almost 3 years and enjoyed it, Roush exhaust with no resonator made it loud, luckily I have no neighbours lol

Great colours on both, how do they compare?

[LTP]

XMark said:

I already bought a valve controller, loud start, from CC Charger, fuse out is a bit of a bodge to me so being able to choose closed when I eventually have the volume increased will be useful.

If the car has been run with the fuse out for a while then you might want to check that the valves still work. On VH Vantage the valves are "dumb" and the car has no idea if they've opened (not the case with 2C MB-engined cars). The normal valve operation effectively cycles them at start-up (and during normal driving, unless you've lent it to your granny) but they can seize if they're sitting, permanently open, with hot exhaust running through them.

I agree 100% with "fuse out" being a bodge. I have a CC controller but, unless I'm putting on a bit of an ego show, I rarely use it.