How can I downgrade the power on a Jaguar XKR?
 

Hey everyone,

We currently have a 2000 Jaguar XKR. This is the supercharged model, with the XK8 designator being the standard model. Now, this will seem wierd to ask.... but how can I remove some of the power in this car? I am considering giving it to my son, since it really is a beautiful car, and I could still have control over it until he is an adult. I have looked at the XF's, and have really admired the new styling, so I would rather give this car to him than have to trade it in.

Now, the car is putting out over 450 horsepower as of now, but this kind of power with an inexperienced driver is completely irresponsible and non-negotiable. What can I do to severely disable or regulate the power on this car so it wouldn't be so overwhelming? I have called the dealership and removing the supercharger would be too complicated since everything is connected.

In short- Can I get some sort of regulator chip to make this car to be at most just as powerful as a standard XK8?

how did your car get 450 hp when the 2000 xkr made 370 hp?

without the sc it makes 80 less hp, which is still a lot to give to a kid.

buy him a used civic or something and save the car till he graduates college.

Maybe you should ask someplace that accually knows something about a Jaguar.

http://www.jaguarforum.co.uk/index.p...ed9b15bf3fc465
would be a good start.
Good luck, not too many people want to de-tune their car.

This site deals with alot of car modding so I guessed maybe someone would have something. My son registered an account here since he has saved up for an RX8 originally. Since he has worked hard and been a good kid, I might give him this car if I could just find a way to detune it.

get him an 8!

Too right... you may be able to trade for an 8.

Sell the Jag

Buy your son a civic

Buy yourself an 8

:)

prolly can't really detune it besides taking the SC off which has been suggested...but the reality is its still a V8 in there with a lot of power. You can prolly have it chipped to limit the revs, i've heard of that, but thats gotta be bad for the engine, only ever revving to 2000-2500rpms. No matter how you look at it its gonna be costly to do this, prolly reaching to the costliness of a used FWD appropriate car for a teenager. Which tells me why cage the cat when you can still enjoy it under your supervision and get him something more appropriate. He can still drive the jag but when you want.

Swap the pulley on the supercharger? Would that work? It'd definitely turn down the power, but it'd still be more than an XK8 and probably make it run pig rich...

I'm sure that you can get an EMS to produce a rev-limit for the Jag. Much like the Power FC for RX7s.

Just place something underneath the has pedal so it goes down a little bit, so it can't go more then a third throttle. ;) haha

Ok, seriously, I would give up this idea, and get him a nice car with far less power. Hell, that's just too much power anyway for a daily driver. Good luck!! :)

They tryed telling Bush the samething :lol:

Teach him how to drive it. I think he'll be okay.

My problem is, wait until he hits a curb with it. It will happen. It'll never be the same. The XKR isn't a small car. Also, be ready to repair door dings, scratches, interior tears, and let me know how many months it takes before he spills a coke in it. It's just the way teenagers work.

BTW you can't simply take the supercharger off... The engine's compression ratio is dropped to 9.0:1 to accommdate for boost. You would have to do head work and a bunch of parts swapping just to make it run right.

If you're really worried, get something like this and track his speed
http://www.brickhousesecurity.com/sl...r-locator.html

yeah just get that tracker.....then you will know if he speeds....

that tracker is what my parents wanted to do to my 8!

I would hate it but its best for what you as a parent want :rolleyes:

and theres a kid at my school who has a newer 2001or3 XKR Supercharged that his dad gave to him (just like your doing) and he never speeds but thats just one kid.

I'm confused....

In one of your posts you claim to be a 16 1/2 yo HS student who has saved about 18k.

and then...

+1

Honestly, it is all too easy for a teenager to be encouraged by his friends to do the wrong thing. He's probably a great kid but even the good kids make mistakes and with this kind of power the mistake can be costly a whole lot quicker. Get him something a lot less powerful (like 200 or lower hp, which is probably still generous) and allow him to gain more driving experience before he ever gets behind the wheel of something that powerful. That way if something goes wrong he has had the time behind the wheel to know how to react.

I added a new aftermarket exhaust system, and then had the Super Charger Upped in power a little bit. Cost around $2500.

Like I said before, this is my son's account. I asked this question on several Jaguar sites, just none of them got much traffic. I asked him about his account here, since I figured with the RX8 being a mod-heavy Japanese car---- maybe I'd find some luck here.

I regret adding the upgrades to the car, I just didn't think I would be giving him the car. I originally added the upgrades to the car, so that I could have the same feel of a DB7 Vantage Volante (Other car is a 03' DB7 Vantage).

Now that I have seen the XF, I'm trying to find a way to safely give my son the XK, instead of selling it. I know he'd treat it with respect, but all of us know Teenagers do stupid stuff---- I know I did.

He has saved quite a bit of money, and worked hard to earn that. I figure I might give him this car, so he can save his money for something important, or should something come up. He came with me when we bought the car in 2001, and has since been my shotgun buddy everyday on his route to Elementary, Junior High, and now High School. I know he respects this car, and his hard work in school, on the football field, and at home, prove he has earned a reward for all his hard work. I know he would dearly appreciate and respect this car. If not, it's gone in a second, and he can buy his own car.

A Jaguar XKR for doing what he's supposed to do.... Quite a reward if you ask me. =/

It sounds to me like you already have your answer. I think since your son has been around the car for so long the sentimental value is the same for him as it is for you. Going out of your way to downgrade and/or track the car should not be an option if the trust is there. It looks like he has a good head on his shoulders, but I would reiterate that being given the car is a privilege, not a right. Good luck with it

I'ts irrelevant how much "hard work" he has done IMO . Giving your kids stuff like this can lead to an overly dependant demanding litlle s**t who will forever be sponging off you .

+2...

No what you said was that your son "registered an account here" not that you were posting under his account. But I figured that out anyway. :)

One thing about internet forums is that people who have nothing better to do on a Sunday afternoon might pick-up on those little inconsistencies. ;)




Carry on...

Well, last-gen XKR's are going for about $25k on eBay, so he's not too far off from affording one himself.