Here is the new tow-vehicle for Toys from the 4th Dimension.......
What a corker eh ?? Its a 1982 Series III XJ Sovereign. Thats top-of-the-range electric everything, leather upholstery, mahogany? trim........the works.
In a very fortunate twist of fate - it also has no motor and gearbox. Perfect !!!
Because..................that means I can fit one of THESE into it.........
Yes punters, that is a 5.7l LS1 V8. The same type found in VY SS Commodores. About 240?kw, and weighs less than 250kg all up !!! Aluminium V8 block, aluminium heads. Fitted up with a 4-speed auto. The 6-speed Tiptronic boxes are just too exxy.....
Forget those old dunger iron-block small-block Chev V8's..........they belong fair & square in last century. This is a 21st century global motor platform, and once the engineers certificate has been issued (basically a formality - I checked with an AIME engineer during the week about this conversion - he was smiling a lot
) - then this baby will be undertaking all the towing duties out of the 4th. The old VN is just too uncomfortable on a long trip, the Prado is gutless.........this thing should absolutely kick ass and if I tune it well, they can be a very economical V8 to drive around. And in 2 1/2 years time, it will be eligible for Historic Rego !!! woohoo, $120 p.a !!! Gotta love that.....I checked with the Castlemaine Rod Shop today about engine mount/crossmember kits for mounting the LS1 into the XJ............they have none, and old mate told me I was the first person who had ever rung the place looking for such a kit.
its all good though, there is a website in the US called Jaguar Specialities, and they sell complete conversion kits for the LS1 - including things like power-steering adapter lines, upgraded V8 front springs, all the fiddly bits you need to complete this conversion. They have a philosophy of using OEM stuff at all times, so repairs etc, should be pretty easy if needed. The site covers all expected issues - sump clearances (and how to fix) - exhaust design, radiator.....you name it, these boys have done the lot......the cost of the entire conversion kit, plus upgraded suspension and steering bushes etc - will be more than the cost of the car.....but not by much .... To date, there is 1 other such conversion that I have been able to locate - and its in Sydney. It was only finished very recently........so here is one that has been prepared earlier........
That particular example is a 1974 Series 1, which originally had the 5.3l V12 fitted. The bloke has done an amazing job under the bonnet - it looks like a factory installation !!!.
So there you go - I am heading up to Sydney next Saturday (4/7) with ProblemChild to collect this baby - and MK - its in Windsor !!!
so expect a visit from the HCC next Saturday about lunchtime mate milk and 2 thanks.....(btw - the price ??? - this was a $900 bargain on ebay. ) PIMP MY F'N SHAG-WAH BABEEEEEEEEEEEEE
.... and we luv ya for it !!! 
