Aston Martin V8
6.3, 7.0, and 7.3 litre conversions
To some owners of high performance motor cars, sufficient is
simply not
enough. And in an attempt to satisfy the constant demand for more power, AML Works Service, Richard Williams
(RSW) and Aston Engineering have offered an aftermarket
package to increase the capacity, power and torque of the 2 valve (and later 4
valve) V8 engine.
Whilst such cars are not 'production models' in the strictest sense, I have
included them for completeness.
This outstanding V8 Vantage Volante was photographed during to preparation for the 1999 Parade des Pilotes at Le Mans. The crackle finish black cylinder heads indicate a
Factory original 6.3 litre engine conversion. In this
case, the engine is tuned to provide 470bhp with 479lb/ft torque at
2,750 rpm (i.e. set up for maximum acceleration). As with many other cars on this site, the owner is a visitor to this site and has kindly provided additional information.
This is an example of a later series 2 BBS Vantage but
fitted with an RSW 7.0 litre conversion based on the 580 X-pack engine.
The 7.0litre usually have the cam covers painted in a green crackle finish. Also cars sometimes have badges with a logo
'SEV8N'. Although this car is a 580 BBS example, it
currently has Ronal wheels, more typical of the X-pack
Vantage
An example of a V8 Volante with an RSW 7.0 litre conversion,
this time tuned to suit the automatic gearbox. The RSW engine is also
available with fuel injection - an example is shown on the V8 Vantage
Zagato page.
Aston Engineering in Derby have l believe
developed a 7.1 litre upgrade but the most extreme upgrade for the 2 valve
V8 was developed by AML during 2001. If you can afford it,
Works Service will happily take the engine out to a very impressive 7.3 litres -
even for automatic cars. Needless to say, if you were to take advantage of this,
you would be wise to consider suspension, brake and cooling upgrades also
available.