My brother just bought a 1998 XK8 convertible and he wants to replace the bonnet with an XKR style bonnet that has the vents. Does anyone know where I can find a place to buy one?

 

You do know you can buy the vents separately for a lot less than a new bonnet? I'm not saying it's an easy job, but I'd be tempted to have a go cutting the holes out with a jigsaw...

 

They do sit a bit proud if you do it the way Frog has suggested and you will have to remove a cross section of the inner bonnet/hood panel.

I make carbon XKR bonnet skins which you can fit to an XK8 inner, not cheap, but again I can also make them out of GRP, you best/cheapest bet would be to find a breaker

 

How much does a carbon fiber hood weigh in comparison to a metal hood?

 

As I said, it's not an easy job, but I was presuming that the original bonnet would be going to the scrapheap anyway, so why not give it a go?

 

Yeah, I think I'm going to cut the holes on the original hood and then install the vents myself. Where can I purchase the vents from? How much does the carbon fiber hood cost anyways? I'm just curious just in case my brother wants to take that route.

 

They save a lot of weight, even the GRP ones are lighter, I must admit I have not weighed a standard hood as of yet but I will do it.

I carbon skin costs $500 and you will still need to supply a hood frame and the vents.

I have been toying with the idea of doing the vents to the later design, I did it on my track XK but not for the standard, a bit of a pain making and 'frenching' in the apertures, I did this hood as my plug all in steel before I moulded it to produce the carbon hood.

 

You can find the vents on ebay.co.uk

 

I would pay to see this..cutting holes in a bonet of a jag..you would only get one go.

 

Sure wouldn't catch me doing it.

I can certainly understand the appeal of an XKR's power, but I happen to love my smooth, flowing bonnet lines. The XKR vents are a nice visual indicator of the great power underneath, but they don't make the bonnet look better, in my opinion.

 

See if you can guess what car this was I cut extra holes in

 

As quoted by XKRacer
I suspect over the pond when you say they sit proud is that they set a little high on the hood the XKR hood has a recess for the vents so they sit down flush. Personally I wouldn't do it unless you flanged your hole so the vents will sit flush. Then you'd be looking at a repaint on the hood.

 

I agree the 8 bonnet does look good

 

can we see the top of the bonnet now please?

 

What no guesses??

 

AM?

I see now it is a DB9.

 

DB9ish

 

When you wash the XKR, what do you use to cover the vents on the bonnet to prevent water from going into the engine compartment?

 

As asked by Jagmanbonano
Nothing, I just chamois the engine bay when I'm done. Never have a problem.

 

Ooo, ooo, ooo, need. To. See!!!!!

Not loving the lady lumps I got with my arden style kit from mina!! Although, I've had tons of good comments about them from admirers. Who knew?!?!?!