Hi!

If I want to transform an XJ8 to an XJR.. what do I have to change except the obvious, engine and gearbox...

Thanks!

 

Front seats, steering wheel and body badging come to my mind.

 

It would be cheaper and far less headache to sell the XJ8 and buy a XJR, which is what I did, sort of.....the wife still has the XJ8.. heh

 

different engine computers, different transmission computer, XJR has 2 fuel pumps, different instrument cluster

 

Ok wrong of me... I only meant in performance, not looks. But new computer to both engine and gearbox also...?

 

The thing is thats almost impossible for me since its a left hand drive. If I dont convert it to an XJR I might as well give it away to my father when he has his 60th birthday..

 

Have you got a donor (year related) XJR, because this is the only way to do it, not buy parts or you'll wish you just sold the 8 and bought an R as has already been suggested.

You can buy an R in the UK for little money now and it'd be easier to convert to LHD.

XJ-XJR Differences...

Engine and gearbox (and selector mech) plus their modules and looms, inc. dash loom and IPK (inst. pack). So the complete dash needs taking from each car and swapping. You can use the R the BCM (body control module) and Air con, air bag modules of the original? possible CAN network issues if you use different model years, for example a 98 R and a 2000 XJ8 won't work.
Fuel tank and twin pumps.

R has Intercooler pump, intercooler rad and pipework.

R engine also has an oil cooler and lines fitted.

R front AND rear anti role bars (8's apart from Sport don't have the rear fitted)
Cats suspension is either Sports or Super Sports, so all springs and dampers and role bars need changing also onto the 8. And while at it all bushes.

Brakes on the R are bigger, even standard I think, so you'll need to change all 4 corners.

For IDS update programming you'll need to use the XJR chassis number (last 6 or 7 digits)

I think it's doable but a *lot* of work, maybe running over a year of weekends pottering to get it running, as you'll be rebuilding the rear axle, rewiring the front end along with adding the control modules and relays for the added pumps etc. Also knocking off the MIL light issues one by one until the 8 thinks it's an R....

There'll be things I've missed, but the major stuff to begin is here, good luck and buy a very good set of Torx, 8, 10, 13mm ratchet spanners and various sockets of these sizes!

 

I could be wrong, but wasn't there someone on the XK8 forum that managed to get a super charger running at a low psi on the stock compression ratio on the N/A engine?