The V8 Owners Forum -

Nothing is impossible but whether it is practical or not is another matter. Double check your engine dimensions as DOHC V8's are usually pretty wide and a mk2 escorts might not have the room for either the engine or the box. Box is usually easy enough to sort but the engine isn't. Jag back axle is independent suspension and the escort is live axle. You can fit IRS in them, I have seen it but it's a he'll of a lot of work and the way things are these days you will most likely need to get the car tested with that size of chassis change. Don't let me put you off just be aware that this is going to be a long and expensive job.
Probably far easier to go American with an LS engine and a shortened 8.8 live back axle.

hi im thinking on doing a v8 conversion on my mk 2 escort but not the rover sd1 engine im thinking of using a jaguar s type or similar engine box and axle. can any one tell me if this will work or how it could work many thanks mark

Time warp......


Anything can fit if you've enough time, money and enthusiasm.

Dont know much about the Jag engine though. As Katana says, any multivalve head tends to be pretty big, so might be more difficult to fit.

LS's are pretty compact for what they are though, but not necessarily the cheapest engine out there these days.

Hi
The jag 4 litre is a nice engine, it revs cleanly to 7.5k and courtesy of it's fly by wire throttle and gearbox controller it is a very progressive delivery, very willing and will pootle along without complaint. Be aware however that this is probably the biggest issue to any conversion, if you want to do it simply you will want to transplant the whole drive train and ECus from the jag, provided the overall weight is the close to that of the doner car you should be fine, however if not it may not be much funas if it is too light the converter will never slip fully and it will not "Sit" at the lights on the hand brake but continually try and pull away and you will have to hold it on the peddle to get over this you can get the converter reuilt, but then you will be into issues of reprogramming the ECUs. . . . .
If you intend to go manual then this will involve a new ECU, and a mechanical throttle, this could be a much simpler route in some ways avoiding all the torque converter set up, but there will be time spent sorting out the fueling to get a nice flat power curve and delivery. I would say the work either way would be well worth it, it really is a very good engine and gearbox set up as an auto and a nice light compact engine as a manual.
You might also consider the newer 4.2 lump and 7 speed auto in the newer XK8, (someone is bound to have driven one into a ditch somewhere) that is about 1/2 ton lighter than the 4 litre earlier car and would probably be simpler to adapt to the escort as they are closer in weight.
Best regards
Mike

did you see the mk1 escort at santa pod with a bare engine mounted?
had a hell of alot of work done tho.