Hi all,

I have a 1998 convertible with 92000 miles. Engine runs reasonably well, but I'm preparing for replacement eventually because the cylinder liners are getting worse and I'd like to take the opportunity to upgrade to a newer block and supercharge. Changing to Mercedes tranny would be good too. I've seen the thread with info on the changes to 4.2. I had two questions. To get as new a unit as possible, would a 2007 up drivetrain present additional changes? And, is the 2010 5.0 block a totally different engine?

Thanks,
Don

 

I see a lot of folks stop by but no advice. Let's see if I can give you a few tips. I had to look of your profile to find you have an XK8, posts are a lot easier to answer if you drop by the user control panel and put the model and year in your signature.
Now to the questions you have. My first and best advice is buy an XKR, if you want more power. Second your engine doesn't have liners, it has cylinder walls coated with nickasil.

In order to put a supercharged engine into an XK8 you have to embark on a journey of software and electrical engineering. The trans control module for the Mercedes trans will not communicate with the XK8 CAN-BUS so it won't shift. The XK8 can't send and process the information necessary to start a supercharged engine. So you are going to have to rip everything out and start fresh. The fuel tank doesn't have the required 2 fuel pumps to power the super charged engine etc,etc,etc.
The 4.2 engine creates the same list of problems since it uses a different transmission than 4.0. As to the 5.0 liter I am not familiar with it but the electronics to make it work were not developed in 1998.

If you are having performance issues please start a new thread and tell us about we might be able to make things better for your vehicle.

 

Is the compression low on some cylinders?

 

Hi all;
Thanx Ahern 1 for reply. In answer. 98 convertible w/ 92000 miles. I've had for 7 years, few issues, good running condition. I did not do a compression check, but last year when changing plugs and upper tensioners, I found some oil with 2 of the plugs. For some time, it will blow some oil on startup, does consume some, and has a slightly rough idle. It may be a jump, but I'm going with compromised nikisil. There's not a thing you can do about that. As far as the swap, the info is available on the forum to swap to 4.2. I also figured that the only way to do a supercharge engine swap right was to buy an entire wrecked donor car. I also thought, that with all the trouble some people like jag specialties go to for a chevy swap, I thought that maybe someone looked into replacing with a newer jag engine. I like my current car and either want to keep it fresh or upgrade it a bit if possible. I suppose, if the time comes, I could put in a rebuilt engine.
Sincerely;
Don

 

I think you hit it on the head, replace the engine with a rebuilt one or do your own and add some performance parts.
So much less trouble.

 

rumm5,

Your asking for a bunch of work and problems......Why don't you just Sell it and buy a good used 2003 - 2006 XKR....You probably would come out about the same Moneywise...and would have what you wanted to start with....

Billy Clyde @ Cinco Ranch