I'm currently working on building Tri-Y headers for my 3.9L LS V8, I think you should take the custome Tri-Y headers route if you know how to weld and fab or can find someone to build them. I had a set of longtube headers and a set of Tri-Y headers for my racecar with a ford 351 windsor V8 in it and the Tri-Y ones got more torque and HP. Plus it made the car sound like a Formula 1 car. By the way if you know the exhaust port diameter in inches for my 3.9L LS V8 it'd be helpful to know so i can have the right tubing before start taking it apart.

 

Just a FYI: those previously mentioned headers were recently installed by a member on the LS forum. With lots of pics. Enjoy!

 

Wow!! Those headers have been thru several Lincoln LS guys and at least one S Type owner before someone finally tried to install them. Glad he got it. I am still very sure these will fit our cars too. But we will have to wait and see!!
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I'm very interested to have headers too Tbird69. Please keep me posted as to any developments.

 

I do most of my own work and am quite a distance from a Jag Dealer. Is a Ford dealer a good place to go for parts and heavy service on the AJ 4.0 in my XKR? I'll bet price wise parts would be drastically better in price.

 

Bear in mind it's a Jag not Ford engine (and car) so could be chancy. They probably won't have the jag OBD tool (or know how to use it), either. You're asking in the forum whose cars never had the specific engine variant, too...

 

The point is that they are set up to do work on Lincoln LS and Thunderbirds using basically the same engine.

 

So you're asking in the S-type section if a Ford dealer can do nondescript work on a supercharged XKR engine that was never installed in any Ford product?

I'd just call the Ford dealer and let them say no.

 

The LS motor is loosely based on the Jag motor. I still wouldn't trust a Ford mechanic to know anything about it.

 

The LS didn't get the SC 4.0 I thought. Did the tbird?

You'd be much better asking in the XK forum!! The SC 4.0 was never in any S-Type. Uses all manner of things even I know are not in the S-Type (like the PCM).

I thought the XKR a very nice and expensive car so personally I would not take the risk... Sure wouldn't with my STR!

 

No super charged versions for the Lincoln/Thunderbird!

All US made DEW cars (2000-2006 Lincoln LS, 2002-2005 Thunderbird) had the 3.9L which has a 1mm shorter stroke (85mm) compared to the 4.0 L Jaguar version (86mm Stroke). So the 3.9 and 4.0 are almost the same engine size wise.

I would not use Ford for your XKR service. We can use Ford parts but only if we know they fit. Ford/Jaguar worked pretty hard to hide the fact the two cars were very similar. They did a good job visually and they never did or will release anything saying what parts interchange.

The biggest problem for service is the completely different electrical and engine control systems. I don't think any Ford mechanic would have any idea where to start?
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These are interesting comments and you can certainly tell who actually lays hands on their car vs those who just write checks. Not sure how much of the AJ system is actually Jag. I like the XKR but the more I work on it the more it appears to be a Ford with British quirks.

 

Well the AJ8 is 100% Jaguar and it took Ford's money to get it into production. Yes Ford saved Jaguar. BUT it was with their manufacturing Engineering and NOT with Ford's design Engineering. As is well known when Ford purchased them in 1989 they were not far from going under. For several reasons but the primary one was construction quality and their inability to build anything economically.

Ford poured billions into Jaguar and never saw a profit from them ever. 1989-2008 without one single year of profit!!

I have posted this before but you seem interested so you can read the AJ history here.
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I wanted to believe badly that my XKR was a real Jag and one of the last built at Browns Lane. The reality is it is a mixture of Ford and Jaguar influences. The XJS undercarriage mixed with cheap fake instruments and Ford like controls and interior. Who decided to put in a non serviceable transmission and differential, plastic timing chain and water pump components. As far as the AJ engine goes, it would have been better off with a Mustang V8. I love the car and pretty much knew what I was buying into but I wish it was not designed by committee.

 

Could'a fooled me.............

 

Excalibur2012 - Seems a very biased and unfair comment as car makers generally buy in thousands of parts. Maybe you liked Lucas???

I guess you must have a 4.0 so lucked out in not having the much superior 4.2 in terms of tensioners etc...

 

Didn't mean to drag you guys down a road you had no interest in. Was doing some AJ research when I came across your link and got off path.
I've owned and worked on over 40 cars in my life from Mercedes, Porsches, Audi's, German to American, Japanese to Italian. I laid hands on my first XK120 at 16 and fell in love with the mark. I know the fit and feel of quality and know all about the Prince of Darkness from working on cars and aircraft. Bosch is the new Lucas and frought with many problems of it's own. Always wanted a Jag but would never have one as a daily driver. Most of us on here could not afford a Mark II 3.8 Saloon or a XKE, so here we are with the post 98 variety that we can pick up for 1/10 the original price. The Brits always built great furniture with weak mechanicals and so it was with our current crop. It's just that now, the furniture is gone too. What is left are XK's that should come with wide brimmed feathered hats and sedans that look more Lexus and Kia in style. As much as I criticize the XKR, you can't beat the looks with anything else on the road this side of Maranello. But I am disappointed that they skimped on the things that used to give the car it's character and maybe added some reliability. Remember they sold these things for 80 grand and Ford still lost money. What went wrong and what the hell demographic are they after? It's isn't car guys.

 

Seems as soon as Ford sold they made money!

 

I've toyed with the idea of taking an existing Mustang header with the oval exhaust ports and making them fit our engines. Less cutting and welding than starting from scratch, and so many designs to choose from. Once you're into it, it wouldn't be more difficult to make them into tri y's, or just 4 into ones. Use the nicest collector offered and you'd have an incredible custom header design.

 

Read the entire thread. The headers are plainly shown installed on a Lincoln LS. He said it was a tough install.
They were over $1200 and only one set was ever made that I can find.


Stainless Works made them.


Stainless Works Performance Exhaust, Headers and Fabrication


They do not list them on their website anymore. They just did not sell. Not enough LS/S type people hot rod their cars. Mainly old people buy them and drive around slowly.


If you are interested give them a call as I am sure they still have the plans.
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