4.3 v 4.7 - real-world differences

4.3 v 4.7 - real-world differences

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Discussion

Finding Neutral

436 posts

33 months

Wednesday 1st June 2022
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andyvvc said:
bogie said:
you dont have to rev the 4.7 as much,
Sounds like i wont be upgrading to a 4.7 anytime soon then smile
I think what he means to say is that you don’t HAVE to rev it as much to get it going. That is not to say that you can’t.

bogie

16,395 posts

273 months

Wednesday 1st June 2022
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Welshbeef said:
The 0-100mph / 1/4 mile times are telling it’s a notably quicker car.
But the performance of the 4.3 is still fast.

How about the sound between the two any differences
The 4.3 is a fast car, it just didn't feel as fast. When it arrived in 2005 many people had become used to turbo rep mobiles and missed the torque. There's no step change in the power delivery like some other aspirated engines, just a linear smooth power delivery.

Sound difference between the 4.3 and the N400 with the 20bhp. The sports back box on the N400 which made it sound different, owners that purchased the factory "Power Pack" upgraded didnt get the exhaust by default. Just plenum, airboxes, remap.

The later 2010 4.7 with the secondary cats + cats in manifold are quieter than a 4.3. That was the most disappointing thing when I changed from 4.3 to 4.7. I swapped out the secondary cats for straight through pipes and solved that issue smile


Bobajobbob

1,442 posts

97 months

Wednesday 1st June 2022
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I had a 2007 4.3 previously and upgraded to a 2013 4.7 a few years ago.

The difference is not night and day but the extra torque does make a difference to low down pick up and acceleration. Its still a slow revving and lazy engine but the extra grunt makes it easier to have fun without always revving to the limter.

Soundwise the 4.3 is much better stock. When I first bought my 4.7 I thought the valves were broken as it was so much quieter when actually they have been locked open. I removed the secondary cats which make the exhaust note louder but still not as sweet as the 4.3 stock. From what I read I also need to change the back box to a sport version to fully replicate the 4.3 tone.

Nigel_O

Original Poster:

2,899 posts

220 months

Wednesday 1st June 2022
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OGR4M said:
I am here as a purely impartial advisor, with absolutely no bias and definitely don’t know the OP or share his surname.

Based on my independent research you should simply man up and buy one.

Thank you for your time.
Despite my youngest son trying deperately to get me to spend his inheritance, I think I'm going to stick with the 4.3 for a while longer. This has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that the 4.7 I had my eye on has been sold.....

Whilst the extra mid-range grunt of the 4.7 would have been welcome, it's not like the 4.3 is terribly deficient. Also the Yorkshireman in me can't see that £10k for 400cc and 40bhp is worth it.

One of my main reasons for buying a V8V was to slow down a bit - my previous car (beserk Fiat Coupe) was just too fast to enjoy properly on the public highway. Despite being FWD, it was faster over a quarter mile than a 4.7 and once rolling, it would be way faster. It had to be doing north of 150 before it felt like it was working hard, so it was a custodial sentence waiting to happen.

By comparison, the V8V is entertaining at much less loopy speeds and in fact I often find myself cruising at under the speed limit, just becuase I can.

Thanks for all the input on this thread - it's much appreciated.

Still keeping an eye on the classifieds though....

bogie

16,395 posts

273 months

Wednesday 1st June 2022
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"Whilst the extra mid-range grunt of the 4.7 would have been welcome, it's not like the 4.3 is terribly deficient. Also the Yorkshireman in me can't see that £10k for 400cc and 40bhp is worth it."

You can imagine when the 4.7 came out new and 3 year old 4.3s were £30-40k cheaper...it took even more justification for many, including me, hence I kept my 4.3 for 9 years...you already have a great car, enjoy smile



Speedraser

1,657 posts

184 months

Thursday 2nd June 2022
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Nigel, I think it's worth noting that the 4.7's extra go isn't just in the mid-range -- it's across the entire rev range, including the top end. Also, as many have said, there are various other improvements. That said, and as you noted, the 4.3 is plenty quick and a great car in its own right. Enjoy it!

Welshbeef

49,633 posts

199 months

Thursday 2nd June 2022
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Other things to consider
Are the gear ratios the same
Less weight over the front wheels on the 4.3 meaning a more balanced car.

Finding Neutral

436 posts

33 months

Thursday 2nd June 2022
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The 4.3 is still a great car. You’ll not be disappointed.

The 4.3 and the 4.7’s i have driven have been more different than I’d thought they’d be. I say different, because it depends on what you want from the car.

Better isn’t always better

Dewi 2

1,316 posts

66 months

Thursday 2nd June 2022
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Welshbeef said:
Less weight over the front wheels on the 4.3 meaning a more balanced car.

You have puzzled me with that. confused

My guess is that the 4.3 and 4.7 engine weights must be almost identical.
4.7 has block bores slightly bigger with liners fitted.
Cannot think of what else might affect weight differences.



