Does anyone make a functional front spoiler for a 99 XK8? I noticed the front end lifts at speed. This is not an attribute for a sports car. My 928S pulls down harder, as did my Corvettes at speed. This is happening at 80 mph on my car. I was going to install a rear spoiler, but it would only make the problem worse.....Thanks in advance....Mike

 

Interesting. I haven't noticed any appreciable lift at high speed on mine. There are a few kits that have a lower valence that attaches to the front (Mina, Arden, Paramount, Paragon) but I'm not sure if any of them produce any noticeable down force or if it is purely cosmetic.

 

The Arden looks the closest to a front splitter to me, but not quite what I'm looking for either. Hoping there are other options...

 

These cars sit a bit high so some have switched to lowering springs which may help. not too hard to do.

 

I am guessing you may need to modify something intended for another car and go from there. I know the '03-'04 Mustang Mach I had a pretty nice one from the factory that people have modified for other cars. Otherwise talk to Tony at Paragon. They make their kits from scratch, so they can probably whip you up something nice. The only issue being that they are overseas.

 

I've been looking at the front spoiler of a late 60s or early 70s Mach one, or Challenger. I could probably make a template and radius the top to fit an XK8. Those spoilers were serious, and you can pick up a copy in any Mustang resto catalog for less than a custom one. If it extends a little outside of the body lines, so much the better......Thanks for the idea.....Be cool....Mike

 

I can't recall anyone else ever mentioning such a problem with their car, and I have been on this forum for about five years. I am wondering if there might not be some other issue at work here. I think that the normal wheel/tire/suspension setup for these cars result in them having a somewhat nose down attitude, which should, in itself, prevent such an issue as you are experiencing. I have only been up to 110 a couple of times, and have not experienced any lightness in the front end at all.

Now, if you want a front spoiler for cosmetic effects, that is all well and good, but I just wonder if that is at the root of your problem, since I have not seen anyone else report such an issue before.

 

I agree, I've been into 130's several times and not had any front lift, granted mines a xkr and a bit more front heavy. Not knowing the history of his car is the suspension is original there maybe rear end issues causing the back to squat, again springs, shocks etc

You might try measuring your hub height, from the top of the wheel arch to the center of the rim emblem should around 15.5" +/- .5

 

Maybe I am just used to my 928S, which squats down the faster you go. I just don't want to go to a track day, and put my toy cat into a wall. To me the steering and my butt feel as though the car is lifting, and the steering gets easier the faster you go. It may just be the valving in the steering rack. Since I can't accurately measure this, I rely on the seat of my pants.....Thanks for your input.....Be cool....Mike

 

That is one thing to note. The electronic steering does get lighter with speed, but it isn't due to lift/loss of grip. I know there is a mod floating around that allows you to have a switch to turn off the adaptive steering, but I can't remember if it has been posted here or not.

 

I thought that the adaptive steering got heavier with speed? The idea being that you need more assist in parking lots but don't want floaty steering at speed.

 

Now that you say it, I believe you are correct. I know it still feels plenty light though. Perhaps it isn't working the way it should?

 

A front spoiler will cost you speed (which you clearly like!) Take it to a track, put it through its paces and decide whether you feel safe. If you feel its unbalanced at speed then fit an air dam - but I suspect its not necessary.

Are the front wheel arch infill panels fitted? I remember the old Cosmopolitans with open wings (underneath) used to take off (and Corvairs I think!)

 

Jim Forrest....I realize, that I will lose speed, if I put a spoiler on the front, but I have already installed the competition Bilsteins. The fender liners are in, and I installed Z rated tires like I have on my 928S.

I have 16 miles of straight open highway, and a bunch of state police, who are my friends, that make sure the road is clear, and time me, at 3:00am. That is a better set up than Jeremy Clarkson has.

With no front or rear spoilers, the hood up, all the pans installed underneath(it's amazing how I lost one after the dealer looked at it, and they couldn't find it anywhere in their shop), and I inspected all the bushungs and ball joints, this car starts to lift the closer to 100 I get. At 120 it had me scared. I guess it is just a poof car for around town, and the occasional road trip. I still love it, but I now know what to expect. My old E Type, that I sold for $2500 in 1982,(what a moron) was more of a beast.......Be cool....Mike

 

I agree - Something else must be going on with the car.

I just love the way mine feels at 90. It's almost as if it was designed to drive at that exact speed. I too have seen the higher side of 130 a couple of times as well, and didn't feel the least bit nervous (well, at least not about the car).

If it wasn't for my HR rated tires and the 155 speed governor I wouldn't hesitate to put her on the track to see what she'd do. I suspect 180 is a possibility (but maybe NOT in a turn! - lol)

 

Maybe it is because it is a convertible, and doesn't have that nice sloping roof, like the coupe version. I don't know what else I can do. The turbulence and buffeting were just a little unsettling. We even measured it on my buddy's frame rack, and everything was right on. My E Type was a coupe also, so maybe that has something to do with it......Be cool...Mike

 

I would have to echo everyone else. I have had mine into the 120 range once or twice with no problems. It will certainly cruise long distances at 90-95 mph smooth as silk.

I also had an E-type at one point and one thing both cars seem to share is high-speed cruising. The XK8/R is really a GT car and set up for fast highway travel.

I would check out the suspension bits as suggested earlier.

 

Even though mine is on my scissor lift presently, for transmission repair or replacement, we think we might have found the problem, at 1:00am. I missed the left front strut bearing, being for lack of a better word destroyed. You would have thought that the Goodyear place that put the Bilsteins on for me, might have found it. I am going to buy a new one, and have them reinstall it, and give me another alignment. I hate doing suspension work, and don't have an alignment machine, so I farm it out.....My Bad......You guys were right, and we couldn't find it on the body shop's lift, because it lifts the whole car, and not just the (frame) for a better term.....Thanks for all your help. That is what I get for putting my trust in a 19 year old being paid poorly by the hour......Be cool....Mike