The Range Racer
Discussion
14 said:
Erm the car weighs 2.5 tons as standard and the final weight will probably be around 2 tons, you will not notice the weight of the HVAC. The car is being built for fun and I don’t think there’s any benefit of extreme weight reduction like taking the glass out, cutting the inner section of the doors, fitting lightweight wheels, fitting lightweight exhaust and removing HVAC. Personally I’d refit some sound deadening as the extra noise will mean you may not want to use it for extended use.
Your not getting this project really are you. This is not there daily driver. Getting rid of the Aircon is not just for weight purposes, it will allow more air to flow through the engine keeping it cooler. Also the rangie will need oil coolers, power steering cooler which will more than likely go where the air rad is presently. The bonnet will also need lightening with air vents and no insulation. Removing as much weight as possible from a track car/ 4*4 will take the weight off brakes suspension components, transmission, engine etc. not just increase power to weight.
Anyway I'm looking forward to see Rangie Vs Bentley Battle of the Beasts
Just my 2p, but I would keep HVAC. Assuming you'll be driving to and from the TD, on a hot day, the AC will be welcome and trust me, on a cold day, heating is a godsend. Says a man who took a Caterham with no heater down the M4... No, the tunnel heat does not offset 5 degree 70mph wind.
Yes it's a fun project. But using it should be fun too.
Yes it's a fun project. But using it should be fun too.
RicksAlfas said:
I would keep it too. You are not building a Radical, you are converting a Range Rover. Yes, there will be some performance benefits from removing it, but you will presumably want to drive it all year round and it will be much more pleasant with it left in.
I'd take it out - it's a free 20kg (or more!) that can come out, it also simplifies the car electrically and mechanically.More space in the engine bay means it's easier to service, cleaner rad flow means it'll control temps better, the dash can come out almost completely as you don't need the original controls.
What a great thread.
As a rule, nothing smaller than 20's will fit over the SC Brembo calipers. IIRC, only one style of OEM 19" wheels fit over them, so if you're going with other manufacturers, you'd be lucky to go smaller than 20s.
With the suspension, would a better and simpler solution not be an IID tool? You could just have a race setting and a standard setting, drive to the track, lower the normal ride height to the desired level, swap it back afterwards? Have one for my RR (although just for normal diagnostics, CCF adjustments etc) and wouldn't be without it. I'm guessing it would be useful when lights spring up at the track to see at a glance what fault codes are showing?
As a rule, nothing smaller than 20's will fit over the SC Brembo calipers. IIRC, only one style of OEM 19" wheels fit over them, so if you're going with other manufacturers, you'd be lucky to go smaller than 20s.
With the suspension, would a better and simpler solution not be an IID tool? You could just have a race setting and a standard setting, drive to the track, lower the normal ride height to the desired level, swap it back afterwards? Have one for my RR (although just for normal diagnostics, CCF adjustments etc) and wouldn't be without it. I'm guessing it would be useful when lights spring up at the track to see at a glance what fault codes are showing?
Top project, should be great fun, enjoy!
I too have an 07 RR SC as my daily which I’ve owned since nearly new approaching your mileage with minimal problems, so will watch this with interest.
I bought a Jaguar XJR a couple of years ago at Christmas Eve in the pub with the intention of doing this, but it was an XJR100 so I can’t bring myself to stripping it out. I’ve done a couple of track days in it and apart from shredding tyres the only problem I had was the power steering overheating and spraying oil over the manifold causing a black flag due to smoke - so I would at least fit an expansion tank for the power steering.
You are on the right path with adding lightness, I did the same with my XJS race car, which started out as a road car and lost almost 400kg without too much drastic action, so you should be able to lose a bit more.
I would ditch the A/C & HVAC along with all the electric motors etc there must be a lot of weight there. I’d replace the glass with Perspex / lexan approx the same thickness as the glass so you can reuse the original rubbers.
I removed the loom & made up a simple loom, but I think you will have a much bigger task due to the engine ECU wanting to communicate with everything & put you into fail safe mode if any of its parameters are breached - I think stopping that’s going to be your biggest challenge.
Talk to Alan Meaker at Toyo, he should be able to guide you with tyre choice. Swallow Racing have done a lot of work on SC Jaguars & are holding a joint track day with the JEC at Brands in February.
Let me know if you need any other pointers.
Above all enjoy!
I too have an 07 RR SC as my daily which I’ve owned since nearly new approaching your mileage with minimal problems, so will watch this with interest.
I bought a Jaguar XJR a couple of years ago at Christmas Eve in the pub with the intention of doing this, but it was an XJR100 so I can’t bring myself to stripping it out. I’ve done a couple of track days in it and apart from shredding tyres the only problem I had was the power steering overheating and spraying oil over the manifold causing a black flag due to smoke - so I would at least fit an expansion tank for the power steering.
You are on the right path with adding lightness, I did the same with my XJS race car, which started out as a road car and lost almost 400kg without too much drastic action, so you should be able to lose a bit more.
I would ditch the A/C & HVAC along with all the electric motors etc there must be a lot of weight there. I’d replace the glass with Perspex / lexan approx the same thickness as the glass so you can reuse the original rubbers.
I removed the loom & made up a simple loom, but I think you will have a much bigger task due to the engine ECU wanting to communicate with everything & put you into fail safe mode if any of its parameters are breached - I think stopping that’s going to be your biggest challenge.
Talk to Alan Meaker at Toyo, he should be able to guide you with tyre choice. Swallow Racing have done a lot of work on SC Jaguars & are holding a joint track day with the JEC at Brands in February.
Let me know if you need any other pointers.
Above all enjoy!
Munter said:
Don't do it.
Imagine a summers day, lot's of large glass windows. A V8 and exhaust pumping heat in through the now not insulated floor/body. You are working hard at the wheel.
This will not be a fun situation. Yes taking it out will save weight. But...I think you'll have more fun with it in.
I've had the AC on in my road cars maybe 2-3 times in the last 2 yearsImagine a summers day, lot's of large glass windows. A V8 and exhaust pumping heat in through the now not insulated floor/body. You are working hard at the wheel.
This will not be a fun situation. Yes taking it out will save weight. But...I think you'll have more fun with it in.
none of my track cars have AC and it's not an issue, if I'm hot I put the windows down
to be fair i'm quite slim and don't sweat/heat up that much !
WCZ said:
Munter said:
Don't do it.
Imagine a summers day, lot's of large glass windows. A V8 and exhaust pumping heat in through the now not insulated floor/body. You are working hard at the wheel.
This will not be a fun situation. Yes taking it out will save weight. But...I think you'll have more fun with it in.
I've had the AC on in my road cars maybe 2-3 times in the last 2 yearsImagine a summers day, lot's of large glass windows. A V8 and exhaust pumping heat in through the now not insulated floor/body. You are working hard at the wheel.
This will not be a fun situation. Yes taking it out will save weight. But...I think you'll have more fun with it in.
none of my track cars have AC and it's not an issue, if I'm hot I put the windows down
to be fair i'm quite slim and don't sweat/heat up that much !
In summer I'll typically come out of the car after a track session with my (long sleeve, because rules) t-shirt sodden, struggling to unstick it from my back.
Opening the window just creates way more wind noise and buffeting than I want to put up with. (Open softtop is ok. Side windows though are horrible.
I have the AC on in my road cars most of the year. Probably in effect end of march through to start of november. It just makes long trips (such as too and from a trackday), a lot more comfortable. The less frazzled you can arrive at the start of the day, and during the day, the less chance you'll burn out and bin it on track/the way home.
IF they need the space for engine cooling. Fine. Get it out when that's an issue. But saving a few KG on a (non competitive) fun car they'll be doing long journeys in, with a lot of "glass" area. Cooling for the humans is something I'd keep if I can.
It's one of those "there is no right decision" items.
Another vote for keeping the AC, if you believe the power drain to run is too high during the race, you can always turn it off, and then back on again for the cool down lap etc.
Also with it off the condenser wont be chucking extra heat into the engine bay, yes it will be slowing down the air a bit, but worry about that if and when you need to!
Ducting to blast more air at the brakes to keep them just off the cherry red status?
Also with it off the condenser wont be chucking extra heat into the engine bay, yes it will be slowing down the air a bit, but worry about that if and when you need to!
Ducting to blast more air at the brakes to keep them just off the cherry red status?
Peanut Gallery said:
Another vote for keeping the AC, if you believe the power drain to run is too high during the race, you can always turn it off, and then back on again for the cool down lap etc.
Another vote for keeping the AC. Hot trackdays are exhausting and you'll want it on when you drive home!https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2... {/URL}
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2... {/URL}
How about a rally scoop would look seriously cool and keep things cool.;)
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2... {/URL}
How about a rally scoop would look seriously cool and keep things cool.;)
Edited by M4CK 1 on Tuesday 15th January 17:50
xjsracer44 said:
Top project, should be great fun, enjoy!
