XKR 5.0- Spires exhaust?

[Jbliss]

Hi all

Just wondering if anyone on here has the Spires exhaust on their 5.0 XKR? looking at getting the stage 2 at the moment, or might be up for stage 3 if i can find a used one.

Obviously quite difficult to tell what it sounds like from a video, but should i be concerned about drone? Whats the build quality like?

Thanks
Jbliss

[8bit]

I've got the stage 1 pipes on my 4.2. Build quality is... fine, but then it's really just a couple of pipes with some bends and a crossover in the middle. For what it was, it was pretty expensive though. After I'd had it for a while I changed out the back box for the Elite RR one from Elite and Performance Jags. Cost was about £500 less than the Spires unvalved stage 2 back box. It seems very well made to me and I love the sound of that plus the Spires stage 1. Elite do a full cat-back system as well (equivalent of the Spires Stage 3) for £1329, quite a lot less than the Spires version.

This is mine, again bear in mind it's a 4.2 so will sound a little different:

https://youtu.be/Ur8ySFRAxCo

[grantXKR]

I have the Spires stage 3 active exhaust fitted to my 5.0l XKR. Build quality and craftsmanship are excellent (304 grade stainless steel throughout). Mine was fitted by the main man at Spires, Matt, who is worth having a chat with if you want to explore their systems (get in touch with him via the Spires website).

As 8bit alludes to, the Spires options are at the top of the budget for XKR exhausts, but personally I think they are outstanding. I am somewhat fortunate in that the addition of the Spires on mine came courtesy of the previous owner whom I purchased the car from. Having said that, I've heard most of the exhaust options/combinations for XKRs via utube videos or in the flesh at Jag meetings and would have still put my own hand in the pocket for the Spires. Unfortunately, I think it would be a miracle if one came up second-hand, I've only seen OEM exhausts being put up for sale when they've been replaced by after-market versions.

Photos of my car at Spires having the exhaust fitted are on a hosted site, so clicking the links should take you to each photo:

https://gomesphotography.smugmug.com/Other/My-Jag/...

https://gomesphotography.smugmug.com/Other/My-Jag/...

https://gomesphotography.smugmug.com/Other/My-Jag/...

You can get a range of different exhaust tips at Spires; mine are close to factory in look, which is my preference.

There is no drone at all, at any speed. The exhaust now makes the car a real event for me - the Spires gives a deep rumble and builds to a howling guttural roar as the revs build to 4K and beyond. It really gives a presence and purpose that the factory exhaust is just not up to.

There are pops and bangs when lifting off at certain revs, but not as frequent, or as dramatic as the f-type, which on the XKR would be a little too over the top in my opinion (although I'm sure you could get that mapped in by a Jag specialist tuner like Viezu or Paramount if so wished)! I generally drive in dynamic mode and have fuse 19 removed, so mine is 'active' all the time. I've been to a few Jag meetings and seen quite a few XKR owners, who have all remarked how good the exhaust sounds.

As with the fitting photos, the previous owner of my car captured a short test of the exhaust at the Spires car park just after it was put on - enjoy!:

https://gomesphotography.smugmug.com/Other/My-Jag/...

[Jbliss]

Grant. Thanks for the detailed response and pictures. It really seems like the way to go. There was one that came up for sale, but quickly went unsurprisingly.

[Tacchino]

I went through this "what exhaust change" process 3 years ago with a 5.0 XKR.

Ended up with an XKR-S centre section and custom build 200 cell cats.
Cost was £150 off e-bay for the centre section (deletes resonators and adds a crossover between banks) and £800 for the cats.
Rear box remains unchanged.

The car now bellows on full throttle, pops and crackles on over run and gives the car a whole different persona.
It's not as loud or crackly as an F-type but not far off.

The cat changed made the biggest sound difference and also helped release some more BHP.
No major issues with cat efficiency errors. Occasionally throws one up but that is easily cleared with a cheap fault reader device.

Zero droning irrespective of whether dynamic mode is engaged or not.
Saved myself £1000 on the exhaust and put it towards the pulley and remap!

[tvron]

I had spires front section fitted and removed fuse 19
For me this gives a reasonably quiet car for daily use with wife but when opened up very good sound so good compromise
Allows good fast cruise with no droning

[Jaroon]

I have the Elite stage 1 and couldn't be happier, no drone, addresses the lack of character in the mid range and nicely aggressive up the range.