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Oh and beautiful engine bay on the Z! Got a link to more pictures?
You can scroll through my public IMGUR account... We've got five cars altogether, and pics of most, are spread around the site. But all the pics of the Z while under construction are in there.
I've said it before and been poorly received. People who suggest lumping a modern car with an LS and having the rest of the car work like it did with ancillary systems, they often have never done it. There's a lot of troubleshooting, fabricating, and engineering in doing so.
That is the beauty of what Jaguar Specialties has done... they have designed a "kit" that allows almost everything to work together flawlessly... the only thing that doesn't work on my "new" car is the trip/mileage stuff, the cruise control and the traction control... I can live with that although I will eventually look into getting a cruise control setup for longer trips. And, if you have a N/A 4.0 motor and trans that has issues, the LS-swap is a viable option. It's NOT cheap and it's not easy, but the end result is freakin' AWESOME! I am stoked to drive my car now and I can do so without any worry about "what's gonna happen next" with the engine or trans... And one excellent bonus is that now my AC puts out like a champ (and almost immediately)... and living in South Florida that is huge.
My next project is going to be POSI (maybe the Quaife unit) - but I need to wait or my wife may kill me for spending more on my Jag.
All this talk about engine swaps, thought I would show you my current project. 4.2 block with 4.0l electronics and twin screw toning in my 2001 XKR. Also planning twin oil coolers as I have them. IanP
Back in March; the 1999 XK8 of mine was 'retired' as it had numerous issues and I'd upgraded to an 2005 XK8, it's a very lovely car and I really enjoy the feel of the 4.2 engine I've taken the opportunity to go on little drives every now and again (it counts as quarantining if you drive around alone to destinations alone ... LOL).
So, during this whole pandemic business I've acquired a inexpensive used Canon (Powershot SX40) which has been great for my level of photography skills (not really at the point where I feel I could justify a $500+ camera), as well as I've started playing with Lightroom and started taking photos of the car during these outings. Here are some from earlier in the week! It was 95°f out there but the area was unbelievably quiet and pretty, and while there was a fire nearby earlier in September (which I had to drive through where it occurred, very sad to see), I was happy to see one of my favorite hiking trails was largely unscathed; this little pullover spot overlooked the canyon the trail goes down through... Can't wait for our 'winter' season so it's possible to hike again!
Anyways, I'm happy to say this car is a reliable little XK and she handles the horrible hot weather without any issues, although I try to use the AC minimally as possible as it seems to be such a strain on cars in this weather.
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During this time of year it's impossible to take a drive with the top down. Nights are starting to get cooler so I will be taking mine out of the garage and hitting the backroads for some night time fun.
Way to go, proves it can be done by the home shop guys.
I got most of my start working on cars a few miles up the road in Flitwick, but remember the Blower Bentley in the window of the garage in Stevenage back in the '60's.
Lovely place, except for the Elephant Cage up the road. I hear it's gone now.
OH, I worked there.
Thanks for the photos.
Those hydraulic ramps look awesome. I haven't swapped the motor in the XK8 yet, but in my other car which I did on jack stands I had 1/2" clearance to the ceiling and being able to raise/lower the car a little would have made it easier.
The 4.0 I find one of the prettier motors to look at. The tubes are not a cover (as I, uh, originally thought when I replaced the coolant tower) but functional plastic which saves weight.
1/2 an inch from the roof, that’s scary precision.
I only have a single garage so I had to do that bit on the drive. Then push the car back in and on the ramps.
I do do remember the Bentley in Stevenage I lived there for many years before moving to Shefford. I obviously go through Flitwick when going to the M1 quite a lot, I pass that garage on the corner, like to see what he has there.
Just purchased this one, 03 XKR. the interior has custom fake gold trimmings that I don't like and the roof needs to be repainted but it is still a looker. I came from 00 X8 VDP to 82 XJ6 project then 89 XJS convertible. Now currently have a 91 XJ6 and the 03 XKR )))) my new to me 03 xkr, can't wait to learn about this one
Hi some photos I have of my first car that I bought 8 years ago (still have it). Its an 1997 xk8 but it have som xkr parts and a bodykitt from Arden and the rims are BBS RXII
I saw this blue 98’ XK8 at the parking lot of the gym today and I just had to park behind it. I had a nice chat with the owner and urged him to get the timing chain tensioners done. He’s at 66k miles with the original ones. I even gave him the part numbers.
My XKR was nicer in every way except paint. I am thinking that when I take it to the body shop to solve the peeling clear coat situation, that I may just go ahead and paint it the same BRG that the F-types were offered in instead of keeping the boring silver.
Last edited by giandanielxk8; 11-01-2020 at 06:28 PM.
09-24-2020, 07:05 AM
I've taken the opportunity to go on little drives every now and again (it counts as quarantining if you drive around alone to destinations alone ... LOL).
