Finally getting to my next project on the big Cat and have gone through a lot of the old threads. I am totally fine with the XKR being a GT car and not having fire crackers going off like the F Type but the exhaust is dead silent. I would like to give it the opportunity to have it's ***** drop and get deeper. I know Rainsfather did some exhaust mod's and have not heard how that turned out. I was thinking of taking off the collector at the bottom of the headers and putting in an x pipe but instead of experimenting, I would like some sound(no pun intended) advise.
I have gleamed a tremendous amount of advise from this forum and I really appreciate the help. Thank you all

 

I owned a 175 and have a 2013 XKR w/dynamic pack and performance exhaust. The performance exhaust does make a difference. Replacing the resonators with an X-pipe is not expensive and may give you the sound you desire. When I put my car in dynamic mode, flag switch on, it is noticeably louder and sounds more exotic than the standard exhaust on the 175--just the right amount of pops and bangs (a lot more than the 175 in dynamic mode).

 

DO NOT FEAR. IN MY GARAGE IS A SPIRES 3 NON-ACTIVE LOUD ALL THE TIME EXHAUST... as soon as I get my 12XKR from esoteric detail with your same NON-performance exhaust I am going to install this expensive as HELL after market exhaust from SPIRES. Shipped to me in a day!! Once I know what is going on I will report here. Cost with install will be about... 3k! :O. I will report back how this exhaust sounds. From what i know its more like a Jaguar sound amplified. Its not deep in tone like the Quicksilver. At any rate... I will let you know when I know and if I likey... I can hook you up with Matt over at spires.

Loth

 

Thanks guys. I am thinking the x pipe as well may be the cost effective first step. Where would you recommend getting an x pipe from. I have access to my buddy's garage so I can install it.

 

Check with a local speed shop or go on line to JEGS or SUMMIT racing. They should have stock ones so measure up the pipe and check the overall size.

 

Appreciate the suggestion and again, this is why I am asking for someone who has done it or something similar with good results so they could provide best companies and sizes etc.

 

I recall someone on the form who did an X pipe installation but don't recall who. Try looking under the search function . I believe they made up an X pipe and welded it into the system.

 

Gooday. If you scroll down the pictures on this page you will see a picture of the x pipe in mine https://www.facebook.com/southportexhaust

the comments say it is a 2 1/4" x pipe. The sound is awesome, like sonic boom when I plant the foot especially in sport or dynamic.

 

You could fit the Jaguar x-over, a.k.a. Performance Active Exhaust, which is what the 75 and R-S have. However, that's probably expensive. A number of folks have just gone to a local exhaust fabricator, showed them a picture of the Jag system and had a copy made & fitted - I haven't seen any complaints or regrets from anyone who did that.

Sorry, I'm on the wrong side of the Atlantic when it comes to recommending a suitable source. But, as I said, it seems to be something that most good exhaust shops are capable of - asking for recommendations from people in your area is probably your best bet.

 

Picture of performance exhaust X-pipe:

 

DGL,
Is that the way it came from the factory? If so, do you have a picture of the front section where it comes out of the headers? In most of these applications I have seen the x pipe is installed where the headers meet up in the front section of the car.
Please let me know,

 

It connects to the end of the cats. Here's a diagram of the system from the workshop manual:

 

Yes, these pictures were taken when my car was new with 300miles on it. Here are some other pictures from the same time:

 

Wow,
That is amazing Essentially, I can run straight pipes to x pipe and right into rear muffler. Should be real simple. This should save weight and dramatically increase flow. I think I will leave fuse 19 in so that there is some back pressure and just put it in dynamic when I want to run WFO. This should make it sound XKR-S similar I would think...


Thanks again for the pictures. I m still curious why Jag didn't put the x pipe closer to the headers. Must be some engineering reason why.

 

I have the same system on my 2012 XKR and if you saw it in person you understand why the X pipe is located where it is. It is simple to get the transmission pan off as the X is behind it. I imagine the sound is different from the 4.2 and the 5.0

 

Well,
I finally bit the bullet and did the exhaust so it is exactly like DGL's pictures of his stock exhaust. VERY inexpensive and I am really happy with the results. Now at least you hear a little rumble but still wife approved. In dynamic mode with full open it sounds glorious.


The high end exhaust installer was really scratching his head over why Jag put the x pipe so far back. Logic says that you get the gases into the x pipe as soon as possible(right behind tranny). I told him to just put it where the factory put it so he did but was not real happy to do it. Possibly there was a droning issue as in the other spot that would put the x pipe squarely under the seats. Don't know if anyone else put in an x pipe in the front location and can chime in with their assessment.


So, to sum up, cats with stainless steel straight pipes back to stainless x pipe then into muffler. Also, shaved a bunch of weight by eliminating the factory sets of resonators
Thanks to DGL especially for providing the pictures. Another project OFF the list.

 

Just in case someone wanted to see before and after.

 

Looks like a pretty neat job. Have fun.

 

I'm sure the resonated standard exhaust costs more to manufacture than the $1,800 optioned performance exhaust X-pipe. By adding "performance" to the option Jaguar was able to squeeze some more $s from us buyers.

 

Looks good!

I wonder if the position of the factory x-pipe is the reason that the performance active exhaust retains the muscle car like rumble of the standard system?

When other people have had an x-pipe installed closer to the cars a lot have commented that it has changed the tone of the exhaust note to more of a howl.

Not an expert on exhaust design so not sure if there's any logic in this?