Another link to show that those 113 trap speeds could be wrong.

http://www.dragsource.com/index.php?...s&calctoview=5

 

I spoke to an Aston tech last week. The subject of the Vantage V12 came up and it's future availability in the US. He was hoping to see it here because some of the reps who had drove it in the UK claim that Aston is very conservative with the performance figures. As he put it, it is closer to a Scuderia than a DBS. So the thought that the 4.7 is close to the V12 is probably not so. It would be nice if someone from Europe with experience in all of these cars would step up. XXXAngelXXX has had some track time in the V12, has a DBS and either a 4.3 or 4.7 Vantage. So Frank if your out there chime in or maybe whisper to someone across the pond who may have better insight. I was also wondering if the N400 intake that is part of the 4.3 power pack could be installed on a 4.7? I know that the kit is only responsible for 20 Hp on the 4.3 but if a different program from RSC was installed, maybe you could get a little more.

 

This is a SportShift Roadster...big difference from the 6-speed manual coupe tested in the Motor Trend article...especially in the launch. Road and Track also recently tested the SS roadster and got a 1/4 of 12.8@112 or so. I can easily see the 6-speed coupe dropping .3-.4 off that time and adding a few mph.

In this article they didn't even test the car...just used Aston Martin's numbers.

The engines are very different. The added 400 cc of displacement, bigger valves, redesigned intake, lightened components, etc, etc, not to mention drivetrain changes including a new clutch and lightweight flywheel.

Remember that the added torque and other benefits of the changes occur throughout the power band, whereas upgrades like an exhaust or air intake (and even chip) give added horsepower at the top end mostly...the area under the curve of the power band makes a big difference here.

As for the V12 Vantage tests, you can't compare apples to oranges since the cars are tested using different protocols in the European mags. Your best bet is to look at how it compares to other cars. When they tested the V12 Vantage it was a few tenths behind the V10 R8 and the new GT3, both of which run in the 11s by US testing. If the V12V was tested here, I'm sure it would post times in the high 11s to low 12s.

 

I am not saying the 4.7 is not faster than a 4.3 stock, I just don't see it improving performance so drastically. 1 second on the 0-60, 1 second on the 1/4, and 11 mph on the trap speed seem really dramatic for 40 hp and 44 tq, even under the curve. IMHO

 

+ 1 for you the voice of reason, I have been trying to explain power under the curve and the fact that the 4.3 won't have the low end response, lower torque peak and higher torque totals than the 4.7 unless you add forced induction to it. In the European Test which had really slow numbers the GT3 and V12 Vantage trapped 118 mph. My first thought on driving a 4.3 car is that the car could benefit from even more agressive gears to minimize the time spent in the 302 lb ft and under zone which is 5,000 rpm and below.

 

I agree with that which is why I said either the 4.3 is producing less than 380 hp and 302 lb ft or the 4.7 is producing more than 420 hp and 346 lb ft. I think its a combo of that and the fact that the 4.7 is more responsive everywhere around the tach and produces quite a bit more power lower down the rpm range...ie..under the curve.

 

We really need to see both these run at a track on the same day.

The magazines seem to rely on other tests, manufacturer specs or estimates, more than doing their own tests.

 

I think I'm starting to see some denial going on here. I think we need to have somebody with a modified 4.3 go test drive a 4.7, then come back and give us an honest assessment. I have an unmodified 4.3 and after driving the 4.7, I conclude the 4.7 would stomp a mudhole in ...... Well anyhow, it would be nice for someone out there to test a 4.7 and give us some feedback.

 

The RSC upgrades are actually rated at 445 hp flywheel and 350 lb ft if I remember correctly. But I would love to be able to compare a dyno chart since I am sure the torque is produced very close to the 4.3's natural torque peak.

I am curious about the 4.7 as well because the 4.3 just does not feel that strong unless its at high rpm.

 

Pretty sure that RSC claim is 445 bhp not flywheel. I have the mods, and the ecu program has helped with the low to mid range.

Next time I go in for service, I will see if the service guy will run with me so I can see the difference. I think the 4.7 will still be quicker, but the mods will have closed the gap a bit.

 

Bhp and flywheel hp is just a different way of saying it. It can't be 445 rwhp because then it would be eating 4.7's for lunch and dinner!

Does it feel stronger down low with the mods, or is the power all up top?

 

My fault, I misread your post as RWHP.

Stronger down low for sure.

 

I'm revisiting this thread because I'm debating between a 4.3 and 4.7. Has anyone with a modded 4.3 driven a 4.7?

From what I've seen, an 08 coupe is averaging in the high-$80Ks. An 09 is averaging mid-$90Ks. With a $5-10K differential that I can use towards an RSC kit, are the other improvements such as the lighter clutch/flywheel, upgraded SS software, upgraded suspension, and upgraded center stack in the 09 worth it? The other factor is the warranty. An 08 has <1 year remaining, while an 09 has <2 years remaining. But from what I've read, these cars are pretty reliable, especially the engine.

 

I would definitely suggest going with the '09 because of all of the upgrades they made in the engine. Although there are more mods for the 4.3, your starting point with the 4.7 is much better. You can still add RSC cats and get 20 hp plus an aftermarket ECU tune and end up with close to 475 at the crank.