XKR 430BHP ARDEN/Paramount
XKR 430BHP ARDEN/Paramount
Author
Discussion

barrieeld

Original Poster:

529 posts

238 months

Thursday 24th July 2008
quotequote all
Any had experience with one of these? The pre-facelift '00 model with the tuned 4.0 Supercharged V8.

What actual mode were done to these cars in relation to the standard vehicle and what are they like to drive...any major issues problems i should be made aware of?

thanks in advance

NormanD

3,208 posts

250 months

Friday 25th July 2008
quotequote all
Arden would be the body Kit

Paramount have tweeked the engine.
I expect that it has a larger bottom pully to turn the superchargar quicker, and the ECU has been played with. May even have a larger exhaust.

None of these should make the car any less reliable

Phoenix Red

2,003 posts

257 months

Sunday 27th July 2008
quotequote all
As Norman says plus probably change the upper SC pulley for a smaller one and fit a larger air intake cone with heat shield.

Paramount are the recognised 'Leaders' in finding more BHP and their website gives all the info.

barrieeld

Original Poster:

529 posts

238 months

Monday 28th July 2008
quotequote all
Is one of these worth a pop at for £10k?

Its done 100,000 miles but been well looked after?

Should i be concerned about anything tensioners etc?

Also i can see under the front wheel arch there a little bit of rust forming is this usual for a '00 car?

Many thanks in advance.

cardigankid

8,861 posts

234 months

Monday 28th July 2008
quotequote all
Its worth another 3-400 for an expert to give it a thorough check over. Sounds nice though.

bobfrance

1,323 posts

289 months

Monday 28th July 2008
quotequote all
Sorry to butt in. smile

But has anyone ever produced any suspension mods for the XK8/R?
I felt that they would benefit more from a better suspension setup than more power.
I do like them and have often considered buying one, but the year 2000 XKR I drove for a week felt very vague especially on the back end.And that was after it had been fitted with all new bushes.

Does the CATS system make much of a difference?

P700DEE

1,180 posts

252 months

Tuesday 29th July 2008
quotequote all
All Rs have the CATS suspension. I think there is a supplier for poly bushes for the Jags but they started out for XJs. Sorry forgotten who.

bobfrance

1,323 posts

289 months

Tuesday 29th July 2008
quotequote all
Really? I thought it was the later R's that were fitted with CATs.

a8hex

5,832 posts

245 months

Tuesday 29th July 2008
quotequote all
Looks like it was standard from day 1, if you look on Jag-Lovers you can find the original brochure

here's the options page
http://www.jag-lovers.org/brochures/xkr/xkr98_11_l...

NST

1,523 posts

265 months

Tuesday 29th July 2008
quotequote all
bobfrance said:
Sorry to butt in. smile

But has anyone ever produced any suspension mods for the XK8/R?
I felt that they would benefit more from a better suspension setup than more power.
I do like them and have often considered buying one, but the year 2000 XKR I drove for a week felt very vague especially on the back end.And that was after it had been fitted with all new bushes.

Does the CATS system make much of a difference?
I would say that the XKR isn't really a car that is 'keyed' into the road. it is alittle on the vague side. imho it becomes better as the speed increases (usually above 80) when the steering weight makes a difference.

i do like the vague feeling though! it slows me down! smile

on the plus side when pushing on it does have huge level of grip which i'm sure if down to the CATS system keeping the car level during corning/braking/accelerating.


GREEN CAT

14 posts

211 months

Tuesday 29th July 2008
quotequote all
Hi,
Just to let you know, I bought my XKR (2002) last August. A lovely car to drive, but a little skittish on the back end. What could I do to improve things ? Well after looking at loads of web sites offering tuning and upgrades I settled to get the work done at Paramount Performance in Slough. I decided to go for an ECU remap then upper supercharger pulley change, performance large bore aluminium exhaust system and a performance air filter by K&N plus lowered suspension. Don't beliebe what Jag tell you, but you never start at 400 BHP. The first Dyno run before any mods was 377 BHP and after with mods came out at 425 BHP. That's a lot more power and torque. The car now accellerates beautifully, very smooth with much improved mid range power. Well under 5.0 secs 0-60 now. The suspension change was the best thing to modify. No longer skittish and it has been proven at the Nurburgring. You can literally throw the car in and out of a corner at speed with confidence. All this work cost about £3000 incl.VAT, but it's an even greater car now.

Mark

bobfrance

1,323 posts

289 months

Tuesday 29th July 2008
quotequote all
Thanks for the insight. smile

Can anything be done to improve the steering weighting/feel?

GREEN CAT

14 posts

211 months

Tuesday 29th July 2008
quotequote all
Hi,

Yes, they can put a stering weight switch in to make it stiffer at higher speeds, but to be honest I don't think it needs it.

All the best

Mark

designXKR

99 posts

222 months

Tuesday 29th July 2008
quotequote all
P700DEE said:
All Rs have the CATS suspension. I think there is a supplier for poly bushes for the Jags but they started out for XJs. Sorry forgotten who.
You are right, we supply the poly bushes and in fact are fitting some next week for a client when they have a brake upgrade.

Kevin
www.designxkr.co.uk
01264 333523

ParanoidAndroid

1,367 posts

305 months

Wednesday 30th July 2008
quotequote all
GREEN CAT said:
Hi,
....air filter by K&N plus lowered suspension.... The suspension change was the best thing to modify. No longer skittish and it has been proven at the Nurburgring. You can literally throw the car in and out of a corner at speed with confidence.
Mark
Hi Mark,

Does it make that much difference? Surely lowering the suspension is more of a cosmetic thing? Not doubting your word, just interested in your experiences. Are the springs stiffer?

Cheers,
Graham


GREEN CAT

14 posts

211 months

Wednesday 30th July 2008
quotequote all
Hi Graham,
Your right the lowering bit may seem a bit cosmetic, but the springs I have fitted have been developed to make the Cat less vague on the back end. The springs are a lot stiffer, so in fact, give you a slightly harder ride, but without doubt it is worth doing this inexpensive mod. Fully fitted works out at about £700 depending on whether you need new bushes. Please note that it is advisable to get the wheel alignment checked for toe and camber etc etc after about 200 miles after fitting. Of course all this depends on how serious individuals are of getting the best out of the car. The next thing for me will be to add a set of competition wheels and tyres. The sub 9 minute lap at the Ring is my next target.

Best regards,

Mark

Shar2

2,255 posts

235 months

Friday 1st August 2008
quotequote all
Paramount lowered my XK8 and it does make quite a bit of difference on cornering. Was in Brittany recently staying with another 8 owner and consistantly out cornered him which was a problem as I was the following car. I could go quite a bit faster and stay exactly on line round the bends whereas his back end started to step out and he had to slow down. He was on standard shocks and 18" wheels, compared with my 30mm lower springs and 20" wheels.