I have a 76 coupe with a 454 in it. 350s were common. Any of you hear went the chevy motor route? Mine is not quick actually, but people go OMG WOW! when they see under the hood. In my view, the V12 was a boat anchor. I had a convertible with one, but it was later model so those very long 3.0 rear gears. I wouldn't have bought the XJS if it an SBC had been put into it. Just TOO generic.

While I believe the GM motor route was a viable alternative for basically any old Jag, the price fell through the floor then on value - nearly free for Jag sedans. I saw a V12 XKE a fella had for sale that he dropped a very nice Ford 302 into. VERY clean work on an otherwise ground up restoration. I REALLY wanted that car (no $$).

I'd opt for an XKE V-12 convertible (V-12s had wider stance) with a side oiler Ford 427 over a Cobra any day. Come to think of it, I'd trade my O5 XKR coupe for it (as if any fool would be willing to make that swap with me.) Actually, a V-12 XKE with a 427 side oiler would be about the finest automobile a person could drive as far as play-cars go. What a crowd it'd draw.

 

Ill be the first one to respond to this. I have one. Its a 1976 with a mildly warmed over 350 mated to a very generic TH400. While this set up is strong it robs alot of power and the 1:1 final drive in the trans is horrible on the freeway.

It drive like a dream, with torque for days, and the ability to walk into any parts store and get parts for it makes a comforting thought on long drives.

Current plans are to finish the suspension, space out the new wheels, and install the 5 speed thats sitting in the garage. Ill have a build thread up soon, odds are its gonna be a love/hate thing......

 

I suspect you'll love it with the 5 speed. In retrospect, rather than going to an XKR I should have stuck with my XJS and put in a manual etc.
Mine with the 454 and TH400 also is really wound up on the freeway.