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Shocks
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Modification:
Installed Bilstein Shocks for front and rear (rear requires
four). I choose Bilstein because the Jaguar XJR used them
and this shock seems to be the top choice of other Jaguar suspension
specialists. They are not cheap, but are worth it.
Effect:
A ride almost like factory (i.e. very Jaguaresque)
but with a much more controlled feeling. There is less lean
in the corners and less dipping and squat under braking. Bumps
are handled with much quicker recovery and the car is more "cat like".
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Steering Bushings
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Modification:
Replaced the stock rubbery-feeling steering bushings with
polyurethane bushings from
John's Cars.
Effect:
A great imporvement in steering accuracy and steering "feel".
The car actually feels like it has rack-and-pinion steering
for the first time. Steering inputs are much faster (but
not as quick as some of my old Triumphs). You'll either
like or be annoyed by this mod. It requires a lot more attention
from the driver, and takes away that "boulvard cruising" that
normally make driving the car nearly a thoughtless experience.
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Anti-Roll Bars Front & Rear (Future)
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Modification:
Upgrade the front roll bar and add a new rear roll bar.
Effect:
Increase stiffness and improve handling.
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Under-Chassis Cross Bracing Front & Rear (Future)
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Modification:
A welded-in "X" crossmember that is attached below the
engine rails and behind the front suspension.
I will be installing the kit from Harvey Bailey Engineering (UK).
They seem to really have their act together when it comes
to Jaguar (in general) and XJ-S (in particular) handling upgrades.
Effect:
Increase chassis stiffness and reduce cowl shudder.
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Strut Tower (Monte Carlo) Support Bar (Future)
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Modification:
Add a cross engine bay bar connecting the current two bars that
meet at the firewall into an integrated triangle.
Effect:
Further Increase stiffness and reduce cowl shudder plus add a
visual "plus" to the engine compartment. One big problem
with implementing this bar is that the fuel rails are directly in the
way of connecting the two attach points, and the hood is so low that
it will be important to design a bar that will not hit the underside
of the hood. I may have to lower the fuel rail by shortening
the hoses so that the bar will clear and the bar itself will need a slight
rise to clear both the intake manifolds and the fuel rail. For what
it is worth, the distance between the center of each of these attachment
bolts is exactly 48 7/8 inches (124 cm). I plan on this bar to be a polished, machined
piece of aluminium with ribbing in it similar to the cam covers.
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Rear Chassis Bracing (Future)
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Modification:
When increasing the horsepower of the XJ-S, the rear
suspension mounting brackets can be in danger of ripping from
their rubber-insulated mounting points to the chassis. This
entire rear-suspension assembly was designed to arch slightly
forward and backwards, but high torque on this assembly is
known to actually rip the rear suspension off the car.
Effect:
Increase power transfer to the rear wheels, stabilize the
rear suspension, and provide strength to handle extra power
input from modified V-12
engines.
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