Jaguar AJ-V8 engine

Jaguar AJ-V8
Manufacturer Jaguar Cars
Production 1996–
Predecessor Jaguar AJ16
Jaguar V12

The Jaguar AJ-V8 is a compact DOHC V8 piston engine used in many Jaguar vehicles. It was the fourth new engine type in the history of the company. In 1997 it replaced both designs previously available on Jaguar cars: the straight-6 Jaguar AJ6 engine (or rather its AJ16 variant), and the Jaguar V12 engine. It remained the only engine type available on Jaguar until 1999 with the launch of the S-Type, when the Jaguar AJ-V6 engine was added to the list. The AJ-V8 is available in displacements ranging from 3.2 L to 5.0 L, and a supercharged version is also produced. Ford Motor Company used this small V8 in other products as well, including the Lincoln LS the 2002-2005 Ford Thunderbird as well as in several Land Rovers and the Aston Martin V8 Vantage.

The AJ-V8 was designed to use Nikasil-coated cylinders rather than the more-common iron cylinder liners. However, like the BMW M60, high-sulphur fuel reacted with the Nikasil liners and caused engine failures. Jaguar replaced affected engines, and has used conventional cast-iron linings ever since.

The engine uses a two-state Variable Valve Timing system to switch the intake cam timing by 30°. Newer engines use a more sophisticated system which can vary intake timing incrementally up to 48°. The Lincoln version was made in the United States.

Other engine features include fracture-split forged powder metal connecting rods, a special one-piece cast camshaft, and reinforced plastic intake manifold.

The AJ-V8 was on the Ward's 10 Best Engines list for 2000.

Contents

Manufacture

The AJ-V8 engine is manufactured in an all-new, dedicated Jaguar facility located within the Ford Bridgend Engine Plant in Bridgend, South Wales. The Jaguar "plant-within-a-plant" saved considerable investment costs by Jaguar. It is staffed by workers dedicated to Jaguar engine production and includes a linked flow-line of computer numerically controlled machines with automated loading and assembly. Component supply is on a "just-in-time" basis. [1][2][3][4]

AJ26

The 4.0 L (3996 cc) AJ26 engine was introduced in 1996 It has a square 86 mm (3.4 in) bore and stroke. It was updated in 1998 as the AJ27 with continuously variable valve timing. The AJ-V8 was updated again in 2000 as the AJ28. The naturally aspirated version produces 290 hp (216 kW) in the 2004 XK8.

Vehicles using this engine:

AJ26S

The supercharged version of the AJ26 is used in the high-performance R versions of Jaguar's cars. The engine was updated with AJ27 specifications for 2000. It produces 370 hp (276 kW) and 387 lb·ft (525 N·m) with the help of an Eaton supercharger (modified roots-blower). The supercharged engine did not use variable cam timing as the normal benefits of improved volumetric efficiency are not noticeable on a boosted engine

Vehicles using the supercharged version include:

3.2

The 3.2 litre variant was the second to be introduced. It reduces the stroke to 70 mm (2.8 in) and power falls to 240 hp (179 kW) and 233 lb·ft (316 N·m).

Vehicles using this engine:

3.5

The 3.6 L (3555 cc/216 in³) "3.5" was used in the XJ series as well. The stroke was 76.5 mm (3.0 in). Output was 262 bhp (195 kW; 266 PS) at 6250 rpm and 345.0 N·m (254.5 lb·ft) at 4200 rpm.

Vehicles using this engine:

AJ30/AJ35

The 3.9L (3934 cc) AJ30/AJ35 variant is a unique displacement used only by Ford and Lincoln and is built in Ford's Lima, OH engine plant. Bore is 86 mm (3.4 in) and stroke is 85 mm (3.3 in). The AJ35 version introduced for the 2003 model year added variable valve timing of the intake camshafts and electronic throttle control. While the block, crankshaft, pistons, and connecting rods are all unique to this displacement, many other parts are shared with the AJ-V8 engines produced in the UK by Jaguar.

Vehicles using this engine:

The last AJ35 was produced in March 2006 after only 3 years. Total run of AJ30/35 was nearly 250,000 units

AJ34

The 4.2 L (4196 cc) AJ34 version features a longer 90.3 mm (3.6 in) stroke with the same 86 mm (3.4 in) bore. It was introduced in 2003 as the AJ33 and produces 294 hp (219 kW) at 6000 rpm with 303 lb·ft (411 N·m) of torque at 4100 rpm, later increased to 300 hp and 310 lb.ft.

Vehicles using this engine:

AJ34S

The AJ34S is a supercharged/intercooled variant of the AJ34. It was introduced in 2003 to replace the 4.0 SC and produces 390 hp (291 kW) at 6100 rpm with 399 lb·ft (541 N·m) of torque at 3500 rpm.

Vehicles using this engine:

Land Rover 4.2

A de-bored supercharged version of the Land Rover 4.4 is that company's high-performance engine. It displaces 4.2 L (4197 cc/256 in³). Applications:

Aston Martin 4.3/4.7

Aston Martin hand-assembles a special version of the AJ-V8 for the 2005 V8 Vantage. This unit displaced 4.3 L (4280 cc/261 in³) and produces 380 hp (283 kW) at 7000 rpm and 302 lb·ft (409 N·m) at 5000 rpm. This engine is unique to Aston Martin and features race-style dry-sump lubrication, which enables it to be mounted low to lower the centre of gravity. The engine is assembled by hand at the AM facility in Cologne, Germany, which also builds the V12 for the DB9 and Vanquish. The cylinder block, cylinder heads, crankshaft, connecting rods, pistons, camshafts, inlet and exhaust manifolds, lubrication system and engine management are all unique to the Aston Martin version.

In May 2008, Aston Martin released a new design that used pressed cylinder liners instead of cast-in liners. This allowed for thinner liners, and a higher capacity of 4.7L for the V8 Vantage. Power output increased to 420 bhp (an 11% increase on the previous 4.3L unit) and peak torque to 470 N·m (350 lb·ft) (a 15% increase).

Applications:

Land Rover 4.4

The 4.4 L (4394 cc/268 in³) version features a 2 mm (0.1 in) wider bore over the 4.0 to increase torque.

Vehicles using a 4.4 L AJ-V8 include:

AJ-V8 Gen III

An all new direct injection engine family was introduced in 2009 (all new engine block).[5] New featuring: spray-guided direct-injection, continuously variable intake and exhaust camshaft timing. The naturally aspirated engines also feature cam profile switching and variable track length inlet manifold. Supercharged engines make use of a sixth-generation twin vortex supercharger. The 10 model year engine conforms to EU5 and ULEV2 emissions regulations.[5]

The engine is controlled by Denso's Generation 1.6 Engine Management System.

AJ133

Bore and stroke is 92.5 mm (3.6 in) x 93.00 mm (3.7 in).

Land Rover version is called 'LR-V8 Petrol engine'.

Vehicles using this engine:

5.0

It is a race version of AJ133, rated 550 hp (410 kW).

See also

References

External links