Jaguar's factory "Growl" How is it connected?
 

In case anyone doesn't realize let me explain what I'm talking about. Jaguar, in 1997 & 1998 models at least, set something up so under wide open throttle (WOT), a (vacuum induced?) growling noise is intentionally piped through the firewall to be audible inside the cabin. Never was too loud but you could certainly notice it and passengers always thought it is fun.

We have lots of rain up here in NJ area, so I drove the car with the roof up for probably the first time in 3 months. I did notice that I can no longer hear this growl with WOT.

If it has any bearing, I did drive her for a month or so with a broken motor mount. This managed to keep disconnecting one of the vacuum hoses, and even seperated the cold air snorkel into the air cleaner before I realized what was going on. I mention this because, who knows, maybe I lost the growl back then because something shook lose and I didn't even know it.

I'm sure this has nothing to do with performance, but I'd sure like to restore it. I don't have the slightest idea of where to start looking to trouble shoot or "fix" this one.

Could someone please give me an idea of where and what components are set up to provide this WOT Growl when you have a chance? I'd appreciate it.

Wow I'm surpriseed no one has been able to comment. This is a tough one, it's no use using "growl" to search for an answer, the word growl comes up in just about every post to do with exhaust on the Jags. This is nothing to do with exhaust, it must be intake in some way.

I'm trying to remember how I learned of it, I think it was one of the car magazine reviews that pointed this feature out to me. Did they carry this forward to later years?

Well I'll be patient, we've got experts in everything on this forum. It just occured to me, if you don't understand how/where to fix this, but might have a good idea on how to search for it using a different phrase, please let me know. Thanks.

I am pretty sure there is no such feature, the driver handbooks talks about a growl when in sports mode, but that is just because it will rev higher in each gear.

Interesting, never heard of this on a Jag as they are engineered to be as quite as possible.

Could it be the cold air intake which was disconnected gave you more intake sound?

I have the Mina intake on my 03 and it does provide a lot of "growl" on WOT. I know of no way to get this sound on a stock system.

My friends Miata, which is newer than mine, has a connection between the intake tube and the fire wall for just this reason. But on a Jag with the stock setup ??? beats me.

I've read a lot about XK8's ...... but I can't ever recall reading about a 'WOT growl' being deliberately designed in on the induction side. Conversely, I've read plenty about lack of noise from the exhaust and several aftermarket replacements for increasing it.

Graham

OK, I better get my ducks in a row. I'd better justify my claims, I'll look into it further. I'm 100% sure I'm not dreaming :) it ha ha. Let me get back to you guys, I appreciate the response, I'll find my sources and share it. Thanks again.

The model after ours I believe


XK Intake Noise Tube for an enhanced cabin exhaust sound


http://driving.ca/jaguar/xk-series/r...07-jaguar-xk-4

Chris, Thanks mate. Believe it or not I'm sure it is there on my 1998 too. Well gosh I've heard it enough times to be certain. I've been back tracking trying to remember where I saw this first, Jaguar Lover's forum was my first XK8 forum. Think I remember several discussions from those who wanted to inhibit this to keep things as quiet as possible.

Thanks again, when I find data on this with our cars, I'll share it with all.

Don't know about the growl but I think when you hit 99 mph the engine starts playing "Rule Britannia" :icon_eddie:


Doug

There is no intake tube to pipe extra noise into the cabin. Jaguar started doing that in 2007 for the newer XK's.

I think you probably read it somewhere and didn't realize it started in 2007, not 1997. Lots of cars have that now, it's very common.

Not sure how or where it emanates from but the growl that comes when I press hard on the gas pedal and the box shifts down 2-3 cogs is truly wonderful. :icon_headbang: