Jaguar XJ40-R Race Car Project
Discussion
Hiya. Thought I'd post up a thread on the progress of my Jag race car which has its first race next weekend at Snetterton.
It started middle of last year, I had been talking about it with the old man but we were never in a position to go for it, but things changed and we decided to build a car and enter the JEC saloon championship. Obviously I've done the background stuff, race transport, trailer, race licence etc and it's not cheap
but this is about the car. Built 90% by Simon Seath Jaguar, massive help!
First of all, £800 bought us this, it had been laid up in Simons yard but we knew it ran and it was an XJR so has the quicker rack, bigger shocks, and jaguar sport bits on the engine so a few little bonuses.
It was looking sorry for itself, first things first, gut it!
The seats weighed a bloody ton, sold the whole interior to a local chap. Next job, make sure it's solid.
The sills were bad, so all new metal was put in, sunroof was taken out and it was covered up using a donor car for a new bonnet and boot as well. Staying with the colour as I like it
New arches as well, then treated and painted
Next job, full cage install
Passenger seat was just for track day, but quickly removed as it didn't work well
New discs, pads, callipers, lines and fluid. New drivers FIA seat and harness as well
Toyo tires were fitted (as required for the race series) to 17" XJR wheels. Car is still automatic, this will change soon just need to get a good box and also a race out the way so we know the engine is ok. All new oil, plugs etc. New top mount bushes, but other than that the suspension is still standard. Next was a track day to test the at Brands Hatch, and it performed great. In fact Simon said it was braking and turning in better than his own XJS. So very happy it performed well.
It really is a case of doing everything properly, not with aesthetics in mind. The idea is to improve as we go, and fix what brakes.
After track day, we plumbed in the fire extinguisher, tidied electrics and fitted the cut offs. Finished off some small jobs, moved battery to the boot and fingers crossed she's ready
Next up date will be after my first race (bloody excited and also apprehensive)
Cheers
It started middle of last year, I had been talking about it with the old man but we were never in a position to go for it, but things changed and we decided to build a car and enter the JEC saloon championship. Obviously I've done the background stuff, race transport, trailer, race licence etc and it's not cheap
but this is about the car. Built 90% by Simon Seath Jaguar, massive help!First of all, £800 bought us this, it had been laid up in Simons yard but we knew it ran and it was an XJR so has the quicker rack, bigger shocks, and jaguar sport bits on the engine so a few little bonuses.
It was looking sorry for itself, first things first, gut it!
The seats weighed a bloody ton, sold the whole interior to a local chap. Next job, make sure it's solid.
The sills were bad, so all new metal was put in, sunroof was taken out and it was covered up using a donor car for a new bonnet and boot as well. Staying with the colour as I like it
New arches as well, then treated and painted
Next job, full cage install
Passenger seat was just for track day, but quickly removed as it didn't work well
New discs, pads, callipers, lines and fluid. New drivers FIA seat and harness as well
Toyo tires were fitted (as required for the race series) to 17" XJR wheels. Car is still automatic, this will change soon just need to get a good box and also a race out the way so we know the engine is ok. All new oil, plugs etc. New top mount bushes, but other than that the suspension is still standard. Next was a track day to test the at Brands Hatch, and it performed great. In fact Simon said it was braking and turning in better than his own XJS. So very happy it performed well.
It really is a case of doing everything properly, not with aesthetics in mind. The idea is to improve as we go, and fix what brakes.
After track day, we plumbed in the fire extinguisher, tidied electrics and fitted the cut offs. Finished off some small jobs, moved battery to the boot and fingers crossed she's ready
Next up date will be after my first race (bloody excited and also apprehensive)
Cheers
Cheers guys
Yes it's certainly not the first thing you'd think of racing, but the idea of hurling it around the track with other big jags is appealing, and the old man is a big Jag man so for him to help finance it I need him to have some genuine interest
The S6 should only make 220-40bhp on a good day. I'm in class A so it has to be very close to road going engine wise with only breathing modifications or factory parts allowed. Next on the list after manual box will be to remove a few silencers to get it sounding like some of the others in the series
Yes it's certainly not the first thing you'd think of racing, but the idea of hurling it around the track with other big jags is appealing, and the old man is a big Jag man so for him to help finance it I need him to have some genuine interest
The S6 should only make 220-40bhp on a good day. I'm in class A so it has to be very close to road going engine wise with only breathing modifications or factory parts allowed. Next on the list after manual box will be to remove a few silencers to get it sounding like some of the others in the series
Well first race weekend was what can only be described as epic. Sun out all weekend, BBQ in the pits, greta bunch of lads, excellent banter....oh and some brilliant racing. Car performed really well. Having an auto was a big disadvantage but my best lap times were as follows, bearing in mind my first time @ Snetterton 
Qualifying 2.56 (Second to last, in front of the other newbie)
Race 1 -2.41 (Finished where I started) Started to get a better feel for the car and the correct lines to take
Race 2 -2.36 (More fun than the first, was a second off one of the other drivers)
Car wouldn't rev out in 3rd or 4th and kept short shifting, but I can't complain as the brakes were spot on, nothing fell off, it never overheated and in general did me proud
Sleeping in a van was an experience though, first night I couldn't feel my face so I promptly bought a double duvet for the next day and cocooned my self in this which worked wonders
Next race is Silverstone. Pictures to follow of last weekend also
Cheers
Qualifying 2.56 (Second to last, in front of the other newbie)
Race 1 -2.41 (Finished where I started) Started to get a better feel for the car and the correct lines to take
Race 2 -2.36 (More fun than the first, was a second off one of the other drivers)
Car wouldn't rev out in 3rd or 4th and kept short shifting, but I can't complain as the brakes were spot on, nothing fell off, it never overheated and in general did me proud
Sleeping in a van was an experience though, first night I couldn't feel my face so I promptly bought a double duvet for the next day and cocooned my self in this which worked wonders
Next race is Silverstone. Pictures to follow of last weekend also
Cheers
Cheers Guys
Almost secured a complete XJ40 4.0 manual, just waiting to hear back. If I get the car then the box change will have to wait until after Silverstone, but I'll be pleased I secured a manual 40 as these are becoming quote rare, especially 4.0 cars. I'll then try to make sure she's manual before Brands Hatch end of May.
Also bought a go pro with all the relevant bits so I can record my next race, it's quite a popular thing to do and I'll be looking forward to watching the playback.
Next job is to check the car over, clean it, paint a bit more of the interior so it's all one colour and ensure she's ready for Silverstone.
Cheers
Almost secured a complete XJ40 4.0 manual, just waiting to hear back. If I get the car then the box change will have to wait until after Silverstone, but I'll be pleased I secured a manual 40 as these are becoming quote rare, especially 4.0 cars. I'll then try to make sure she's manual before Brands Hatch end of May.
Also bought a go pro with all the relevant bits so I can record my next race, it's quite a popular thing to do and I'll be looking forward to watching the playback.
Next job is to check the car over, clean it, paint a bit more of the interior so it's all one colour and ensure she's ready for Silverstone.
Cheers
Silverstone over, the gearbox has to go! It's changing up early and doing my head in. The Go Pro got some great footage however. Qualified 3rd from last, finished last, just couldn't catch anyone as it wouldn't rev out on the straights.
XJ restorations are jumping on board with the car hopefully and it shall have a manual box, sit closer to the ground and many new bushes before Brands which should allow me to get up the field and start proper racing.
The engine is sweet as a nut though, great oil pressure through out and the temperature gauge stayed put. I'll write a big up date next with the changes and pictures.
Cheers
XJ restorations are jumping on board with the car hopefully and it shall have a manual box, sit closer to the ground and many new bushes before Brands which should allow me to get up the field and start proper racing.
The engine is sweet as a nut though, great oil pressure through out and the temperature gauge stayed put. I'll write a big up date next with the changes and pictures.
Cheers
So a worth while up date. It's full speed ahead now.
Went here (300Jags)
Picked this one
Manual 3.2, dropping it off at garage on Tuesday so the box, and new clutch can go into my car. Leaving me with a lowered car, stiffer springs, fresh bushes, manual box, advanced ignition timing, and a lighter car. This should make me far more competitive for Brands. Next up date next week
Went here (300Jags)
Picked this one
Manual 3.2, dropping it off at garage on Tuesday so the box, and new clutch can go into my car. Leaving me with a lowered car, stiffer springs, fresh bushes, manual box, advanced ignition timing, and a lighter car. This should make me far more competitive for Brands. Next up date next week
Ok so she's 99% ready, picking her up tomorrow. Should be a different animal to drive now, all new bushes, rebuilt front subframe, lowered and most importantly she's now manual. The sponsor has kept me updated well, the next instalment will be post Brands Hatch
Old rusty and seriously shagged bushes
All new! Plus shocks
How she looks at the moment
Next stage will include a whole lot of wiring in the bin and a crash diet! But I'll see how it gets on at Brands first
Cheers
Old rusty and seriously shagged bushes
All new! Plus shocks
How she looks at the moment
Next stage will include a whole lot of wiring in the bin and a crash diet! But I'll see how it gets on at Brands first
Cheers
Well that was an epic weekend.
The sun stayed out and some family came down which was nice. I never got time to test the car so here's how the weekend went:
Saturday - Qualifying, realised the gearbox mount is so shagged the box and prop were hitting the underside of the tunnel whilst spinning making a horrendous noise. I crapped it not knowing what it was and came in after 3 laps. Further investigation (frustration) showed it wasn't doing much damage but sounded worse than it was. I used a mini ratchet strap to try and limit the movement but it came back during the race.
