Vatage V12s Roadster handling upgrades set up.

[On`it]

Hi I am trying to find out if there are any ways to upgrade the handling of a Vantage V12S Roadster and would appreciate any help.

I would like to increase front end bite and confidence, to be able to pull the front end in during a bend and reduce the washing out and potential understear. This is on public roads touring not the race track not driving in winter but in the wet at times. has Pirelli pzero 255/35ZR19 and 295/30 ZR19 tyres.

One direction is to see whats different on the GT12 and look at what might work. Tyres,spacers, anti rollbars, setup, springs and suspension etc.

Any suggestion would be appreciated and what to try first and potential benefits.

Another direction is changing the car I test drove the Vanquish S and did not feel it was as well planted as the Vantage, Though I heard the Zagato is improved and below the body is a Vanquish but I can see it being better than the Vantage?

Thanks for you consideration and replies in advance.

[woodsypedia]

I had a conversation with an AM Pro driver on Monday who indicated that everything in a car settles over time (bushes etc) - and having a geo setup looked at after a year or two would be a good thing and would definitely give some great results.

He mentioned Bamford Rose could do this - but I suspect also works could do something.

Chris.

[hornbaek]

Its unusual that you are experiencing understeer on the V12V. It's a heavy car with an almost perfect 50/50 weight distribution and a heavy engine over the front axle. Whilst it is well known that the V12V has very little (rear wheel) grip in cold conditions and has a tendency to oversteer, the front end is normally very stable at turn in and once comitted should hold its line into the apex. I would look at a geo set up and also your tyre choice.

[Graze01]

One way to reduce understeer is to increase stiffness of the rear sway bar

typical audi upgrade for RS4's

not sure if thats an easy thing on the V12VS

but its a cheap change usually & easy to revert if you start doing donuts unexpectedly due to excessive oversteer

Graze

[AMVSVNick]

woodsypedia said:

I had a conversation with an AM Pro driver on Monday who indicated that everything in a car settles over time (bushes etc) - and having a geo setup looked at after a year or two would be a good thing and would definitely give some great results.

Chris.

Bang on.

Go and see this guy, it will be money well spent, I assure you.

http://www.centregravity.co.uk/

[On`it]

Thanks for the replies ok all points taken onboard, does any one know the differeance between the V12S and the GT12?

The tyres are the same size but using Mitchelins GT12 might be worth considering?

Ref the understear comments my first reaction is bite on turn in and confidence, as has been said if you hold a line its ok. More on the public road and not having a constant radius bend which then needs more lock in the bend (or I hang out for sight lines then want to pull in) does not give the confidence which might well be more to do with the weight transfer. Thinking about it,I am not actually pushing hard enough to actually get understeer being on the public road though feels like this could happen which slows you down. Its GT handling, needs rolling into bends with the weight and not thrown about, hurried or pulled in. So it could be the weight transfer which is subltly still taking away the confidence and nothing like as obviouse as other older heavy gt cars.
Its just not and never will handle like a true sports car keeping up with the likes of Porsche etc with the weight which again makes me wonder what the GT12 is like and improved, just thought there could be some improvments. (ferrari managed weight from the 599 gto onwards to the 812 and I get the impression Mercedes GT)
The Geo would be worth checking (thanks for the contact) as its one of the last cars registered but I think it was sat around for some time and tyres might be worth changing?
The rear sway bar could be considered (but could cause its own problems thinking about it) and if I am wrong on the understeer can be easily taken off, Wheel spacers have also been suggested.

Thanks again appreciated.

[mafisher]

I would also consider tyres. I drove a V12Vs on P Zeros after getting out of my previous V12V and was amazed by the difference in front end grip and traction. I speced my new car with Corsas and have little problem. Obviously the downside is you have to treat them with respect when it’s wet, although I haven’t had any problem, even in snow, I just drive slower!

[On`it]

Thanks when you say Pzeros which I have are you saying much better what did you have before?
With Gt12 having Michelin I was thinking of changing to these and even looking at sizes (just notice a tyre thread which I will bump)
Thanks

[Graze01]

what michelins are on the GT12?

Graze

[pgautier]

I am in the same position, also with a V12s roadster.

In my case, I want to soften the springs and up the damping to cope with the crappy roads here in Nor Cal. I talked to the dealer but they really didn't want to make any setup change.

Do you guys know of anyone in NorCal that would be knowledgeable?

[woodsypedia]

I moved away from Pirelli’s and into Michelin Pilot Super Sports. The ride is a hell of a better. The Corsa’s great in the south of France where it’s 30 degrees, but in the UK, they just don’t heat up enough to be at their best.

Would suggest move to the MPSS and get the Geo setup done by the company Nick suggested.

Cheers,

Chris.

[Phil57DBS]

Hello

At the beginning tyres on GT12 were Michelin Pilot Sport Cup2 265/35 front 325/30 rear
sure, you can go Michelin PS4S which are more homogeneous (dry+wet) but have a bit less steering feeling than PSS (Pilot SuperSport) !
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F65rXOlS2f8
you could go 265/35 and 305/30 as on mine (same side height (92mm)
https://www.toutcalculer.com/automobile/dimension-...

you could go to Velocity taper progressive sport springs...(sorry not for V12V S)
http://www.velocityap.com/Aston-Martin-V12-Vantage...

for the setup here are OEM specs, my advice for less understeer feeling is to go for the rear Toe between +7 and +10' per wheel...(versus +15')
for a light directional feeling on the rear axle....which counterbalances the understeer effect !
but the driving must not be "brutal" at high speed...!


Phil

Edited by Phil57DBS on Thursday 28th March 14:45

[AMVSVNick]

[quote=On`it]
The Geo would be worth checking (thanks for the contact) as its one of the last cars registered but I think it was sat around for some time and tyres might be worth changing?

[/quote]
Just to add to this.

Chris at CG eats, drinks and sleeps geo. He will ask what you specifically want, discuss it with you at length and sort it. The difference is amazing.

Several of his customers have their brand new GT Porsche's delivered straight to him to "sort".

Boy can he chat but well worth while.

[On`it]

Thanks some findings etc.
Looking at the GT12 it seems to have a stronger front roll bar if changed, what am I likely to find changes if anythinga simple bolt on bolt off not too expensive to try. (rear is the same)

The GT12 shocks make little sense cost wise @ some £3,500 each x4

Rims reducing the unsprung weight could help but again cost benefit limited?
Tyres mentioned in other post.
Set up one any changes made looks to be definitely worth doing.

[On`it]

Thanks for every ones input,
As suggested I got the Geo done at Center Gravity and the car is much improved
I am now wanting to drive the car and have more seat time and happy for now ;-)
Good call and thanks again appreciated.
If ever wanted I can post the settings.Cheers

[Graze01]

Please post the settings

I'd like to compare with the way I have mine set up

Graeme

[On`it]

OK I will post on this link
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[Graze01]

Many thanks

Very similar to the setup on mine

Graze