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Swap jag v12 into AMC EAGLE

35 messages,  Last post on Jan 06, 2011 at 2:45 PM

You are in the Speed Shop Tuning and Modification Forum.

What is this discussion about? AMC Eagle 50, Jaguar XJ-Series, Eagle Talon, Performance Mods, Engine, Classic Cars, Coupe, Wagon

Messages Page 1 of 4

#1 of 35 Swap jag v12 into AMC EAGLE by somedai1

May 28, 2008 (6:20 pm)

Yeah - probably crazy - but can anyone offer any help on this swap - can it be done - want to keep the 4wd function and put a v12 in a '88 amc eagle - had a Jaguar XJS HE V12 and loved it - so anyone???
the other option i wanted to explore was a 4cyl turbo like from eagle talon or twin turbo 6cyl like from 300zx

#2 of 35 Re: Swap jag v12 into AMC EAGLE [somedai1] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

May 30, 2008 (9:14 am)

Replying to: somedai1 (May 28, 2008 6:20 pm)
The Eagle is such a foul-handling, clunky car that I think putting a lot of power into it before re-working the chassis *considerably* will result in a very disappointing vehicle. The Eagle is really a truck and should be approached more like one would build say an off-road competition vehicle for the Baja or something. Putting a huge powerplant in the front end would be disastrous I think, to say nothing of the spotty reliability of a Jaguar V12.
 
A hot small turbo motor would work a lot better, IMO, preferably Japanese with no Chrysler overtones. Also the Eagle had a pretty anemic motor, so I don't know how much power the stock drivetrain can stand.
 
I'd build it simple and rugged, to suit the vehicle you have selected. Mating sophistication with the primitive is more like a street rod, which is "show", not "go". That's why I was suggesting a good chassis overhaul before you even think about motors, unless of course this vehicle is to be trailered around.
 
If it's all for show, you can do whatever you want, because the eyeball value is the goal, right?
 
Visiting Host and his two cents

#3 of 35 Re: Swap jag v12 into AMC EAGLE [Mr_Shiftright] by somedai1

May 30, 2008 (9:31 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (May 30, 2008 9:14 am)
thants for the 2 cents - i mostly get no response on this - so thanks - the fastest i ever drove this eagle is about 100mph - handled pretty good considering... but i don't think the v12 either from a jag or bmw would be much heavier than the cast iron inline 6 i have since thery're aluminum - v8's have been done - so i'll probably end up going that route ultimately - cause no one is willing to entertain the thought of a v12 - as far as japanese turbo - do you know of any that might work - i'm not familiar with those and it would most likely have to come from one with rear wheel drive - got any suggestions?

#4 of 35 Re: Swap jag v12 into AMC EAGLE [somedai1] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

May 31, 2008 (9:30 am)

Replying to: somedai1 (May 30, 2008 9:31 pm)
Well the Eagle handles like a truck---it's stiff and I guess as long as you are on a smooth road and don't do anything SUDDEN, you'd be okay. But start turning fast on bumpy surfaces, and I think you'd pogo-stick right into a tree. This is a primitive car remember.
 
A V8 is certainly the cheapest and easiest way to go here---crate engines are SO CHEAP for the power you get. I really don't see any advantage of a Jaguar V12---they are gas hogs, they catch fire with alarming regularity, and they are expensive and difficult to work on.
 
Really a V12 is built for smoothness, not power. Making an AMC Eagle "silky smooth" seems like a contradiction.
 
Japanese turbos? If you dare, a Mazda TT from an RX-7 would be pretty hot, and that's a RWD car. It's a bit of a delicate engine however, prone to detonation. So you have to be religiouos about premium fuel, frequent oil changes and very efficient engine cooling. But that engine will pull like you wouldn't believe once you get the revs up. Not a torque motor though, not at all. Maybe a Nissan 300ZX? it would probaby fit.

#5 of 35 Re: Swap jag v12 into AMC EAGLE [Mr_Shiftright] by somedai1

May 31, 2008 (10:28 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (May 31, 2008 9:30 am)
yeah - the 300zx twin turbo was a thought - mind you - my whole approach with this car is to modernize it so it won't be such a clumsy ride. i remember the smoothness of the jag - i never smoked the tires with that car - but smooth power is good enough - and losing torque is not something i would want... i'll keep researching to see what the best way to go will be for me - the biggest deal is that i want it to be different if not radical - almost every hot rod has a 350 chevy...
 
i know i'll have to upgrade some stuff with additional power - i didn't think about the chassis though - i was using KYB shocks all around, poly bushings on the rear springs (the entire front end will have poly when i'm done) and the wheels in the rear are 10" wide so the cornering was much improved - will do rear disc brakes conversion too - so i'm gonna get it up to speed for this modern era eventually - the power plant is the only thing that I am unsure on...

#6 of 35 Re: Swap jag v12 into AMC EAGLE [somedai1] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

May 31, 2008 (11:39 am)

Replying to: somedai1 (May 31, 2008 10:28 am)
Actually Hemmings Muscle Machines magazine this month has an article about building a 4.0 AMC stroker motor.

#7 of 35 Re: Swap jag v12 into AMC EAGLE [Mr_Shiftright] by somedai1

May 31, 2008 (4:12 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (May 31, 2008 11:39 am)
any idea what horsepower the stroker motor produces - i saw something like 190hp - nice but i'd like more - if worked right the same 4.2 motor can produce 235hp but costs around $4k - changing to a 4.0 head with various other mods gives about 210hp (6=8 clifford performance) lots of $$$ too - i expect to spend - but the cost to benefit ratio has to be good/acceptable

#8 of 35 Re: Swap jag v12 into AMC EAGLE [somedai1] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jun 01, 2008 (7:46 am)

Replying to: somedai1 (May 31, 2008 4:12 pm)
I think he was predicting 250HP. You really never know until you get on a dyno and then dyno-tune. Two identical motors can produce different results sometimes.
 
The nice thing about a V8 crate motor is that you don't have to worry about computers and wiring harnesses---you can use a carburetor; otherwise you have to rip everything out of the donor car along with the engine, or alternatively, buy an aftermarket F.I. control system. That can get very tricky.

#9 of 35 Re: Swap jag v12 into AMC EAGLE [Mr_Shiftright] by somedai1

Jun 02, 2008 (9:10 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jun 01, 2008 7:46 am)
you have many good points - it would also suck to get stuff out of a donor to find that it's crappy - so new crate stuff if more attractive to me but more expensive...

#10 of 35 Re: Swap jag v12 into AMC EAGLE [somedai1] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Jun 02, 2008 (4:34 pm)

Replying to: somedai1 (Jun 02, 2008 9:10 am)
I guess you could get a throttle body injector motor out of a used GM car from the 1980s---that doesn't have much electronic control. Maybe a C4 Vette motor. They seem to be easily available.

Messages Page 1 of 4

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