My XJS Handling mission

[bobfrance]

I've decided to soup up the handling of my trusty XJR-S (see profile).

The mods will most likely consist of new bushes and dampers all round.
I'm also considering some nice new lower profile alloys and Racelogic Traction control.

Any suggestions on the best shockers for the job and where I might get alloys large enough to fit the Jag would be welcome.

Also, if anyone can remember the name of the company that did the modernised XJS on Top Gear a few weeks back that could be handy too.

I look forward to you input folks.
(And no I'm not planning to fit it with NOS - not yet anyway )

>>> Edited by bobfrance on Tuesday 13th July 18:11

[ARH]

try these guys www.kwengineering.org/
they may be the ones from top gear but I am not sure.

[groomi]

I'd use modern Jag alloys for the job... from an XKR Silverstone perhaps?

[lanciachris]

firstly, if you havent done so already get the steering rack bushings changed. Then decide if you need the upgrade

whereabouts in the country are you?

[bobfrance]

Thanks for the input so far guys.

Adrian - I followed up the link to KW engineering and recieved a very swift response.
They said...

We could supply you with a kit of parts, and assuming you want to achieve an even better handling car, I would suggest the content as follows:

1. Set of bushes and mounts for front and rear, including steering rack: £528

2. Adjustable dampers (6): £423

3. HBE Anti roll bar (front) kit: £270

4. Road Springs (6) XJRS spec: £276

5. Set of 4, 5 or 10 spoke alloy wheels, 17inch x 8.5: £958

6. Set of 4, Falken ZE512 225 x 50 x 17 tyres, fitted, balanced: £348

7. MOMO 14inch 'Fighter' wood & leather steering wheel plus Jaguar boss: £276

8. Reconditioned XJRS steering rack: £268

You may also want to consider improving the brakes, partly by ensuring all the pistons are working (not always the case...) by having reconditioned callipers, and partly by improving pedal feel and fade by having grooved discs and steel braided flexible brake pipes. This kit would come to: £613

...Quite interesting reading. I may look into this further.

[bobfrance]

Groomi - Just what I was thinking about the wheels(although I would like black alloys). My mechanic has some XK8 wheels kicking around so we're going to try them for size. If they fit it will probably mean I'll have a lot more styles of wheels to choose from. Although my Jag has smaller wheel (in both width and radius) on the front than the back, I'm uncertain about changing this as I don't wish to undo the good work that TWR did when they developed it.

[bobfrance]

Chris - Interesting what you say about the steering rack bushes. I hadn't thought of that but KW Engineering obviously have - it's at the top of the list they sent me. Although I won't be splashing out on the new rack (mines fine) just the bushes.

In summary; I think I'll tackle this in stages starting with the bushes, then shockers and see how it feel after that.

I'm in Manchester BTW.

[lanciachris]

I wouldnt worry too much about the brake calipers as the 4 pot calipers on the xjs are hard as nails and tend to last really well.

Also make sure the car is nice and rust free around the radius arms + mounts.

[sheepy]

Make sure it is the uprated rack bushes (poly) you get fitted, not just new rubber ones which will be fine for about an hour after you fit them, then you go back to sloppy handling

I'm fitting the uprated ones at the moment, but I'll take a few weeks to finish (due to work pressure), so can't tell you if it makes as much difference as people claim.

[sheepy]

Oh and anther thing....

Get the engine mount-rubbers changed (don't forget the gearbox mount). This made mine handle better on braking and acceleration as the engine didn't bounce about first.

Sheepy

[kevinday]

Have a chat with Racing Green in Ash Vale Surrey, they are Jag specialists (as well as TVR), they could also point you in the direction of Arden (Jag tuner).

[bobfrance]

Thanks for the info Sheepy, it's all being added to my to-do list (which would probably cause my mechanice to faint if he saw it. Either that or put a deposit on a villa in the Algarve!)

I've had a look at the Racing Green and Arden websites Kevin but from what I could see they only seem to do upgrades on the newer stuff, though I have heard of a place that does carbon-fibre bonnets.

[sheepy]

Hi Bob,

I'm defintely on the xmas card list of my parts supplier. I've bought off them so many times that they know my credit-card numbers off by heart Rang them today because I need a replacement rack (as I suspected, swinging the engine and gearbox against the steering column whilst removing it wasn't a good idea! ).

With any luck I'll have the replacement by either this or the next weekend, and then I'll find out how much difference the bushes make!

Sheepy

[bobfrance]

sheepy said:

swinging the engine and gearbox against the steering column whilst removing it wasn't a good idea! Sheepy

Yes I've been warned against using the mechanicals for any kind of personal fitness programme!

[cspknowles]

Yes, we are the guys on Top Gear in June 04. www.kwejaguar.co.uk = www.kwengineering.co.uk = KWE = Knowles-Wilkins Engineering Ltd. (Don't ask...)!

[Jimbeaux]

After almost a year with my 1995 4.0 XJS (AJ16), I have to say (knock on wood) I am happier than ever with her. I love our Z4, but the XJS is a nice change of pace. She is very unique, at least where I live. Plenty of stodgy Xj6s and Vanden Plas models around, but the only a few like mine....most being prefacelift models. WHen I have a long interstate journey, the XJS gets the nod. I hope the old girl soldiers on. No point here, just felt like bragging.