I bought a 2002 XKR Coupe in August and with the coming of winter am now gotten around to making the car truly mine. I have researched this forum and a couple of UK forums for the last few months to decide what modifications I want to do. I’ve decided on the following:

Performance Mods

1. Install a Quaife limited slip differential
2. Replace the stock 3.06 rear end with a 3.27, including a reprogrammed TCM

Cosmetic

1. Install Mina quad tail light conversion
2. Remove side molding
3. Replace front grill with Mina grill
4. Replace amber side reflectors with clear

Audio (inspired by WhiteXKR and H2Oboy)

1. Install Garman GVN-53 GPS for use with stock monitor (controlled via a remote control)
2. Replace stock radio with JVC Arsenal KD-ADV49 with XM Radio, iPod interface and Bluetooth (controlled via steering wheel controls).

I will be doing some of these mods myself, with the help of my best friend, while others will be done by fellow forum member motorcarman in his Jag shop in Decatur, TX. If anyone has any recommendations, suggestions, gotchas, etc. they would all be gratefully received.

I would also like quad exhaust tips but do not want to increase the noise while driving by putting in a performance exhaust system. The stock XKR has all the hp I'll ever need and I like the quite ride but I do like the looks of quad tips. Anyone have a suggestion?

I will be posting my progress, photos, and lessons learned as I go to this thread.

Mark

 

Sounds like you are going to have a beautiful custom machine... Good for you!

 

Yes, please do keep us updated with progress, and lots of pictures. It all sounds great...good luck.

 

MJ
I like the looks with the molding off also. A lot of cars have been touched up because of rock chips etc.. They won't take the molding off, but will mask it and spray to it. So when you go to remove the molding start with one of the small ones and see if it's been resprayed. A heat gun and plastic razor blades can help in removing it. Mine was touched up when I bought it, but I did a complete respray shortly afterwards, and left them off.

 

Thanks, my XKR only had 34k miles on it when I bought it so I'm hoping that this will not be a problem but I will start small. Thanks for the heads up.

Mark

 

If you want to offload that three piece front grill when you are done, I'd be interested, depending on how much you want for it

 

The JVC Arsenal KD-ADV49 is coming up as discontinued on Crutchfield and Amazon. Do you have one already, or are you getting a used one?

 

I have it already; got it on Amazon a couple months ago for $300. In fact, I have all the parts for the mods I have planned. I just bought the 3.27 axel ratio kit yesterday.

Mark

 

Sure, I'll sell it to you; in fact, I'll give it to you. Pay for the shipping and it's yours; one less thing I'll have laying around and stumble over. PM me your contact info. It'll probably be after Thanksgiving before I get around to putting the new one on but I'll keep you posted.

Mark

 

^^ dang, now that's generous and looks like an early Christmas gift for Keith. No opening it up until the 25th. (unless you need to get the bumper covers repainted)

Mark, if you ever want to see how my Garmin is installed, just send me a PM. Its not like your in another state.

If you are capable of doing a small mod before installing your head unit. I HIGHLY recommend hardwiring a microphone into the receiver, using the built-in mic at highway speeds is ineffective. That is the only thing I wish this head unit had. If you're uncomfortable on the electronics related, send whiteXKR a message, he can wire/solder/build anything, in fact, I may ask him myself if he could do that mod for me. The new AVX-77 has the wired remote, but nothing else worth upgrading for.

 

Great, just PM'd you.

Mark

 

It looks like I need to add one more mod to my list. After seeing Skid Mark's post on Quad exhaust Tips, I gotta have 'um. It a great look!

Mark

 

If I understand you correctly, the JVC Arsenal KD-ADV49 does not include a hardwired microphone but has some kind of built-in microphone that does not work well? Where would one hardwire in such a microphone?

Mark

 

that's correct mark, i'll let you try it if you want in a few weeks. Wiring another mic should take just a little dissasembly and soldering skill, but I wouldn't do it myself, thus my suggestion to send a PM to WhiteXKR for his input.

 

Thanks, I PM'd WhiteXKR to see if he can do it. If not, I'll look for someone around here.

Mark

 

Yah, really want to do mine too. Update if WhiteXKR or another person sourced to do it.

 

Hey, MJ. I'm looking at the back end of my car and I can't see how dual tips will fit without cutting out some of the bumper. Or, maybe the tips will have to be smaller and teardrop shaped to fit. Does anyone make special dual tips designed to fit that shape? Here's a video of my exhaust work. It didn't make much difference when I cut the rear mufflers off.. I say open that XKR up and let her roar! Ronnie

Jaguar XK8 exhaust without rearmost mufflers.mp4 - YouTube

 

Another forum member replaced the rear mufflers with short glass packs and the dual tips from an '05 XKR, which are a little smaller in diameter than most. It's a tight fit but it does fit and looks great. I'm still considering this mod but probably for next year. I have my hands full with the other mods now.

Mark