[Shop-talk] Engine swaps; 350 SBC donor cars.

[John Miller]

> I've acquired an 87 V12 jag coupe.  I know that the V12 isn't a good engine;
> it has a GM TH350 behind it.

Gonna venture a few opinions though I'm no expert on the subject...I 
thought the Jag V12s got the Turbo 400.

> I'm looking for any ideas on the swap, but particularly a good idea for
> donor cars 5-10 yrs old that I could use to source the engine, trans and
> wiring harness (...no warm beer for me). 

The best choice engine-wise, of course, would be a fairly recent 
LS1/LS2, but I'm not sure how far the kit guys have gotten with the 
LSn-series motors.

> the Jag's V12 is about 285 HP/ 295 ft-lbs, and also weighs around 4000 lbs
> with the V12.  I don't see any weight listed for the V12 engine, but I'd
> guess it 100-200 lbs heavier than the SBC.

No, the Jag V12 is a 60-degree aluminum motor and not all that heavy. 
About as heavy as an iron SBC, I think.  A bit heavier than the LS1/LS2.

> So, who has some ideas on 350 SBC-equipped production cars with ratings
> similar to above, and a 4-speed auto/ OD trans?

Any LS1/LS2 you can find will beat those numbers by quite a lot.

Do you live anywhere that smog legality matters?

John.