The Benz is an incredible automobile. It's almost too good. Still, I don't find myself looking back at it when I park. May look for another '89 XJS. Black on black, of course, although I might consider white or what's that dark gray (grey) again - Dorchester?

Not looking forward to the anemic Jaguar V12 though... I still think it needs a Merc V12 transplant. I thought the twin turbo V12 was ideal, but as a wise man here said, that much of a power increase would completely transform the character of the car. I think their original V12 ~400HP is probably just about right.

More thinking out loud than anything at this point... How's everyone doing?

 

do it , be a great conversation car, with respectable performance!

ron

 

IIRC the Merc V12 is wider DOHC than the Jag, so it may not fit.

If it were me I would twin turbo a HE. Open the chambers about 6cc for 9:1 CR aftermarket ECU. You could use the stock manifolds and mount turbos where the air filters are, been done already and I have some pics of the setup.

400HP would not be too difficult and I think cheaper than an engine swap.

 

warrjon,

Is there a web page I can go to and see those pics?

Sounds like an interesting project.

Thanks,

John
1987 XJ-S V12

 

@J_C_R here's a thread with some discussion:

https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...project-62150/

You know, I had never imagined that turbocharging might be less expensive than a swap - and it would still be a Jaguar at heart. Interesting. Being in Texas where it's exempt from emissions testing, now I'm wondering about rear mount turbos as well. There might be enough room after getting rid of cats and some mufflers maybe?

Possibilities... may need to hit up the local Jag clubs - I would imagine there's a capable mechanic nearby.

[edit] never mind I see @Warrjon has already ruled out remote turbos due to space constraints.

[edit] just read the whole thread again over lunch... unlike the computer industry, hot rodding cars doesn't seem to get any cheaper with time.

 

remote mounted turbo, on OPEL coupe

be no problem to remote mount 2 turbos, on an XJS!

easy to make 400HP out of a 5.3 , Pre HE, ,, HE maybe more of a challenge , in tuning,( to much compression).

small MODERN turbos could fit in the rear muffler area on each side!

you looking at the hot side pipe, just behind it is the cold side pressure pipe(acts like a temperature(intercooler) reducer!

been there done that on many types cars, simply put some BOOST is better than vacuum in the inlet manifold. would you push the air in or suck it in?

 

I have a nice 1990 black on black,original paint and interior with new convertible top, 6,000.00 in Oklahoma city. 76,000 miles

 

The v12 with a close ratio t56 is a blast. The t56 is far less parasitic than the th400 or 4l80e so you get 30 hp gift right there too boot.

A remote mount turbo installed by raising the floor in the rear seat area is very doable. Rear seats would still be usable. The charge pipe routed through the sills which are hollow would be ideal. Charge pipe routed through the sill then up the wheel well and right into the engine bay. An aluminum charge tube along the length of the sill would also provide a intercooling effect and rear mounted turbos would put very little additional weight over the nose.

 

Macdoesit, what's the current status of your convertible - leaper and chrome wheel arches? You're looking to sell?

Now you guys have me thinking. I emailed a couple of go-fast shops here - will see what their thoughts are. I don't use my back seats, but would want them to remain visually intact. Still just thinking out loud at this point...

Also Ronbros I wouldn't have a clue re: push or pulling air - I'd have to open the checkbook for this and leave it up to the designer. - of course this stuff interests me and I'm trying to learn a bit more. I'd want it done right, because who knows - maybe one day I might take some high performance driving courses at a local track.

 

What Ron is meaning with push or pull is,

A NA engine has to pull/suck the air into the chamber, there are losses due to inefficiencies so a 442cc. Camberwell never fill completely. Turbo charge and you are pushing the charge in so with low boost you can completely fill the chamber, higher boost will pressurized the chamber before the piston heads towards TDC, 1bar (15psi) will push 880cc of air into the chamber. Simply put more air, more fuel more power.

 

 

 

Here are a couple of pics of an XJS with twin T03 turbos it was a road car but is now a full out race car.

 

Never tire of seeing those pics. Wonder where the AC compressor would be in a road going car? Do you know what those additional components are?

 

 

 

 

I have a Mercedes, 3 pickups, trike, bike--- 7 vehicles and ins is eating me up.
Has a freon leak and can't find it. New a/c compressor. Cold air till leaks out.
top manual,hydraulic motor works but bleeds off somewhere. Top goes up and down very easy manual.
Antenna is in up position.
Small passenger back window is in up position.

New dist cap, rotors, thermostats,new coolant, new oil, all 12 coolant hoses, new coils, new tires, a new trunk lid spoiler,not installed.
Car runs drives great, no play in steering.
Will take pics top down of interior and exterior.

If I met you in Dallas, how do I get back to Okc ?

 

The aluminium box in the V where AC compressor would be, is a catchcan/breather. I have a heap of other pics I took when the car was on the hoist showing the suspension and diff brace mods, but these are on a USB HDD that is not working.

Even with a 5.3L TT (original engine was 6.7L) it would spin a set of warm 300 slicks, I witnessed this as Bruce came out of pit lane at Eastern Creek. The car has XJ40 rear hubs and OB discs, diff is hard braced to the boot floor, it has rippled the floor with the torque.

This car was one of 3 built by Gary Walker back in the early 1980's, The was a Black, Silver and this Green one. I still have a Modern Motor somewhere with a road test of the Black one. Which is where my love of Jaguars and the XJS started.

 

You'd have a fistful of cash - buy a new toy and drive back? Make a weekend of it and fly back?

LongJohn, any chance of getting that guy over here to give us a rundown? Web translation is next to useless.

99% of the time it's the inexpensive USB electronics that go bad vs. the drive. You could try popping the drive in a new enclosure. I don't have a clean room to disassemble hard drives, but I do have forensic software. If you want to send me the drive, Im happy to take a look and post the contents someplace secure for you to download.

Cheers