Aston Martin DB9 Modifications and Upgrades
These are changes I made to improve the performance, looks, handling or comfort of my Aston Martin DB9. I bought the DB9 with it already having been modified to look more like an Aston Martin DBS, but I have made more changes to improve the car and bring it more up to date.
Upgraded Headlights, The Aston Martin headlights are very design with a feeble output so I upgraded to new Bi-LED projectors for a huge increase in quality and brightness.
Ambient Lighting, the interior of the DB9 is quite dark at night so I added some subtle blue lighting to help find things such as door pockets and door handles etc.
Upgraded Brakes, The DB9 has reasonably high specification braking (4 piston calipers and vented discs all round) but it does struggle to slow the car down from very high speeds so I decided to upgrade to larger discs all round and 6 pot calipers from the DBS at the front.
DB9 Bonnet Support, The bonnet bump stops are very flimsy on the DB9, just a plastic molding on the side of the grille and they break easily damaging the grille. This modification supports the bump stops directly from the chassis.
DB9 Car Play & Android Auto, even when it was launched the Volvo satnav in the DB9 was poorly regarded, added to which is a 6 CD changer that doesn’t do MP3s then an upgrade to Android Auto and/or Car Play, particularly with forward/reversing cameras and au upgraded screen is a huge advance.
DB9 Volante Chassis Stiffening, the DB9 Volante chassis strength was not as rigid as the coupe, losing the roof meant a loss in structural torsion. this caused the handling to be less precise. Using Shear panels from the later DBS can stiffen and strengthen the Chassis.
3 way switchable exhaust, most Astons have valves in the exhaust that switch between quiet and noisier, this switch allows full noisy mode, the original automatic switching or permanently quiet mode.
Aston Martin DBS anti roll bar upgrade, the Aston Martin DBS has larger front and rear anti roll bars than the DB(, these can be swapped out to give better handling.
DB9 Polyurethane Bush upgrade, Aston Martin does not supply replacement bushes, you have to replace the entire arm or wishbone when the bushes are worn (or seized) or fit aftermarket polyurethane bushes
Aston Martin DBS Inlet Manifold Upgrade, The DBS inlet manifold allows more airflow at high revs giving a more powerful and lively top end, it does lose some bottom end torque though. It also looks better than the DB9 manifold.
Upgraded Exhaust System, The stock DB9 exhaust sound great, but the flow can be increased by removing the secondary catalytic converters, this adds a bit of power and makes the car louder. An X-pipe can also be fitted which will make the car sound smoother, slightly more power and slightly quieter.