So sexy!

 

+1 on so sexy

 

Fuel injectors are sent off for cleaning and flow testing so today was mostly cleaning up. New plugs are in and the intake parts got a chemical dip to remove 10 years of EGR junk.

I left the S/C outlet in a little too long and it took off a good bit of the paint, but that's ok, I was planning to refinish them once all the modifications were done anyway.

Bolted the parts together on the bench for a fit check and to get a feel for the modifications that are needed. Minor adjustments mostly, shouldn't be too bad. It's a nice kit that Avos has put together.

 

That looks awesome.

 

My XKR goes into Falconworks for the install tomorrow morning! I have a rented car that I'll drive during the approximate 2 week installation (little bit here and there to fit it into their schedule).

The new motor has been double checked and the mods to the intercoolers have been done with all welding. It wouldn't surprise me if the install is actually done in a week since so much has been done already. The techs will also install the Kenne Bell Boost-a-Pump to increase the fuel pressure, along with a Kinsler fuel pressure regulator.

I took my step-son out for a last romp with the top down at the 400 hp level. I told him to expect quite a different feeling after we get our Jag back!

I will post some relevant photos tomorrow after I have dropped the car off and get to see the fresh welding, etc.

I took this shot as the sun was going down last night. It's true, my garage faces due West. =)

 

My kit is almost ready to ship you tease!

 

Thanks jeff, now you make me want to replace my totalled 96 with a 03 xjr. I guess i missed that you switched to a 4.2. Pics 3 and 4 really show the quality and size of the kit
now thats all i need, 2 ken bell sc vehicles

 

The XKR is now at Falconworks for the engine swap and supercharger installation. Wahoo!

I took pics of the prepared engine and the freshly welded and altered inter-coolers.

 

Wow, I'm really excited for you!

 

Looking good. Did you get the intercoolers repainted or powder coated?

 

I will most likely leave the finish stock, except to brush the aluminum lettering in a front to back fashion with a heavy grit sandpaper.

The finish that you see applied to the welded area was put on by the welder, just in that welded area on the bottom. I believe that it is an engine enamel that is aluminum flake filled. The rest of the surface is now really, really clean.

 

What is the modification on the intercoolers? Something to do with the bypass valve?

 

Yes, the angle needs to be changed to work with the customized aftermarket unit that AVos' supplies with the kit.

 

The hood is off and the process has begun. The tech is carefully removing parts and wiring. The pic of the intake (an XK8 unit modified to fit XKR so that there are no silencer tubes in the airflow) shows it over an oil pan to catch the oil that had collected inside. Yuch! There was a LOT of blow by past the worn piston rings (just a few miles short of 150,000 miles on the original 4.0 engine).

 

Did he throw that trouble light at you for taking pictures while he had his arms jammed into that little space while trying to undo bolts?

I have a lot of respect for Maxwdg having taken that thing apart and put it back together so many times. Not fun.

 

Make sure they follow the instructions to the letter. Every step is for a reason. I wish you the best with your project. You are in for a pleasant surprise when you go for your first drive.

 

I had forgotten something in the Jag's glove-box, so I stopped by Falconworks to get it. They are almost ready to lift the old, tired 4.0 out of its home.

Oil leakage and blow-by oils had softened up a few rubber hoses, some of which were fairly new, so those will be replaced.

The catalytic converters are out and on a table. They are in great shape. I'll re-use them. At this point, with so much power that is going to be available, I'll wait to consider adding a set of Nameless cats. I think that the car is already slightly loud with the removal of the rear mufflers and I don't want it to become obnoxiously loud. I would like for the supercharger whine to be louder, though! I love that sound.

 

I'll see about doing some dyno runs to see how much fun can be had at Tucson's elevation of 2700 feet

 

Why are they taking it out thru the top? The engine drops right out thru the bottom & is a lot easier to work with.

 

I'm not sure which route they plan to go, top or bottom. In either case, I think that the chain will accommodate the lowering of the motor onto a dolly or lifting up and over.

Unless I ask them to do something unique, like the install of this supercharger kit, I try not to tell them how to do their work since they have far more experience than myself at working on these beauties. These techs get to work on all the fun stuff in town due to their skill-set and maniacal insistence on categorizing every tiny part that comes off, where it goes, what pouch it came from and goes into, and the building of a library of notes that gets logged along the way. The main tech that works on this install is Bill. He is quite enthusiastic about the project. He also modifies Ford Mustang hot rods with superchargers.

They have pored over AVos' thorough installation manual, REALLY like it, and have a printed copy, dirty from study/use, at the workbench.