The later Maserati's use the Ferrari V8 which have flat plane cranks, giving the engine it's unique sound. A flat plane crank can not be used on a V12 or I6 because of the degrees between firing.

The flat plane crank changes a V8 sound due to the even firing between banks. A cross plane crank V8 fires 2 cylinder on one bank sequentially, this is why these V8's benefit from a X/H pipe and this uneven firing gives the V8 it's burble.

If memory serves me correctly the older Ferrari V12's have a different firing order than the Jaguar and later Ferrari V12's.

 

Thanks Warren. This accounts for the V8 dilemma: Either equally spaced firing (which requires a flat plane crank which gives rotational vibration problems) or reduced vibration with a "normal crank" which entails an uneven firing order.

 

According to this, the Jag firing order is very close to newer Ferrari

best sounding jag, besides twr cars, that I've found


this has a more exotic/raspy newer ferrari v12 sound

 

odd with all the knowhow on this thread, cranks ,crossplane, flatplane,etc.

nobody enters the V cylinder block angle has not been mentioned.

but i can add that for a V12 engine 60* angle is as close to perfect, using a crossplane crank., but it makes for a very tall engine, OK for a street big car, but does not lend to a race car, for a low center of gravity!

more useless info! and i dont get my info from the internet, i'm closer to Jagcad, we did most things by hands on experience and reality!

i think its called trolling!

 

I was understanding the real problem with the V12 is its basically 2 x 6 cylinder. The double 6

 

Why is that a problem?

 

It should not be a problem. Sharing journal pins on the crank is part of the definition of the V-engine design, and it is a natural choice to design the V12 as 2 6-cylinder engines sharing the same crank.

The Jaguar V12's I have heard with some level of screaming sound has seperate headers. I'm quite sure the original cast iron headers collecting 3 cylinders right after the valves effectively cancels the sound some are looking for.

Next thing is the tuning level. The Jaguar V12 has mild cams. My guess is that Maserati and co. is using a more aggresive cam design, which probably also will add to the sound.