hey, where are the big pics? Not even any images in your 'garage', was expecting more visual exposure of the results from this little project. Can you give us an idea of what the shop charged for the cut n paint?

 

Ha! I don't know how you missed it, but I posted a thread about the louvers and the Hydras going on the same day. Here it is: https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...-hydras-63870/

They charged $350 to cut the metal, another $45 to cut the hood liner.

 

Ahhh! I missed it, thanks for the link! Definitely looks good. Why not try a shrink tube section around the VVT connector, maybe a smaller one where the wiring meets the connector, and a larger one over that? You can't put a towel down when your driving in heavy rains

 

That's true, but I wound up putting dielectric grease inside the VVT and MAF sensors which satisfyed my concerns. Have had it out in the rain a few times since and no problems. Was thinking about some sort of shroud before that, tho.

I'll keep putting the towel down for the washes just to keep from making a mess, for a while anyway lol.

 

That turned-out very well!... I 'd also like to do that. Were those original Jaguar louvers or aftermarket ones? I seem to remember some offerd from adamesh maybe?

 

Those are origional, got 'em off ebay from Massey Salvage in Tenn. Hard to find, but they're out there.

I'll probably be offering my current hood for sale soon as I am going to have the slightly damaged XKR hood repaired and placed on my car. Just have to work out some details about removing the current louvers if I can't find another set. It'll be after the holidays, January most likely.

 

Why are you going through the trouble to do that, Skid?

 

I'm really curious to see how they look flush. I've never seen an XKR in real life, except when I test drove a black one last summer, and I don't recall paying the louvers much attention. Also I worked out a better deal with the body shop this time, plus it's a chance to address some other paint issues when they blend the hood in with the other body panels.

 

Well here's the latest, and hopefully final, iteration of the hood louver saga lol. Here's the difference sinking a 1/8th inch edge into a flush mount makes...
Before with the proud installation:

Now with the repaired XKR hood:

Close one of before...

Close one now. Gotta say they really fit tight, no play or gaps anywhere...

Very neat...

 

Skid,

I don't know why, but I can NEVER see your photos when you post them up. I know that many people can see them, but something about where you're parking your pics makes our server here at the office unhappy. The pictures just never show up.

I noticed once that Brutal said the same thing about a post of yours. Not sure how many other guys have the same problem.

Anyway, hope you like the new bonnet.

 

Love it! But here, can't have anyone not having a view. Thanks for letting me know, I use ImageShack, but perhaps I should just use the forum files...

 

Ah yes, now I can see the snaps...thank you. Looks really great. Congrats.

 

Looks spot on now. You certainly have determination and an eye for perfection.

Well done Al

 

Thanks guys, I appreciate it. When I got it back from the body shop last week after the hood swap, that afternoon I noticed the hood's color looked white when I sat behind the wheel, and the clear coat had those small orange peel type ripples all over it. I took it back today and they wet sanded and buffed it out and now it looks like glass, and it looks silver when I'm behind the wheel, so it's really finished now.
Al, my dad was an engineer, maybe I got some of that engineering gene from him!

 

Lot of effort and not cheap to do but from the final photos and it looks a great result.

 

Looks good Skid, I figured you would like the flush look than the raised, It just looks better. Just the details. Good Job.

 

Thanks GGG! Not cheap but worth every penny! A nice side benefit is that all those rock chips that were on the front of the hood are now gone!

Thanks RC. You're right, I was amazed how much difference it did make. Now I understand why they recessed them, and I will never question a factory installation again lol!

 

now, what's your next obsessive-compulsive car project?

 

Oh I dunno, I seem to do that nearly every day



Nice job though.......

 

I've never known a car as susceptible to chips as the XK8. Had my last one for five years - the front panel was repainted twice and the bonnet redone once. It was Sapphire Blue which is the dark shade so the primer really showed through where it was chipped.

At least the light coloured cars don't show the damage as badly. My present one is Frost Blue.