Hi. I appreciate my 2001 Jaguar VANDEN PLAS.
I have one in mint condition... except I need a new engine in mine. What can you suggest?

Jag mechanics tell me that it's not worth installing another 2000-2003 Jag engine because most likely it will fail.
Cost $3-5000

Others suggest installing a small block Dodge or a Ford Taurus engine.
Cost $2500-3500

There are conversion kits available apparently.

I could keep this car a long time if I install a decent engine and maybe a new tranny at the same time. It's a smooth ride and I love it. Fast. I've always had Jags. I loved the xkr supercharged convertible, but I can't afford one of those any more.

What advice can you give me?

 

A Jag engine of that vintage (AJ27) is not prone to failure if the timing chains and tensioners are updated. The mechanics just don't want anything to do with older jags, and their price estimates are not realistic. The transmission can also be updated.

Engine swaps, particularly LS1,look attractive and can be done by someone with a reasonable shop. But if you have a pro do it the cost is much higher than just buying a good XJR.

 

Your mechanics are misleading you. The engines in these x308 cars are excellent with a 200k+ mile (300k+ km) duty cycle.

All the electric computer controls will be messed up by using a different engine, the swap would be a huge amount of work to get it right. There's an LS engine swap kit some people have used with success, but it's not any better than pulling a good working supercharged x308 engine+transmission from an xjr.

 

How many miles on the engine and why has it failed? As has been stated so long as the engine hasn't been abused it should be good for lots of smiles.

 

Why has it failed is a good question. If a Jag dealer said it needs to be replaced that may not be true. A broken timing chain or even overheating does not necessarily destroy the engine

 

I had my engine rebuilt by a Jaguar Mechanic. It cost me about $6,000 but it was either that or sell it for scrap.