How do Vantage V8 and V12 compare in terms of sound?
Discussion
I'm really struggling to appreciate the difference between the V8 Vantage (old one) and V12 Vantage in terms of sound.
Most Youtube videos demonstrating "sound" typically rev up to 7,000 rpm and you're hearing more the exhaust system, not the engine. Whereas, in contrast I quite like hearing the sound when it's just ticking over at low revs.
I used to think this deep "rumble" was specific to the V8- originating from the cross-plane crankshaft. However, I just watched a V12 video and it sounds closer than I realised. I assume the V12 also had a cross-plane crankshaft?
I'm aware the sound is a delicate balance of many things (exhaust pipe lengths, header lengths, crankshaft etc).
Is there an inherent difference between the V8 and V12 sound, as they left the factory?
(links to videos most-welcome)
Most Youtube videos demonstrating "sound" typically rev up to 7,000 rpm and you're hearing more the exhaust system, not the engine. Whereas, in contrast I quite like hearing the sound when it's just ticking over at low revs.
I used to think this deep "rumble" was specific to the V8- originating from the cross-plane crankshaft. However, I just watched a V12 video and it sounds closer than I realised. I assume the V12 also had a cross-plane crankshaft?
I'm aware the sound is a delicate balance of many things (exhaust pipe lengths, header lengths, crankshaft etc).
Is there an inherent difference between the V8 and V12 sound, as they left the factory?
(links to videos most-welcome)
The problem is the sound accompanying the videos.
I have watched / listened to many Vantage videos. Hardly any properly capture the actual sound, which we hear from the real car.
Having used a GoPro camera with an external microphone (in the boot), the sound was OK, but not as realistic as I had hoped. When placing the microphone near the exhausts, that introduced wind noise, even though a proper wind fluffy was fitted.
Playback on different types of equipment, also makes a difference of course.
The V8 is certainly a deeper note/tone than the V12. Probably need a musician to describe the difference to us.
From what I can tell of my limited experience in the the V8, it's quite the classic V8 sound, reminiscent of many older V8 engines, great for sure, thought I wouldn't say it's actually deeper, perhaps a bit less refined - the firings are spaced out more, so are more prominent, hence that distinctive v8 howl.
The V12 (which I have far more experience with) I would say has the smoother and more refined, rich sound, like a Vintage port. The V8 is the cheaper, younger reserve port that - brighter and punchier it initially grabs the senses, but lacks the full body of the vintage. The V12 is also really loud - I couldn't tell you if it's louder than the V8 but I wouldn't be surprised if there's not much in it. It shakes my apartment block when i pull in, and is utterly glorious in built up areas with the windows down, hilariously so in fact! It turns on and idles with a menace that imo the V8 doesn't quite have, and at full chat is simply magnificent.
The V12 (which I have far more experience with) I would say has the smoother and more refined, rich sound, like a Vintage port. The V8 is the cheaper, younger reserve port that - brighter and punchier it initially grabs the senses, but lacks the full body of the vintage. The V12 is also really loud - I couldn't tell you if it's louder than the V8 but I wouldn't be surprised if there's not much in it. It shakes my apartment block when i pull in, and is utterly glorious in built up areas with the windows down, hilariously so in fact! It turns on and idles with a menace that imo the V8 doesn't quite have, and at full chat is simply magnificent.
its a matter of exhaust pulses, which are largely determined by firing order. A Yank V8 has uneven pulses so sounds distinctiely 'lumpy' or 'burbly' where a ferrari has equally spaced pulses which gives a more even and 'zingy' sound.
180degree exhausts can introdue or cancel out this phenomena.
180degree exhausts can introdue or cancel out this phenomena.
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