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What all is different between supercharged cars and non?
Considering something potentially dumb. I know that the SC cars had the Benz transmission, but don't know what else was different about the cars themselves... mechanically that is.
Enter my dumb idea. My buddy has a T-boned XJR (01 I think). Found a nearly free VDP (99) with a toasted motor. We're guessing the tensioners went and it went boom. The motor doesn't turn either direction. I'm thinking of dropping the XJR engine and Benz trans in the VDP for a cheap cruiser.
So how different are the supercharged/Benz cars? It's one of those that it could be nearly a bolt-in, or it could be that Jag did completely different floor pans and crossmember mounts which would make it a nightmare. Thoughts? The allure of having a DIY Super V8 clone for pennies is pretty tempting, and I don't mind throwing mounts, a driveshaft, and a few other things at it, but if it's a whole different critter I'll pass. Thoughts?
About $10-15k.
Seriously, its not simple. Search for a thread started by me on the issue. I was thinking of doing the same thing. Some of the experts showed me the cons. I presently looking for a burnt moton XJ8 or XK8 for a LS swap. (Not simple either.)
Last edited by pcolapacker; Mar 31, 2022 at 08:10 PM.
I'm not sure where the $10-$15k comes from given that between the two cars you will have all of the bits and pieces when it comes to wiring harnesses etc. and not just a motor so you won't need to run around sourcing a ton of bits and pieces. My guess is the determining factor on cost will be how much of the labour you're prepared to "invest" at no attributable cost.
Having said that, it sounds like an extremely intriguing/interesting concept and potentially much more satisfying than lumping an earlier Series 1 - 3 car. You could always rationalize the investment by saying you're saving two cars for the price of one.
Beside the engine and transmission , there is differences in the suspension bushings and shock rebound rate
Large springs I think are higher rated
A 2nd fuel pump and it's control
The transmission cross member will be different
transmission cooler
The front grill and badges
Front anti - roll bar thickness
Engine and separate transmission ECUs
You would have to be careful as to what year wiring guide to reference as there was some changes from the AJ26 to AJ27 engine especially the Mass Air Flow Sensor.
I'm not sure where the $10-$15k comes from given that between the two cars you will have all of the bits and pieces when it comes to wiring harnesses etc. and not just a motor so you won't need to run around sourcing a ton of bits and pieces. My guess is the determining factor on cost will be how much of the labour you're prepared to "invest" at no attributable cost.
You missed my joke. I was reffering to a nice XJR or Super 8 will sell for more than a NA XJ8 or VDP.
You missed my joke. I was reffering to a nice XJR or Super 8 will sell for more than a NA XJ8 or VDP.
You are correct - that's not how I took it, my bad.
On the other hand, after spending that $10-15 curtis73 would still have his initial conundrum - owning two other cars neither of which would be driveable...
As a theoretical "should I consider looking FOR this as a project", I would probably agree with you but curtis73, if he wants to take it on, already owns this project.
Last edited by Ken Cantor; Apr 1, 2022 at 01:44 PM.
You are correct - that's not how a took it, my bad.
On the other hand, after spending that $10-15 curtis73 would still have his initial conundrum - owning two other cars neither of which would be driveable...
As a theoretical "should I consider looking FOR this as a project", I would probably agree with you but curtis73, if he wants to take it on, already owns this project.
I've been shopping for an XJR or SC-VDP for three years or more now. The SC-VDPs are obviously rare as hen's teeth, so it seems like the moment they get listed somewhere (usually a fly-n-drive distance) they're gone before I can even talk to the seller. The last two years, XJRs have been following the trend of every other used car here in the US... Asking twice what they're worth and getting it. The VDP with the busted engine I found has 79k on it and has been cosmetically beautifully maintained, and I can snag it for under $1000. The T-boned XJR has 34k on it and was basically free. It was brought to our shop, the insurance company totaled it and paid the owner, then never came to tow it away. So a year later I filed a lien on it for $54.
I would do all the work myself. I don't work at the shop anymore, but this kind of thing was my bag for 20 years. My shortcoming right now is time. I'm afraid it would sit and never get done. If it's a weekend of swapping out ECUs and an engine/trans, that's something I don't mind tackling. Sounds like it's a bigger project so I'll likely skip it.
Having said that... I do have an LS6 and a T56 sitting around.... Hmmmm.
What all is different between supercharged cars and non?
