1000mile range XK8

[AndyBebs]

Hello all XK8 members, I have been an XK8 owner since last April when I went on the XJS Seminar at Castle Bromwich. No I wasnt put off XJS's indeed I still run my 1994 4.0L Facelift model and have just finished replacement of the front suspension springs on it, but thats another topic altogether. Whilst at the seminar I went outside at the lunch break to look at the other members cars and saw a very nice XK8 that was for sale which turned out to belong to Tony Ridge. Next day I called to say that I would like to buy it. Since then I have covered around 15k trouble free miles in it using it most days for my 120mile round trip commute to work. I have however only just got around to registering on the XK8 forum and have been reading with interest many of the postings there. Of particular interest to me are those relating to LPG as I have had both my XJS and the XK8 converted to LPG dual fuel. The system fitted to my XK8 is a Zavoli multi point injection system. I wanted to acheive a range of 600miles on one fill up of LPG which has been acheived by fitting a 77L tank in place of the spare wheel and a 70L torpedo shape tank on top. This gives 147L that takes when empty 120L of LPG = 600miles or 22.7mpg for £62.40, Before the conversion to LPG I was getting close to 400 miles on a tank of Petrol so if I filled up with LPG and Petrol I should now be able to drive 1000miles in my XK8 without stopping for fuel!

[mike020150]

Well if the £ continues to slip against the euro you will be one of the few XK8 owners who will be able to afford to take your car abroad, there and back without re-filling! Having used your car extensively with the club's rear exhaust pipe conversion, what your opinion of it? Are you happy with the noises it makes? There are lots of BB readers who'd like to know. Mike.

[AndyBebs]

I am not sure of current fuel costs in europe at present, however It looks as if I may be driving to Berlin in the spring to visit our twin Round Table No.175 Berlin Mitte and I was planning to see if I could get there on one tank of LPG leaving via Harwich to the Hook. I will let you know how I get on. Does anyone know if I will need an adapter to use the LPG fillers in Germany & Holland, mine has a bayonet type fitting?

Re: JEC Exhasut; The sound from the club pipes that replace the rear silencers is just right I think. It sounds great at tickover and just glorious on acceleration but is not harsh or intrusive when cruising. Looks good too and easy to keep clean. The finish and quality of manufacture are also good. I believe the pipes fitted to my car were either the proto type or the first set produced and the only problem i have had is that the hanger on the nearside would keep slipping out of the rubber '8' shaped connector. The hanger when compared to the off side is shorter around the hook shape, I have now wired it into the rubber with a length of stainless steel security tying wire which seems to hold it in the correct location. I don't know if the hangers have been adjusted on the subsequent versions?

I will also have a go at uploading some pictures of the pipes and the LPG set up in near future.

[mike020150]

Thanks for your comments about the exhaust. We'll look forward to hearing about your Berlin trip. Mike.