My friend has the 2000 XKR. He needs a new hood. I found one for a super price and it is one a 1999 XK8.

Two questions.
1. Are the hoods the same size?
2. Do the vent openings on the hood of the XKR serve any functional purpose other than looking cool. Is it necessary to have them for cooling needs? It seems that the XJR of that year would have the same engine and not have the vents on the hood as well as a S-Type R. So are they functional or just look good.

Thanks

Tom in Dallas/Plano

 

1. I don't see any reason for them not to be the same size; none of the cosmetic differences between the XK8 and XKR seem to affect the hood shape. I can't be completely sure though.
2. The XJR has a bigger engine bay so I'd think underhood heat is less of an issue. That being said I've heard of aftermarket companies that used to cut louvers into hoods for British sports cars in the 60s and 70s, so you might find a body or custom shop that could do the same.

 

But does not the 4.0 Supercharged in the 99-2000 S-type find itself in the same situation without louvers?


T

 

The S-Type didn't get the supercharged 4.0, just the later 4.2, but that's a good point. I'm just speculating here, so anything from me is a sort-of educated guess. Given the heat of a Texas summer, though, I wouldn't want extra heat trapped under the hood roasting rubber and plastic parts anymore than what the factory designed into it.

 

The dimensions of the hood are the same: some have done the reverse to an XK8

I'm with labcoatguy, though - the NA alone produces plenty of heat, so I'd want the extra vents on an 'R, although I've no idea how much they actually contribute to cooling.
Presumably Jaguar thought they were needed...

 

My 2000 XKR generates tremendous heat in the engine compartment. In slower traffic conditions, I can see the heat distorted air roaring up from the hood vents, so I think it has to help to keep engine compartment temps lower.

But another reason for the hood vents, per some other discussion threads, seems to be achieving reduction of under-body lift from air flow at higher speeds. I dunno...maybe so. But I like the idea .

 

No XKR here, just my wife's XK8, but I would be in favor of the hood louvers simply because any design feature that helps to remove the build-up of heat will probably contribute to preserving the life of the infamously lousy plastic components throughout the engine bay that sit there and bake, shortening their lifespans....

 

Thanks and I also sent a pm to Brutal and he indicates that: " YES THE VENTS HELP HEAT REDUCTION OF THE INTERCOOLER ON THE SUPER CHARGED ENGINES"

So that seems settled.

Tom in Dallas/Plano

 

Tom, Come-on Man, are you in Dallas or Plano? What do they call a Bonnet in Plano? (a Plano Hood.....) ……. Don't you get tired of that?

The XK Hood, prior to 2000 is number FJ83005AA - It did not have Vents/Grills.....The 2000 up to 2006 XKR Bonnets had Grills/Vents number FJB3005FA ----Cost about $1,042.00 and the Vents cost $320.25 each....Of course the 2006 XK8 Hood is still the same as the 1996...….
Yes, the Vents/Grills were put there because they work.....I continually have to clean and wax mine in the Summer as they begin to lose their shine after a short time because of the Heat passing through them.....In other words, they work!

Billy Clyde in Houston

 

Thanks. We had a chime in from Brutal via a PM and he confirmed the vents are necessary for the intercooler.

I add Dallas, since that is where I lived for some time and not as many people from other parts of the country know Plano quite the same way.


I do wonder if one had the vents already from an XKR hood and got a XK hood how hard it would be to take the vents off the XKR and have the XK hood fixed so that the vents would fit?

Any thought on that?

Tom

 

I'm betting the vent retrofit cost you $1042 dollars.

 

I have no way to know but what do you base that on? He would not be going to the Jag theft dept for service for that, but probably find a machine shop of some sort to do it. I am assuming that the vents are easy enough the remove?

TBB

 

I guess the sarcasm was too subtle. :-)

The vents do not sit above the bonnet, they are recessed. So by the time you have a reputable shop accurately locate the hole positions, cut the holes, double flange them, and bodywork and paint the bonnet, my speculation is that you'll be where the earlier poster had posted a new xkr bonnet at $1042.00.

​​​​

 

I guess it depends on the deal he could make. I looked today as to how they are attached and it is metal fused to plastic and then fit in with plastic clips. I was quite surprised.

TBB