1997 Jaguar XK8 Convertible- LS1 GenIII Conversion- Excellent - Turn Key- Ready to Go - LS1TECH

02-11-2015, 04:50 PM

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the-jag-guy

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1997 Jaguar XK8 Convertible- LS1 GenIII Conversion- Excellent - Turn Key- Ready to Go

Year: 1997
Make: Jaguar
Model: XK
Price: $12950
Mileage: 10000
Private or Dealer Listing: Private Listing
Location (State): CA
Color: Blue
Transmission: Automatic
Drivetrain: Rear Wheel Drive

Absolutely fantastic 1997 Jaguar XK8 convertible- truly one-of-a-kind. This car combines the gorgeous lines of the Jaguar XK8 with a powerful reliable GM LS1 V8 drivetrain, in many people’s opinion, the best performance V8 ever built. This car was professionally converted to a GM Camaro/Corvette LS1 5.7L V8 powertrain (engine and transmission) some 5 years ago. The conversion is completely finished, down to the working AC (which gets very cold). It runs and drives fantastic, has great power and is reliable. It easy to maintain and can be driven anywhere.

The car itself is in great cosmetic condition- beautiful blue body/paint with only minimal dings, excellent blue top, and comfy soft oyster leather interior (the front seats were recovered in new leather several years ago). The paint is so shiny it’s hard to get good pictures of it without many reflections. A matching top boot (the cover that goes over the top when it is down, as shown in the pictures) is included with the car. The pictures don’t do it justice- it’s a fantastic car and it is ready for the new owner to enjoy.

Here is a list of some of the major work done:

Engine (fully rebuilt):

Completely disassembled
Cylinders were re-honed
Crankshaft polished,
New bearings
New piston rings
All new gaskets/seals
Professionally assembled

(the engine work alone was to the tune of some $2000+)

Transmission (fully rebuilt):

Fully rebuilt
New torque converter

Engine Wiring

All new custom LS1 wiring harness and reprogrammed computer (the harness alone was $850)

Suspension

H&R lowering springs ($450)
Performance shocks all around
18” staggered wheel and tire set (245 front, 285 rear, this set was $1500 all told)
New brakes all around with drilled front rotors

Exhaust system:

Custom headers
High performance Mina Gallery exhaust system with X-pipe crossover (this exhaust alone was over $1000)

Body :

Stock front grill and bumper guards removed
Custom billet aluminum front grill
Twin tail light conversion- molded into body (this kit was from Europe and was over $900- it is very rare over here.

Interior:

Front seats recovered with new leather (done several years ago and still looking very good)

To make the conversion work properly, this car uses the Jaguar Specialties CANBUS electronic interface unit (this is the key to the conversion). All of the gauges work as they should and there are no warning lights or messages on the dash. Please see the attached videos that show the dash function with the engine cold and warmed up (note different temp gauge reading), and also a video of the engine starting up and the AC engaging (and if you listen closely, you can hear the cooling fans come on as well). There is also an attached video of the car starting up and driving.Click on the links below to see them (allow each video 30 seconds to load so they run smoothly)

Click for Video1

Click for Video2

Click for Video3

Click for Video4

Note- this car was converted before the Jaguar Specialties XK8 LS conversion kit was available. After the mechanical build was done the Jaguar Specialties CANBUS interface unit was purchased to complete the car. The way it is set up, the LS engine computer can be scanned, tuned, and reprogrammed just like it was in the original donor Camaro- the drivetrain has its own OBD2 diagnostic connector. And the car operates just as it did originally- it can be scanned and diagnosed just like it when it was completely stock. The CANBUS interface unit does not affect any of these functions.

As you can probably tell, the owner sank tens of thousands of dollars in parts and labor to get the car to this stage. It is currently insured at a stated value of $18,000 (which is probably half of what it would cost to recreate it)

The car has a clean Colorado title, was originally from California, and has spent all its life in the Western US (and is now back in California). There are some 149,000 miles on the chassis but the conversion itself has about 10,000 miles. It is located in Los Gatos California, zip code 95032.

If you are seriously interested in the car, please get in touch for more info- 408 839 5569

Note to California buyers- this car HAS NOT been inspected by the California Emissions Referee, and may or may not require some modifications to be California emissions legal. As such, any California buyer agrees to assume full responsibility for all Emissions/Smog requirements and/or modifications as required by California for registration. The car did pass its last Colorado emissions test with no problems. Details of that test can be Emailed- please get in touch for more info.

Final note- this is a beautiful car in nice shape for its age, but it is used and as such there may be other flaws not noticed. The conversion works well. The cruise control is the only function not working and that is a project Jaguar Specialties is working on. Please consult with them for more info.As mentioned above, the AC system works properly but the digital (temperature) display is very washed out- hard to read. A replacement control panel with a good display is included with the car. It takes about 20 min to install.

Please Email or call with questions- 408 839 5569

Asking only $12,950/BO as described. Serious replies only please.
Send PM for more info or questions.

See pics and videos below: