What engine to swap into an E type?

mw wrote: From looking at what I can get from my local engine importer, here are some of the prices. rb20 with 5 speed $900 - rb25 with 5 speed $1500 - rb26 with 5 speed $2900 - 1jz gte with 5 speed $1900 - 2jz with auto $1300 -

Also look into the 7MGE/MGTE from the 86.5-1991 I believe Supras. None of the Drift/Drag tax, and you could likely find a rusted shell near you for the same $1300 as the 2JZ with the auto, and get everything you'd need for the swap. The 7MGTE (turbo model), can be built up to serious power levels quite easily.

However, if you wanted to stick with the Jag block, ITBS are easy to find, just Google Jenvey Throttle Bodies or something (Don't know if they are an advertiser, so I am not linking it.) They are a british company that makes very high quality throttlebodies, and I know they've made Jag I6 kits before.

klipless wrote:

ReverendDexter wrote: ... it'd have to be something with cylinders

There's the problem right there, you're limiting yourself to engines with cylinders. I still stand behind my 13B suggestions.

If you're gonna go all rotor-head, why not a 20- or 26B?

On a related note, if someone would make aftermarket >2 rotor eccentric shafts, and manifolds they'd probably make some serious coin.

Since it's for a car you intend to drive, do the 'Yota DOHC swap. BUT: do it in such a way that you don't cut anything and can easily swap the Jag motor back in. Even if it's a saloon motor, the car will be worth more with a Jag powerplant. That way you get the best of both worlds.

I have to agree with Jensenman. Cutting up an old E-type would be like burning $1000 bills.

-Chris R.

I vote for a good ole' American V8.

Kinda like this guy did with his.

http://www.hotrod.com/featuredvehicles/hrdp_1002_1971_jaguar_xke/index.html

-Rob

V8's are fun in E Types. But, the small block Chevy won't fit without some serious frame surgery. A small block Ford (289, 302 Windsor) will slip right in. The 351W and 351C will, like the SBC, require major surgery.

ReverendDexter wrote: ... it'd have to be something with cylinders in multiples of 3 to sound right...

I'd go a step further and say multiples of 6. A 9 cylinder radial engine woulnd't work very well either.

I vote for megasquirting a 4.0L Jag I6 (AJ6) from the early to mid 90's. It will still be a Jaguar engine so you keep the pedigree, is aluminum block/heads so it will cut some weight compared to your current engine (most likely iron block), is pretty cheap (~$400 at a recycler) and if you replace the electronics it will be very reliable. Power is about 245hp, but that's with the exhaust going through several large, restrictive mufflers, so you could pick up some power with a more free flowing system (~15hp just from replacing the front silencer), or as someone else mentioned, grab one of the supercharged I6s from the XJR for 320hp. I don't know if the AJ6 will mate with your transmission though, and finding a manual trans from those year Jags might be tough. But I might be way off base and it may bolt right up to your trans.

Bob

rob_lewis wrote: I vote for a good ole' American V8. Kinda like this guy did with his. http://www.hotrod.com/featuredvehicles/hrdp_1002_1971_jaguar_xke/index.html -Rob

What i like about Posie's Jag is that it isn't just a Chevy swap, there's a LOT of custom detailing in there, and the 180 degree headers sound incredible:

And check out the interior...

Allison Aviation V16 FTW!

mw wrote: My dad and I picked up an e-type not too long ago as a future project. It's a 62, which is a desirable model, but already has a different jag engine (from a saloon) in it. We're not too big a fan of carbs and we are much more interested in driving the car than we are in showing it. Our plan was to follow the tried and true formula of putting a more modern japanese engine into an old british car. I was thinking about supra, or skyline inline 6's, since that's what's already in there, but don't know much about engines with more than 4 cyl. If the finished product could have 300hp, that would be pretty awesome. What does grm think?

a snotty old high compression, big cam chevy, drive the whells off it and learn a little about carbs or 4200 vortec straight 6, keep the efi and maybe turbo it

since you don't care that you will piss off the Jag purists, why not drop a real six in there - 5.9 L 24-valve Cummins! Sure, it will double the weight of the car, but I love the sound and soot!

