2008-01-28 00:13:58 | pauls writes:

Ebay item 1/27/08
cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll
Current bid $6,800 reserve not met, 6 bids, 1 day left in auction.

Sellers description:
1989 Jaguar XJS. It’s not really much of a Jaguar anymore, but more of a resto-mod that used the Jag foundation but with a heavy overhaul on everything else. I had seen XJS racing series (which at the time was quite big in England, and still is and I was attracted to the car. At the time I was employed at Hypertech (the aftermarket tuning company) and became familiar with the GM LT1 engine which (at the time) had only been out for a couple of years. For many years prior, I had been a fan of turbochargers so I figured a twin-turbocharged LT1 would be just the ticket for the XJS. Stir in a heavily upgraded suspension, big wheels and tires, and nice brakes and it should become a sleeper street machine or something fun for time trials, autocrossing, or hillclimb. So, a long saga commenced where I worked on and off on the car for about 11 years. You might wonder why I am selling it and there are two reasons: 1.) I am now a Porsche 911 enthusiast and just don’t have the desire for this car that I once had. 2.) The engine has a problem that I have neither the time nor desire to fix. Let me start the description with some nice photos and an overview then we’ll get into more detail:

# Twin-turbo Chevy (GM) LT1 engine
* 630hp
* 705 ft-lbs

# TH400 automatic transmission 3000+ rpm stall, manually shifting only
# Koni shocks, Poly bushings, Custom springs, Addco sway bars
# Upgraded brake pads and rotors
# 17” wheels from Jag XJR
* 8” wide in front, with 245/45/17 racing slicks
* 10” wide in rear, with 275/40/17 racing slicks

# Bumper and skirt kit (fiberglass) imported from European XJR-S
# Car professionally repainted and wet-sanded
# Custom fiberglass lift-off (pinned) hood
# No A/C, no radio, no sunroof, no airbags
# Speedo, Fuel level, battery voltage, and Tachometer work
# Water temp, oil pressure gauge, and most warning lights do not work
# Does have power steering, power locks, and power windows
# Lights and wipers work
# Has a neat LOUD oooh-gaaah horn like an old-timey car
# No emergency (parking) brake

The car began overheating the last time I drove it. I did some diagnostic work and have come to the conclusion that there is a head gasket leak. I have not had the heads off, but you can see combustion gas bubbles in the coolant. The coolant is not leaking externally. It’s likely due to the copper head gaskets. They are built to be indestructible, but they are not known for sealing longevity. The car starts fine, runs fine, can be moved on and off a trailer, etc… but you can not drive it any appreciable distance and of course you should plan to have it trailered home upon purchase.