XKR improvements and modifications
Discussion
I have a year 2000 XKR convertible. Everything is standard equipment, no modifications, just as new.
I would like to improve the handling and the brakes for road use. I'm not going to be using the car around a track.
What would people recommend, eg tyres, dampers, springs, rotors and pads?
Looks-wise I'd also like to decrease the gap between tyre and wheel arch so lowering the suspension could be considered. Any thoughts on this?
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Richard
I would like to improve the handling and the brakes for road use. I'm not going to be using the car around a track.
What would people recommend, eg tyres, dampers, springs, rotors and pads?
Looks-wise I'd also like to decrease the gap between tyre and wheel arch so lowering the suspension could be considered. Any thoughts on this?
--
Richard
Hi Richard, don't know what wheels you have on it but I have had mine from new in 2001 on 18's. Last year decided to keep it a while longer and fancied freshening it up a bit which included replacing the 18" with 20" Detroits. Have to say I'm pleased with how they look but have been a little disappointed with the impact on handling. The ride is far harder, and whilst it is glued on corners, on motorways at speed it does not feel as steady and tends to get dragged into tracks (tramlining I think it's called), especially if you get on dual carriageways where trucks have created slight ruts.
Have toyed with the idea of lowering the suspension as it does look to sit quite high, especially with the lower profile tyres, but I don't want to make the ride worse, which for me is one of the beauties of the car. I take it you like the contrast with the Noble.
Look forward to hearing what you decide to do and how it affects the handling and ride. I've still got my 18's in the garage and may refurb and replace them one the tyres need changing.
Cheers
David
Have toyed with the idea of lowering the suspension as it does look to sit quite high, especially with the lower profile tyres, but I don't want to make the ride worse, which for me is one of the beauties of the car. I take it you like the contrast with the Noble.
Look forward to hearing what you decide to do and how it affects the handling and ride. I've still got my 18's in the garage and may refurb and replace them one the tyres need changing.
Cheers
David
Thanks David.
I've standard 18" wheels fitted. Can you tell me what tyres are you running on the 20" Detroits - make and spec numbers written on the side of the front and rear tyres would be useful.
It's a heck of a contrast to the Noble but I do like it a lot.
I'd agree with your comments on tramlining; I also don't want to sacrifice the smooth ride on good surfaces ... it's a GT after all!
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Richard
I've standard 18" wheels fitted. Can you tell me what tyres are you running on the 20" Detroits - make and spec numbers written on the side of the front and rear tyres would be useful.
It's a heck of a contrast to the Noble but I do like it a lot.
I'd agree with your comments on tramlining; I also don't want to sacrifice the smooth ride on good surfaces ... it's a GT after all!
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Richard
Hi Richard
Brake improvements are best acheived with a Brembo brake conversion. You can keep your 18" alloys if you use wheel spacers. Or you can fit bigger wheels ie 20" without using wheel spacers, but you do end up with low profile tyres which can make the ride harsh. Lowering springs are a nice touch and if your orginal dampers are working well and you have no intention of going to the track, I would stick with them. Hope that will help. Tom
Brake improvements are best acheived with a Brembo brake conversion. You can keep your 18" alloys if you use wheel spacers. Or you can fit bigger wheels ie 20" without using wheel spacers, but you do end up with low profile tyres which can make the ride harsh. Lowering springs are a nice touch and if your orginal dampers are working well and you have no intention of going to the track, I would stick with them. Hope that will help. Tom
I personally wouldn't use spacers on the wheels, best upgrade to 20" if you want Brembos, alternatively you could get EBC discs and pads along with aerquip hoses. I have these fitted to my heavily modified XK8 and they have been superb. I haven't noticed much difference in ride having fitted 20" Montreals although the lowering did affect it a bit, but then the cornering was much improved.
TLC JAGUARS said:
Hi Richard
Brake improvements are best acheived with a Brembo brake conversion. You can keep your 18" alloys if you use wheel spacers. Or you can fit bigger wheels ie 20" without using wheel spacers, but you do end up with low profile tyres which can make the ride harsh. Lowering springs are a nice touch and if your orginal dampers are working well and you have no intention of going to the track, I would stick with them. Hope that will help. Tom
I agree with TLC, I have had Brombo's fitted and kept the 18" 'Double 5s' (I like them), with the wheel spaces there is not a problem.Brake improvements are best acheived with a Brembo brake conversion. You can keep your 18" alloys if you use wheel spacers. Or you can fit bigger wheels ie 20" without using wheel spacers, but you do end up with low profile tyres which can make the ride harsh. Lowering springs are a nice touch and if your orginal dampers are working well and you have no intention of going to the track, I would stick with them. Hope that will help. Tom
Also using the spacers the wheels fill the arches better, getting away from the E-Type look.
Richard, tyres are Pirelli P-Zero Directional 255/35/R20 on the front & Pirelli P-Zero Asimmetrico 285/30/R20 at the rear. I picked up the rims privately and then managed to get full set of tyres fitted for £800 - you have to shop around as I saw prices up to £1400. There's actually a full set of 20" including tyres with 5mm of tread on e-bay currently for 2,299 - worth a look if you're going down that road.
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