Hello all, this is Andrew from Jaguar Specialties. As many of you may know, we have been offering kits/parts for GM LSx conversions on many different Jaguar models (including XK8's) for a while now. To give enthusiasts an idea of the possibilities, we just posted a new gallery of completed Jaguar LS conversions, all done with our kits and parts.

Most of the cars were built by customers, and a few by us.

Conversions are not for everyone, but for those looking for an alternative to the stock power train, this is a viable way to go.

Here are some of the pics there- I can't post the actual link

For more info, send a private message......

This is my personal favorite- a 97 XK8 coupe with warmed over Corvette LS1- built by a customer in Florida:





And this is a 97 convertible built by another customer (who is often on this forum) using a 2002 Camaro LS1 and 6 speed manual trans (that's not a typo), The car has been up and running now for over a year....





And this one is/was our prototype- 98 XK8 with 2004 GTO LS1 (345 hp) and auto trans

 

Va-ROOOOOM.

 

That's a pretty car.

 

Does anyone know who makes those good-looking wheels? Thanks, Ed.

 

Had the same question and did a little searching, after which I am pretty sure it is the now discontinued TSW Kyalami:
Discontinued TSW Alloy Wheels

 

Very nice..... Had to go looking for those removed links though!

 

Sorry about the problem with the links. I just posted the pics themselves, so have a look.....

BTW- whatever happened on your XK8 manual trans project?? We can still provide the electronics to make it work with the Jag engine......

Thanks

Andrew

 

I done my manual conversion years ago, what I was asking you guys about was on my project XKR, I am still toying with the idea but I have another project I would like to do which I would want to fit an LS7.... I have put your pics up on the XKEC forum, just to show what you guys can do, I will let you know what is said....

 

On your manual XK8 conversion, how are you keeping warning lights and error messages off the dash?? That was something I understood was never worked out....

On the LS7, that is of course possible with our kit. And we have just recently demonstrated a second interface scheme between very late model GM (like 2009 and up) and the Jag chassis.....

And LS7 and 6 speed manual would be interesting....

Do you sell a manual trans kit now??

Thanks

Andrew

 

I never bothered making the manual conversion a production item, I never beleived the cost of the conversion was aceptable IMO you would be looking at $15K.

Again IMO the Jag ECU was designed to work an auto, trying to then make it work with a manual was not going to allow me to do the things I wanted to do.. So I threw it in the bin!

I run a stand alone system which allows me 3 maps at a flick of a switch, the system also allows me to remap my car on the move, everything goes through a laptop which is connected to a 8" touch screen.

If I was doing it on a "normal car" I would either use one of Andrews ECUs or dump the Jag ECU again and swap the clocks out, you could easily get a set to fit in the back of the original pod, the only one I struggled with was the fuel and temp.

Doing what I did also allowed me to run my 8 throttle bodies, the pic below my signature is my XK8 engine

 

That red XK is spectacular, and has me all wound up.

 

Yup, these are nice cars, and whole lot more fun to own with an LS engine......

All you need to do is find a good candidate (and there are plenty of broken XK8's out there) and we can help you do the rest....

Email me for more info

Andrew
Jaguar Specialties

 

Hey Andrew I talked to you about a year ago but decided to scrap the idea when I bought an s4. Today the s4 took a crap on me and I'm thinking of putting the ls engine into the xk8. I had a few questions you weren't able to answer back than because the ls swap was new. Is there anyway we can swap a manual transmission in with the ls and can we add upgrades such as a supercharger or na upgrades like cams and headers.

 

Dear Lord, what color is that? Spectacular!

 

Hi and good to hear from you again. And the short answer is yes everything you asked about is possible.

We are just now finishing up the details on a 6 speed manual version of the XK8 LS conversion kit, so that option will be available soon. A side mounted supercharger (like Procharger or Vortech) has always been possible. And headers could be custom made for the conversion locally if you like. The horsepower possibilities are limitless.

For more info on any of this, give us a call- 408 839 5569

 

now lets try and cram a Viper V10 in there

 

now that I would be interested in!!!!

 

Yeah, the V10 gets you thinking. I doubt it's possible, even with unlimited funds.

And you could probably get easily equivalent performance with a built LS, and the car would actually handle well too....

I think our upcoming manual trans version will make the LS-XK8 plenty exciting. The T56 trans fits the car like it was made for it-shifter comes up in the right spot and everything. All indicators point to FUN........

More info will be out in a month or so...

Andrew
Jaguar Specialties

 

Bump how's that manual conversion looking?

 

A few months back you mentioned you had a customer who was going to try to use a current generation LS1 and your guy was working on the computer mapping. How did that come out?