I agree it would be a great idea, either wrapping or ceramic coating. HOWEVER removing the exhaust manifolds would be quite the ordeal. If I were going to do some heavy exhaust modifications then the headers would be removed and heat wrapped. I would also change to a higher performance cat system and maybe replace the front exhaust system with a X pipe. But just puling the exhaust headers for heat wrapping, I don't know if its worth the agony or the cost involved.

 

https://www.heatshieldproducts.com/lava-exhaust-wrap

this is the product that my friend recommends: Lava Exhaust Wrap, see link above. His technique for installation is to use a ribbon of the same dimensions to measure what you need for each section, especially good for header installations. you can then cut the product to a good working length.

 

 

I was wondering about the internals of the catalytic converters along the above lines.

 

thanks, would have never thought of that.

my Honda technician used to say about modifications that if something was such a good idea, why did not the manufacturer do it.

sometimes the people who designed and made it are smarter than us

 

And sometimes they design stuff like the plastic tensioners, the cup holder and the hydraulic convertible top latch.

Your Honda tech failed to take into account the cost factor vs. greed of manufacturer.

 

OEM exhaust manifold gasket for 4.2 SC engines from X350 and X200 cars is a nice alternative to wraps - it contains a full heatshield which goes around exhaust manifold. When I did my 4.2 engine swap I used these gaskets with 4.0 exhaust manifolds without issues. Some bending of car's underbonnet heatshields may be required.

 

This is an execellent post, thank you. I am now realizing that heat is potentially a major issue. When my new to me, 2013 X351 XJ sat outside on the dock in the tropics, beginning this August for 5 - 6 weeks it was hot enough to melt parts of my leather dash. And now I have alternator issues, but have been reading that the cables in the x type (at least) that connect the alternator are sensitive to heat and tend to have high internal resistance.

I am wondiering what other cables, hoses and parts in e.g 2010 - 2014 Jaguars, especially the X351 would not fare well being left out in the summer sun in the tropics for the best part of nearly 2 months... (I also wonder if AGM batteres can cope with the heat in the tropics)

 

Its simple ...at idle the water pump does not go quite fast enough ..raise the revs slightly and the temp drops...any body find a slightly smaller pump pulley? A reduction from 112 mm to 100 would be perfect.
You need the electric fans on all the time ...Mine run on half speed at all times. single wire to earth (97 model) does that . a switch for full speed is useful and turn the air con off in traffic.
82 deg C thermostat

 

It does seem warmer when initially opening the hood of the XKR than other front engine cars which put out significantly more heat (Viper, 575M, Corvette, etc.). While this is not as effective as other vehicles, removing the rubber seal at the rear of the hood along the cowl to help hot air escape the engine bay. Other cars have dramatic results, can see heat radiating, where the XKR has small amount of heat radiate out of the cowl after driving but this may have a greater effect while in motion, especially on the 8 without hood vents.

 

Make sure you're intercooler pump is working, if it's not the intercooler radiators get really hot and that will cause a lot of heat in the top of the engine bay.