Hi blokes! some of you will remember me, I built a roadster but bottled out of the IVA nonsense, sold it and bought a Jag XJR with the proceeds. If I was building another one it would definitely have a v6 or v8 in it, the Ford 302 being a great choice. My nephew has a mark 1 Granada with a heavily tuned and modded 302 in it that produces about 500bhp in it's current state of tune, it is built to handle twice that. My Jag is tuned to 420BHP, turning off the traction control and putting the 5 speed auto box in to sport is entertaining to say the least. My roadster had the 2.0 DOHC and MT75 fitted, it was a huge lump that presented all sorts of major headaches that I could have avoided with a compact v6 or v8. I reckon I could have had a lower centre of gravity for a start, which would have improved handling I suspect. I don't know what the old v6 Essex or cologne engines and boxes go for but they look like an easy fit if you want the v format without massive money being spent. I think it is possible to have too much power for everyday driving but that would have to be a very big number :-) The only thing I would say though is think carefully about diff ratios and how much power the sierra diff can take. I know a roadster is much lighter than a Sierra with 4 large blokes and all their luggage but I am not sure I would want to put massive ponies through it.
Best and all that,
Dave.

Great to have some imput from you Dave. :)

Hope life is treating you well & you are enjoying the Jag. :cool: :)

The good thing about the ford v8/6 engine from the states is the fact they are 90 degree v not 60 like over here.Thats why the thing is only just over the top chassis rail. They also weigh them with cast iron inlet/exhaust mainifolds,heavy flywheels,cast iron water pumps and all the other crap thats bolted on like air con pumps and power steering + a great big starter motor. I have put mine on a diet with ali water pump,ali flywheel, ali inlet and a tiny gear reduction starter and that has got it right down , if I went for the ali heads another shed load comes off. The v6 ford i think is just shy of 4 ltr so that would be a good candidate. On the diff side of things I have now gone to the bmw large case lsd unit which comes with the same 108mm cv patern as the cossie driveshafts i am using. It fits in a treat .Will get some more piccies done.

Bob

Hiya Ronnie, life is good Definitely enjoying the Jag but not the fuel bills. The 4.8 second 0-60 makes up for it though and the supercharger whine helps a bit too:D

Love it mate :)

Glad to hear that all is well in Enoch land.

Deep joy :)