I have an all original 1987 and a v8 powered 1979. A nicely done swap is a thing of beauty. From what you described plus you have a friend that has done a swap it doesn't sound like a bad idea. Contact the vendors that sell the swap kits and talk to them. I'm sure they can give you guidance.

Jeff

 

I went with the suncoast kit, which is basically the mounts, then I also got from suncoast the down pipes, and the adapters to install the jag oil and coolant sensor into the Chevy block, suncoast also came with a very detailed instruction manual, telling you what wires to connect to where !!!

 

Concerning the debate as to swap or rebuild, here are a few of my experiences. Keep in mind I own one of each and both are in immaculate condition.

There are places that will work on a swapped car. Hot rod shops swap engines all the time. There is a guy down the road that works on hot rods (he built a Model A with a v8 and a Jaguar independent rear suspension) and he has done some heavy jobs for me (he has a lift). There is also a guy in town that is a traveling mechanic. He will come to your house and do anything you want as long as you pay by the hour. Have a repair manual ready or the appropriate pages printed out. Of course these guys don’t have a guarantee policy.

When I first got my swapped 79 it was acting weird so I called up my local NAPA dealer and ordered one of every sensor on the Chevrolet v8. (There were about eight in total). They said they would all be there by 8am the next day. Total cost about $150 and it took me an afternoon to install them. Problem solved.

My car has a Chevrolet v8 from 1994 which is when the on-board diagnostic system was still in its first generation (OBD1). I can’t find a scanner. So my recommendation is either to go with a crate engine with no electronics or a more modern engine with a readily available scanner.

As to comparing the drivability of my swapped to original XJ6s, they both have about the same horsepower but the swapped has a Chevrolet 4-speed automatic that makes all the difference in the world; much more get up and go. Also, the v8 is about 200 pounds lighter than the original engine resulting in a feeling of the swapped car being much lighter on its feet.

Once again, buy a kit that has a detailed instruction book. They have already figured everything out – take advantage of that.

Just my 2 cents.

Jeff

 

I have a 77 XJ6C showing100 K but solid, What should be the total cost of a swap using all the required kits ?

 

Call Jaguar Specialities (a form sponsor) or one of the other ones and they will give you the best and most up to date information. Besides pricing they can answer all your questions as they have done conversions themselves.

 

Also bear in mind, there are two prices… one if you do the conversion and one of you pay to get it done!! I am probably close to 15 grand , but includes rebuilding engine and transmission plus all new ancillaries on the engine!

 

I got my down ies from Suncoast. Very nicely done. About 100 at the time. Teh muffler guy that built my exhaust admired the wrkmanship.

Johns cars was the sourxe of the kit. i got a prelim manual. very helpful About 12000 as i recall. Teh guys n the shop were most heppful in answering my many questions. It had mounts hose kits sensors, engine bay harness. The manual was written in an easy to read fashion. More entertaining than a factory manual

I bought the factory manual for the donor car. 94 mCadillac Fleet wood brougham. Very useful

I bought a harness. I will not name the builder. Nw retired. it was not a fod option

Teh myuffler guy buit a exhaust. 8000 at the time. Two cats and an H pipe. kept the jaguar mufflers and resonators.

I bought an engine transmssion package from a recycler. Lotttsa parts, inc;udong brand new Ram Horn manods. Computer and harness included. Mre than I needed r used.

My son gave me a set of Efans.

Because of a mess up by me, it has an eectric water pump.

I plumbed te trans cooler lines and fuel ines.

I made a rack to support the reays. And a ground bus for the reay grounds as needed.

It has an emergency crank wire in the engine bay.

I got a XJs shift tower from Jaguar specialties. Close amatch in the detents to the Gm transmission

Aye, my car has OBD II. I have an expensive scanner. It reads functins ut nt falult codes. So, one must interpret the function reads f diagnosos.

It worked/ Teh

 

A noisy rod. that in tself woud lead me to a swap.

 

Carl, can you please clarify? You spent twelve THOUSAND for the kit and eight THOUSAND dollars for the exhaust? Or is the zero key on your computer sticking?

I just got a new exhaust system from the manifolds back, all stainless steel for $1,300 installed.

Jeff

 

There are people who OWN these cars who never lay hands & those who do most work themselves. The kits are numerous from outfits like Jag Specialties. From what I see here the entire process is very expensive & even more so if you don't have hands.

 

Guilty!

1200 for the kit.

800 mfor the exhaust.

 

When I was losing coolant I thought the headgasket was blown. It was a small leak I couldnt see, but I began to plan out my engine swap and a V8 is out of the equation for me. I decided to simply install a 2JZ with automatic transmission into the old cat. I bought the drivetrain and I began to take it apart so that I can have a spectacular set up, but the 4.2 has been running strong and pulling hard through the canyons. I personally like the 4.2 but if it goes, it goes. A 1JZ is simpler and can be done faster and cheaper than a V8 swap btw. Plenty of dudes that can work on them too.

 

I agree, Jaguar Specialties is very knowledgeable and his kits are well thought out and tested. I personally would recommend to use a post 2000 GM LS V8 instead of a 350 carb V8. My car is an older Jaguar, a 3.8s that had an iron block 350 when I purchased it and I immediately scraped it and installed an LS1. The reason why I would recommend a modern LS V8 is that they are much more reliable, less maintenance, way more power, no more choke, carbs, and most of all they will increase the value of your car. A 350 is NOT very desirable so I would only do so if you are on a tight budget and you will not sell your car.

Jaguars are not cheap regardless if they are stock or modified but an LS V8 will easily provide 350 HP to 500 HP with not getting into anything too crazy and it is a blast to drive. I have put over 225,000 miles on my LS V8 Jaguar and will do 0-60 just under 4 seconds but is quiet, smooth and a classic looking sleeper that is daily driven.