575HP LS3 Swapped Jaguar XJ8L - One Take

I shouldn't even have to say this, you should already know: Karl's Jag is one of the coolest project cars i've ever had the pleasure of driving. Take a pretty but mostly unloved long-wheelbase Jag sedan, rip out the drivetrain, and shove a Ligenfelter-prepped LS3 making 488 horsepower to the wheels through a GATED manual T56 transmission, make the interior look Superfly, and add a few subtle-yet-awesome touches to the body, and man, we do have a winner. Too bad about the rain, but the Jag makes it feel like a sunny day!
Follow Karl on Instagram:
/ ls3jaguar

[@DirtDude117]

A 575HP LS Swapped Jaguar that's reliable & can fit 4 Matt Farahs is beyond insane.

[@DESTRAKON]

“Can fit 4 Matt Farrahs”

[@cameronmilne3590]

Gustavo Fring has exceptional taste

[@OF01975]

Lol

[@tmanepic]

Hahahaha nice!

[@jesterfin123]

+Seige CJ I see I am not the only one who thought of him when I saw this guy lol.

[@LuckyKnightJP]

ha! nice one

[@deiviy]

+Seige CJ hahahaha

[@wantsanewvehicle]

This. Thing. Is. Fuckin. Sweet. The owner seems like a pretty cool dude as well..

[@christianbruckner6264]

wantsanewvehicle great

[@nas8326]

Yeah i wish i was his dealer

[@nyjatt911]

Best, most down-to-earth, not cocky and humble guest on this show. Real Car Guy. The End.

[@EpicWinNY]

A bit of a know it all. Needs a punch to the face and a kick to the kneecap. Besides his ugly tie, he knows nothing about being sexy and ravishing. Now reconsider your comment choice and tell everyone how you really feel about the undeserving piece of shit guest. I'm sick and tired of seeing people that have nice things yet don't deserve them. I should have a lot of nice things but I don't.

[@nyjatt911]

EpicWinNY Exactly, because you don't deserve them.

[@jamesmosley1549]

You sound a little bitter about what this guy has worked for. Why can’t you be happy for him instead of jealous??

[@gaskinoid9162]

Absolutely right.

[@wrybread]

@@EpicWinNY Ha wow, that's quite a reaction you had there. And here's a hint: with that attitude you don't even deserve you typed that comment on.

[@kkacperowski]

These videos are best when the owner knows his shit.

[@MirisDesignStudio]

I have to agree.

[@JohnKaufmann]

This cat has the cash, connections and smarts. Wow what a build!

[@redbug3485]

Educated Mechanic he is young jedi.

[@RoadsUntraveled]

This car is fucking sick. A full build and no compromises. I love it.

[@rileyhughes5613]

Killer car, killer engine, and an educated owner. damn solid one-take.

[@yalgret]

Fuck educated lol

[@m0thaphucka638]

that transmission clicking would drive me fucking insane

[@affordablepropertymaintena9213]

M0thaphucka louder exhaust would never notice. and music

[@cyruseslami5535]

As an X308 enthusiast/collector, this is perfection....literally everything that's awesome in one car. Gated shifter, sharp 2 tone suede interior, awesome LS power plant, and most importantly, badass and by far the best Jag body ever built. I would give my XJR 100 and VDP/R for this car any day.

[@nblax41]

This guy is a baller

[@blakenichols3205]

I can't wait to get to the point in my life where $38,000 spent on a car is considered a budget build.

[@madcook1936]

you and me both

[@audibloke]

+Blake Nichols - Karl Muth is a Chicago trust fund kid and investment banking heir. One of his daily drivers is a Gallardo--the yellow one you can see in the background. $38,000 is pocket money, NTTAWWT.

[@zavatone]

That is materials ONLY. Not 100% sure he is including labor.

[@777jones]

Correct I recognize this guy from the One Percent documentary. He might be pretty successful in his own right. Or, whatever.

[@Hawk-qn2zk]

Considering that any car with performance and options and appointments is way more. Then adding total true cost after financing this is a budget build.

[@YouArentSlick]

Listen to Matt start breathing heavy when he goes over the parts he installed LOL

[@Eddie820]

This guy is the definition of Car Guy.

