I might have a 2000 VDP available that has front end damage but the engine and transmission were running at time of accident. Will the engine from this car be plug and play for my 99 xj8. This would be a lot easier than my original plan of aj26 to aj27.

 

Yes!

 

I found some good info that might be useful to you and if anybody has any updates, clarifications, corrections, or otherwise useful information to ad to this please give it up.

1999 naturally aspirated Jaguar XJ8 engine
Fits: 99-00 Jaguar XJ8 (non supercharged)
01 Jaguar XJ8 (non supercharged) thru engine #0108122359
99 Jaguar XK8
00 Jaguar XK8 (VIN C, 8th digit) non supercharged
01 Jaguar XK8 (non supercharged) thru engine #0108122359


Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company (Bridgend plant) build a families 3.5-5.0 of eight-cylinder engines for Jaguar and Land Rover, these engines include the 5.0-litre V8 Gen III for the all-new Jaguar XJ.[1][2]

AJ26
The 4.0 L (3996 cc) AJ26 engine was introduced in 1996 It has a square 86 mm (3.4 in) bore and stroke. It was updated in 1998 as the AJ27 with continuously variable valve timing. The AJ-V8 was updated again in 2000 as the AJ28. The naturally-aspirated version produces 290 hp (216 kW) (216 kW) in the 2004 XK8.

Vehicles using this engine:
Daimler V8

AJ26
1997-1998 Jaguar XJ8
1997-1998 Jaguar XK8

AJ27
1999-2004 Jaguar XJ8
1999-2004 Jaguar XK8

AJ28
2000-2002 Jaguar S-Type 281 hp, 287 ft•lbf

AJ26S
The supercharged version of the AJ26 is used in the high-performance R versions of Jaguar's cars. The engine was updated with AJ27 specifications for 2000. It produces 370 hp (276 kW) and 387 lb•ft (525 N•m) with the help of an Eaton supercharger (modified roots-blower). The supercharged engine did not use variable cam timing as the normal benefits of improved volumetric efficiency are not noticeable on a boosted engine

Vehicles using the supercharged version include:

AJ26S
1998-1999 Jaguar XJR
1998-1999 Jaguar XKR

AJ27S
2000-2003 Jaguar XJR
2000-2003 Jaguar XKR
2000-2002 Vanden Plas
2002 Daimler Super V8

3.2
The 3.2 litre variant was the second to be introduced. It reduces the stroke to 70 mm (2.8 in) and power falls to 240 hp (179 kW) and 233 lb•ft (316 N•m).

Vehicles using this engine:

Jaguar XJ (non-US)
3.5
The 3.6 L (3555 cc/216 in³) "3.5" was used in the XJ series as well. The stroke was 76.5 mm (3.0 in). Output was 262 bhp (195 kW; 266 PS) at 6250 rpm and 345.0 N•m (254.5 lb•ft) at 4200 rpm.

Vehicles using this engine:

2002–present Jaguar XJ8 3.5, 262 hp (195 kW) and 254 lb•ft (344 N•m)

AJ30/AJ35
The 3.9L (3934 cc) AJ30/AJ35 variant is a unique displacement used only by Ford and Lincoln and is built in Ford's Lima, OH engine plant. Bore is 86 mm (3.4 in) and stroke is 85 mm (3.3 in). The AJ35 version introduced for the 2003 model year added variable valve timing of the intake camshafts and electronic throttle control. While the block, crankshaft, pistons, and connecting rods are all unique to this displacement, many other parts are shared with the AJ-V8 engines produced in the UK by Jaguar.

