Give It A Go - Jaguar XJS

1985 Jaguar XJS with the big block Chevy besting v12. 

I haven't exactly made it home yet but I'll post the pics that I do have. 

Oh and the engine runs, quite strong. But the transmission seems to be stuck in neutral right now. 

My plan (for now) :

- I can't count to 12 so LS-something swap

- turbo

- repaint

- restomod interior

- fender flares and maybe a big wing

- complete suspension overhaul + lowering

- bigger wheels on fat tires

I've been waiting this build also.  Make sure you find a British buyer for that V12.

In reply to yupididit :

You have my best wishes. 

Oh, crap. This will be fun to watch!!

Beware the Ides of March...

Excellent!

I don't have any need for a v12 takeout, but I'm still really tempted to say I'm interested when you pull it out...

Oh, looking forward to this!

Can I be second to call dibs on that dirty dozen? 

Really looking forward to watching your progress.

frenchyd said:

In reply to yupididit :

You have my best wishes. 

Oh you better stick around and help! 

In reply to Robbie (Forum Supporter) and Pattyo:

I'll let yall know. I'm going to get a vid of the engine running before I pull it. Sooner I sell it the sooner I can swap it lol

Yeah, I was wondering what condition it is in right now.  Does it run and drive?

Otherwise, cool looking car.  I could easily see doing a manual swap on one of these.

I love your shop. Is this Challenge-eligible? If so, I think an Atlas swap would be perfect and you could join the straight-six shootout!

In reply to maschinenbau (I live here) :

I paid $400 so I guess it could be challenge eligible lol. Def not my shop. I'm not that lucky lmao

In reply to yupididit :

What sort of help can I offer?  Will it be a race car?  Then I can give you some brakes and suspension advice. 
    Street car leave stock.  
   With engine swap?  I'm sure there are a lot more knowledgeable people here than I. 
 If you put a V12 or even the inline six in I'll gladly help you a lot.  

Are you keeping the body kit? I dont see a lot of xjs with that body kit. I wonder if it's aftermarket or some sort of jaguar add on?

Why go straight for the swap? I would get it running and drive it to see what I like or do not like about its personality and plan changes accordingly.

In reply to frenchyd :

Yes suspension at the least; street car. 

NOHOME said:

Why go straight for the swap? I would get it running and drive it to see what I like or do not like about its personality and plan changes accordingly.

I will get it running and drive it.  But, I'm definitely swapping it. I pretty much have an idea of exactly what I want and you'll see as I progress.

In reply to Robbie (Forum Supporter) :

The bodykit is the reason I bought this particular one and drove out to get it vs a local one for not much more! 

It's weird how Jag had such bleh wheel designs for so many years there.  I'm imagining this car with a set of 17" silver RFP1's or Rota Slipstreams and how much better that would look.  

Would be nice to get a four or five speed automatic in place of the TH-400 these came with.  I guess an LS swap opens up fairly direct swaps to a 6L80 as well which might be cool.  

I think these are pretty cool but I've never really been near one so this thread interests me.

In reply to yupididit :

I hope you realize the massive amount of work to do a proper swap.  Getting the engine in and running is about 1/10 th of what's required. Pro shops are quoting $20,000 to do a swap.  
    You can't count on any of the wiring  to work and remain working. That's the number one issue.  Second will be getting the HVAC  working. The Jaguar stuff is obsolete and parts are near impossible to find new.  Third instruments will be another major issue if you want them to fit and look proper. It's been done but it's not plug and play sort of work.  
    The final point is look at what's happening to the XKE price wise. It's the same thing that happened to the XK120-150  the MK7-8-9 the 3.8 sedans etc.   

   Prices are already on the rise for nice XJS/XJ6/12 here in the states. No where near as high as England but rising steadily. 
    But it's your car. I'd just hate to see you miss out on that rise.  
Oh, if you want any tan leather interior parts let me know. You pay the shipping and they are yours. I'll even box them up. 

pres589 (djronnebaum) said:

It's weird how Jag had such bleh wheel designs for so many years there.  I'm imagining this car with a set of 17" silver RFP1's or Rota Slipstreams and how much better that would look.  

Would be nice to get a four or five speed automatic in place of the TH-400 these came with.  I guess an LS swap opens up fairly direct swaps to a 6L80 as well which might be cool.  

I think these are pretty cool but I've never really been near one so this thread interests me.

The later ones used a BBS style wheel that's 16x7. 
Oh and after 1992 Jaguar  had a GM 4 speed,   the overdrive version of the TH 400  there are a few laying around who's owners switched to a manual 5-6 speed transmission. Either the T5 or the Tremetic. It's an easy swap. 

In reply to frenchyd :

I think the GM 4 speed you are referencing is commonly referred to as the 4l80e

If he's LS swapping this it doesn't matter.  But I do think you're right that it was a 4L80 or 4L80E as a TH-400 + overdrive.  Let's see what he ends up doing.

Later Jag's did get nicer wheels like the BBS weaves.  Lot of wheel options out there but the Jag bolt pattern and offsets might make the hunt for something different a little harder.

I hate to admit it, but the body kit didn't exactly jump out at me.  Are we just talking the lower skirts and front/rear lip?

PS, I have total shop envy too.  That space is terrific.