Hello, just joined this forum... I'm thinking to get rid of the original engine and transmission in my '82 XJS... too many problems.. I would like to have there a small economic engine and, if possible, a manual transmission.
The easiest option as I heard is the small block Chevy, but still it isn't too economic..
Any suggestions? Does anyone have experience with Japanese engines/gears that can fit with minimum modification? Can you refer me to someone who already did it?
Thank you!

 

well most of us are all about the v12, but the most economic would be a lsx engine, (what replaced the sbc) like a 6.0 would have more power than the orignal. someone sells a kit but i dont know who off hand. If you want a manual transmission its just a matter of acquiring of making a pedal box, i made the one for mine, its solid with a short throw, but if you dont like modifying and fabricating the automatic would be easiest, a 4l80e prolly.

 

who buys a jag to be economic? sounds like you need an XJ diesel.

 

I was thinking similar thoughts M90. Even if you put a smaller engine in it, the car still weighs 2 tons and you'd lose whatever fuel efficiency trying to move it.

 

When are people going to realize you're going to spend far more in destorying the value of the car than you ever would putting fuel in it? What's a LS conversion buy you, one mpg maybe?

 

the best thing you could do to improve your fuel economy would be to gut the smog pump, lean your AFR to about 11.5:1, bump up your timing, and add an overdrive gear. also, putting **** gas in your HE jag cant help fuel economy much either.

 

I believe there is very nice Supra Turbo conversion somewhere on this forum. I saw video of running XJS with Supra motor o n Youtube and it seems to be great.

 

i met a guy with a 6.0 gm ls v8 in his jag, he said he got a kit that bolted right in (dont ask me idk where for sure) and it hasnt seem to cause him any trouble and he uses it as a daily driver. just food for thought, espcially seeing as they are in everything now a days.