Jaguar Super V8 Project

[alec.e]

Thanks all
Was great to meet you all and some lovely cars.
Not touched the gas system, not sold on it for this engine.

Got some detailing done before the barge meet, not that you could tell in the rain...
My new DRLs working too

Edited by alec.e on Monday 2nd May 21:01

[jonesof63]

That's very nice !

[CharlesdeGaulle]

Alec - any chance you can clean my car please? I'm a sponge and bucket sort of bloke, and - obviously - never get the kind of shine you have there.

It was a pity the rain took the edge off appearances last weekend, but yours did look fantastic.

[alec.e]

Thank-you, my 'detailing' nothing really special, just a clay, polish with a DA and wax. Looking into ceramic coatings sometime in the future once the paintwork is done.

[0a]

Your car was really menacing (but supremely luxurious on the inside!) on the barge day - I wish we'd looked at the engine now having looked back at this thread.

Keep up the good work Alec - it was great to meet you.

[alec.e]

0a, thanks, a very enjoyable day despite the weather. Your 190 is a stunner, in fantastic condition and puts many much newer cars to shame. Got me looking at 80's and 90's Mercedes in the classifieds;) Hope to meet again at a future barge meet.

[r129sl]

I saw this car at the weekend and was totally blown away by it. I did notice the paintwork was superb...

[alec.e]

r129sl said:

I saw this car at the weekend and was totally blown away by it. I did notice the paintwork was superb...

Thanks, the paintwork did look good while it lasted, I had a nasty shock cleaning the car today:




This must have happened between the barge meet and commuting to work. Looks like someone has kicked the car...
My freshly painted sills are scuffed and lower rear door. I have disguised the scratches by polishing, but I fear the deeper ones will not come out!

[r129sl]

Nasty. I think you'll get most of that out. You can't use a car and keep it perfect, unfortunately.

The absence of any orange peel is really impressive.

[alec.e]

Went to Santa Pod in the Jag yesterday, got a best time of 13.4sec @ 105mph, very hot day, so I am sure heatsoak affected the times, but on the whole very pleased.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6DXMTILlC8

130i vs Super V8:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHL6GF7_-w8

[alec.e]

Found some more videos on youtube, these against the s2000:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyLW9YtBt2k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZL1jh_GTgM

Some professional shots:








My best time slip (room for improvement):


Average MPG driving to SP:


Total average MPG for the day, including hooning it on the strip!

[problemchild1976]

ha - love it...... the other drivers must have been gutted

JJ

[skyrover]

Too much plastic in that engine bay... can you get rid of some of it?

Otherwise that's a great looking car.

[alec.e]

A update finally

A few months I was seriously tempted to trade for a W221 S600 or a CLS55 AMG, but have decided to keep the Jag and carry on enjoying the car for the foreseeable future.

Latest projects are:
-Retrofit optional 4 zone climate control
-Finish Android install with upgraded touch-screen, digital TV and reverse camera
-Refurbish Arden Sportline 19" 3pc wheels
-Headliner retrim in black suede

[Geekman]

Can't wait to see the results - yours is already my favourite XJ I've ever seen, so to improve on that is quite an achievement!

I'm particularly jealous of your paint: whilst mine is in generally good condition with no major marks, I've never had the chance to detail it and it's very dull and swirled. A good machine polish would make a huge difference, but I don't have the time or facilities to wash the car properly so it'd just deteriorate very soon after doing it. So for now I'll just have to stare in awe at your reflection shots

Oh, and I paid £4300, not £4500 as you said previously

[alec.e]

Geekman said:

Can't wait to see the results - yours is already my favourite XJ I've ever seen, so to improve on that is quite an achievement!

I'm particularly jealous of your paint: whilst mine is in generally good condition with no major marks, I've never had the chance to detail it and it's very dull and swirled. A good machine polish would make a huge difference, but I don't have the time or facilities to wash the car properly so it'd just deteriorate very soon after doing it. So for now I'll just have to stare in awe at your reflection shots

Oh, and I paid £4300, not £4500 as you said previously

Thank-you Seems to take a ridiculous amount of effort to keep it looking nice, no more black cars lol.
All the better for £4300! Still wanting to do that roadtrip, need to get the coolant system fully checked out, esp. valley pipe before driving on the continent.

[alec.e]

My Android/TV/Camera Install to date.

Reverse Camera:
I ended up repainting a new boot plinth, as the old one was missing many mountings.
First flatted and some old number plate holes filled:


Then painted with badges and new camera:


Camera wiring following OEM route under boot lid carpet:


Camera bolted in position (far right) through boot plinth and inner alloy skin:


RGB wires identified & stripped to connect video interface in boot:


I soldered crimp connectors, allowing the new interface to be bypassed and returned to stock if needs be:


I quickly made up a alloy bracket to mount the interface:


Video Interface in place on stack, (silver box on left):




A relay is required to 'invert' signal from the reverse lamps to trigger the camera view on screen. The X350 uses switched negative.

Camera connected with rubbish in view:


Seem to have a issue with the interface distorting picture about 6mm upwards from top of screen, did not have this issue on my install on my old XJ...

[0a]

Impressive work Alec, I'm pleased you are keeping the Super 8 and improving it even more.

Come down south for the next barge meet - hopefully it won't be so rainy! See: http://doodle.com/poll/tt3kd5ky44zdgwgr

[alec.e]

Andriod/TV Part 1:
Pulling all the required cables through, afterwards, all cables tied or wrapped in loom tape to original cable routes:




'Secret' Push-buttons in cubby hole, left is video select on nav screen, right is audio select for cabin speakers:




Connectors in glovebox with original 12v socket:


I wanted to be able to mirror the front screen, so you can have Android and TV on all screens. To get onto the rear screens & input cabin audio, I had to hack into the rear armrest controls. Here is the modified panel:


Basically, the new RCA fly-leads connect direct to the PCB terminals, there are RCA sockets under the flap, which are helpfully designed to allow you to connect iPods etc to the rear screens. I just adapted it so than you can stay connected all the time, without unsightly plugs. The red JST plug plugs into my new cable to allow you to select audio from the front using the secret button.

Audio select button extended using very thin wire:


RCA Connections under rear armrest, next to OEM control panel connectors:


More connections added to the interface, all labeled:


MXQ S805 Android box plugged in and showing on all screens
NAV:

Rear Screens:


The stock screen is really crappy, so will be replaced, but still in OEM housing. I will be following guidance from a very clever man off the Jaguar forum.

[alec.e]

0a said:

Impressive work Alec, I'm pleased you are keeping the Super 8 and improving it even more.

Come down south for the next barge meet - hopefully it won't be so rainy! See: http://doodle.com/poll/tt3kd5ky44zdgwgr

Thanks, already got my name down, see you in Sept. Hope the weather is good too, I will be drag racing that weekend too.