Originally Posted by JaguarSpecialties

Hi all, this is Andrew from Jaguar Specialties. I posted here before about some of our latest LS conversions into Jags, and wanted to put up some pics of one of our latest installs (my own car).

Note- I'm not trying to convince anyone to do anything or badmouth the stock drivetrain, just show what's possible for these models.

This is a 99 Vanden Plas sedan and this car now has a basically stock 2002 Camaro LS1 and 4L60E trans. As you can see it's a great fit and the build uses all of our standard conversion kit parts including our unique GM-Jaguar CANBUS interface (that interface is the key to the conversion- without it, an install like this wouldn't be possible). The car is set up with full emissions (we're in California) with stock (GM) cats, stock GM cast iron (high flow) exhaust manifolds, and a 2 1/2" mandrel bent exhaust. It runs and drives beautifully. One little trick on this car has to do with being able to use an earlier Jag XJ6 differential with higher (numeric) gears. The stock ratio on the car was 3.08; the earlier unit is a 3.58 and that makes a big difference in how this (nearly 4100 lb) car pulls off the line. That diff change is only possible due to some specifics of how the conversion handles the driveline- you could not make the same change with a stock XJ8 drivetrain. Overall, it's smooth, reasonably quiet, and very comfortable. And on from every angle, inside and out, the car looks and operates exactly as original. All of the gauges read properly with no warning lights or messages, the shifter works perfectly with the GM trans (including the J-gate feature), the speed sensitive steering is fully functional, and the climate control also operates properly (including the automatic temp control feature). If you didn't open the hood, you'd swear the car is stock.

This type of conversion could be done on any 98-03 XJ8 model using nearly any LS engine (including the truck 4.8 -5.3-6.0 versions) and the 4L60E/4L65E trans. And the cars themselves are ridiculously cheap to buy- a nice sedan such as this one with good cosmetics and major mechanical problems generally sell for $1000-$2000- they're a giveaway. Put in the LS and you've got a fantastic car to boom around in. And the performance potential is limitless. On a most basic level, this conversion costs (using a good used GM drivetrain package), all told, would be similar to the cost of a rebuilt Jag engine alone. Email me for more info.

Note- we offer a similar conversion for the 97-02 XK8 and XKR 2 door convertibles and coupes too. And we are (right now) building a 6 speed manual transmission version of the XK8/XKR conversion- that will be a kit offering soon...

Here are a few pics- I hope you like them.