Hello everyone, I've just bought a '05 STR and what a car!!! This is one INCREDIBLE machine!!! I've had it about 3 weeks now and I feel like a 10 year old with his first crush. I find unnecessary reasons to drive it, find myself in the garage staring at it, etc. I got it bad, LOL. Two things, I thing the dealer did a "pad job" on me, replacing the brake pads all around, but not the rotors. My mechanic says it needs front rotors. Any recommendations? Also, I know I sound crazy, but I would like to enhance the performance. Don't know why, there isn't much on the street that would stand a chance in hell against this thing, but that's just me. Always looking to push the envelope. I feel like I'm asking how to make a rocket faster. LOL. Is there a link/webpage I can go to to view performance options? Any suggestions. Lastly, I am happy to be a part of this forum. Obviously you guys have impeccable taste and love the finer things in life!!

 

hit up brakeperformance.com for rotors.
hit up member.. mafioso for a custom intake.
hit up the "search" feature most especially. Countless performance related topics, but your pretty much relegated to intake exhaust and some pulleys.

 

You shouldn't need new rotors yet on a 2005. I would just get the fronts resurfaced.

 

There is a TSB for wobbly brakes caused by rotors that are to thin. Search here and make sure your tech measures if he can resurface them:
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=10586

 

This is one area I did not follow the factory on. My 2005 STR had a slight brake pedal pulse and I had the rotors turned and it fixed it 100% and that's over 40K miles ago. Also please use the Akebono ceramic brake pads. If you have not noticed the brake dust is pretty bad!!

Now get on EBay and get the JTIS. It's $10 for the disc. This is the factory repair information and you will most certainly want it.

Finally it is a quick car but only mid-pack these days. Many, Many faster cars out there. Also if you have not found out yet the mods are slim to none. That is really where the CTS-V, M5, SRT-8's guys have it over us.

You really need to DIY on this car. It's a very rare car and even the dealers sometimes don't have all the answers. BUT this forum sure does!! We have several factory techs with the most famous being Brutal. If you see his name-read it! I don't care what the subject is. He has seen more of these cars than any 10 Jaguar techs!

The STR is a great value for the money and a wonderful compromise between power, fuel mileage and handling. I have never drove a car with this level of chassis that rides as nice!!!
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Of course but how much power can you really use in normal street driving?
This car out runs 99% of everything out there in it's stock format. Especially if it's not hot out.

I had a drive in a Gallardo back in January out in California. God what a car ... I'd end up in jail if I owned it though because you just think about where you want to go and it's like you're there.

The STR is plenty enough for most. I'm hoping to get a nice long term run out of this car which is why I'm avoiding all the performance mods. History isn't very kind to cars that get heavy mods. Either is the resale market.

 

Very true!! But you owe it to yourself to drive the 2009 and up CTS-V. 550 HP, 550 TQ
0-60 around 3.8-3.9 sec. Truly eye ball flattening acceleration.

I still like the Jaguar interior better but I was impressed.
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I've been in a lot of cars that fast. The Cadillac is very impressive for the price.

 

Yeah, there may be some cars out there faster, but in America, how fast can you truly go? This car is a beast!! The Starship Enterprise MIGHT out run it at warp. I got a speeding ticket the 1st week I got it. driving from TX to AZ. Speed limit was 80 and I was doing 90. I truly didn't know. Car is as smooth as glass. I wish there was a road or 2 where I could see what this baby is made of. Anyway, I don't plan on going crazy with mods, no need. Just a couple of things, maybe exhaust, stronger pulley. IDK, it depends on what u guys suggest. LOL. Thanks for all the great feedback guys.

 

You want 50+ hp? Then I'm one of the guys you may want to talk to. Oh...Welcome to Jaguar country.

 

thank you and yes, i would love 50+ more horses. Some additional torque would be welcomed also. Where do we start? I'm excited!

 

Hey! Were you at in AZ? We can prowl together in this desert wasteland....

 

Phoenix area, near Norterra complex/Happy Valley. and U?

 

I can't say where to drive it but I will say my 2005 STR will pin the 155 MPH limiter from the factory.
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Well our best mod is not out yet and I have been waiting several years for it. The twin screw conversion is the way to go. In fact it's good enough that the factory did exactly that with the 2010 XFR!!
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Yes, but they quite a bit more than just that.

 

Yes they did. Another thing the STR needs is a lower gear. The XFR finally got a 3.31 and the STR is stuck with a 2.87 and no traction lock!! The XFR even has a variable locking rear diff controlled by the PCM.
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Chris, using the "Search Forum" feature; pore through the plethora of STR mod threads. Use keywords such as: "K&N flat panel drop-in air filter", "Remove baffle on bottom of airbox", "Mafioso air intake tube", "Eurotoys low temp. thermostat", "Eurotoys 1.5 lb. or 3 lb. blower pulley", "Remove plastic beauty cover from top of blower to lower blower temps.", "Magnaflow hi-flow cats and x-pipe", "Remove center resonator", "Flow-through pre-axle mufflers (14"-18") and Borla post-axle mufflers", "Perform periodic hard-resets of ECU". Want 75+ hp? Do all of the above plus have blower ported and install "Chiller Killer" a/c kit. If the day comes when a twin screw blower conversion is available ($$$$), we'll be seeing 500+ chp STR's roaming the streets and highways. A limited slip differential is available with 3.30:1 or lower gears ($$$$), etc.

 

Chris, Just to mention if you do all of the above you may as well buy an XKR or XFR and you will probably save money in the long run. Some of these guys have changed things for performance many times over trying to get what their looking for. I would love to know how much has been thrown at the cars. Unless your DIY this stuff aint cheap

 

That is a very good point!! That is really why I got the STR. I always modded every car I have had. It's a lot of fun and with loud exhaust it DOES seem like the power increased a bunch!

But in the end all the mods compromise the car. There is just a load of things the factory can do properly that is difficult or impossible to do aftermarket.

Then there is the cost. After I went to the STR I added up all that I spent on my last car. It would have much cheaper to buy a better performing car. Especially these days when you can purchase massive horsepower from almost any car manufacturer. Heck I am interested now in the Hyundai "R" model. 429HP stock. And that's a Hyundai!!!
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