The change in engine supposedly took place mid production of the 2005 LR3. If memory serves me one of the parts guys said that early 2005 production (actually made in 2004) was a BMW sourced 4.4l V8 before they switched to the Jag V8.
Now the reason we noticed this was we were looking up on the parts computer how difficult it would be to swap in a rear locker as my LR3 doesn't have one and he noticed different engine codes (both being V8's) on the parts schematics for the same year vehicle. A coworkers answer to this was the engine swap.
I'm not saying this is fact as I don't have proof to back it up but I do have a bit of experience that kinda fits in this whole scheme of things.. While my early build LR3 was in the shop getting it's second windshield I was loaned a V8 SE that had a production date of May 05. This SE drove waaayyyyy different then my HSE. The engine seemed to rev freely, throttle response was quicker, and the engine sounded less "throaty" or deeper then mine. Some of this could be attributed to the adaptive electronics in the engine and transmission ECM's but I personally am leaning towards what the parts peeps said and that they may actually have switched engines mid year.
Now the reason we noticed this was we were looking up on the parts computer how difficult it would be to swap in a rear locker as my LR3 doesn't have one and he noticed different engine codes (both being V8's) on the parts schematics for the same year vehicle. A coworkers answer to this was the engine swap.
I'm not saying this is fact as I don't have proof to back it up but I do have a bit of experience that kinda fits in this whole scheme of things.. While my early build LR3 was in the shop getting it's second windshield I was loaned a V8 SE that had a production date of May 05. This SE drove waaayyyyy different then my HSE. The engine seemed to rev freely, throttle response was quicker, and the engine sounded less "throaty" or deeper then mine. Some of this could be attributed to the adaptive electronics in the engine and transmission ECM's but I personally am leaning towards what the parts peeps said and that they may actually have switched engines mid year.