I've got a friend with two 90's Jaguars with engine problems and I'm trying to talk him into complete LSX drivetrain swaps, but so far the only ebay auctions I can find are for engines only and none of the junkyards around here has a complete engine/trans/PCM/harness they're willing to part with for under like $1300 or so. I was wondering if I'm overlooking a good source or if I just need to contact one of the ebay sellers with dozens of engines on ebay and ask for a package deal or two.
What's wrong with them and what years are they?
I found mine off www.car-part.com
It linked me to a local junkyard about ten miles away. Ended up getting a 99 LS1 / T56 combo for $2500. It was originally listed for $3700 but got it down to $3000 then $2500 when I offered to pull it myself. They gave me the car for a month to take home and pull it.
A quick search on car-part shows that TN Auto Salvage (800-242-7927) in Greenville near you has several 5.3's listed around $500. Not sure what that includes but they will probably make you a good deal on a complete engine, trans wiring combo.
The biggest issue I've seen is finding an T56 for less than about $1500. Actual LS1 and the aluminum block 5.3 (L33) seem to call for a premium.
Depending on the yard, I have gotten everything to nothing but the motor. If I call or show up to get one, I normally ask for what I want left on, if not asked upfront by the yard. If yard is nickle and diming me to death with what I want left on the motor, I walk and go somewhere that won't do that.
+1 on iron 5.3s
i got my 5.3 about 5 years ago as a complete pullout with engine, all accessories, belts, hoses, starter, complete uncut harness, pcm, exhaust manifolds for $1200 including freight from texas to ohio. it has sub 40k miles on it. i bought on ebay.
i also bought a vortec 4200 inline 6 with 70k miles and just as complete PLUS the exhaust to the first joint(about 5' of pipe including converter and o2 sensors) for $400 shipped off ebay.
I would forget about LS anything and think Vortec get an LM7 add a cam and you can be really close to the 400 hp mark. Heack stock they are in the 300-325Hp range and since most are truck motors the torque will be good. Since the Jags you speak of are not light this would be a good combo. I have my eye on a LM4 complete with accessories harness and ECU for $750. Motor hs80K on it. It is at a yard about an hour from my house. This motor plus the 34 Chev coup body I found the other day have been peculating around in my brain all week. Now go get a frame with suspension/drive line from a two wheel drive trailblazer and put the two together.
In reply to MG Bryan:
The first one is a 1996 XJ8 that the owner said was overheated badly, I haven't torn into the engine yet, but attempting to start it it sounds like it has no compression by how fast it is spinning. It's a really clean straight car for a guy that just wants to cruise around town in a Jag, so I thought an LSX swap with auto trans would fit his needs of reliability and image pretty well.
I haven't seen the other car yet, but heard it's really close in year and making terrible noises from the engine.
I think someone we know has a used car dealership, so I may end up asking him to get us a wrecked 2WD anything GM full-size next auction, then scrap whatever is left over.
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