What did you do to your X308 Today?
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 692
Likes: 174
From: Fall River MA
Eric,
I can appreciate and acknowledge we all have our varying opinions on what looks nice but I have to question why you felt the need to voice your negative one? The install was a 45th birthday present from my husband and daughter and it makes me happy. Why bring a negative vibe to my giddiness? Some people are purists and want to keep everything original. Some of us aren't. We all are free to do what we want with our own jags. You don't see me contradicting the purists and being rude.
I can appreciate and acknowledge we all have our varying opinions on what looks nice but I have to question why you felt the need to voice your negative one? The install was a 45th birthday present from my husband and daughter and it makes me happy. Why bring a negative vibe to my giddiness? Some people are purists and want to keep everything original. Some of us aren't. We all are free to do what we want with our own jags. You don't see me contradicting the purists and being rude.
Back in the 90s when I was acting as an MSF instructor for the NJ Rider org, teaching motorcycle riding, my favorite phrase was "ride YOUR own ride". Same holds true here.
I like the conversion you did: clean and classy. Not what I did; I found a stash of NOS radios and picked up a few Just In Case, because I actually have a collection of cassettes, didn't want to loose the ability to play them...ok, I'm an Old Phart...lol...but appreciate when folks take a different path.
Some will get their shorts in a wad...others will smile...ride your ride, I always say.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 662
Likes: 297
From: 'Out West', USA
[QUOTE=GGabriel;1422400]
Hey GGab,
I didn't know about the alum-ceramic brake rotors available. At least the rear the lowest unsprung mass you're ever unlikely to get is the old style Pre XJ40 suspension subframes with the inboard brakes- so I guess it wont offer quite the benefits of the older school Jags in that regard.
I don't know if anyone here has driven the older series 3 style or old gen XJS style cars with inboard and noticed the difference it makes? A good back to back comparison would be an XJS with inboard vs a later variant with the XJ40 style outboard. I wonder if anyone ever noticed the difference
In theory it is supposed to offer better ride AND handling.
I think Jaguar went away from it due to difficulty in service and leaky seals on diffs contaminating discs. The Alum-Ceramic Rotor would offer some of those benefits without the drawbacks.
Finally dropped rear suspension subframe on XJR
Eagerly awaiting whatever cool thing you're about to do.....
I don't know what it is you're about to do, but I know it's going to be really cool and referenced years later by Jag enthusiasts.
Hey Count, have you heard of that company that is offering aluminum-ceramic brake rotors that cut 60 % + off the weight of of carbon steel rotors? Looking at the rotors on your rear end made me think about the effect on a XJR if you were to remove that much unsprung weight.
For auto applications, I think they were quoting 45 lbs total? On motorcycle they were dropping rotor weight by 3-4 lbs.
I first saw the story in Gizmag and then found and have been researching, the motorcycle division they spun off the parent company, as an alternative to carbor fiber wheels (which still cost exactly the same price since the last time i looked at Dymags for my old Kawaskai Eliminator build. (Can't do $2,500 for 1 wheel).
The price for the hybrids ($300 or so per rotor?) wasn't close to the horror of full ceramics but the weight loss was. Seems like bikers have 3 + years of street and track use and haven't seen any signs of wear yet.
Ceramic bearings seem to also be removing enough drag that they are seeing small improvements on a rear wheel dyno and that doesn't show the drag loss from the front wheel. The ceramic hybrid bearings weren't horribly priced and both seem to offer improved wear resistance compared to steel.
Have you had any experiences with ceramic and aluminum composites? Sorry to get off topic, I saw your rear end and thought of how easy it would be to change out everything with it pulled.
Have a terrific day,
Eagerly awaiting whatever cool thing you're about to do.....
I don't know what it is you're about to do, but I know it's going to be really cool and referenced years later by Jag enthusiasts. Hey Count, have you heard of that company that is offering aluminum-ceramic brake rotors that cut 60 % + off the weight of of carbon steel rotors? Looking at the rotors on your rear end made me think about the effect on a XJR if you were to remove that much unsprung weight.
For auto applications, I think they were quoting 45 lbs total? On motorcycle they were dropping rotor weight by 3-4 lbs.
I first saw the story in Gizmag and then found and have been researching, the motorcycle division they spun off the parent company, as an alternative to carbor fiber wheels (which still cost exactly the same price since the last time i looked at Dymags for my old Kawaskai Eliminator build. (Can't do $2,500 for 1 wheel).
The price for the hybrids ($300 or so per rotor?) wasn't close to the horror of full ceramics but the weight loss was. Seems like bikers have 3 + years of street and track use and haven't seen any signs of wear yet.
Ceramic bearings seem to also be removing enough drag that they are seeing small improvements on a rear wheel dyno and that doesn't show the drag loss from the front wheel. The ceramic hybrid bearings weren't horribly priced and both seem to offer improved wear resistance compared to steel.
Have you had any experiences with ceramic and aluminum composites? Sorry to get off topic, I saw your rear end and thought of how easy it would be to change out everything with it pulled.
