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Just bought this 2003 XJ8 for $225. Looks like it needs at least an engine, so I’m hoping I didn’t shoot myself in the foot and everything will be wrong.
Last odometer reading said 87k in 2017, hoping there’s not a lot more on it, but it clearly won’t start with the engine taken apart.
My biggest question is are the supercharged and not supercharged engines interchangeable?
If if you have to buy engine and transmission, where would you buy from?
Still trying to learn how to use the forum, so if I missed something a link would be awesome!
Hmmmm, you should be able to easily recoup your initial investment, and more, in parts alone.
As for rebuilding, not sure, maybe better investing that money on a "more complete" car, you can soon sink a lot of money into a car of this condition ?
I follow you, but I’m definitely interested in the project aspect of the car and just keeping it to drive til it dies. If I can’t swap engine, transmission and necessary parts and make it fire up that’s okay, just looking for the best options. I don’t want to change the car, I like the look.
Looks like a nice enough car in the little pictures. It also looks as if someone started taking the engine apart for guide and chains but that's a guess. Having the heads off suggests they might have waited too long to address something and a valve got bounced.
I'd look for an engine from a normally aspirated XJ as it would likely be easiest to match up with what you have for electronic controls. I'd further suggest that you find one from your exact year as there might be slight differences in sensors from year to year but again, I don't have any specific knowledge, just what I would assume would be the best plan. As pointed out there are plenty of places to spend money on these and you likely to run into at least a few of the more common ones but as far as projects go this doesn't look too bad...on the surface anyway.
Good luck!
First the VIN shows it to be a 4.0 normal aspirated engine. You will need a 4.0 N.A. engine for replacement. It is possible to go supercharged but cost and difficulty makes it far to expensive for a DIY. The harness and modules would all need to be replaced and then you would need to find someone with the technical skills and equipment for programming everything to work together.
Changing it out for a used engine is the least costly route. Their are some engine rebuilder's where you can buy a long block from. You would be in the $6,000.00 to $10,0000.00 range and you still have to install it. By then you have dumped more money in that the vehicle is worth. The easiest route is to look for a low mileage model with severe body damage that you can pull off everything you need and part out the rest.
Thanks DW, I picked it up yesterday from Copart in Denver. Interior is in near perfect condition and I believe many of the small hail dings can be pulled. Gave it a little bath. Now to figure out how to get it off the trailer. I haven’t even looked at the battery yet as it’s covered with all of the engine pieces. I’ll take them all out and get pics to upload here soon. It would be pretty awesome if it ended up being something smaller than my anticipations of a full engine replacement.
I definitely commend your decision to rebuild that car. It can be a beauty when you get her running. That interior is amazing! Considering how much interior shops want to re-upholster cars like mine I have considered buying a parts car and stripping the interior out of it.
I remember back in the mid-80s having a couple of guys work over my car with the old-fashioned type of dent puller. I would have paid the same money to put it back the way it was.
My First Project; AND first Jag
