Jag Supercharged Ultima

[Scotty-Boy]

After all my thinking about what engine to use, I've plumped on a Supercharged 4.2 Jag.

I have a 350 SBC lump lying about and although that's probably what I should be sticking to (if only for the sake of easy install and getting the bloody thing on the road) I'm just not a huge fan of carbed engines, so injection it is. May as well try and get it right first time!

Why the Jag? Just made some financial sense as I already have a brand spanking new M112 Eaton set up for the 4.2 unit (picked it up last year for pennies thinking it may come in handy at some point... hurrah!), and I've been offered a new 4.2 N/A engine with all ancillaries for not-a-lot.

With the right SC pulley, ECU, pumps, injectors, water injection and zorst, then I'd be disappointed if I didn't get around the 500bhp (plenty for my needs!).

I might have a go at modifying the OEM sump myself to a dry set-up. I believe that Aston have used this engine previously with a dry sump, but I'm guessing that even a second hand kit is going to cost £££££'s more than a bespoke fabrication.

Any opinions on this choice?

Edited by Scotty-Boy on Wednesday 30th April 08:31

[Boosted LS1]

These engines cost peanuts on ebay for a reason. I've seen them sell for just a few hundred pounds with the s/c. There's a known weakness with them but I can't recall what it is, sorry. Somebody more knowledgeable will be along in a bit

[GreenV8S]

Is that the Nikasil thing, or did they fix that?

[eliot]

Dont bother is my opinion. Stick a SBC or LSx in it and force induct that if you desire.
ETA,
Dont forget if the engine is post ~1993? it will require full emissions kit for the year of the engine, unlike nailing an old lump in it.

Edited by eliot on Tuesday 29th April 23:13

[Steve_D]

eliot said:

Dont bother is my opinion. Stick a SBC or LSx in it and force induct that if you desire.
ETA,
Don't forget if the engine is post ~1993? it will require full emissions kit for the year of the engine, unlike nailing an old lump in it.

Also if you want to register the Ultima as a new vehicle then the engine must be brand new with receipts to prove it or must have been fully reconditioned again with all receipts.

I can't see this engine being in any way suited to an Ultima unless it can rev up in the 7-8K revs region.

Steve

[SplatSpeed]

the linings of the bores were ceramic on the early ones

petrol changes eat that ceramic away causing problems

had mine replaced under warrenty for this at 29 k miles

x reg on and the 4.2 should be ok

[chuntington101]

recent PPC mag did a featrue on them. they are actually a very strong engine! there where problems with the early units with the coated bores (no liners). these where replaced for conventional iron liners and there have been few problems since.

also there is a guys on here who is putting together a new supercharger package using a twin screw blower. he already has nearly 600bhp on stock intake system (inc chargecoolers) and stock injectors and ECU map!! i will post a link when i find the thread....

are you planning on using the sotck ECU or going for a standalone?? also will you be sticking with the stock chagecoolers or upping them to something a little bigger (be nice to see a pair of Garrett 1000bhp chargecooler cores on there!!)??

its wortht noting that the supercharger on the Jag is the same one thats Crafty is using. mgith be worth looking at the new M122 as an upgrade...

Cheers

Chris.

[chuntington101]

here is that thread scotty

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Chris.

[Scotty-Boy]

Cheers chaps.

The Nikasil 'issue' was done and dusted waaaay before this particular engine was made, so no real worries there.

I will probably SVA the car with the SBC in it. Not a big deal as I can still pre-fit all the EFI necessities, so really the only thing I will need to change are a set of engine mounts and a gearbox plate once the X350 engine is good to go.

Still, I don't really want to 'test' the engine too much, so will keep any mods sensible and cost effective - as I said... 500(ish) BHP is plenty for my needs.

Edited by Scotty-Boy on Wednesday 30th April 08:32

[qwick]

I would have thought a clever ECU map will sort emissions out. The Emerald for example offers a choice of three maps built in which you can change on the fly on a rocker switch - simply rolling road tune one to the required emissions level and call that the SVA/MOT map. The other two maps should be called 'wife' and 'holy cr@p!!!'

IMO it will be a pain to strip the car later and weld in new mounts etc... Carbs can be more difficult to set up than EFI in many respects.

[Scotty-Boy]

That's my concern regarding the SBC I have... the carb's and it's high state of tune (constant fiddling and potentially fragile). I had a carbed VX race engine on my caterham and that was a nightmare for keeping in-tune.

Will look into the Emerald maps... thanks!

I've looked into doing an EFI set-up for the SBC. But the upshot is - I can put together a brand spanking new turn-key supercharged Jag engine for a good bit less (and then I can always sell the SBC putting me back in black for buying other goodies!).

Some good (potentially) news - I have a Blueflame Ultima GTR exhaust system that's still in it's original box. Thought I might have to start from scratch again, but I've offered it up to the Jag engine and it looks like it just might be a starter (with some fabrication).

Edited by Scotty-Boy on Wednesday 30th April 09:55

[qwick]

Try this page...

http://www.emeraldm3d.com/em_k3.html#TMF

Very nice helpful guy too.

[Scotty-Boy]

Ta very much!!!