[@nabahmadi5012]

i pick up clients, i needed a 4 door sedan... And this is what you came up with? lmfaaaaoooooooooo!!!!!

[@andrewnorris5415]

Clients running out of banks with bags.

[@sirjammer]

Karl, the mafia hit-man.

[@bogdan135]

+Sir Jammer AKA, "The Consultant"

[@anonharingenamn]

GATED SHIFTER. This man has taste. Incredible car!

[@DieselDan09]

about time a owner REALLY knows cars

[@BurtSampson]

Cars like this are why I subbed to this channel.

[@Thizlamic]

Call me crazy but that rattle from the Synchros makes that more BAD ASS! THIS IS A MASTERPIECE!

[@bottomlayer]

Why don't all manual transmissions have gated shifters? You should've kept the hood ornament because they're awesome :p

[@TheSmokingTire]

This generation of XJ didn't have the hood ornament.

[@droyce4596]

+TheSmokingire Yes it did, I own one. Mine is a 1998 Vanden Plas, although i blew up the motor due to an oiling issue. Unless this isn't an X308, in which case the amount of body work done is rediculous. Also, while the X350 did not have the wonderful hood ornament, it also did not have the 4.0 v8 as an option. And btw, awesome video, and awesome car, keep up the great work.

[@bottomlayer]

Devin Royce The X350 also had a hood ornament, at least in the US market. Here is a picture of a leaper-equipped X350: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaguar_XJ_%28X350%29#/media/File:Jaguar_XJ8_Vanden_Plas.jpg

[@kmuth2102]

+bottomlayer +TheSmokingTire +Devin Royce It doesn't have the leaper because it is on the table in my office, along with various other mementos from various other stuff in my garage. goo.gl/ZnbRZj

[@user-ue6iv2rd1n]

+bottomlayer They never had them in england you just got people that stuck there own on. Just doesn't look right on a modern car anyway.

[@lucasgeurden1621]

Coolest Car and Guest to date. Period.

[@Big.W.]

+Lucas Geurden I agree and the Russian guy with the evo9 was cool too.

[@redbug3485]

It's a race car Jag in a Sedan body!

[@maximus9401]

This car is a legit masterpiece

[@INFsleeper]

Never seen Matt have this much fun in a one take. Epic build

[@tiagobernardo6807]

I'm not a big fan of LS engines nor Big old heavy Jaguars but my god this is one of the best build that I ever see. This guy has really great taste. Purely awesome

[@BeachJedi101]

This is inspiring. I want to do this to a early 2000's 540i sport package.

[@mikejoness2k]

Coolest owner ever...we need more of him!!!!

[@TurboMitsubishi]

Most reliable Jaguar on the road!

[@TheJ387]

This car really deserves more than a "one take."

[@TheSmokingTire]

+TheJubala See, I feel you on that. I get that some cars are more "deserving" than others. However, on the other hand, I like the fact that whether you show up with a 2004 Cobalt, a crazy project car like this Jag, or a McLaren, you get the exact same treatment. The formula doesn't change because the car is more special or less special. I like the consistency of that.

[@cupofmozzarella]

+TheSmokingTire Nicely said

[@rock-oz7eg]

+TheSmokingTire fuck yes matt. 100% agree

[@pharoahegypt]

That's my fantasy Jaguar XJ right there... Even the colour is spot on. Old school Jag's are so much cooler than the new ones.

[@stuna101a]

Dope ass car. That syncro chatter would get old quick though.... Sounds like skittles behind the dashboard

[@ericscholem6629]

but that synchro means you wont be paying attention to the synchro cause you can safely bang shift every gear, basically all the time if you want so it'll be screaming all the time. Smart to not turbo it. Im sure its a bitch in traffic though.

[@LifeOnInCline]

@@ericscholem6629 why smart to not turbo it ?

[@ericscholem6629]

@@LifeOnInCline plenty of power for street use, reliable as hell, track capable.

[@spencerflynn1722]

These reviews are the best, because Matt acts like a little kid he's so excited.

[@spdcrzy]

Those synchros are scaring me. But DAMN! Now THAT is how you do a Jag!