Vehicles using this engine:

2000-2002 Lincoln LS, 252 hp (188 kW) 267 lb•ft (362 N•m)
2002 Ford Thunderbird, 252 hp (188 kW) 267 lb•ft (362 N•m)
2003-2006 Lincoln LS, 280 hp (209 kW) 286 lb•ft (388 N•m)
2003-2005 Ford Thunderbird, 280 hp (209 kW) 286 lb•ft (388 N•m)
Ford Forty-Nine concept
The last AJ35 was produced in March 2006 after only 3 years. Total run of AJ30/35 was nearly 250,000 units

AJ34
The 4.2 L (4196 cc) AJ34 version features a longer 90.3 mm (3.6 in) stroke with the same 86 mm (3.4 in) bore. It was introduced in 2003 as the AJ33 and produces 294 hp (219 kW) at 6000 rpm with 303 lb•ft (411 N•m) of torque at 4100 rpm, later increased to 300 hp and 310 lb.ft.

Vehicles using this engine:

2003–present Jaguar XK-series 294 hp (219 kW), 303 lb•ft (411 N•m)
2003–present Jaguar S-Type 4.2, 300 hp (224 kW) and 310 lb•ft (420 N•m)
2004–present Jaguar XJ8, 300 hp (224 kW) and 310 lb•ft (420 N•m)
2009–present Jaguar XF, 300 hp (224 kW) and 310 lb•ft (420 N•m)

AJ34S
The AJ34S is a supercharged/intercooled variant of the AJ34. It was introduced in 2003 to replace the 4.0 SC and produces 390 hp (291 kW) at 6100 rpm with 399 lb•ft (541 N•m) of torque at 3500 rpm.

Vehicles using this engine:

2004–present Jaguar XJR/Super V8, 400 hp (298 kW) and 408 lb•ft (553 N•m)
2003–present Jaguar XKR, 400 hp (298 kW) and 408 lb•ft (553 N•m)
2003–present Jaguar S-Type R, 400 hp (298 kW) and 408 lb•ft (553 N•m)
2005–present Daimler Super Eight
2009–present Jaguar XF, 420 hp (313 kW) and 408 lb•ft (553 N•m)
AJ-V8 Gen III
This all new direct injection engines family is introduced in 2009 (all new engine block).[3] New features include spray-guided direct-injection, torque-actuated variable camshaft timing, cam profile switching in naturally aspirated engine, sixth-generation twin vortex supercharger on Gen III R engine. Conform to EU5 and US ULEV2 emissions regulations.[3]

It includes the Denso Generation 1.5 ignition system.

AJ133
Bore and stroke is 92.5 mm (3.6 in) x 93.00 mm (3.7 in).

Land Rover version is called 'LR-V8 Petrol engine'. LR4 engines include only 16 valves.

Vehicles using this engine:

2009–present Jaguar XFR, 510 PS (380 kW; 500 hp) and 625 N•m (461 ft•lbf)
2009–present Jaguar XKR, 510 PS (380 kW; 500 hp) and 625 N•m (461 ft•lbf)
2009–present Jaguar XF, 385 PS (283 kW; 380 hp) and 515 N•m (380 ft•lbf)
2009–present Jaguar XK, 385 PS (283 kW; 380 hp) and 515 N•m (380 ft•lbf)
2009–present Land Rover Range Rover, 510 hp (380 kW) and 461 lb•ft (625 N•m)
2009–present Land Rover Discovery, 385 hp (287 kW) and 380 lb•ft (520 N•m)
2009–present Land Rover Range Rover Sport, 510 hp (380 kW) and 461 lb•ft (625 N•m)
2009–present Land Rover Range Rover Sport, 385 hp (287 kW) and 380 lb•ft (520 N•m)
5.0
It is a race version of AJ133, rated 550 hp (410 kW).

 

Note the AJ34S DID have VVT and was used on the 4.2L SC from 2006 and up. Prior to that the AJ33S was used.

2003-2005 4.2L SC AJ33S - No VVT
2006-current 4.2L SC AJ34S - Has VVT
.
.
.

 

I want give an update. The 2000 VDP was sold before I could get there. It had updated tensioners and transmission by dealer. It also had new Pirell tires. He only wanted $450 for it. I'm pissed. I just hope it was a forum member who got it.