Hi all,
After a lot of faffing around we got brakes and clutch bled, and the hydraulic system (which includes power steering and underfloor hydro-boost brakes) bled, and then got ready to hit the road for the first time.
Clutch is pretty heavy (OEM single disk LS7 Vette) but takes up not far from the floor so no opportunity to lighten it with a smaller bore master, and I think weight is mainly due to the fairly low pedal ratio we have with the stock floor mounted pedals. I can live with it.
Brake pedal is firm and short, requires more shove than a modern car, but on the flip side is not touchy and over-assisted, which I hate. Even with the much higher power assistance from the hydro-boost this is down to the huge 1.4 inch bore GM 2500HD master cylinder I'm using (came with the hydro-boost) whereas the original Jag master to match the 4-wheel discs on the car was 1 inch bore. Also, the pedal ratio is also fairly low like the clutch. Overall it feels about "right" given the weight of the clutch, and pedal height and weight are good for heel and toe action. And the brakes work.
Steering is thumb and fore-finger light as you would expect from an XJ Jag power rack and a 17 inch steering wheel! But it is direct, precise with no slop, and has a fair bit of feel. Gear change is nice with mechanical feeling long throws which suit the character of the car.
First drive was cut short by front wheel to guard interference. I knew that was coming but I thought I'd be able to sneak in a few open road runs on the motorway to coarse tune the fuel map before I dealt with it. Unfortunately the springs settled about 40mm with all the front bolted on and it was basically eating the front tyres on the slightest bump or turn. The cammed LS3 is as docile as a brick with the 8-stack and feels like it will not disappoint.
I managed to get enough ECU datalogging in to point me in the right direction and validate that all key systems and functions are either already good, or have potential to be good.
Car is now back up in the air as Hamish works his magic on the front guards (seen here with the eyebrows removed and the wheel jacked up onto the bump stop) and I've whipped the rack out to have it reconditioned (I'd punted on a second-hand unit but it was leaking from the powerhead top pinion seal - bugger). We are lifting the front end 1.5 inches from what you see here, which will give the car even "eyebrow" height front and rear, and a slight rake courtesy of the taller rear tyres.
Hope all is well!
Cheers, Andrew