Hey guys im new here and pick my LS up on wed night from the dealer, its a 04 ls 3.9. Now ive been involved with mustangs for awhile and opened my door to the LS but I need to make some more power from her. I seen Jag has a supercharger on one of there motors has anyone seen someone complete a swap such as this? And what else can I do to get some power from this little 3.9l.
Jag set up in an LS
- Thread starter KEATSLS
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Quik LS
Dedicated LVC Member
there are a lot of thread on this.
Only the block is shared between the LS and the Jag - so there is not 'a direct swap'. The McLaren LS used the Jag setup - lots of fab work and never got it going - mostly due to Ford not sharing the PCM code, so they could not tune it (before the SCT reversed engineered it).
The Jag parts are about $7k new - so it's fairly expensive ($10k) for the project. The other F/I projects are over the s-type jag power now and spent less.
Only the block is shared between the LS and the Jag - so there is not 'a direct swap'. The McLaren LS used the Jag setup - lots of fab work and never got it going - mostly due to Ford not sharing the PCM code, so they could not tune it (before the SCT reversed engineered it).
The Jag parts are about $7k new - so it's fairly expensive ($10k) for the project. The other F/I projects are over the s-type jag power now and spent less.
cammerfe
Dedicated LVC Member
Jag V-8 in an LS
KenS from Ben's Place
Actually, even the block is different. It's not a big deal---the oil filter is located on the front passenger side of the Jag block instead of the front mount of the 3.9. Both are 'AJ V-8s'. This means they're the same family, much like the 302 and 351W. Used Jag blower motors are available on the internet for as little as 4K, but mostly run more like 6K. For more info on the installation of a Jag in the LS please see my thread, 'Land Speed LS' close by.
KenS from Ben's Place
ILLS
Dedicated LVC Member
Ken do you really think that the $4k-$6k that Jag engine costs is the only expense that this guy would see when doing a project like this? All expenses have to be accounted for and it gets expensive REAL quick. If the engine out of the Jag itself costs that much then I would tell this guy that is he were serious about this, to budget for $15k total. Unless he knows his stuff and can do all of his own work from design, fabrication, welding, wiring, installation and tuning then that is what dollar mark a project of this nature can easily reach. A project of this nature just is not feasible or recommended but for a few of us with the skills and resources that allow us to do so.
Quik LS
Dedicated LVC Member
x-type swap? for what?
cammerfe
Dedicated LVC Member
Jag engine installation
I would imagine that ILLS might take on the installation of a blower Jag engine for your suggested 15K, since that's his daily business. There might even be enough left over for lunch.
When I was a kid, I thought I had a project in hand, to put a 3-carb manifold on a '53 Merc. We were going to 'throw it on' on a friday evening and then go to the basketball game. On Sunday at midnight the car still wasn't running right.
That's become a wry comment often used at the start of a project---'Let's throw on these carbs and go to the game'. And there's still the element of the unknown, although I've amassed considerable equipment and knowledge in the 50 or so years since the Merc. And I know where to go to get the things done that take specialized equipment that I don't have. (I've about decided to go to a dry-sump on my 'Land Speed LS' project.)
KenS from Ben's Place
I absolutely agree with you in regard to budget. I look on my entire project as an adventure because I'm not quite sure what to expect in regard to details. I've already discovered that the passenger use of my car as a five passenger vehicle is now quite unlikely. The roll cage, even custom fit to be out of the way, is a significant intrusion, and it's only going to get worse.
I would imagine that ILLS might take on the installation of a blower Jag engine for your suggested 15K, since that's his daily business. There might even be enough left over for lunch.
When I was a kid, I thought I had a project in hand, to put a 3-carb manifold on a '53 Merc. We were going to 'throw it on' on a friday evening and then go to the basketball game. On Sunday at midnight the car still wasn't running right.
That's become a wry comment often used at the start of a project---'Let's throw on these carbs and go to the game'. And there's still the element of the unknown, although I've amassed considerable equipment and knowledge in the 50 or so years since the Merc. And I know where to go to get the things done that take specialized equipment that I don't have. (I've about decided to go to a dry-sump on my 'Land Speed LS' project.)
KenS from Ben's Place
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ILLS
Dedicated LVC Member
Honestly, by the time he got to that $15k mark the car still would not be making crap for power compared to the money put into it.
If I were doing a big build for a LS and wanted to keep the 3.9 then I would have custom internals made for it which would cost a total of about $6k all said and done put back into the engine. Then I would have Level Ten build the 5R55S transmission. After that I would turbo it. Then do a full swap to a 8.8" 31 spline IRS differential with custom DSS halfshafts. That would take a little less than $15k to do with just the parts. That combo would absolutely murder the Jag setup by more than 200 horsepower as well as being MUCH stronger all around.
If I didn't want to keep the 3.9 then I would swap a 3v 4.6 V8 engine in and I would keep all stock LS 3.9 electronics. I would machine and mill all the new items needed to adapt the 3.9 electronics to work with the 4.6 3v including different crank trigger wheel as well as cam gear w/ index also. Then I would more or less follow a similar pattern to the above outlined approach but get there cheaper, but with allot more work due to the swap.
Either approach would be something that is not recommended for the faint of heart. Both would be quite the interesting and fun project though. If the stock 3.9 ever lets go in the TurboLS then I will probably do the 3v 4.6 swap.
NYC LS8
Dedicated LVC Member
Honestly, buy another car if you're looking for easy bolt-ons.
Welcome aboard, BTW.
Welcome aboard, BTW.