Hi guys,
I have an XB coupe with 2V 250 which is tired... my question is - will a EA-AU 6 bolt in (with mucking around obviously with crossmember and mounts) - I'm more worried about sump... are they a forward bowl design like earlier pre X flows?

If they are a drama, how about XF EFI ? are they (kind of) a bolt in??

And finally, what about head reliability? they seem to crack or do head gaskets pretty regularly....

If the XB mounting of engines is anything similar to an XF, its not hard. You'll need parts from an XG(things like engine mounts, swaybar, and a few bits and peices), the radiator aswell needs to be changed, you will need an electronic fuel pump, an AU engine will need more than the XF EFI ones, so some custom work may be needed there. The AU sump might have clearance issues not sure though. Nothing an angle grinder can't fix.

Also, you'll need the wiring harness (obviously), the ECU aswell, which will support the BBM manifold, and all the senors (like the AU ECU), and then consequently the Smartlock/Smartchield depending on what ECU.

The wiring would be the biggest b**ch. Also stick a T5 behind it while you're there.

The XF EFI will bolt straight in, if the mounting is the same... Im pretty sure the 250's had the same mounting positions, not sure about the 2V but.

About the headgaskets, the AU's aren't so bad, Ive never blown a head gasket either, they aren't THAT common, just that people never whinge about them NOT cracking.. so all you see is the bad side obviously.

It's definately a worthwhile mod, and would be very interesting.

Goddluck