[@joshbriggsDayZBeast]

wow amazing!!!! the first really cool car ive seen in a while on these 1-takes, its just off face!

[@thomaschristopherwhite9043]

It's nice to see a guest that actually knows what he's talking about. He even knows tires for god sake.

[@electrichellion5946]

This car is awesome. The most badass Jag ever to hit the pavement and perfect for a daily driver in my humble opinion.

[@JDsHouseofHobbies]

This is the Jag that Kate Beckinsale should have drove in the first Underworld movie. Just beautiful!

[@The10000lbGorilla]

The Draguar minus all the RoadKill-ness.

[@sheltiemanva]

This sweet, sexy machine is not even on the same planet as the draguar. Like Marilyn Manson versus the Doobie Brothers. (I will take the latter, thanks)

[@drewflanagan4296]

Must be a cool car, it's the only vid on this channel I watched all the way through in awhile.

[@RamblinAround]

That thing is impressive...great build

[@fish4free1]

Big 4 door saloon - tick light, big 4 door saloon - double tick V8 revs to 7k - tick Manual - tick (gated shifter? FTW!!!) Huge fan of big, fast saloons, but always seems, that weight is problem - not with this beast. This XJ8L is best I've seen yet. Oh, and Karl is a prince. It hard to find such acute knowledge and need for perfection packaged in such an easy going demeanor. Props to this guy; he'll go far in life. Thanks Matt!

[@garrettfletcher3439]

Matt, I love your enthusiasm in this video! It's very refreshing to watch such a genuine one-take.

[@kmuth2102]

Matt, It was awesome to get a chance to take a drive with you and show you what I've been working on for two years! I should clarify (since I'm already getting messages from people, lol): I misspoke, retrim of the seats was a few thousand (low thousands, rather than a few hundred), but the total "parts cost" for doing this project, including the car, was around or slightly under $40k. Of course, that does not include two years of sketches/dreams/nightmares/time/energy (I have notebooks from various work-related conferences and events with sketches of Jaguars on the back...), hours and hours put into this project by one of the best machinists I know (who made the shifter gate, among other things) and other skilled friends at the same shop, and does not include paintshop costs. Since the shoot, the plastic retainer piece beneath the shift gate has been identified as the source of the majority of the noise, which will get fixed, and the transmission itself is getting quieter every day as everything continues to break in. For the three who have already asked: Without question, this is the most fun project car I've ever owned. And I'm not selling, Matt, but I'll let you know if I ever do. :) Cheers, Karl

[@Jushwa]

+Karl T. Muth Awesome car man! One of the most exquisite and unique I've seen on this channel, absolutley in love with those door handles too! Keep up the amazing work.

[@EminentLine]

Amazing build, man. Great job.

[@kmuth2102]

+Shwa Andary Thanks. I can't take any credit for the door handles, they're actually an off-the-shelf part from Kindigit and they're relatively easy to install. They were designed for musclecars, but they're a nice update for Euro cars.

[@Jushwa]

Karl T. Muth Oh wow, they look so good and match the car so perfectly I genuinely believed that they were custom made. I just spent some time looking through the images on your wheelwell page, the attention to detail for all the aftermarket parts for this build is truly remarkable. Again, very cool car, job well done (Y).

[@rationalsanelogical8910]

Wanna sell it yet?? Awesome build brotha. If by chance you come across this after all of these years Karl, how is she holding up? She still running strong? It’s crazy after all of these years and all of the many awesome and unique cars that have come and gone, I still firmly believe that this modded Jag and the BMW Z3M coupe are still my favorite rides of all time!! Awesome work Karl!

[@DesertStateInEU]

Dude that engine.. and everything else about the car. Congrats Karl you hit the nail on the head!!

[@shobin05]

OMG I'm hating myself for not watching this earlier, I didn't know it was so freaking perfect on the inside too.

[@callumtaylor3473]

This car is almost dreamy, the dairy milk colour, the inverted handles, the gated shifter and the longer wheelbase makes the car a dream I want to acheive 😍

[@WarPigRS]

Hands down my favorite car you've reviewed..

[@he4vym3t4l]

His Bell & Ross matches his car also, can't wait to see more of this guy.

