Basic Mods for E-type to prep for Track

Slaloming is great fun. As Warren pointed out, you don't need to do any modifications to your car to race and have fun. Last year, I won Class E with my '72 V-12 E-type 2+2, and my girlfriend Carol too second, nationally, with a completely stock car. Regular Pirelli street tires, original seat belt, suspension, brakes, etc. So you don't need to do anything to come out and be competitive, other than making sure that your car is in good working order.

There is a proposal on the table to create a "street prepared" class. Cars with some modifications, like uprated suspension, adjustable shocks, polyurethane bushings, wider tires, better brakes, etc. would run in street prepared, rather than being pushed all the way up to "modified." Cars like Gary Hagopian's or Art Dickenson's, which are heavily modified, would continue to be in modified class. This will allow some upgrades to be done without throwing us all to the lions.

So come out, have fun, race and see how great that 30+ year old car can do. You'll be amazed and pleased. But be careful -- It is addictive!!

Steve Weinstein
JTC-NJ Slalom Chair
2002 JCNA Class E -- 1st Place
'72 E-type 2+2
'89 XJS Coupe

I just realized I also have a picture showing the harness in place. I route the end of the "Y" under the headrest on the right side so the straps that go over the shoulder are right where they need to be. (I added the bright red OMP harness pads to cushion the straps where they are pulled tight over the collar bone when in use.)

Regards,
Warren

Steve & Pascal,

The racing harness I installed in my E-Type came from Terry's Jaguar Parts and installs on the existing seat belt mounting points; no modifications needed(p/n 8521). Mine came with an anti-submarine strap (which would make it a 5-point) which I chose not to install because it would have required drilling the floor pan. I find it great even for street driving, although around town I usually only use the lap belt portion. The pic below shows the assembly sequence for using the existing left side rear wheel arch mount for the "Y" shoulder harness component. The lap belts simply go onto the existing bolts on each side of the seat. With your car in good, tune plus a helmet and a harness you're ready for fun! The rest can follow whenever you feel the need. Just be forewarned: it's addictive ! !

Regards,
Warren

Warren is right, first thing is a 4 or 5 point harness. It's easy to do by replacing your seatbelts bolts with eye bolts. on the 2+2 you could use the rear seat belt att't point, not sure about the FHC, Warren can answer that.

it will give you far more control over the car.

Next would be tires. IF you go larger, you will be bumped in a modified or street prepared class but try to get the most grippy tire you can find. Looking at tread wear ratng will give you an idea of how soft the compound is. of course if you don't care much about a trophy and will use your car on track, not just slalom, then you could go for a wider or lower profile to fit your stock rims. Next step would be to go for centerlaced wire wheels and wider tires like Warren did. it looks great too.

finally, beef up your suspension, which if your car needs suspension work won't cost that much more. Stiffer torsion bars, adjustable shocks and rear springs, along with bigger sway bars.

Engine should be addressed last...

On track, you may need some better brakes up front, I have Willwood calipers on my 72 from www.classicjaguar.com which along with high temp Motul 600 brake fluid solved the problem The stock brakes are good but will get hot and eventually boil the fluid...

Check out the articles on Limerock in the HPDE section and do consider doing it, it's a BLAAAAAST ! I come all the way from Miami for it.. :-)

Pascal Gademer
72 E-type 2+2
00 XKRCoupe
99 XJR

Steve,

It's good to know that you are interested in driving your E-Type the way it is meant to be driven! You will find yourself in good company, as there are quite few of us in JCNA, starting with the President, Gary Hagopian (who has modified his E-type to an extent most of us can only dream about), to others who drive their cars aggressively with only minimum alterations.

You really only need to have your car in first class operating order with no serious fluid leaks, good tires and brakes, wheels bearings not loose, battery secure, etd., and you will need a helmet (Snell 2000 or better). The details of passing the Safety Tech Inspection for the Slalom can be found on the Slalom page of this website.

Come out and have some fun with us first, then see what upgrades you might want to make to your car. Suspension, wheels and tires, brakes, carburettors...the list goes on, and you can see from some of our cars what might work for you, depending on how serious you get and how much time and money you want to commit.

You can get a top quality 4 point racing harness from a vendor like Terry's Jaguar for about $100. This is a good place to start because a harness gives you a great advantage over the standard seat belt by holding you firmly in place so you don't need to rely on gripping the steering wheel for balance in hard turns.

The first Slalom event in your area will be on 8 May in Springfield, Mass. There should be quite a few E-Types to make you feel at home, including at least two -- mine and Steven Weinstein's -- that will be driving up from New Jersey. Keep you eye on the Calendar here for info on the Lime Rock weekend at the end of May. Hope to meet you at these events!

Regards,
Warren Hansen
'70 FHC
"Silver Bolide"