This is my question I have a 1999 xk8 with a aj-v8 engine. It has 290 factory horse power. what can i do? Supper charge? ( I live at high alitude) What are the diferences in the same base engine that are changing the horse power so dramatically!

 

I've moved your post from S-Type section to XK8/XKR section where it will be seen by members with the same model as you have.

Graham

 

Surely the only real cost effective solution is to sell your car and buy an XKR. Trying to do it any other way will cost you more.

 

Isn't there any aftermarket blower available IE: Paxton, Vortech or KenneBell? I also wish I had a bit more power...

 

There are several problems with the blower mod. First is that the ZF transmission is pushed to the limit with the NA V8, so you would need to change the transmission, probably to the XKR Merc. unit. Then you have to change the programing of the ECU and TCU. I suspect some one has replaced the NA engine/ trans/ electronics with a XKR and a search will tell you if that is feasible, but like Racediagnostics said, it will be far more expensive than selling the XK8 and buying a XKR.
Before you ask, those who have invested in a after market chip upgrade have been disappointed.
RJ_______________-
97 XK8 86K mi

 

That's one of the problems with modern cars--no easy way for the backyard tinkerer to do any tweaks for more power. There are hand held programmers (Hypertech) and software for laptops (LT-edit and others) available for other makes and models but not for Jaguar.

Doug

 

One of the forum members from Poland installed a supercharger on a NA engine about a year or two ago. I remember reading that the NA engine is higher compression than the super charged version and the pistons on the NA are flat topped where the Supercharged are "curved in" thus less compression. I agree it's easier to sell the XK8 and buy a XKR.