From Boring To Brawny: A Next-Level Jaguar XJ8

September 28, 2017

While the modern Jaguar XJ is well-liked among executive car fans, the Jaguar XJ8 never had the same appeal. Boring and lacking in the rear legroom you’d expect from a Jaguar, as well as being automatic only, it was never truly great. Neither has it aged superbly, with suspension problems and sulfur erosion causing any number of woes. Then along come people like Karl. Here’s a guy who clearly wanted to improve the XJ8’s performance far beyond its stock capability. How has he done this? Well, by fitting a 575hp Chevy LS3 engine under the venerable British hood. That’s over 300 more horses than the stock V8. The craziness doesn’t stop there: the engine has had a full Ligenfelter head conversion, milled for LS9 heads, the same type you’d find in a Corvette ZR1. This is a Jaguar that really can roar.

Inside, the old seats have been replaced with those from an Audi B5 S4, and a custom Nardi steering wheel’s been fitted. And, contrary to the stock XJ8’s performance that’s hamstrung by the automatic transmission, a six-speed manual complete with gated shifter has been installed. All in all, Karl estimates the build has cost him $38,000. Honestly, not a bad price to pay for a relaxed racer that’s can be as crazy as they come.

Out on the road, the Jaguar purrs and whines its way smoothly down the highway. It meshes speed, acceleration, and refinement handily, making it a superb addition to the Jaguar restomod stable. Why the XJ8 wasn’t like this from the start, I don’t know.

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