[@ashtonmurch2142]

Clear mud flaps!?!?!?! That's genius!

[@MirisDesignStudio]

Besides the wheels, this car is absolutely perfect. The owner is a true enthusiast with great taste. Matt, I hope you end up picking it up down the road. It'll be cool to see this car on the road. The ultimate luxury classic! This would put smiles on anyone's face for many years.

[@michaelwilliams7404]

This is the coolest builder I have ever seen! Someone fund this guy build more amazing jags!

[@thegreatcarraway]

Karl, you win one takes. Great build man.

[@Mikeywil0003]

This car is awesome. The only thing I really don't like is the RacePak. Some AutoMeter Prestige series ivory gauges would look so much better in that dash.

[@TheSmokingTire]

Race Pak isn't for me either. I can never read those fucking things. Super clean install though

[@Mikeywil0003]

+TheSmokingTire That is a clean install. You'd think that for how much a RacePak costs, they would give you something better than a fucking Game Boy screen. Color LCD screens that size don't cost hardly anything. That screen looks like it would be awesome in 2002....but this is 2016.

[@WarShrike]

Yeah, the newer style IQ3 which looks like the MoTeC ADL is a lot better design. I do agree that some vintage style gauges, maybe with a turned metal cluster bezel would be tits.

[@Mikeywil0003]

+WarShrike still has the Game Boy screen. I just don't like that cheap segmented LCD. Theres no reason why there can't be one with a color LCD. It would be so much more customizable as well. I'd like to have something like the Torque app for Android devices, but as a standalone device. You can have whatever gauges you want, digital, analog, graph, and skin the gauges however you want.

[@roberto125919]

+Michael Williams The RacePak is practical....

[@7thejoey]

Finally. The Jaaaaaaaaaaaaaaag.

[@sweetdreams1DIAM0ND]

classy guy + classy badass car, he matches his car sooooo good.

[@bluestudio67]

I haven't seen Matt so fired up over a car like he is here. I've watched tons of his videos, but he is in LOVE with that car. Now that's sayin' something!

[@mrsabidji]

Matt's face at 11:44 - priceless. :)

[@TWRX_Chuck]

I really like this dude, seems really cool to talk too!

[@TheExotich1]

I've never seen Matt so happy to do a One Take.

[@1down5up426]

1:23 immediately paused and googled "gated manual conversion"

[@damiendoisher7812]

When I was a kid we had a 76 xj6 with a 400hp 350 and a turbo 400. The wood dash was gorgeous. The car was amazing, elegant and pretty fast. It was emerald green 295s in the rear car looked mean.

[@johntyson]

I love it! Karl looks like he should be chasing Keanu Reeves through a hallway constructed of green zeros and ones.

[@przybylason]

my favorite car i've seen on this show. and the guy is not a weird ass as a bonus

[@Destitute77]

Definitely my favourite one take car, f***in crazy, I love it........

[@MichaelRodriguez-vl8by]

By far the coolest car on the smoking tire

[@TheAwkwardBanana]

Matt got more and more excited throughout the drive, what a great review!!

[@bfielder9097]

You do a lot of cool cars obviously but this might be the coolest you've ever done. That that is so dope.

[@yellow6ird]

This is a super cool odd ball, love it.

[@xBRProductionsx]

It's awesome to see how pumped Matt is hahaha!

[@starvalkyrie]

Chevy, in a Jag, that's really a Ford. What a time to be alive.

[@TheHomeExpert5]

Did you see the door handles? They are perfect! This car is my dream car, among others.

[@bilboandhiggins]

He is a cool guy and that is a cool car. Might be the best one take so far. He should be a regular

[@dbauernf]

Best car on the show ever, Matt! MOAR of this guy, plz! :)

[@krocialblack]

It's like a butler who shows up to work in a leather jacket, sunglasses and brass knuckles. Who isn't afraid to chug down ridiculous pints, and will get into brawls with any ruffian who wants to cause trouble.

[@jeebus2121]

+krocialblack, Alfred in the 'Gotham' TV series, basically.

[@Dave_Boyer]

This is the kinda stuff I love, man that guy knows his stuff!! Awesome car!

