Hi Everyone,
Do you know of any decent engine performance upgrades that I can do to my 1999 XK8 ? I don't want anything that gives up reliability. thanks

 

Try the UK markets. The xk8 and xkr are common cars in the United Kingdom then the U.S they have more aftermarket products specific for Jaguar.

 

thanks, I'll try that.

 

Get an XKR... :-)

Sans that, as badman suggested look at the euro sites, mina gallery, etc. The only thing I see out there are intake and exhaust upgrades that will do anything for the NA model. So in the end, I reiterate my first comment, get an XKR!

 

ZMann - the publisher of Jaguar World magazine just released a book about XK8/XKR - and it has several good articles in it about XK8/XKR performance upgrades and DIY-s articles.

They sell it online - and in the US it is sold exclusively through Barnes and Noble store. Check it out - I think you'd find something there.

 

You are limited with an XK8

I was a bit drastic with my 8.....And I would not recommend what I did to a daily driver

It really depends how much you want to spend and how much extra power you want

 

Start by taking the slack out of your throttle cable, then get the Mina gallery cone intake and exhaust system.

 

Like others have said if you really want more power buy an XKR.But if you want to feel like you have more power,do the exhaust then the intake.There is a lot of guys with XK8's on the forum that have modified their exhaust systems,do a search on the subject.You may not go a lot faster but the growl will put a smile on your face.Keep us informed on what you decide to do.


"If I agreed with you,we'd both be wrong"

 

If you don't mind loosing a mile or two per gallon, just change the rear end from 3.07 to 3.77 that will increase your acceleration & also give you pozi.

 

If reliability is a major concern, before you do any performance upgrades take care of the known reliability issues that are inherent with your model year !! That will probably eat up most of your "performance" budget. Like the consensus above, there is not much you can do that will make any significant difference performance wise on the normally aspirated motors. There are a bunch of little things but all together they add up to a lot of dollars and very little performance. Get the "R" if you are unhappy with the motor, handling or braking performance. You will be way ahead in the long run vs trying to upgrade the N/A motor, brakes or suspension.
I did put on an exhaust system and now have a very satisfying sound from the motor. The car is very quick from a safety standpoint (ability to get out of a bad situation using the accelerator) but I don't take on any rice rocket challengers due to the uncertainty of the outcome. If I was driving an "R", I would not hesitate to take them on, I'd probably win, I'd probably have a few thousand dollars worth of tickets and I might still have my D.L. Best of luck with whichever way you go. You have what I think is one of the best looking cars every designed with a great motor.

 

Trust me there is not a lot you can do to upset the reliability of these engines with the limited amount of things you can do. Assuming the inherent issues are done

1st put on an exhaust, wont give alot more power but sounds like it does which is a bonus.

2nd For godsake don't put on a cone filter unless you want induction noise and too loose power, the only cone filters that work are the ones in carbon canisters, buy a CDA but they are expensive, buy one of these instead http://www.cbsonline.co.uk/remote-ca...bfil-861-p.asp a lot cheaper and rated up to 350bhp which is enough for an 8 but not for an R.

3rd get a remap, no guarantees you will get big power gains but will help with the few things you have done.

That little lot probably just cost you $2500 and you 'might' of gained 10% more power

 

XKRacer, picture #4 you posted shows a polished metal intake and filter change on an XKR engine. What is the advantage of this modification and do you have this setup available for a 2005 XKR? If so what is the cost and do you ship to the U.S.?

Thanks

 

In the used car market, the price of an XK8 and an XKR are almosst the same. Condition is everything for a car this age. If your car is nice, I would sell it and get a nice XKR...

 

zmann96, have you adjusted your throttle cable yet? If not, you do not know what your missing... It takes about 1 min (okay 2) and you will not believe how amazing your car performs. It's not a "performance mod" per se... Instead you are just experiencing what the cars factory new performance was like.

My car is a 2000, and I had at least an inch more travel available. Yours being a '99 I suspect you'll have the same AMAZING (feels like you got an "R" upgrade) results.

Here are the instructions:
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/s...t=38663&page=5

Be sure to thank hlgeorge for the good work.