Picked up the baby Jag yesterday. Spent a few hours polishing and admiring. Next on the list "what can we do to improve performance". Any advice would be appreciated. Look forward to chatting and getting input from others who already own this cars.

xpat in the UK

 

satmdv, since I see that you have the 2.5L petrol engine, you should have the AWD setup. If this is the case, performance improvement is going to come at a very high cost. First, the modifications for the car are almost non-existent. You have your choice of a single manufacturer for an upgraded intake and then you have 2 manufacturers for an upgraded exhaust system (both are only cat back systems, not a full blown system). Beyond that, you are looking custom.

Second problem with upgrading the power in the AWD X-Types is that the transfer case is the weak link in the car. It can barely handle the stock power, let alone more power. Some members have had issues with the stock power. The case is prone to excessive flexing, leading to the case cracking. Atleast here in the US, that is a $3000 (USD) repair bill. You start putting down more power, you can probably plan on replacing the transfer case annually (all dependent on how much of the power you use, more, faster, less, then why have the upgrades?).

I don't want to steer you away from getting a fast ride, but at the same time, this is not the best car to be upgrading that way. I don't know of a replacement for the transfer case. The internals appear to be more than capable of handling more power. So, if you can find a welder that can upgrade the case exterior, then you can go to town. But, until then, more power is not recommended. If you do upgrade the case, please document it very well as a lot of other members would be greatly appreciative of it.

 

Is the transfer case the same in the 2.5 as it is in the 3.0? If so, there is a little room for hp and torque improvements. But then it would depend on how extreme the level of modifications the OP is planning to make.
Perhaps a good place to start would be at the wheels and then work from there

 

LEB, yes, the transfer case between the 2.5 and 3.0L motors are exactly the same. So, having a 2.5L motor and trying to swap in a 3.0L transfer case will not gain you anything.

 

Chris, Leb, thanks for all the input.I haven't put much thought into the transfer case. Either way I'll take it one step at a time. Chat with you later!