2004 w/ Jaguar 4.2 Engine Swap

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bradmwortham

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Jun 9, 2022
Thunderbird Year
2004
I love this forum so I thought I’d add to it myself. My 04 Thunderbird engine blew on me a few months ago and right now it’s in the shop getting a 4.2 Jaguar Supercharged engine installed as well as a PowerStop brake kit. I’ve seen multiple discussions about swapping a 4.2l in but haven’t seen any done. Any questions or advice is welcome. I’ll try to update this as the project moves along!
 

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stevedaphotoman said:
I hope all goes well for you.. Yes, keep us informed.. Just a quick question, why the Jag engine. Would a 5.0 Mustang GT engine fit? I always wanted to see that on Fantom Works or one of those Motortrend Network shows.., Ha, I could only imagine the bill from Dan aft the end of the show.. Something I could never afford..
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The reason mark said. Discussed swapping with a remanufactured engine or a coyote but the Jaguar engine was by far the quickest/cheapest option. $3,652 for the swap and $1,096 for the brake kit.
 
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bradmwortham said:
I love this forum so I thought I’d add to it myself. My 04 Thunderbird engine blew on me a few months ago and right now it’s in the shop getting a 4.2 Jaguar Supercharged engine installed as well as a PowerStop brake kit. I’ve seen multiple discussions about swapping a 4.2l in but haven’t seen any done. Any questions or advice is welcome. I’ll try to update this as the project moves along!
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I would love to know the exact PowerStop set you are using if you don't mind. I just got done upgrading mine.
 
bradmwortham said:
I love this forum so I thought I’d add to it myself. My 04 Thunderbird engine blew on me a few months ago and right now it’s in the shop getting a 4.2 Jaguar Supercharged engine installed as well as a PowerStop brake kit. I’ve seen multiple discussions about swapping a 4.2l in but haven’t seen any done. Any questions or advice is welcome. I’ll try to update this as the project moves along!
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I also upgraded my brakes on my first 04 years ago. And loved it so much I did it to two other birds I’ve had. The reason I did it to the first one was the OE brakes would fade on hills around the PCH north of SF. My brother who is a Master Mechanic for Nissan suggested Power Stop kit to help with the Brake Fade problem. And it worked. Good luck with the swap. One question is: what are you doing about the Jag engines computer?
 
May I ask, Reddwlf, how many miles did your blown engine have and are you sure it was blown? Also- How much horsepower is the 4.2?

Thanks and GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!
 
brock said:
May I ask, Reddwlf, how many miles did your blown engine have and are you sure it was blown? Also- How much horsepower is the 4.2?

Thanks and GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!
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Thank you!! It made exactly 300hp in the S-Type R we’ll see.

brock said:
May I ask, Reddwlf, how many miles did your blown engine have and are you sure it was blown? Also- How much horsepower is the 4.2?

Thanks and GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!
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It was months ago that it blew but I believe a little over 120k. For sure blown. Originally was going to have the mechanic see if he could rebuild it but it wasn’t worth it. They said they’re going to deal with the issue when they get to it but they’re going to try to make the Jag computer control everything but I’m going up today for an update so I’ll let you know.
 
I have an 02 which has a smaller engine..it only has 50k but it was a gift from my sister because it had too many issues..first thing I thought of was dropping a bigger motor in it although it seems to have plenty of power
I'm presently dealing with the no dash cluster lights. Tracked it to a bad resistor. From what I understand it is a common problem with Tbirds..and it will probably happen again..So what if I swap everything over to a mustang system or maybe a Lincoln ??? Has Anyone already tried that? Let me know what you think about that jag swap when you're done please
 
bradmwortham said:
I love this forum so I thought I’d add to it myself. My 04 Thunderbird engine blew on me a few months ago and right now it’s in the shop getting a 4.2 Jaguar Supercharged engine installed as well as a PowerStop brake kit. I’ve seen multiple discussions about swapping a 4.2l in but haven’t seen any done. Any questions or advice is welcome. I’ll try to update this as the project moves along!
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Any updates (pics) on your swap? I hope things are moving along smoothly for you. I currently don't own a Thunderbird, but hope to get one by the end of this year and perform a similar swap. Swapping with a 4.2L Supercharged Jag (R) is a great idea since the Thunderbird, S-Type and LS have a lot of parts in common. Some believe that jags engines are unreliable, but I think with the proper maintenance and if you know what you're doing they can last because I've had 3 of them. Did you have to change out your ECU/ECM with your swap? What other parts or accessories did you have to swap?
 

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I understand that the block was altered for 4.2. Is that true? Does it affect the trans? (are you going to use the original or one that came with the block(long or short?)) How much of this is plug-and-play and how much will need mods?
 
Haven't had any movement on the project for months but we're starting to get going again. My mechanics ran into some wiring issues. They were able to find someone who's reflashing the Ecm to communicate with the 4.2l so we can use the stock ECU and harness. So far, the only thing we've had to get was the Jag compressor. From what I understand there was no issues mounting to original Ford trans. Hoping to be back on the road by August!
 
M. House said:
I understand that the block was altered for 4.2. Is that true? Does it affect the trans? (are you going to use the original or one that came with the block(long or short?)) How much of this is plug-and-play and how much will need mods?
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From what I understand all is plug and play other than needing to get the Jag compressor. We're using the original Ford trans with no issues.
 
stephen871 said:
Any updates (pics) on your swap? I hope things are moving along smoothly for you. I currently don't own a Thunderbird, but hope to get one by the end of this year and perform a similar swap. Swapping with a 4.2L Supercharged Jag (R) is a great idea since the Thunderbird, S-Type and LS have a lot of parts in common. Some believe that jags engines are unreliable, but I think with the proper maintenance and if you know what you're doing they can last because I've had 3 of them. Did you have to change out your ECU/ECM with your swap? What other parts or accessories did you have to swap?
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Gorgeous S-types! As with many, as long as you keep up with regular maintenance they'll last.

We did have to get a Jag compressor, but other than that all Ford accessories are bolt-on. We're using the Ford harness and ECM but its getting reflashed by a guy up north.

Engine is in though! Hoping to get the ECM back and be on the road by August.
 
@bradmwortham , you said you are getting the 4.2 Supercharged Jag engine. That would be the AJ33S which from what I have read makes around 400HP depending on the year and model Jag it came out of. I saw where you posted "300hp in the S-Type R". That would be a 2003 to 2008 engine and the specs say 400HP. You may be pleasantly surprised if you are only expecting 300HP. lol Please do get details from your mechanics on whether the original ECU was used or not and if there are/were any other issues with the swap and what they were. I am excited to see how this turns out. Thanks
 
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purplewg said:
@bradmwortham , you said you are getting the 4.2 Supercharged Jag engine. That would be the AJ33S which from what I have read makes around 400HP depending on the year and model Jag it came out of. I saw where you posted "300hp in the S-Type R". That would be a 2003 to 2008 engine and the specs say 400HP. You may be pleasantly surprised if you are only expecting 300HP. lol Please do get details from your mechanics on whether the original ECU was used or not and if there are/were any other issues with the swap and what they were. I am excited to see how this turns out. Thanks
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Mustve been a mistype, you're right it is 400hp and Im definitely going to be pleased. I had so much fun with it bone stock! I don't want to do anything to crazy but am planning on (maybe) upgrading the supercharger pulley and some other performance mods to up that number a little.

michelb1 said:
Don't forget to post pictures when you're done. I'd love to see that.
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This is all I've got so far. Ill make sure to more when work is done and i get 'er all cleaned up.

9485CA4E-F070-4406-A759-DD9ED3C5B0DD.jpeg
 
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