New subscriber

Lumps
1

Hello All… Just found the list again after much searching. My name is
Dzokayi Harris…I’ve got an 89 XJ-S V12…beautiful cosmetically, but the
engine needs some attention. I recently contacted John’s Cars in Dallas,
Texas…they specialize in jag to chevy conversions. I was wondering if
any of you on the list have any experience dealing with them, or know
someone who has. I have decided to go ahead and do the conversion, but am
undecided as how to go about it (I am not mechanically inclined). I have
several questions that remain unanswered even after reading the archives.
Here goes… I will be a contributor once I have done the conversion.
Thanks in advance for all replies.

1.  Which company to buy a kit from??

2.  What type of engine (big or small block, what displacement, etc.)

3.  What type of transmission (model #s, 3 or 4 speed, etc.)

4.  Can I get EVERYTHING I need from one source??

5.  What can be done with the V12 & transmission (I won't need 'em (soon))

6.  Subjective appraisals...how does it feel afterwards????

Once again, thanks for all replies.

Dzokayi
1989 XJ-S black on black

@dzokayi_harris

2

Arial

<<<<<<<<

Hey man - we’re here to help.

Arial1. Which company to buy
a kit from??

<<<<<<<<

I’d say Suncoast…if you’re really inclined to do it yourself and can
find little stuff, contact bowling@cebaf.gov or check out
http://devserve.cebaf.gov/~bowling/ and go to his other page. He did it
all from a book whose title I can’t remember!

Arial

  1. What type of engine (big or small block, what displacement, etc.)

<<<<<<<<

I’d do a 383 LT-1 motor with sequential EFI if I had to do one now.

Arial

  1. What type of transmission (model #s, 3 or 4 speed, etc.)

<<<<<<<<

TH-700R4; make sure you put a 10-vane pump in though.

Arial

  1. Can I get EVERYTHING I need from one source??

<<<<<<<<

No - even John’s cars tells you to get a lot of stuff from a scrapheap.

Arial

  1. What can be done with the V12 & transmission (I won’t need 'em
    (soon))

<<<<<<<<

Rebuild 'em, sell 'em?

Arial

  1. Subjective appraisals…how does it feel afterwards???

<<<<<<<<

Nice. Very nice.

Arial

Once again, thanks for all replies.

Dzokayi

1989 XJ-S black on black

dzokayi@tcac.net

___________________________________________________

Cheers-

William “Chip” Lamb

1976 Jaguar XJ6L, 139k body miles “Julia”

1972 SAAB 96 V4, 127k miles “Roseanna”

1967 SAAB 96 V4, now, sadly, parts car “Anneliese”

Visit Miss Julia’s Jag Page and The Saab Enthusiast

http://www.jag-lovers.org/lumps/chip/

http://users.aol.com/spgone/saab/saabpage.htm

3

Welcome to the list.
My Conversion was a 74 XJ12L to 350

Question 1–
I dealt with John’s cars a few years back. It’s a long story but I
threatened
legal action if they didn’t take back the kit. Which explains why
they
won’t take a credit card for the kit, but will for any other products.
Credit Card
companies protect you from fraud and go after the merchant for you.
Then I found
Suncoast Conversions, in Florida. They supplied an awesome kit that
fit perfect.
Their customer service was magnificent. Suncoast also didn’t resell
me things that
I could get locally. For instance, I have a working fuel tank switch,
something Johns
Kit doesn’t have. The switch is out of an 80’s GMC Pickup. Suncoast
provided me with
the part number and a detailed explanation of how to hook it up.
I originally went with John’s Cars over Suncoast because it looked
like they
had a more complete kit. I believe Johns still advertises “Over 1000
Parts”,
975 of mine were assorted screws tossed in an old box.
You may also want to consider a home brew kit, a few on the list have
done them.

Question 2 –
I’m not an expert on engines, I went with the 350 short block.

Question 3–
I used a T350, if I did it again I would consider overdrive.

Question 4–
Suncoast has a 800 number call and chat with them. I think
you will be impressed.

Question 5–
Mine are just sitting, I suppose you can barter them to a local
jag junkyard.

Question 6–
Mine feels great although it isn’t an everyday driver yet.
It’s my hobby car three years in the making. So far nearly
everything has been restored, excluding the body and paint.
I drive it occasionaly but for short bursts around the block.
One problem you may have is riding heigth after you pull
out the V12. Consult the list about spring replacements
to correct this. I couldn’t be happier with the 350 performance
and mine is mostly stock.

Hope it goes well for you

–theron
75XJ6L
74XJ12L
www.ididthat.com

-----Original Message-----
From: dzokayi harris [SMTP:dzokayi@tcac.net]
Sent: Sunday, September 07, 1997 9:11 PM
To: Chevy Conversion List
Subject: new subscriber

Hello All… Just found the list again after much searching. My name
is Dzokayi Harris…I’ve got an 89 XJ-S V12…beautiful cosmetically,
but the engine needs some attention. I recently contacted John’s Cars
in Dallas, Texas…they specialize in jag to chevy conversions. I was
wondering if any of you on the list have any experience dealing with
them, or know someone who has. I have decided to go ahead and do the
conversion, but am undecided as how to go about it (I am not
mechanically inclined). I have several questions that remain
unanswered even after reading the archives. Here goes… I will be a
contributor once I have done the conversion. Thanks in advance for
all replies.

  1. Which company to buy a kit from??

  2. What type of engine (big or small block, what displacement, etc.)

  3. What type of transmission (model #s, 3 or 4 speed, etc.)

  4. Can I get EVERYTHING I need from one source??

  5. What can be done with the V12 & transmission (I won’t need 'em
    (soon))

  6. Subjective appraisals…how does it feel afterwards???

Once again, thanks for all replies.

Dzokayi
1989 XJ-S black on black

dzokayi@tcac.net