INFACTUATION RESTORED

[Portiacat]

Hello fellow JEC members and a most belated Happy New Year to all previous contributors to my mechanical misfortunes of last year, and of course fellow XJS owners alike. Since we last interacted I have been on something of an emotional roller coaster when reflecting on last year's Head Gasket drama. I was either elated to have the car fixed and be back driving it or often mournful that I if I was going to spend that sort of additional money on such a project then I could have purchased something with an altogether different level of glitz. Still new year, new attitude,new optimism.
As such I respectfully seek your advice once again (I am fully aware that it is all take, take, take, from me). I need to finally exorcise once and for all any remaining demons by imposing my own stamp on this car, thus cementing my restored infactuation.
1. I wish to upgrade the Air Filter filtration system to allow the engine better breathing.
2. I am contemplating replacing the middle pieces of the exhaust with replacement 'up-graded' items (without Cat Converters) (£225 for the pair on ebay under XJS V12 Exhaust Upgrade). These are alleged to improve engine performance and add a bit more rumble.
3. I would love to enhance the appearance of the front by adding black 'Headlight Bezels' and matching front Grill as seen on TWR models. I have discovered the headlight bezels on ebay but cannot locate the accompanying front grill anywhere.
Any advice in relation to these matters would, as ever, be enormously appreciated, in particular with items 1 & 2 as I lack any sort of mechanical awareness.
I have a 'Flamenco Red' V12 6.0.
I also think the idea of a monthly Summer XJS meet is a splendid idea.

Andrew.

[Brakebuster]

Andrew

welcome back , and its good to hear that your sticking with the Cat...

1, easily done , several options available ,
a , fit a K&N cotton panel filters , this will give a slightly deeper induction noise and a claimed 5 to 10 BHP , POP to fit using all original air box components
B , stick with the K&N and source some performance air filer box tops, these have larger ' trumpets ' or even double trumpets to allow greater airflow , might be a problem if you have piped up induction tubes from the top radiator cross member ?

more air = more fuel = more power

the stock ECU can cope with these basic upgrades

c , enlarged throttle bodies , provided by AJ6 engineering as a package ( about a grand ) you get two re-engineerd TB's that have been enlarged along with a modified ECU to allow the engine to perform ,

2 , i have just done this myself, and in conjunction with option 1 gives the best improvement for our cars , fairly easy to fit once you have bought the pipes , it will go faster , sound throatier and make you smile

903 by MyPix on Talk Photography

3, you need the facelift grille with either the chrome top edge or some have genuine blacked out ' chrome ' trim , very easy to fit , just a screwdriver required and some careful fitting ,easier if you don't have headlight wipers, but not that bad even if you do

1816 by MyPix on Talk Photography

i will keep an eye open for the parts you may need


got any pics of your car ??

BB

[Brakebuster]

this is the grille you need on ebay

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/jaguar-xjs-fr ... 258a897d01

decent price to providing its in good condition


and these are the headlight bezels ( with headlight wipers )

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/JAGUAR-XJS-HE ... 1c4e0ec5e8


BB

[PaulE]

The AJ6 Engineering website is a good source about AJ6 and 16 engine performance improvement bits including some fascinating 'trumpets' which are welded inside the inlet manifolds and which I have tried to find informed tests about without success - any info anybody ?????

[BigCatXJS]

The AJ6 Engineering website is a good source about AJ6 and 16 engine performance improvement bits including some fascinating 'trumpets' which are welded inside the inlet manifolds and which I have tried to find informed tests about without success - any info anybody ?????

Nope - only anecdotal evidence This is pretty much the only AJ6 mod that I have not gone for. It's meant to improve mid-range torque but does nothing for the top-end. It's very expensive and there are other more affordable AJ6 mods that deliver.

That said, if anyone does have any info on this particular modification, it would be gratefully received!

[PaulE]

The mods you have done and their effect would also be interesting - any chance of your telling us more ??

[BigCatXJS]

Sure - most of my tale was captured in Sept 2014 edition of the JEC mag (pages 45 - 50);

http://www.jec.org.uk/mag/je092014/#45/z

The above works only if you are current JEC member.

If you have any q's just ask and I'll do my best to answer

Ta, Rich

[Portiacat]

Brake Buster-thank you so much for your most comprehensive reply and in such timely fashion. I did script a reply earlier today but for some reason it has yet to post (user error guaranteed). However if you get two messages like this then my apologies for the duplication.
1. With regards to the Air Filters, I really like the idea of the K&N 'Trumpet' style filters however am unsure what you mean by your reference to 'piped up induction tubes'. Would you be kind enough to advise?
2. Yep, thanks to your reassurance am definitely going to invest in a pair of these pipes. Great photo.
3. Thanks also for the relevant links to the black headlight bezels and grill. My car doesn't have headlight wipers fitted. If I were to fit these particular headlight bezels would the wiper holes be visible and look unfinished?
If this is your personal car may I say it looks great in white. I always fancied a white one myself or BRG. Saying that the 'Flamenco Red' was the deal for me at the time. It is ok, looks best in the sunshine but I do think that quality white paintwork steals the show.
Thank you again for taking the time to reply.

Andrew.

[Brakebuster]

no problem

glad your going for the new pipes ,

the later 6ltr V12 engines had induction pipes from the metal filter boxes to the front slam panel that ducted air directly into the filter boxes from over the radiator , these is a flexi pipe that is shaped which connects them

the headlight bezels would show the two holes in each for the wiper motors, so I would hold out for some non headlight wiper versions, but they seem less available than the others

yes, im afraid that is my own personal car, and I don't need much of an excuse to post a picture of her , lol

original white car of over mulberry ( dark red ) interior

1820 by MyPix on Talk Photography


3648 by MyPix on Talk Photography

BB

[PaulE]

Hello Porticat,
The induction tubes are not 'filters' but actual curved tubes which are ingeniously welded inside the induction manifold to direct the charge into the inlet port. The manifold is cut open and reinstated after the surgery.
See the AJ6 Engineering website for pictures and much other interesting stuff.

All we need now is a report from someone who has had it done and what the effect was.

[Brakebuster]

Hello Porticat,
The induction tubes are not 'filters' but actual curved tubes which are ingeniously welded inside the induction manifold to direct the charge into the inlet port. The manifold is cut open and reinstated after the surgery.
See the AJ6 Engineering website for pictures and much other interesting stuff.

All we need now is a report from someone who has had it done and what the effect was.

correct,

but I think he was asking about the actual plastic pipes to the air box from the top of the rad as used un later V12 cars

BB

[Portiacat]

Thank you chaps for your very kind replies. I have been on the K&N website and think for what I need right now, a pair of the rectangular flat filters should do. The talk of 'induction pipes' is way above technical competence. Am I right in thinking they should be easy to fit (i.e. locate the originals and replace with the new items...that's it?).
Brake Buster your car looks truly stunning. Really really lilke the inerior also. Thanks for the tips on the bezels.
I notice on a lot of the black matching grill's there is a small logo just to the left of centre (as you face it). What does it say?
Thanks again and I will keep you up to speed with developments.

Andrew.

[Brakebuster]

the badge on the grille is a ' SPORT ' badge for XJR-s cars and is as rare as hens teeth ,

only reproduction inserts are available , the originals are of a cold enamel, reproductions are modern bubble vinyl , and are not quite as vibrant in colour

thanks for your comments on my car

we need pics of yours......

BB