Yes the X350 used the same diff as the >2002.5 S-Type

 

This is an update on my S-type sub-frame rebuild.
I have custom upper and lower A-arms installed on the sub-frame along with complete spindle assemblies, rotors, calipers, and wheels.
An 8.8 Mark 8 housing is mounted to the sub frame and the rebuilt LSD differential is wrapped up and in storage.

I am in the process of procuring the following:
- Custom Toe rods. (On order)
- Custom splined Axles. Almost on order.
- Custom Rear Coilovers. (Working with Coilover Manufacturer to build adjustable set with both rebound and compression. Very expensive, but I will bite the bullet to get what I need.)

When I get these parts, I will finally be at a point where I can proceed from the mock-up stage to actual assembly. (Perhaps another 6 months...)

I still hope that a lot of what I have learned and some of the fabricated parts can be crossed over to my 04 STR. I really would like to get LSD in the STR.

 

Big project!!

Thanks for the update. Keep up the good work!
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I've started on the final build of the rear end assembly. Sub-frame is prepped and I have installed the Mark VIII differential with Torsen LSD. The inner CV hubs are partially pushed into the differential.

I am supposed to receive my custom axle shafts next week. then I will be able to assembly the new CV axles and start the next level of assembly of the custom suspension.

 

Finally some progress. First axle in and suspension starting to go together.

 

Anybody install the Quaife?

Price does not look too bad at 1074 GBP or about $1800.

Racing Green Jaguar. - S-Type 1999 onwards, Differential, Limited Slip
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There's been at least one thread about doing it (I think on here but may have been UK forum) and it went OK. Might have been via TL Jaguar but same LSD I think.

 

Yes there's a fellow in Switzerland I think who did this last year? Then he took the car to the Nurburgring and loved it.

It's in one of these threads.

We even discussed the issue of whether it would cause and issues with the traction control & stability system.

 

So has anyone manages to fit a ford 8.8 tracloc in yet?

 

That would be me, I had the Quaife installed in the XJR while we were in Switzerland, and drove it round the 'Ring. The diff has transformed this car, it was a lotta $$$$'s but worth it IMHO...

If you search "Quaife" here on the forum, there are I think 4-5 X350 XJR's and maybe 4-5 X150 XKR's that have had the Quaife fitted. It's the same diff as the STR so no reason why it won't work.

 

I kind of thought it was you but I had the guy pegged as living in Switzerland.

I guess you moved. And quite far too!

So you're still pleased with the change?

Now I do remember there being some issues about two different kinds of differentials in these cars due to a problem with the earlier ones which Jaguar updated?

Would that have any effect on this fitment folks?

Mine's beginning to make some noise, I have some clunk, clunk going on as well as a vibration rumble above 80 then I decelerate so I'll have to have it checked out and make sure it's not the driveshaft instead.

But if it's going to require a diff I figure I might as well go with the Quaife.

 

As long as your diff looks like this:



Then the Quaife will fit.

Yes i'm still happy with the Quaife, it was a good decision, despite the 1st workshop screwing up the install & having to get the diff rebuilt for a 2nd time....

Long story short the pinion bearing was overtightened during the install (collapsable spacer was re-used) which caused the bearing to get noisy.

So I picked up a complete diff off ebay for $250 and had the Quaife transferred to that one, it's all good now.

I will not rule out that the hard launches at the drag strip might also have contributed to the problem with the pinion bearing, the last time I got down to the strip with some very sticky Nitto's the car was hooking up with zero wheelspin at full throttle off the line, so I guess something had to give...

 

I've got a ford 8.8 tracloc (friction plate type) lsd in my s-type r. It has been fitted using factory parts.

Would highly recommend it. It is exactly what the supercharged s-type needs. All that it needs now is a manual gearbox.

 

We have not seen this type installed before.

Any pictures or part numbers on how you did it?
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+1 The more options the better.

I'm assuming this is a complete diff with case that's been had mounting adjustments on the car made and then had the axles and driveshaft modified to fit?

That has pluses and minuses. The diff will be easier for USA residents to support but then the other three modified items will be completely custom - not so good.

 

I wouldn't say that the 3 items being modified are an issue. If you have to have slightly shorter axles made, the CV hubs will still be standard and can be easily replaced or rebuilt using your custom length axle. If you have a Mark VIII differential rebuilt using a flange for the stock drive shaft flex coupler, then even if you have to have the drive shaft shortened a bit, all that would ever wear out is the rubber donut. If you get rid of the donut flex coupler and go with a standard universal joint, then that would become a readily available part to replace.

It really is not that big a deal, and several of the Lincoln LS guys have already done it with no issues at all.

The main issue is most likely cost. $1500 to $2000 for the Mark VIII to be rebuilt with an LSD, $400 to $600 for custom axles. (4 to 6 week leadtime)
Modification to the sub frame: $20 in metal, $40 in mounts, plus making the mounts and welding them to the sub frame. $200 to $300 for a new drive shaft or modify original. (Plus labor if you can't do it yourself.)

I don't think that $3000+ is worth it to most S-type owners to get LSD in their car. This swap was done several years ago by LS owners. How many STR owners have done it? (Perhaps the person who posted above?)

This will be my next swap in my 04 STR when I get the money to do it.
I already have a spare sub-frame, and the Mark 8 housing. Since I have already been through this on my S-type project car, it will be much easier the second time.

 

The Quaife sounds a whole lot easier. We all don't have a shop and the tools to fabricate like you are. Wish I did!

But why is my diff going out @ 40K miles?

I don't drive it hard. I've never even done a burnout!

This concerns me and I'd like to know why the GD thing failed before I dump money in again to fit it.

 

At some point Jag changed rear diff makes so there has to be a story there. The new aren't direct fit, either.

 

I used a pre 2001 jaguar s-type diff case and drive shafts. This bolts straight into my 2002 s-type r. The pre 2001 case has a ford 8.8 lsd cage with s-type r crown wheel and Pinion using a ford 8.8 rebuild kit. No parts cut or modified.

 

This is correct. The "Gen 1" differential housings are called 8.0 housings They use Ford 8.8 Carrier assembly. The gen 1 housing lets you use use most Ford 8.8 carriers. But internally, the case is smaller than an 8.8 case so you are limited to using the standard jaguar ring and pinion ratios. [There are pictures of this posted in the forum.]

The "Gen 2" case uses a carrier where one of the bearings is integrated into the case. This allows one to only use the Quaiffe LSD. No-one else has been able to get an 8.8 carrier to fit.

Swapping to the Mark VII/Mustang IRS housing is primarily to handle 600+ HP. In theory one can install any combination of 8.8 ring and pinion that Ford make. (No one has been able to reprogram the transmission and BCM to allow different than stock gears, so trying to change rear end ratio still can't be done.)