[@antonypye6099]

Nov 2023, over 7 years later, where is this beauty of a Jag now.

[@DSP1337]

This one take didn't just make me laugh, it really made me happy. Awesome build, cool owner and the car is the perfect combination of strangeness, "project car feel" and yet it's pretty solid / refined. Buy it Matt :P

[@audiwankenobi361]

this surely has to be a production vehicle that Jaguar must have built in secret...or some concept car that he purchased at a private auction....this thing factory clean!

[@Slowjo1221]

I just watched this again...the attention to detail on this car is just outstanding. "Budget build"????? Lol

[@ThePandaBeat]

I want to do this same thing, but with an old G-class Mercedes from the 80s. This video is inspiring.

[@dylanw890]

Videos like this is what got me into cars. Taking and old luxury cars or even junkers and turning them into special hot rods such an awesome thing. I love how he didnt go overboard with the customization. He maintains the luxury feel of the vehicle while combining extraordinary performance into the car.

[@mahmoud596]

ok..... this guy is LEGIT the definition of absolutely not giving a fuck.

[@Nashic12]

THIS CAR IS FUCKING MINT!! He's done a fantastic job with this build.

[@luimarco]

God Dam it : British Car with an LS American Engine & a German Audi Interior !! Yup, he did whatever it takes to confuse his driving and keep it guessing !!! Right babe ???

[@DeMelly__]

+luimarco HAHAHA

[@DieselDan09]

yup what ever it takes....lui u da man!

[@Rocket8iscool]

Are the gains on this car loyal?

[@raymondguzman7992]

call 911 cuz un dying of laughter

[@FlyingStuff]

+luimarco Panini is life

[@mondomoleno.3404]

Awesome car. I love Jaaaaags, plain and simple, and this one has all the presence a good XJ should.

[@joebrito2066]

Jaguar should bring this guy on onboard, that's the most awesome Jaguar I ever see. I've always loved that XJ body style.

[@anotherone10]

Damn, I wanted to see the door handles in action lol Amazing car

[@LooneyJuice]

Matt as giddy as a schoolboy on Christmas day. This was freakin' awesome!

[@Kamofy]

Great fucking car, but those rims?! Other than that minor gripe, FUCKING BRILLIANT👍

[@TheXiodide]

*wheels

[@Kamofy]

What the fuck is the difference?

[@kzoomin]

basketball rim, rim job etc. I don't know.

[@Kamofy]

Right... Guess I know where your mind is at tonight...:/

[@supermaniac5]

Soo dope. That guy fixed all the things wrong with the XJ and made it glorious.

[@InternetXplorer]

Speakers to max: 4:15 Also, I've watched this vid a few times over the years and only just noticed the clear mudflaps. Loving the level of detail in every part of the car.

[@markotark]

Love this car. If i were lucky enough to own it, only change i'd make to it would be to install different rims. Those that are on the car just don't fit my personal taste, but to each their own...

[@robertjdm]

This just might be my favorite build. And the owner knows his shit. Huge thumbs up! 👍🏻

[@aidanred6270]

This is my favorite

[@Timoastra]

Beautiful machine. This generation XJ looks so clean and this one is just over the top. Very cool!

[@julianevans9548]

'Princess Di-spec S class' - just fabulous. Love this guy.

[@cupofmozzarella]

I'd love to see a Mercedes W124 500E on your show :)

[@TheSmokingTire]

I'd love to try one. Someone's gotta offer one up

[@cupofmozzarella]

+TheSmokingTire I hope so :) I'd love to know what you think of it as a 300E owner.

[@e46dap]

That would be amazing. It's too bad they're uncommon as shit here in SoCal. I've only seen one and the owner had it for sale for 40k

[@SWATROLLK9]

+David Peck yeah :(

[@e46dap]

+Arjen Na even the 500E? There's not many of them in existence, let alone in the states.

[@WittyDroog]

Kudos to anyone with an unconventional build

[@jamesoconnell5974]

This is one serious build!

[@jean-pierrejrdubuc4912]

If you drive an XJ8 once, you're hooked for life ! And that "budget" version of it... Epic !

[@mtnkalash860]

Interior and drivetrain are absolutely amazing, and this guy seems to match his car quite well.