Just wanted to know if au cranks had the same big end journal size and width as the ED engine?

Reason being i'm rebuilding the engine in my XG ute and i want to use an au crank in it and wanted to know if i can use the ED main caps with the au crank?

I realise that i'd be better off using a complete au bottom end but i don't want to modify the cross member or sump to make it fit..............

Same journal size, but the rods are longer in an AU, and the pistons are shorter too. Don't know if an AU crank will fit into an E series block.
If you must go for AU engine bits, get an AU engine, and make that fit. A bit less work.

from what i've heard, getting an AU engine complete to fit isn't that difficult. Changes drastic as fitting a BA into an e-series are not that bad. Perhaps some1 with experience can elaborate.

Why use an AU crank? Are they better?

They were designed by Jaguar, don't twist as much, and less NVH.

the AU crank has different main journal sizes

The au crank is far better in terms of NVH, because it has twelve counter weights as apposed to the e series eight......

I have an au bottom end in the shed so i reckon i might have to get that block bored 40 thou and rebuilt and work out the finer details of fitting it in an XG after that, then put my proven top end on it, DEV5 cam, and fully race prepped head on it.

At the moment i'm still running the single length inlet manifold (custom cold air intake) and EEC IV, i'm thinking of getting an EEC IV CAPA flash tuner, el thermos and au inlet manifold? What are the results on similar engines? If anyone has done a simialr conversion i'd love to hear from you.........

Already at 160rwkw, if above mods are done i'm hoping for close to 180????

EF cranks are also fully counter wieghted