Previously we have shown you the stock items in the Aston Martin engine we are going to use for our project (the 4.7 version). We bought a lot of aftermarket parts to replace the weaker stock parts. Here are some pics of the replacement parts.
As you all know from previous posts we have bought a spare engine that will be rebuild with stronger internals. Additionally we will replace parts and strengthen the stock design where needed and where possible. The Aston Martin Vantage V8 engine is based off the AJV8 engine developed by Ford (FoMoCo) for Jaguar and Landrover platforms. The Aston Martin V8 engine however is just loosely based on the Jaguar engine, it has a different casting for the shortblock, uses different internals and has a completely different head. We started taking off the heads. Here is a pic of the shortblock.
Building the turbo Aston Martin V8 engine: Some reverse engineering. Previously we found out the Aston Martin V8 engine ‘breaths’ pretty well even in the high RPM. We determined this by dynoing the car. The torque was constant up until the rev limit. All aspects in an engine determine the general performance of the engine, but there is one main item in the whole engine that has the most influence on the characteristics of the engine and that is the valve opening and closing timing.
Here’s the next chapter about our Vantage Turbo project. Today, I’ll tell you about the approach we will be taking with the engine itself. The power level we are aiming for requires the engine to be rebuilt with parts that can withstand more mechanical strength than in stock condition. OEM manufacturers make their engines not only for horsepower, but also for durability, sustainability, fuel economy (yes even on cars like Aston Martin), weight and most of all: production costs.
We started this project with a horsepower goal of 800HP. This figure is pretty arbitrary. The Vantage with 4.3 engine has 380 HP from factory (400hp with the Aston power upgrade). Buying a Vantage V12 would get you say another 150 HP. We would like to have a much bigger step on top of the V12 power, and the next power level would be something like doubled the V8 horsepower: 800HP.
A few weeks ago, I purchased my new project car. And today, I could finally pick up at Kroymans, with several cosmetic upgrades already implemented. Here it is, waiting for me in the showroom: (just ignore that red german thingie in the background, not sure who put that there 🙂 )
This is it, the new Aston Martin News project car! A 2006 V8 Vantage 4.3, manual, 400hp, in Titanium Silver. We’ve got big plans for this baby Aston. Keep watching this space for the full story!