Re: Anyone try the Koni Shock conversion for the X (archive)

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Well I did it, I have purchased the Koni
sport shocks and H&R springs. I also did Rims and tires at the same time. The Konis were the only ones available in the US, I could not find anybody with them in stock, same deal on the springs.

Here are the stats!
I purchased the Rims, tires, shocks, and springs
from the Tire Rack (www.tirerack.com)ALEX ex311
great guy!

Rims, BBS/Moda R6 19" x 9 I liked them when I saw them on line, but oh my god pictures did not do them justice. I loved them when they arrived, bright silver aluminum paint looks like a polished
wheel. I love em, I chose them over BBS 20" Detroit wheels! More on that later.

Shocks, Koni sport shocks, FR externally adjustable
RR needs to be adjusted of the car.

Springs H&R Sport, Nice red powder coating great
With Koni's. 1.5 lowering with progressive response.

Installed buy my fav. Dealer British Motor cars
in San Francisco(I did not find anyone with experience in installing performance parts on a XK8. The best part of using this great dealer
was being able to compare my car to what they have in stock, XK8, XKR, and XKR Silverstone.

Ok during this whole installation the car was stuck in a shop having minor paintwork done, and due to a minor snag with a typo on my insurance policy I had to wait 4 weeks to get the car back!
This was the week! And like a lot of people in the Bay Area I have had a lot of extra time to drive this week, I.E. work force reductions and such. Finely free to spend the day with my pretty XK8.
So that drama aside.

Here is what I think!
And here are what the guys at British Motors and Wheel Works S/F (they did alignment) think.

The shocks and springs were done before I purchased the rims, I wanted to feel ride quality before deciding on the rim diameter. Per the Jag techs they felt that the myXK8 with shocks and springs and the factory 17" out handled the XKR and was close to the Silverstone. I was blown away myself at that point. I decided to go with 19" wheels. Some factors, ride quality, bad road conditions in SF, I liked the way the car would have a slight role as you pushed it aggressively. The inch felt a little better in the tire, I could easily adjust the Koni's to add stiffness.

The car is 1.5 inch lower and at first look its not really dramatic, It just looks right!
I catch myself parking next to other Jags, there really is a difference and it was worth it!
Now Eibach only lowers 1 inch and Arden is about the same and more money.
I was told that the H&R springs sometimes were squeaky, not mine, not yet, I like em!

The real snag happened at the alignment shop.
FR no problem RR is cambered in slightly not as bad as an old VW but its noticeable.
I don't have the spec sheet with me at the moment so I can't tell you the degree. I parked next to a newer 911 that was lowered and it was about the same, In fact It's a lot like what I might run on the track. There are no shims available through Jaguar that will align to factory specs, I am working with some Jag race specialty shops to get mine to spec.

So the rims and tires were next, Moda R6 19" x 9" all the way around with Perilli P Zero Rosso 255 40 19 Wow! By this time the guys at British motors were very impressed. Per them one of the best Jags they had driven. Now it's not funny to British motors but when I first picked up my car I asked the tech what level he set the rears to and he forgot to adjust them before installation. So they went back and were re installed. I am surprised that they are willing to experiment with after market parts and still seem willing to due so.

The dealer resources helped out. I was informed about the latest recalls and issues regarding hi performance XK'S. There was a recent service bulletin stating that under hard cornering with large diameter wheels and performance suspension the AJ8 motor would suffer oil starvation. They recommend adding a quart of oil, and changing your dipstick to a new longer one. I was able to order one from the UK for $35.00.

Ok if you like stiff rides and hard cornering this is for you!
Before the Jag I was hooked on the Lotus Esprit. I like being able to feel
The road below me, I like a stiff ride and would rather have performance than comfort. I got it!
Hell I was not comfortable in the Jag bouncing around windy MT roads! But now it's a different car. Just yesterday I spent driving to the coast trough some great country roads, I was able to point the car and push it as hard as I could, I achieved 4 wheel skids into the corners pretty effortlessly. Before the cars weight was a factor but now it's a lot more predictable and responsive
She feels a little lighter. Definitely like a sports coup.

New problem started breaking in a new girlfriend. She had never dated a performance nut
A short year and half later she has become educated, and hooked. So I must play nice and share. I felt getting her involved would help with her understanding any future upgrades. It did and the upgrades don't seem so expensive or trivial anymore.

Future upgrades:
Large rims and tires are like lead-in drugs when it comes to brakes, Brembo's and crossed drilled rotors. Ah yes I can see it now! Was considering larger Silverstone sway bar, not gonna at this point. I am ordering a Cat back exhaust system from Keisler Auto motive.
I really would like to focus on bolt on engine performance products. Any feed back here would be appreciated.

Wheels and Tires $3100
Shocks $150.00 each (10 to 12 week special order)
Springs $ 584.00 in stock now!
Labor $ 700.00

I will post some pictures within the next few days.
If you have any questions feel free to email
And if your in the Bay area your more than welcome to check it out!

P.S. I would like to sell my factory Chromed Revolver wheels 17" with P zeros. Good tires.
Also included are the center caps.

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