OUR ULTIMATE V8

Aston Workshop’s 6.0-litre V8 engine conversion is the jewel in the crown of our Evolution 6.0 upgrade package. Designed by legendary Aston Martin engineer Tadek Marek to succeed his equally renowned straight-six engine, this powerful and refined V8 was initially specified with a capacity of 5340cc, but was future-proofed in period for larger capacities and increased outputs. As such, the design of this renowned engine is ideally suited to a wide range of upgrades and enhancements that unlock exceptional increases in horsepower and low and mid-range torque, while retaining the flexibility and smoothness inherent in the original design.

Engineered on-site in Aston Workshop’s state-of-the-art facilities, two different iterations of the Evolution 6.0 engine are available, and build on the V8 specification that debuted in the Vantage supercar of 1977. In both cases, the original-specification crankshaft and connecting rods are used, with the engine capacity increase instead gained via a larger cylinder bore diameter. This not only helps reduce costs, it also retains the engine’s willingness to rev freely and maintains an acceptable rate of fuel consumption, thus preserving an excellent touring range.

All customer-supplied engines are fully stripped down, cleaned and inspected with parts replaced as required, or alternatively new engines can be built from new factory supplied cylinder blocks and heads. The cylinder block is machined to accept oversize cylinder liners and fitted with new lightweight, low-friction, high-compression forged pistons. Extensive cylinder head work capitalises on the capacity increase, and includes uprated camshafts, gas-flowed inlet and exhaust ports, plus enlarged valve seats, springs and camshaft followers. Four Vantage-specification 48 IDF Weber carburettors are specified, and matched with larger diameter manifolds and exhausts to complement the changes and deliver a richly distinctive soundtrack. In this state of tune, the Evolution 6.0 upgrade delivers a nominal 380 bhp plus a 20 per cent increase in torque spread all the way from 1500 to 5000 rpm – a sizeable uplift from the 320 bhp and 250-260 lb ft typical of a standard V8.

THE AUTOMATIC CHOICE

The DBS V8 was originally offered with either a five-speed manual gearbox or a three-speed automatic gearbox, with the latter a compromised option that sacrificed power and driver involvement for comfort and ease of use. Aston Workshop now offers a six-speed automatic gearbox that combines the best of both worlds and can be driven in full automatic mode for maximum comfort, or in ‘tap shift’ manual mode for greater driver involvement.

Easily installed without body modifications and with a period-correct appearance to the interior trim, the result is 21 per cent more power delivered to the rear wheels, far crisper gear changes, and ratios that are more closely spaced for more urgent acceleration, and feature a lower bottom gear and taller top gear for improved acceleration from a standstill, more relaxed motorway cruising and a higher top speed.

The conversion is compatible with all engine variants and is 100 per cent reversible. Aston Workshop can also convert vehicles fitted with the three-speed automatic gearbox to five or six speed manual operation, again with no structural modifications and a factory interior specification.

A higher final drive ratio is available upon request and, whichever option you choose, the differential carrier and its supporting cradle are strengthened to easily withstand the considerable increase in torque and power delivered by the Evolution 6.0 engine upgrade.

RHD TO LHD CONVERSIONS

With a global reputation for excellence, Aston Workshop is regularly asked to source left-hand-drive Aston Martins. These vehicles, however, are in extremely short supply as only 10 per cent of Aston Martins manufactured prior to the DB7 were originally specified in left-hand drive form.

Today, the worldwide appeal of classic Aston Martins makes these far scarcer models extremely sought after, so to meet demand from overseas customers Aston Workshop has developed left-hand-drive conversions to the very highest standard.

We re-manufacture or acquire original items necessary to carry out the straight-forward conversion, to deliver a driving experience, mechanical integrity and a quality of fit and finish that is at least commensurate with left-hand drive vehicles produced in period. Furthermore, the demand for such vehicles ensures re-sale values remain incredibly robust.