Edited by Dewi 2 on Thursday 2nd June 09:03

Olivera

7,155 posts

240 months

Thursday 2nd June 2022
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I was disappointed when Max_torque on here stated that he was an engineer on the Vantage 4.3 powertrain, and that the final product only made a real 360bhp, not 380bhp. This gives it a bhp/tonne of just over 200, which is roughly what junior hot hatches such as the Fiesta ST make, so it's not surprising that performance is lacklustre. The Vantage 4.7 I drove did seem an improvement.

Finding Neutral

436 posts

33 months

Thursday 2nd June 2022
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Olivera said:
I was disappointed when Max_torque on here stated that he was an engineer on the Vantage 4.3 powertrain, and that the final product only made a real 360bhp, not 380bhp. This gives it a bhp/tonne of just over 200, which is roughly what junior hot hatches such as the Fiesta ST make, so it's not surprising that performance is lacklustre. The Vantage 4.7 I drove did seem an improvement.
I’d imagine that it’s at the crank as well not the wheels.

Once transmission loss etc is taken in to account it’ll be much less. But most manufacturers measure it this way tbf.

Jon39

12,843 posts

144 months

Thursday 2nd June 2022
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Finding Neutral said:
Olivera said:
I was disappointed when Max_torque on here stated that he was an engineer on the Vantage 4.3 powertrain, and that the final product only made a real 360bhp, not 380bhp. This gives it a bhp/tonne of just over 200, which is roughly what junior hot hatches such as the Fiesta ST make, so it's not surprising that performance is lacklustre. The Vantage 4.7 I drove did seem an improvement.
I’d imagine that it’s at the crank as well not the wheels.

Once transmission loss etc is taken in to account it’ll be much less. But most manufacturers measure it this way tbf.

Remember though, there was an initial record order book in 2003, with some dealers having to turn away new customers.

That was due entirely to the beautiful appearance of the Vantage, because those early orders were from buyers who had never driven the car.

BHP then, must have been of less importance.




NickXX

1,559 posts

219 months

Thursday 2nd June 2022
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Dewi 2 said:

You have puzzled me with that. confused

My guess is that the 4.3 and 4.7 engine weights must be almost identical.
4.7 has block bores slightly bigger with liners fitted.
Cannot think of what else might affect weight differences.



Edited by Dewi 2 on Thursday 2nd June 09:03
Bigger front brakes on the later 4.7s, but not a material difference I’d guess (and probably offset with lighter wheels).

Finding Neutral

436 posts

33 months

Thursday 2nd June 2022
quotequote all
NickXX said:
Dewi 2 said:

You have puzzled me with that. confused

My guess is that the 4.3 and 4.7 engine weights must be almost identical.
4.7 has block bores slightly bigger with liners fitted.
Cannot think of what else might affect weight differences.



Edited by Dewi 2 on Thursday 2nd June 09:03
Bigger front brakes on the later 4.7s, but not a material difference I’d guess (and probably offset with lighter wheels).
For sure although they’re not really noticeable unless you’re really hammering on.

The brakes on the vantage aren’t very well ventilated full stop and hold a lot of heat



macdeb

8,512 posts

256 months

Thursday 2nd June 2022
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Welshbeef said:
Other things to consider
Are the gear ratios the same
Less weight over the front wheels on the 4.3 meaning a more balanced car.
rofl

JonnyCJ

1,309 posts

55 months

Thursday 2nd June 2022
quotequote all
macdeb said:
Welshbeef said:
Other things to consider
Are the gear ratios the same
Less weight over the front wheels on the 4.3 meaning a more balanced car.
rofl
Bigger 4.7 cc means more air means less metal means…

Nigel_O

Original Poster:

2,899 posts

220 months

Thursday 2nd June 2022
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According to Autodata, the 4.7 is 60kg heavier than the 4.3, which is about the same as a tank of fuel

Davil

307 posts

27 months

Friday 3rd June 2022
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NickXX said:
Bigger front brakes on the later 4.7s, but not a material difference I’d guess (and probably offset with lighter wheels).
The bigger ‘S’ brakes were 0.4kg lighter.

Speedraser

1,657 posts

184 months

Friday 3rd June 2022
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Nigel_O said:
According to Autodata, the 4.7 is 60kg heavier than the 4.3, which is about the same as a tank of fuel
Those 60kg were "added" to the 4.3 as of the 2006.5MY. I don't know whether it was just a revised/more accurate figure or it reflected some added standard equipment, but there is basically no weight difference between 4.3 and 4.7 cars. Also, the gear ratios are the same.

S brakes are slightly lighter, but the S wheels are not.

David W.

1,912 posts

210 months

Friday 3rd June 2022
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Perhaps pop one on a weighbridge and get a true weight?
There are at least 3 within 3 miles of me and I doubt any of them would make a charge to weigh an Aston. Just be aware you may want to put you hi-viz on as they will be commercial premises.