Hey guys,

Young college student here and passionate Jag owner (99 XJR). I have always loved older cars and especially older Jags. My second car (out of the 6 I've owned) was a '92 VDP that I loved but was always fond of the series I and II. I have some money set aside and am looking for a potential project. My question is, how compatible are parts between these three series? I love the series I but know they're not easy to find, so I would also be happy with a series II or III but the chrome bumpers on the series I are so damn sexy...is it possible to swap them out on a series II or III? Thanks in advance!

 

Series 1/2/3 parts are very compatible, just not the bits that changed over time. Like the rear lights, the front indicators, the seats (mountings are different), dashboard, etc.

Rear bumper is an easy swap. Front bumper I wouldn't know. You'd need to cut new holes for the indicator's and fill up holes depending which series you put the bumper on.

I'd wait for a series 1 and spend that time on maintenance and repairing instead of swapping bumpers.

 

I will happily stand corrected on this by those with more knowledge, but my understanding is as follows:

- I believe the U.S. spec S2 has rubber bumpers, whereas the rest-of-world spec has chrome. Therefore S2 chrome bumpers, if you can source them, should fit straight on an S2

- S1 front bumpers are mounted differently (lower) than on the S2, plus the over-riders are a different profile. The S1 mountings may be different to S2??

- All S3's have rubber bumpers, just with a thicker profile on the U.S. spec. Not sure if any chromes would fit onto S3.

 

I think your right tony.....just source the ser 2 bumpers from another country and should be like mine.

 

One thing I know is that on the US S2 cars, the holes for the Euro style turn signals are there in the front fenders.......... they are just hidden by the big rubber things on the US cars.....

As far as the mountings are concerned, I really expect/hope they are the same because I am considering to do the swap myself. I have found euro style front and rear fenders and now in my head, "all" I need are euro front turn signals and I am good to go.

 

Tony has that bumper down pat.

Memory?????, haha, is those rubber thingies were fitted in the States, not at Coventry, but I will stand corrrected as usual.

I prefer the S2 out of all of them, but thats me.

 

Awesome, great info to know! Thanks guys!

I may lose some credibility here but while were on the topic of conversions...since it would most likely be a project car, I want to make this thing move (my xjr has spoiled me) and have access to a multitude of chevy engines since I have a good friend who owns an engine shop. Which of these options would you consider most efficient? Leaning towards an LS conversion but would like to hear what you guys think...

 

Beautiful ride man! Looks great!

 

No loss of cred, it's a common mod, also just a matter of personal opinion. I can't help you since I'm a bit of a traditionalist (not a purist - there is a difference!). Personally I would stay with the XK engine and overhaul it if necessary, especially if the car hasn't already been significantly molested. Or look for a V12. Others will have different views of course!

 

Rideordie, I too have no problem with an engine conversion as there are many good ones around however, I have decided that when the time comes I will have my original rebuilt as I like the originality of the car and nothing replicates the sweet note of this motor.......just personal taste.

 

The unmistakeable purr of a healthy V8 !!!!!


Did my Smog inspection adventure in Oct. The kid learning tech
referred to my car as a Frankenstien !!!


Next shop with more experienced techs drooled and awed.
One had a mid 90's Camaro and recognized the kinsmanship.


However, I did buy my car as DOHC powered and admired it.
But, alas, an over heat and it was done for...


Carl

 

Yes, typically I have the same mindset and if I were to find an XJ in good, unmolested shape, I of course would not do the conversion but since I'm hoping to get a partial project car, I'm toying with the idea of it especially since I like to go fast

I know the typical conversion is the small block 350, the LS I have not seen. So overall, what conversion set up would you guys recommend for dependability / performance?

 

Sorry to hear that...What kind of engine/trans were you running?

 

LT1 and 4L60E sourced from a 94 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham.
The engine is the last of the iron SBC's. Although a version
used in Camaros and corvettes featured alloy heads. Mine is
OBD I managed, but the next year went to OBD II.


Check on line for Jaguar-specialties, Broken kitty or Johnscars and JTR. They sell conversion kits.


Slightly different approaches, but each quite doable.


Andrew Weinberg of Jaguar specialties has highly developed the Ls installations. All alloy and more modern fueling and ignition.


Carl

 

Awesome, thanks for the info Carl!

 

If you are going to the trouble of doing a conversion and you have the budget its hard to conjure up a reason why you would not go down the LS path, unless you just like old school motors. Tuneability, economy, diagnostics, common workshop skills and experience would all lead you to later generation motors.

The other consideration is the transmission. If you go old school the better transmission choice would be a T700 or similar with overdrive. The T350/400s are fine but if you are going to spend much time on freeways you will enjoy the later transmission.

I have a lumped S3. The two things I think would improve the car are a T700 and fuel injection.

The only other thing I would do is a lot of preventative work on the electrical system. Cleaning/renewing known connector issues, earthing points, replacing problematic relays, solenoids and switches would probably save you a series of head scratching weekends in the garage (rather than being out driving). But that just me. I am a bit of a preventative maintenance kind of person.

Good luck with your plans, that should keep you busy for a while.