I too have an 07 RR SC as my daily which I’ve owned since nearly new approaching your mileage with minimal problems, so will watch this with interest.
I bought a Jaguar XJR a couple of years ago at Christmas Eve in the pub with the intention of doing this, but it was an XJR100 so I can’t bring myself to stripping it out. I’ve done a couple of track days in it and apart from shredding tyres the only problem I had was the power steering overheating and spraying oil over the manifold causing a black flag due to smoke - so I would at least fit an expansion tank for the power steering.
You are on the right path with adding lightness, I did the same with my XJS race car, which started out as a road car and lost almost 400kg without too much drastic action, so you should be able to lose a bit more.
I would ditch the A/C & HVAC along with all the electric motors etc there must be a lot of weight there. I’d replace the glass with Perspex / lexan approx the same thickness as the glass so you can reuse the original rubbers.
I removed the loom & made up a simple loom, but I think you will have a much bigger task due to the engine ECU wanting to communicate with everything & put you into fail safe mode if any of its parameters are breached - I think stopping that’s going to be your biggest challenge.
Talk to Alan Meaker at Toyo, he should be able to guide you with tyre choice. Swallow Racing have done a lot of work on SC Jaguars & are holding a joint track day with the JEC at Brands in February.
Let me know if you need any other pointers.
Above all enjoy!
I'd love to see a thread on your XJS! and also thinking of attending the JEC day at Brands in Feb - would be great to see the Range Racer there too.I too have an 07 RR SC as my daily which I’ve owned since nearly new approaching your mileage with minimal problems, so will watch this with interest.
I bought a Jaguar XJR a couple of years ago at Christmas Eve in the pub with the intention of doing this, but it was an XJR100 so I can’t bring myself to stripping it out. I’ve done a couple of track days in it and apart from shredding tyres the only problem I had was the power steering overheating and spraying oil over the manifold causing a black flag due to smoke - so I would at least fit an expansion tank for the power steering.
You are on the right path with adding lightness, I did the same with my XJS race car, which started out as a road car and lost almost 400kg without too much drastic action, so you should be able to lose a bit more.
I would ditch the A/C & HVAC along with all the electric motors etc there must be a lot of weight there. I’d replace the glass with Perspex / lexan approx the same thickness as the glass so you can reuse the original rubbers.
I removed the loom & made up a simple loom, but I think you will have a much bigger task due to the engine ECU wanting to communicate with everything & put you into fail safe mode if any of its parameters are breached - I think stopping that’s going to be your biggest challenge.
Talk to Alan Meaker at Toyo, he should be able to guide you with tyre choice. Swallow Racing have done a lot of work on SC Jaguars & are holding a joint track day with the JEC at Brands in February.
Let me know if you need any other pointers.
Above all enjoy!
As for the HVAC, I'd probably end up removing it too as it realistically will end up as a track car rather than a road car, but there is also no harm in seeing how you get on with it left in the car in the meantime and seeing whether you feel it is necessary when you take it out on track next - be it warm or cold.
I am really liking this project 
I see lots of suggestions for turning it into much more track focussed machine but I like the way it still looks standard outside (especially with the suspension in the higher setting) and with four lightweight seats in and maybe a little lightweight soundproofing you and your mates can drive to the circuit in comfort and then surprise others on the track.
The more extreme modifications could be done later but they would compromise the road driving and may take away the element of surprise. It is a fun track day car, not a racing car built for class wins.
I see lots of suggestions for turning it into much more track focussed machine but I like the way it still looks standard outside (especially with the suspension in the higher setting) and with four lightweight seats in and maybe a little lightweight soundproofing you and your mates can drive to the circuit in comfort and then surprise others on the track.
The more extreme modifications could be done later but they would compromise the road driving and may take away the element of surprise. It is a fun track day car, not a racing car built for class wins.
Munter said:
Don't do it.
Imagine a summers day, lot's of large glass windows. A V8 and exhaust pumping heat in through the now not insulated floor/body. You are working hard at the wheel.
This will not be a fun situation. Yes taking it out will save weight. But...I think you'll have more fun with it in.
I couldn’t agree more. I doubt you’d feel the difference in extra power too much. You’d feel the extra heat though. Imagine a summers day, lot's of large glass windows. A V8 and exhaust pumping heat in through the now not insulated floor/body. You are working hard at the wheel.
This will not be a fun situation. Yes taking it out will save weight. But...I think you'll have more fun with it in.
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