Well after not such a pleasant Christmas when I realized my Jag's engine is dying, I began looking for option... what could I do with my beloved XJ8. And then the solution hit me in my face - a 2002 VDP in great condition for sale... it's the only one in Bulgaria and maybe one of the few in East Europe - just what I needed And this time the steering wheel is in the right place (left side) so maybe at the beginning of 2013 I'll be driving a VandenPlas

As my current XJ8 is a car that is almost impossible to sell on a decent price around here even with a properly working engine, now with the low compression I prefer to keep the cat for spare parts.

The question is - what parts I'll be able to use from my old XJ8 with 3.2 AJ26 engine which is one of earliest XJ8 models from 1998 for the new VDP with 4.0 engine? I'm asking because I already did a few expensive repairs over suspension and gearbox it will be nice if I could swap parts to save some money. The question is specially about:
- Engine (including MAF, TB, pipes, starter, alternator, electrical part etc);
- Gearbox;
- Suspension;
- A/C;
- Brakes.

I know that the engines are different... and that the VDP is a little bit longer than the normal XJ8... but are there any parts of the body with equal size?!

 

Lots of differences between 98' and 02' - the first thing I thought of using off the sport is the rear anti role bar, worth fitting to the vdp, but the suspension will be softer than the sport, does the vdp have cats? bet it does...
The gearbox and torque converter is the same so keep as a spare.
Front doors are the same along with wing mirrors, rear doors are longer on the vdp, but the winder mechs and modules are of use.
AC and ancillaries (starter, power steering pump etc) are the same so save them, throttle bodies are different, the 02' is a smaller more efficient unit. If the timing parts are the latest I'd keep them just in case the vdp is an early 02' (might not have the latest kit?) If your cylinder heads have been rebuilt with valve stem oil seals, they're worth keeping, it's just a matter of swapping the 02' later cams if you ever have an overheated engine!
Brake system is the same
Suspension as I mentioned is sportier than the vdp, but the stub axles/hubs are the same, wheels and tires also worth keeping (snow set?)
Hoses, trim, bumpers, boot and bonnet panels, all modules (complete dash assembly) that you can strip, airbags, seatbelts seats etc, if trim colour is similar or the same?

Basically strip the car and store as much as you can, there's a *lot* of good parts you can hopefully not use, but sell on!

 

Sean, you are great, as always Thank you for your such a complete answer

I promise to post photos of the VDP as soon as I arrange documents... Thank you once again and have a great holidays around New Year

 

Forgot to say, the diffs are different, vdp=3.07 sport=3.27 or something like that, so no use on the vdp...

Sorry to hear about the 3.2 - but as you've found a much better sounding car it's all good!

All the best for 2013

 

Anyway, you will notice there is a big difference in everything, when you compare 1998 models X308 with the 2001/2002 range , like mine.
The engine is more silent, drive is superior and the CATS system will be a great plus in Bulgaria (road condition!)
And... it is a Daimler (Vdp called in USA, to avoid the Daimler/Benz name problem)
Enjoy your upgrade!!