I tend to run my 2005 XKR Coupe rather hard and occasionally slalom it. I have the active suspension and 20" wheels. It understeers when pushed to the limit. I guess that is safer for most but makes it hard to get around tight corners at speed. I could not find an aftermarket heavier rear sway bar which is one way to reduce understeer. I decided to modify the system I have and took pictures. Here it is if anyone else wants to do the same. Let me know if anyone has any questions. It did make a noticeable improvement BTW.

http://www.georgiajag.com/Documents/...r/SwayBar.html

 

Thats a very interesting idea.. are there any negative side effects to doing this? do you get a CEL?

 

Pretty nice modification. I like your attention to detail. So you just doubled the sway bar? Did you buy a salvaged rear bar and clamps to do this?

 

thats some good work, you may want to look into parts for hipo work from Aston Martin since theyre very similar. Not sure about years, but a friend of mine was shop forman for Aston, and used to work with me on Jaguas and he always talked about Aston just being a Jaguar, just a few years behind in tech.

 

Actually, working at Coventry West is like a kid in a candy store. Lots of used cars and parts to play with. That is where I got the parts. As far as a code, the DSC turns off when the shock wire is disconnected and after hooking back up, it goes out the next start cycle.

 

That’s a very clever solution. I never would have thought of this.

I’ve had my 2000 XK8 for a month now. Once we work through a number of, a-hem, issues: I’ll be off to driver’s ed (at Roebling Road) and, eventually, some autocross.

I have been assuming my car’s handling will be unbalanced (understeering heavily), and I will have to stiffen the rear suspension. I’m mounting 265/40s on 9”x18” Flutes, all corners, to start with, followed by lower (and stiffer) rear springs to remediate the unnatural tail-end-up rake, shift some static weight towards the back, and reduce body roll; then adjustable Koni reds all around.

I believe that will not completely neutralize the handling and have assumed I would have to source the stiffer Jaguar “R Performance” rear sway bar from somewhere. I expect your rear sway bar enhancement will be cheaper and possibly more effective.

Questions:

I see you have had this on the car for several years now. How has it affected the handling? On low speed corners? High speed? At the limit of traction?

Looking in your “Garage,” it appears you have done no other mods besides the 20” Detroits. Is that still so?

The bushings on both sway bars appear to be stock rubber, yes?

The wheels: how wide front and back?

The tires: what size front and back? Brand, etc?

Thanks for sharing your modification.

Paul

 

Nice mod, but another option is to drill new holes in the bar closer to the bend so you shorten the arm.
One inch already has a great effect