Ok,
Not trying to insult the purist here , but I have a question . What would be the value for a 1996 XJS convertible in superb condition but with a Chevy engine .
Do they sell for way less then the same ones with a jaguar engine ?
And if so whats their monetary value ?
Thank you .
T

 

My 2 cents worth, I would not want it. There are too many changes that need to be made to accommodate the installation and they are all undocumented with no wiring diagrams in 99% of the retrofits.

 

Perhaps if you picked a different model year.

The 1995 & 1996 models carry a premium price already because of the desireable AJ16 6 cylinder engine, or the 6.0 V12.

What some people find less desireable about these late model cars is the aesthetic facelift modifications to the body.

It seems like you would be removing the most desireable part of the late model Jaguars and leaving the least desireable. (I know the latter is debate-able) The current value of the Jag would plummet and whatever money you spent on the conversion would be difficult to recover.

From a financial perspective, think "Hindenburg".

If you were to do a conversion like this, I would strongly recommend using an older car with the less popular 5.3 V12.

 

$2,000?

 

Not to insult the purists, but these cars are still desirable. The Chevy V8 weighs less and the Jag then has to be modded to handle well. I've been seeing more money dumped into these cars as they were one of the first 150+ mph supercars. There is a 502 CI Big block marine motor running around. Just the Chevy motor is worth $6k in a crate motor. Hard to justify a "budget" resto-mod. Some cars will be modded with many unique mods just for their owners. The LSx Chevy motor mods will be interesting also.

I wanted to put a turbo on an E type and someone in Scottsdale beat me to it. It has a Ford V8 with a turbo tucked between the frame rails. Amazing build! I will look for pics!

 

I remember hearing about the small block swap quite a bit 15-20 years ago. I agree that if it were to be done, it would make the most sense to do it with a pre '94. It would certainly ruin the cool factor of an XJS, but if done right it would ad to the reliability factor and now you could have a very powerful and reliable engine in the car.
In the end I went with the difficult to maintain V-12. Its a jag and not a vette. I hope I'm up for the challenge.

 

Obviously the value is in the eye of the beholder but in general I would say that people who want an XJS, want a Jaguar. Buying one with a chevy engine (no disrespect to chevy, I'm sure they make great engines) to me is a bit like buying a fake Rolex. It may work the same, it may even work better but when you hear it tick, you know it's not the real thing.

So to me the value would be very low. Interestingly, I just saw an XJS advertised online with a chevy motor. I think the chap wanted something like $22,000 for it!! At least 10 times what it would be 'worth' to me but it might float someone's boat.

Cheers,

Allan

EDIT: Found the link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1996-...#ht_500wt_1182

 

Beautiful car, but (IMHO) ruined with the swap. And the price??? What the heck is he thinking?

 

No engine pics? I'd wanna SEE the V8 swap before making an offer.....which would be way less than the seller has in mind

Cheers
DD

 

I think the most desirable XJS' are most likely the V-12 and as AllanG stated nicely that most people want a Jaguar for a Jaguar and I think most that are purists like that would be inclined towards the V-12. IMHO, if you converted an I-6 to a 350, it wouldn't seem as bad as taking a V-12 out and replacing that.

 

I'm not sure I agree with this. The inline six engine is to me synonymous with Jaguar. From the very earliest models in the 1930's through 1997 Jaguar always used an I6 in every model. All the legendary sports cars of the marque, the SS100, XK120, XK140, XK150, E-Type, used the I6 which was heralded for it's power and refinement. The V12, a magnificent engine in it's own right, did not appear until the 1970's so one might argue for the I6 from a purist perspective.

Of course I am biased as I own an I6 XJS but I have also owned an XJ12 and loved both equally

Cheers,

Allan

 

I'm not saying that the car isn't desireable, it just has a much smaller target audience. I don't think there are too many people thinking, "I'd love one of those facelift models, if I could just figure out how to ditch that wickedly reliable AJ16 engine".

I think most people who are drawn to the speed that the LS1 provides may not be looking for a Jaguar.

There are people out there, but I can't believe it would be much of a seller's market. The OP asked about the value of this kind of car. I believe you would make more selling the car with the original AJ16, than investing in the engine swap. At best you would break even on the value of the two cars, not taking into perspective the amount of extra money it took to swap out that engine.

Let's not forget, the guy selling the 1995 XJS with the supercharged AJ16 engine couldn't get $15k for it. I think that does a fantastic job of setting the market. I'm not sure what the comparison between the two engines would be, speed-wise, but if there are no takers at $15k for the supercharged AJ16, I can't imagine the LS could sell for more than $12k. Even at that price, they would have to hope for the right buyer to come along.

It'll be interesting to see if that car on eBay ever sells. I'm guessung the owner won't ever drop the price low enough to actually get a buyer.

 

I think the listing mentions "$25,000 invested" or something like that.

I reckon the seller is trying to recoup at least most of his money. Either A) he thinks the car really *is* worth as much as he's invested or B) he's knows what it's really worth but is hoping that "just the right buyer" will stumble along.

Cheers
DD

 

I agree with those who don't care for a "converted" car for all the reasons stated above.

--But leaving all emotion aside, fact is, very few people have the capability to make a conversion with assembly line quality. They don't have the multi-million dollar facilities that most cars are built in. I am sure that a car with a converted engine can be fast, fun, etc, etc, and it can be a well done conversion, but I do not think it can be the same as a car that takes million of dollars to develop. Specially when you are trying to adapt a foreign engine to it.

 

Thank you all for the replies . Yes i did find one and the price is around 22 k .. The reason i was thinking about it is because some say that the Chevy LR1 engine is a much more reliable engine .
Yes of course i understand that a 1996 XJS would be more desirable , I was just thinking practicable .
You guys are very passionate and I truly appreciate that

 

Mark makes a valid point about conversions being done outside the factory setting where millions are spent to insure things are done correctly. I am confused to some degree why someone would take a 1996 with the AJ16 and convert it to begin with. In my thinking that is like taking a Corvette with the LS1 and converting to another set up-Why? Both are dependable, well engineered and easy to work on and get parts for.

Years past before the internet and the ability to get and share information easily, I could understand someone who was frustrated with a foreign engine not working or having issues wanting to simplify things by converting to a known set up that almost everyone knew how to work on. I can just imagine years ago having issues and not being able to resolve with your local mechanic or yourself. Keep in mind most cars like Jags are eventually traded in or sold and many 2nd hand owners without warranties were the ones facing these decisions. Today with access to forums etc. most any one in the world can tackle issues on their vehicles with confidence and get positive results.

Another reality of conversions on newer cars is that you are no longer just swapping out the mechanical parts but all the computers and sensors etc. My thought is if you are looking at having a LS1 setup and spending 22K then put your money into a Corvette. In the long term you will get the best return for your money with the least amount of headaches. Why own a car like a 1996 XJS if you do not want the smooth and dependable AJ16 to begin with? If you want a XJS body etc then there are many older XJS's that have been converted and are cost effective to purchase-just my 2 cents on the subject.

 

Here's an interesting example of a Chevy V8 / XJS swap:

STREET ROD - MAKE OFFER

 

Classy.

I really like the porno red interior with all the flash, and the way the classic lines of the XJS are so carefully preserved.

 

It looks like there was a TON of money spent on that car. Still no pics of the engine bay though, hmmmm.

I would wager that it goes like a scared cat.

 

Rear quarter windows don't seem to go down.

I can find no picture where the windows have gone down...

Something to ask for if you are interested in it.