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Javelin
Javelin GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
10/13/16 11:38 a.m.

Welcome everyone to another episode of Wheeler Dealers GRM, where a forum member buys a derelict car in need of a little TLC, then blows the budget and sells the car for a loss! (Or something like that ) In this episode, we have one of Britain's absolutely classic GT's, a Jaguar XJ-S! But since this is the GRM version of the show, it has a small block Chevrolet V8 swapped in. We released a teaser of this build, now it's time to get to work.

Here's how we found the old girl, advertised on the local CL for way too much money. A cursory inspection found a straight car with no evidence of prior damage, a respray in the original black all over, and no rust.

She'd need a lick with a mop and some general tidying, but she was obviously in good nick.

Further inspection showed some ghastly flexpipe for the tailpipes that would have to be addressed.

Under the hood the original V12 had been swapped out in favor of a 5.7L SBC, specifically a 1989 L98 TPI motor from a Crammit. A test drive revealed why the motor had not sold yet, she misfired and bad. It was obvious somebody threw a lot of parts at the problem (new fuel pump, MAF, plugs, coolant temp sensor, injectors, and coil) to no avail. So we did the only reasonable thing, and ponied up a significant number of quid and drove the beast home!

A quick stopover at the local ethanol-free station for a tankful of 92 showed just how bad of a decision had been made this time...

Dusterbd13
Dusterbd13 PowerDork
10/13/16 11:43 a.m.

As a newcomer to wheeler dealer, I'm watching to see how this is supposed to work.

wvumtnbkr
wvumtnbkr GRM+ Memberand SuperDork
10/13/16 12:02 p.m.

MOAR.

Adrian_Thompson
Adrian_Thompson MegaDork
10/13/16 12:58 p.m.

I'm going to guess I'm the only person here rooting for fixing the misfire by replacing the boat anchor with a Jag V12?

Xceler8x
Xceler8x GRM+ Memberand UberDork
10/13/16 1:39 p.m.

My bet for the misfire is a bad distributor and/or injectors.

Also, those sheepskin seat covers. Argh. Somewhere there are some very cold sheep that would look much better in those covers than that Jag's seats.

Javelin
Javelin GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
10/13/16 1:42 p.m.

In reply to Xceler8x:

They are fake!

And smart money is on the ignition control module in the distributor.

Dusterbd13
Dusterbd13 PowerDork
10/13/16 1:51 p.m.

I'm going to say firing order.

cdowd
cdowd HalfDork
10/13/16 2:04 p.m.

In reply to Dusterbd13:

wouldn't that be funny if it was that easy!

Dusterbd13
Dusterbd13 PowerDork
10/13/16 2:07 p.m.

You'd be amazed how many sbc that I have found 180 out and still running. Same with firing order backwards on the distributor cap.

G_Body_Man
G_Body_Man SuperDork
10/13/16 2:10 p.m.

Since injectors, firing order, and ignition module have already been said, what about the ECU tune? An ALDL cable ($60 or so) and Tunerpro (there's a free version) would be pretty much everything you need to check the maps.

HappyAndy
HappyAndy PowerDork
10/13/16 2:11 p.m.

GLWS. I could never get my heart into a neutered Jag-u-aren't.

Javelin
Javelin GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
10/13/16 2:52 p.m.
HappyAndy wrote: GLWS. I could never get my heart into a neutered Jag-u-aren't.

The L98 has 245BHP/345TQ versus 242BHP/300TQ for the HE V12, and is 270Lbs lighter (which is also all from in front of the front axle). There's nothing neutered about it.

Brokeback
Brokeback Reader
10/13/16 3:19 p.m.

Please tell me this was under $2017, and I'll be on my way from New Mexico tonight!

dculberson
dculberson PowerDork
10/13/16 3:33 p.m.
Javelin wrote:
HappyAndy wrote: GLWS. I could never get my heart into a neutered Jag-u-aren't.
The L98 has 245BHP/345TQ versus 242BHP/300TQ for the HE V12, and is 270Lbs lighter (which is also all from in front of the front axle). There's nothing neutered about it.

BUT THE CHARACTERZZZZ! And the Solezzz!

Or something like that. I think it's awesome. And the good news is there are plenty of them still out there sporting the v12. Mostly broken down in someone's back yard.

Bobzilla
Bobzilla UltimaDork
10/13/16 3:40 p.m.

WAIT.... is that flexible exhaust pipe I see sticking out the back?

mazdeuce
mazdeuce UltimaDork
10/13/16 3:44 p.m.

Careful with the flexpipe. I cut myself to the bone on two to fingers pulling it off a Range Rover once. Why is it always British cars?

Esoteric Nixon
Esoteric Nixon UltraDork
10/13/16 5:52 p.m.

Damn, that's expensive gas.

Javelin
Javelin GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
10/13/16 6:16 p.m.
Brokeback wrote: Please tell me this was under $2017, and I'll be on my way from New Mexico tonight!

Yup! It's going to cost you more that $2017 to get it from me though

Javelin
Javelin GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
10/13/16 6:16 p.m.
Bobzilla wrote: WAIT.... is that flexible exhaust pipe I see sticking out the back?

Yep!

Cotton
Cotton UberDork
10/13/16 6:35 p.m.

I like it. Very cool. Curious to get your impressions once it's fixed up a little. Also, I might be interested!

Javelin
Javelin GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
10/13/16 6:58 p.m.

In reply to Cotton:

I flipped an actual V12 one years ago, so I am really interested to see how this one plays out, too.

JamesMcD
JamesMcD Dork
10/13/16 8:56 p.m.

Good thing you are far away. I sold my RX-7 and have money burning a hole in my pocket.

NOHOME
NOHOME PowerDork
10/13/16 9:06 p.m.

Those are damn near the Canadian prices for gas!

Javelin
Javelin GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
10/13/16 11:25 p.m.

The gas is from the only ethanol-free station to sell 92 octane. I like to fill up my flips through there to help clean things out and ensure they run their best.

t25torx
t25torx Dork
10/16/16 3:10 p.m.

This should be uh.. entertaining. What all do you think this car will need to get it to a sellable state?

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