BMW S54

I saw that black Jag at Watkins Glen last year. Its definitely a clean build, if not what I would do... On each side of the bonnet was painted the specs of the conversion... I guess he got tired of answering questions.

Any BMW I-6 is going to require some substantial surgery due to the slanted orientation (the exhaust would exit into the frame).

Mercedes m104? 24V inline 6, the only problem would be the electronics and finding one. I'd like one in car to be honest.

stuart in mn wrote: I think it would be a lot simpler to just go ahead with a Megasquirt setup than creating a Frankenstein with some other engine ...

As much as I like Frankensteins, I agree in this case. Unless there's something really wrong with the Jag engine, I'd sure consider an EFI swap. It's not so much resale -I drive my cars until the wheels fall off - but the XKE was designed for and works well with that engine. Give it a chance with some new lungs!

Rusnak_322 wrote: since you don't care that you will piss off the Jag purists, why not drop a real six in there - 5.9 L 24-valve Cummins! Sure, it will double the weight of the car, but I love the sound and soot!

I think double is a conservative estimate.

Put me in the keeping the Jag engine camp. 300 hp is easily do-able from an XK motor, and the car will retain it's value, look and feel right. If you don't like carbs, there are plenty of fuel injection options, but it won't sound as nice.

Is this XKE a nasty old rat, or is it worth restoring? If it is a ratty car a swap may make sense. If the car is close to being decent, keep the Jag engine in there, or get a different Jag 3.8 or 4.2. These cars are getting worth more and more money.........but it won't appreciate with a Supra / LSX/ drivetrain.

just my .02

The car is somewhat rough around the edges. It's nice enough to drive, but would require a full resto to be a show winning car. We are not the full resto types. My dad is a great fabricator and has built many lotus 7 replicas and rebuilt many vintage race cars, but we are not painters of polishers.

Keeping the jag engine is not a bad option, but we were looking for something different. We are leaning towards a 2jz and making sure it's reversable for when it comes time to sell.

Those old jag engines are soooo pretty. Polished cam covers... sex baby, sex.
I'm no purist, but in this case, it'd be a Shame to swap it. Capital S. I won't judge you for it, but the 3.8/4.2 is a pretty strong engine.

Here's a different take- rebuild the 4.2- turbo it, E36 M3, twin turbo it. MSEFI.

The latest isssue of the British mag EVO....I think, has a story on 3 cars that when new were "VERY SPECIAL" (the DBS, the E-type, and the GT40). All are being "resto-modded by various companies...the company doing E-types is in the U.K (it's called Eagle, I think). Anyway, the Eagle remake uses a Jag engine producing 350 HP, and has upgraded parts like brakes in it's re-build. Cost for a "typical" Eagle E-type? $400,000.00

I have a 7MGE that needs a rebuild. You could have it for 50 bucks if you want it.

somebody mentioned S54... that is a certion ironic blasphamy in using a german engine in an english car

I have to agree with the cutting up an E Type = burning hundred dollar bills. Early E types get more valuable and sought after every year. Unless they've been cut up. Have you seen the Lambo/ Mustang thread? Definitely an example of 1 + 1 = 0.

I'll throw in my vote.

There's nothing like a Jag engine, and the best place to find them is in Jaguars. Certainly the more modern engines have their advantages, but it's hard to argue with that polished cam cover under the clamshell, not to mention the proper sound from the tailpipe.

A slightly rough, all-Jag driver is in a class of cool all by itself.

Think of the Queen. Keep it British.

My friend (in my English car club) is taking an E-Type, pitching the frame/drivetrain/suspension and putting the body on a Ford 4 wheel drive truck.