Saturday Race - I qualified dead last obviously but off the line I made 4 places, which would be the finishing result for me as I couldn't get passed the red X300 of Roger in front of me, still putting up with a dreadful noise and getting to know the car. Epic fun though
Sunday race - Very eventful. We start that race in the same positions the cars finish on the Saturday, so I was up the field a bit. But another good start ment I made another few places. I then had to avoid a big crash on paddock hill and managed to sneak by another 4-5 cars. I then pushed on harder than in Saturdays race and managed to stay in position until a bit of underside trim fell off. This sounded very bad, so I pulled in only to find out it's just a bit of underside trim. I didn't go back out, which I regret.
30 cars started 20 finished, several incidents that are being looked in to, thankfully none of which I am involved in.
For Castle Coomb, she's going on a diet which I'll add progress pictures of, and we are sorting the horrendous gearbox mount.
I'll try and edit some of the go pro footage and get it up here
Cheers
The sun stayed out and some family came down which was nice. I never got time to test the car so here's how the weekend went:
Saturday - Qualifying, realised the gearbox mount is so shagged the box and prop were hitting the underside of the tunnel whilst spinning making a horrendous noise. I crapped it not knowing what it was and came in after 3 laps. Further investigation (frustration) showed it wasn't doing much damage but sounded worse than it was. I used a mini ratchet strap to try and limit the movement but it came back during the race.
Saturday Race - I qualified dead last obviously but off the line I made 4 places, which would be the finishing result for me as I couldn't get passed the red X300 of Roger in front of me, still putting up with a dreadful noise and getting to know the car. Epic fun though
Sunday race - Very eventful. We start that race in the same positions the cars finish on the Saturday, so I was up the field a bit. But another good start ment I made another few places. I then had to avoid a big crash on paddock hill and managed to sneak by another 4-5 cars. I then pushed on harder than in Saturdays race and managed to stay in position until a bit of underside trim fell off. This sounded very bad, so I pulled in only to find out it's just a bit of underside trim. I didn't go back out, which I regret.
30 cars started 20 finished, several incidents that are being looked in to, thankfully none of which I am involved in.
For Castle Coomb, she's going on a diet which I'll add progress pictures of, and we are sorting the horrendous gearbox mount.
I'll try and edit some of the go pro footage and get it up here
Cheers
So Castle Coombe was last weekend. What a brilliant time I had, such a nice venue. Quietly crapped myself when at 10pm I realise I forgot my race suit, gloves and boots so had to do 280miles round trip, getting back to the paddock for 2.30am
But the racing was great, first time on the track and the car performed well. Still need 888 tyres and suspension setup and I'm down on power, but it was great. I managed to take the guy in the purple XJS but he simply had more power than me so took the position back on the straights.
Finished where I started on both races. Car didn't overheat but brakes went off slightly. Going to try and get the 888s for the next race and also perhaps some power modifications, next stop Anglesey
But the racing was great, first time on the track and the car performed well. Still need 888 tyres and suspension setup and I'm down on power, but it was great. I managed to take the guy in the purple XJS but he simply had more power than me so took the position back on the straights.
Finished where I started on both races. Car didn't overheat but brakes went off slightly. Going to try and get the 888s for the next race and also perhaps some power modifications, next stop Anglesey
Thanks guys. It weighs 1640 with me in it, so the heaviest car in the whole series right now. To get a bit more power I'm fitting an advancing bracket that a local chap makes to give me a few more degrees on the timing, new exhaust and then get it set up on a rolling road. Obviously it's class A so my options are limited. I already have the sport manifold, but some guys change the cams as well.
Off to my unit this afternoon to cut the inside of the doors out and strip the window mechanisms and start getting chop happy with the wiring loom
Cheers
Off to my unit this afternoon to cut the inside of the doors out and strip the window mechanisms and start getting chop happy with the wiring loom
Cheers
As an up date, the seasons over now
It was great fun, won drive of the day award @ Donnington which is an epic track and loads of fun. Oulton park was great as well, we qualifying allowed me to get 7th on the grid, but a dry race saw me fall well back dwarfed by more powerful and more modified cars. Lots planned for winter. Will up date soon with full list of work undertaken in preparation to become more competitive next season
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It was great fun, won drive of the day award @ Donnington which is an epic track and loads of fun. Oulton park was great as well, we qualifying allowed me to get 7th on the grid, but a dry race saw me fall well back dwarfed by more powerful and more modified cars. Lots planned for winter. Will up date soon with full list of work undertaken in preparation to become more competitive next season
[URL=http://s116.photobucket.com/user/capri20/media/adam-powderham-rg_zps5783d848.jpg.html]
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Edited by XJR500bhp on Sunday 5th October 15:39
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