Ok i have the engine and trans out of the vanden plas. I have a replacement xk 4.2 ready to go in, BUT, i am tempted to transplant the sweet x300 drivetrain into it. I have both cars side by side and the physical measurements are adding up. I presume the electronic issues with diagnostics ecu transmission etc would be the main problem, but all things considered the x300 seems relatively simple by comparison to everything built afterwards by jaguar. Anyone heard of this being done? What are the pitfalls? I think it would make a really nice motor car.

 

Yes, sorting the electricals would be the problem.

The X300 electrical architecture depends on lots of communication between systems: engine management, body electrics, security, transmission electrics. If you can make it all come together and work in a Ser II my hat's off to you . I'm sure it can be done....under the premise of "anything's possible". How's your tolerance for sorting out details and projects that take wayyyyyy longer than anticipated to finish?

Another alternative is to figure out how to make the engine and transmission management work without any of the body system and security system inputs.

Or....perhaps some sort of aftermarket engine/trans management system that can be used 'stand alone' and custom tailored to your application. I know such systems exist.

Another alternative, if you want an upgrade, is to go with the earlier 3.6/4.0 drivetrain from an XJ40. Much less complicated from an electrics standpoint but still an undeniable upgrade. Plus, others have been there before you and met with success...with write-ups here and elsewhere to help you along.

Cheers
DD

 

Never considered an xj40 to be honest. Good few scrapped around here as well, sort of (unfairly) seen as the ugly sister of the jaguar family and as a result seldom cherished. Are they a lot more straightforward to transplant? Any link to a thread here?

 

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...engine-107712/