1975 Jaguar XJ Coupe 6.0 V12
Discussion
RobXjcoupe said:
Retropower fitting the crate engine?
It’s already in. See the picture above. Was fitted by Craig at Dynotorque. Really neat job, looks like it’s always meant to have been there and is much further inboard than the old lump. I was talking to Callum at Retropower about something unrelated craigjm said:
RobXjcoupe said:
Retropower fitting the crate engine?
It’s already in. See the picture above. Was fitted by Craig at Dynotorque. Really neat job, looks like it’s always meant to have been there and is much further inboard than the old lump. I was talking to Callum at Retropower about something unrelated RobXjcoupe said:
I must admit I would love that sort of engine in my own xjc but like most things budget seems to get in the way. I assume you must have had big issues with the v12 then to suddenly go for the crate engine?
It never ran properly when I bought it and having it sitting around for a couple of years kind of doomed it. After some major wiring work, new set of injectors, new starter and a bunch of other stuff it was just throwing good money after bad and was never going to give me the reliability I wanted. A proper full 100% rebuild was more expensive than a new crate engine with all the trimmings and of course the new wiring loom means that there isn’t a trace of Lucas prince of darkness left in the car now either. RobXjcoupe said:
I must admit I would love that sort of engine in my own xjc but like most things budget seems to get in the way. I assume you must have had big issues with the v12 then to suddenly go for the crate engine?
Those 6.2 LS3 V8's aren't as expensive as you'd think. I bought the e-rod package a few years ago and it comes with the LS3 V8, loom, exhausts/ cats and accelerator pedal. You still need to source the accessories, cooling system, fuel system, etc. but if you keep it all chevy you can literally buy everything down to nuts and bolts from their catalogue.https://www.gmperformancemotor.com/parts/19421057....
craigjm said:
RobXjcoupe said:
I must admit I would love that sort of engine in my own xjc but like most things budget seems to get in the way. I assume you must have had big issues with the v12 then to suddenly go for the crate engine?
It never ran properly when I bought it and having it sitting around for a couple of years kind of doomed it. After some major wiring work, new set of injectors, new starter and a bunch of other stuff it was just throwing good money after bad and was never going to give me the reliability I wanted. A proper full 100% rebuild was more expensive than a new crate engine with all the trimmings and of course the new wiring loom means that there isn’t a trace of Lucas prince of darkness left in the car now either. RobXjcoupe said:
Kinda annoys me as just because you had a v12 you are quoted the Earth and a bit more. Take it the v12 is a coffee table now lol
It’s not just because it’s a v12. It was a v12 with a huge number of modifications over the years and one that had not really been cared for. A total strip down and rebuild to “as new” standards was gonna be 20k so best to cut the losses. The engine was parted into bits and will allow many v12s to live on while I have a car that starts every time, 480 horses under the foot and with the six speed auto an easy 30 plus to the gallon on a cruise. I’m alright with that craigjm said:
RobXjcoupe said:
Kinda annoys me as just because you had a v12 you are quoted the Earth and a bit more. Take it the v12 is a coffee table now lol
It’s not just because it’s a v12. It was a v12 with a huge number of modifications over the years and one that had not really been cared for. A total strip down and rebuild to “as new” standards was gonna be 20k so best to cut the losses. The engine was parted into bits and will allow many v12s to live on while I have a car that starts every time, 480 horses under the foot and with the six speed auto an easy 30 plus to the gallon on a cruise. I’m alright with that craigjm said:
RobXjcoupe said:
Retropower fitting the crate engine?
It’s already in. See the picture above. Was fitted by Craig at Dynotorque. Really neat job, looks like it’s always meant to have been there and is much further inboard than the old lump. I was talking to Callum at Retropower about something unrelated _dobbo_ said:
I follow Craig at Dynotorque via the Driftworks YouTube channel. That guy knows his stuff!
Yeah and sitting much further back and being much lighter it should improve the handling quite a bit and a 50% minimum rise in power will make it rather interesting. Thank hell for those big Aston Martin brakes I’ve fitted now 
fatbutt said:
RobXjcoupe said:
I must admit I would love that sort of engine in my own xjc but like most things budget seems to get in the way. I assume you must have had big issues with the v12 then to suddenly go for the crate engine?
Those 6.2 LS3 V8's aren't as expensive as you'd think. I bought the e-rod package a few years ago and it comes with the LS3 V8, loom, exhausts/ cats and accelerator pedal. You still need to source the accessories, cooling system, fuel system, etc. but if you keep it all chevy you can literally buy everything down to nuts and bolts from their catalogue.https://www.gmperformancemotor.com/parts/19421057....
When they work indeed.
I owned this, sold it a few yrs ago. It’s chassis No. 001.
7.0 V12 and sounded absolutely incredible BUT their crude method of fuelling back then was to Chuck it all in.
Needed modern jenvey set up I’d say but I have to agree with some in that you take a V12 out of a Jag and the soul’s has gawn.
I owned this, sold it a few yrs ago. It’s chassis No. 001.
7.0 V12 and sounded absolutely incredible BUT their crude method of fuelling back then was to Chuck it all in.
Needed modern jenvey set up I’d say but I have to agree with some in that you take a V12 out of a Jag and the soul’s has gawn.
craigjm said:
When they work
One one level, it's a shame to see the car losing the V12...but, in the real world, the V12 would be more fragile, expensive, tedious and heinously thirsty. Childhood memories of the real-time fuel economy falling well into the single digits in my uncle's 5.3s may be distant but they're still quite vivid!I'm assuming this is pretty much the LS unit that GM fits to the Escalade, etc...and, if so, it's one hell of an engine. Power, (good) noise, plenty of character and probably uses about half the fuel the V12 does (I say this from a range as opposed to price perspective - no one likes going to petrol stations).
It'll be a sensational car with this unit and whilst it won't have the V12's character, there's plenty of character in its place!
Captain Smerc said:
Love a V8, but heard a Lister V12 XJS in Brentwood multi storey earlier this year, oh my what a magnificent cultured engine sound, knew it was a V12 immediately. They are special engines.
A Lister in Brentwood?! Now that I need to find!Edited by Captain Smerc on Wednesday 30th December 10:00
Sad to see the V12 swapped for a V8, but I can completely see why you did it. Even just a set of injectors is expensive unless they're late ones!
lukeharding said:
Captain Smerc said:
Love a V8, but heard a Lister V12 XJS in Brentwood multi storey earlier this year, oh my what a magnificent cultured engine sound, knew it was a V12 immediately. They are special engines.
A Lister in Brentwood?! Now that I need to find!Edited by Captain Smerc on Wednesday 30th December 10:00
Sad to see the V12 swapped for a V8, but I can completely see why you did it. Even just a set of injectors is expensive unless they're late ones!
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