Have a terrific day,
I didn't know about the alum-ceramic brake rotors available. At least the rear the lowest unsprung mass you're ever unlikely to get is the old style Pre XJ40 suspension subframes with the inboard brakes- so I guess it wont offer quite the benefits of the older school Jags in that regard.
I don't know if anyone here has driven the older series 3 style or old gen XJS style cars with inboard and noticed the difference it makes? A good back to back comparison would be an XJS with inboard vs a later variant with the XJ40 style outboard. I wonder if anyone ever noticed the difference
In theory it is supposed to offer better ride AND handling.
I think Jaguar went away from it due to difficulty in service and leaky seals on diffs contaminating discs. The Alum-Ceramic Rotor would offer some of those benefits without the drawbacks.
Veteran Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 5,906
Likes: 2,183
From: Bremen, Germany
Started to remove the front right vertical connector (hub). All nuts come off really easy. Actually, too easy. Just the 'cones' have rusted in place... Time to use a FBH! Instead I'll use some wedge thingies to avoid damaging the boots...
Am looking forward to getting my rotbucket rolling again.
Am looking forward to getting my rotbucket rolling again.
On Tuesday, I picked up my XJ8 from the mechanic's. I had the valve cover and oil pan gaskets replaced, a new battery, and new shocks/struts on all four corners, along with a cooling system pressure test. I went with Monroes, because they wanted $450 each for Bilsteins, and I just couldn't stomach that right now.
She's not clunking and rattling any longer, but now sometimes, there is a groaning noise from the rear passenger side. Sounds like the spring seat bushing may not have enough grease on it?
She's not clunking and rattling any longer, but now sometimes, there is a groaning noise from the rear passenger side. Sounds like the spring seat bushing may not have enough grease on it?
Veteran Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 3,790
Likes: 1,068
From: Virginia beach va
Eric: you are really into pain (?). Had a buddy (a Brit SAS guy running security for shipping off Somalia) had one of these: his New Jersey mechanic was able to send his daughter to Yale!
Veteran Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 3,256
Likes: 1,371
From: Taiwan, R.O.C.
Yeah, Sold my left kidney already, and have options on the right one, and my liver, and my ...
But seriously, I am totally insanely hooked by that V12, and how the Jaguar technicians arranged the control systems around it in the pre-electronics age.
I know it is insane to buy such car, but I simply had too ...
But seriously, I am totally insanely hooked by that V12, and how the Jaguar technicians arranged the control systems around it in the pre-electronics age.
I know it is insane to buy such car, but I simply had too ...
Veteran Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 5,906
Likes: 2,183
From: Bremen, Germany
Yeah, Sold my left kidney already, and have options on the right one, and my liver, and my ...
But seriously, I am totally insanely hooked by that V12, and how the Jaguar technicians arranged the control systems around it in the pre-electronics age.
I know it is insane to buy such car, but I simply had too ...
But seriously, I am totally insanely hooked by that V12, and how the Jaguar technicians arranged the control systems around it in the pre-electronics age.
I know it is insane to buy such car, but I simply had too ...
Ordered the sub repair surround (the other thread just got me realizing I really did need to just do that and get it over with for now. Hopefully before my trip next Fri). Also ordered up some Poorboy's Black Hole Glaze from the recommendation of someone on here a little while back. See how shiny I can make it look for the ride! Was thinking of installing the hitch tonight, but I might wait until Sat morning in the daylight so I can take some pictures along the way.
Veteran Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,175
Likes: 258
From: Tasmania, Australia
First thing you do is get rid of that fugly Leaper!
No place for them on an XJS ;o)
And those stainless wheel arch embellishers are the greatest creator of rusty
arches imaginable!
Like any car with an engine this size, you have to have a game plan to
operate on it.
They are just like any other engine....only there is more of it ;o)=)
The V12's have a few quirks of there own but once sorted and maintained
to a level of which it will be accustomed...they are a real jewel....I feel sure the VDP will be in good company ;o))
Veteran Member
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 3,256
Likes: 1,371
From: Taiwan, R.O.C.
Thanks.
The leaper, the Daimler badge on the rear (yes, really!) and the arch trims are the less of my problems .... and yes, they will need to go ...
Will bring this baby back to showroom condition in the next 2 years (she is in worse condition than the pictures show), target date 13 May 2018.
The leaper, the Daimler badge on the rear (yes, really!) and the arch trims are the less of my problems .... and yes, they will need to go ...
Will bring this baby back to showroom condition in the next 2 years (she is in worse condition than the pictures show), target date 13 May 2018.
Veteran Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 3,790
Likes: 1,068
From: Virginia beach va
Installed new MAF sensor (lately, showing higher than normal LTFTs, ~+7%, both banks; although near zero STFTs). New unit by Izumo, $20 on eBay. Seems to be smoother; trims still ~ +6.3. Under load, above 2000rpm, close to zero.
Last edited by Jhartz; Mar 21, 2016 at 04:42 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 429
Likes: 125
From: NJ, USA
Replaced front brake pads and switched wheels (front with back). While doing so fixed that annoying scratchy sound that bothered me for long time... turned out to be a big dry oak leaf that got stuck there... (no need to replace the bearing :-) )
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 536
Likes: 58
From: SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Scott