hi all i am thinking of changing the engine of my mk2 (2.4) for v8. has anyone
done this before. any hints be great. thanks

 

On another forum they have installed the 4.0 V8 and a 4.2 V8 and have put in the IRS suspension too. Full pictures of process.

 

The Jaguar sedans can easily accept a v8 with many types of options. Beecham makes high end restomods with newer Jaguar supercharged v8's with everything would expect if Jaguar rereleased the old body with totally modern interior, air bags, suspension, etc. but these do cost about $100K.

I am almost finished with my 3.8s which is a restomod using a GM LS1 v8 that is the aluminum block/head 5.3 modified mildly for 450-460 HP yet will still get 25 MPG. You can look in this forum as I have posted a few entries that show some of the progress. I will post more pictures when I am finished which I hope to be done by the end of the year.

It can be done and the type of v8 depends on your budget, personal goals of the car, etc. For me I choose the GM v8 LS1 to create a reliable daily driver able to outperform most new performance sedans like the BM M5, etc. but also keep the cost to a moderate level. The GM LS series motors are much lighter than the stock Jag motor, and have so many brands of performance parts, is very reliable (many will get 2-250,000 miles with no issues at all), and finding performance computers and shops to tune it to your needs is easy, and lastly they are probably the lowest price for the horsepower reliable motors available.

You can go with a Jaguar v8 if you want to keep it all Jaguar but the HP is not as high. You will need to find someone or a shop whom can help tune the computer to match the car's transmission, tire/wheel, and rear end gearing, etc. There is one person on this forum installing a Jaguar v8 from a newer Jaguar so he might be of help if that is your desire.

You can also use the IRS off of the 3.8s or other Jaguars. I am modifying my stock Jag suspension with fully adjustable coil over shocks on all four corners and Wilwood brakes in the front.

 

it's very easy, anyone can do it: check this website:

FiBoy's Mk 1 restoration; modernization of a Jaguar Mark I Saloon 2.4 litre

 

He is asking about putting a V8 in the Sedan, FiBoy's is putting in the straight 6 which provided 201 to 225HP.

For examples of V8 conversions here is the Beacham Beacham Jaguar MK2 - Supercharged Classic Restoration with XJR V8

Here is my Jaguar with a General Motors LS1 450-460 HP V8