After much research on this excellent forum regarding releasing the V8 rumble that the XK8 so obviously requires, I found a local exhaust fabricator who would replace the restrictive parts of the standard set up at reasonable cost. I decided to have pipe work from the centre silencer(muffler)back made in Ø2.25" 304SS tube removing the pair of resonators and having the pipe work taken over the axle and then into a pair of Powerflow mufflers with custom tips at a total cost of £350.
The result is a initial roar from start with a subdued rumble on a constant throttle and no drone - exactly what I wanted.

 

Pictures are cool but what about a video with sound?

 

Hi Vern,
I'll put a video on here at the weekend when it is light, it's dark by the time I come home from work.


Paul

 

I got my resonator and rear mufflers removed. Instslled an x pipe and she sounds great. Lots of throatiness but that drone at 2k rpm. Idk though I kinda like it. These engines sound great! I also got my exhaust leak fixed with the removal services and it was 185 USD Tax and everything out the door. Awesome deal and I enjoy it every day. Definitely turns heads but isn't insanely abnoxiously loud it sounds... like a v8 should

 

You wont get full orchestral benefit until you replace 600 with 200 cats.

 

I also had them install a magnaflow x pipe. It really does sound good and i guess when the cats decide to go i will purchase some high flow ones. I just have the 2 mufflers (before the bend over the axel) and the 2 cats. Very quiet actually at idle.

 

This is the exact effect my custom system provides as well. It kinda sounds like distant thunder while cruising, definitely "let's you know" when you've opened the throttle, and can be a bit startling to stander's by when she starts (this is most amusing - lol). My idle also settles down to just a nice aggressive rumble a well.


As good as this car looks, it seriously deserves better than the OEM exhaust note.

 

Agree with the standard setup being too quiet, the exhaust that is now fitted has the bonus of sounding much better, has life time guarantee, less restrictive and actually can be removed more easily if necessary. I made sure that stainless steel clamps are fitted which similar to Jaguars own, made by a company called Mikalor.

 

Oh yeh, I forgot about "removal". Good point! Running the wider pipes "under" the rear subassembly does reduce ground clearance, but I can take my entire system (from the cats to the tips) off in one piece and single handed.

 

Hi thruxit!

Can you please post a video with the sound when you have the time ?

Thanks!

 

Hi Popeye, sorry about the late reply soon as its stopped raining here I'll put a short video on here.

 

Hi thruxit , thanks!