Has anyone done a LS series engine swap to a 1998 or later XJ8???

Cheers Tim

 

Happened all the time a few years ago but with carbureted engines and non electronically controlled transmissions. I cannot imagine how you would get the TCM/ECM/BPM/CAN to work together with a strange engine.

 

it would work if you completely removed all jaguar electric equipment and essentially rewired the entire car into a basic electrical configuration that would have been found on cars before the times of onboard computers.

 

OK looks like i'll be doing the first swap then. I think people get scared with later model cars. I will say now before I even buy my XJ8 that the sway can be done and within a reasonable budget too. I've done a few swaps the first thing I do before I even pick up a spanner is research.

Sit back and relax let the fun begin, I am now searching for a XJ8 here in Australia. I have given a 12 month time frame for the swap. The swap must look factory with all things such as ABS/ aircon/ gauges working etc...

Link to the start of the project, will post pic's here as soon as I find the right XJ8.

http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/conver...s2-4l65-e.html

Cheers Tim

 

The jag has seperate looms for the engine harness, gearbox harness. Looks like I'll be th first to do this swap.

Cheers Tim

 

Ok so lets look at the XJ8 computer and loom. Denso japanese EFI, less wires than my LS Delco computer.




Transmission computer Bosch??? Hang on different computers they can't operate together!!!!

 

OK so I'm planning an LS engine swap, doing research and checking ever detail this can be done. I'm saying it before I even buy my XJ8. I've read other posts and everyone says no it wont work. I ask who has pulled the AJ27 engine out and tried to fit an LS engine??? Has anyone done this and not been able to install the LS engine?. Before anyone say yes they have, pic's then please. The LS is a very compact engine compared to the AJ27. Measured the engine bays, the LS GTO/ Commodore front sump and engine mounts are very close to the AJ27 engine.

XJ8's engine bay.

 

The transmission had me wondering the 5 speed ZF is a bulky gearbox but shorter than the 4L65-E that I will use.




Now the X300 and the X308 shared the same chassis platform but with different interior design. I remeber the XJR supercharged engine had a 4L series gearbox. So the 4L65-E will fit the XJ8's tunnel. Pic's of the XJR's 4L series box.

 

Ok so why a swap then. I am looking for a replacement daily driver to my Holden 2008 Caprice(long wheelbase G8) I am not impressed with the Holden. I luv the Jag and its style and interior. So instead of spending $60,000+ dollars, I am looking at a used XJ8 here in Australia now. I will then perform the LS2 engine and transmission swap. I have a budget of around $15,000 for the Jag and $10,000 for the conversion.

Whats on the market here in Australia at the moment, these are the 3.2 V8.

 

A picture tells a thousand words.

XJ8 bare ebgine bay



XJ8 crossmember


Series 3 engine bay with an LS engine swap.( Note the size of the tunnel and how the front crossmembers is more compact on the XJ8.

 

FWIW....It should fit with some mods.

I have a motor and trans from a 2001 XJ8 and a motor and trans from a 2005 Chevy Silverado 2wd. If you need more comparison measurements let me know.

For mounts, plan on chopping out the old ones.

From what I can see you may need a "Car" intake since it's lower than the truck intake. Next issue is the oil pan. You may want to consider the Batwing pan from a Vette. May need some mods like chopping off the wings but that's the most shallow pan I know of.

For wiring issues take a look at whether or not the BCM and ABS systems need info from the powertain to function correctly or at all. I can't imagine that they will need more than VSS but you never know. Otherwise I don't see why you would not be able to get all the gauges working either through adapters from Dakota Digital or custom goodies from Jags that Run.

The biggest PIA that I've run into is the VSS in the 4L60E and the Speedo compatibility. I've figured it out after a few hours of web searches.

FWIW, I bought a 24,000 mile complete powertrain and wiring harness locally for $1500.00 USD and expect to spend another $1500.00 USD making it fit in a Jeep.

Good luck with your swap.

 

Cheers, for my other project I have the compete wiring harness and drivetrain from a ZO6. The sensors can be changed to match the gauges etc. The XJ8's EFI is low tech compared to a LS2 engine. The XJ8's dont have one huge wiring loom they are seperate and easy to workout, a good Auto electrician can sort this stuff out. I've seen other EFI system piggybacked on to original EFI to keep everthing working. Looking for some good XJ8 schematics now.

 

OK now I have to get my Auto Electriacal guy to see how to remove the Denso EFI and Bosch transmission computer. And still keep the CAN system working and talking to the rest of the factory systems.

How good is my Auto Electricain??? 1996 we had to lock the transmissions on a Hummer H2 to only operate the 4L80-E in first and second gear. They where used in underground mining. He opened and cracked the codes on the Delco computer to do this. We where told later in the USA at a trade show by Delco guys that this couldn't be done. Should have seen there faces when he showed them there EFI computer hooked up to a Ducati V twin engine and running it. They where nice and gave us the new Tech II for free.

 

Quick update, emailed Andrew for Jag Specialties he has done this swap and will have a kit soon. Waiting to find out details if all the Jaguars systems are kept like ABS, cruise control etc........

 

Who will be the first to fit an LS7 427 engine??????

 

looks like this is going to be a nice thread!