XJS V12 Manual Conversion & ITB's & Maybe TWR Rep

[urquattroGus]

Agreed, I went to see ben at Simply performance and event had a drive in a manual 5.3 that he was just putting up for sale at the time. I was sorely tempted and it drove well. I still want to do this project but in the end I bought a Z3M Coupe instead, Botha ere vying for my affections. Haven’t itched the V12 Jag itch yet!

[lukeharding]

urquattroGus said:

This might be back on.

I've been to look at an '89 5.3 XJS with Marelli Ignition.

The car was already converted to manual using the Getrag 265 and appropriate rear diff.

Got a chance to drive it and it felt pretty good. AJ6 Exhaust and uprated dampers, springs and ARB. TWR bodykit etc.

It seemed to be in good condition underneath when on the ramp, lots of new parts, however most work done about 10 years ago and hardly used since.

Found a small amount of water in the passenger footwell but not rust holes, seems like a lot of XJS do leak?!

Anyway, for circa 14K it's tempting.

The thing is, I haven't driven an auto yet, particularly the facelift 6.0 XJRS that I fancied....

The manual car is nice but it's a standard HE with lots of mods (most of which i would do myself)

However, I can't help but wonder If I should pay more for a 6.0 XJRS or XJR-S and then convert to manual.

Might piss the purists off, and then would prob have to replace the Zytek engine manament on an XJR-S.

For both cars I fancy fitting emerald/omex and throttle bodies.

Is the 5.3 HE very Tunable? The Jaguarsport 6.0 has different internals etc.

Decisions decisions.

Part of me says buy the older 5.3 and finish it off, enjoy driving it hard, most of the expensive stuff such as box has been done.

The other part says buy a 6.0 as more special but I know that means more money to get a good one and less originality.

hmmm.....

Probably a bit late by now, but the footwell can get wet/damp due to a leak around the screen, either the seal giving in or some of the surround rusting away.

[OTT532]

Take a look at this. It looks like a solid car.



https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1986-Jaguar-XJS-KWE-Rar...

[craigjm]

OTT532 said:

Take a look at this. It looks like a solid car.



https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1986-Jaguar-XJS-KWE-Rar...

If it’s as good as it says it is then it will be great. Low price because it’s the least desirable of all XJS

[lukeharding]

craigjm said:

OTT532 said:

Take a look at this. It looks like a solid car.



https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1986-Jaguar-XJS-KWE-Rar...

If it’s as good as it says it is then it will be great. Low price because it’s the least desirable of all XJS

It looks nice enough, though the steering wheel and gear knob don't look right to me. I wouldn't say its the least desirable though, its more desirable than a 3.6 auto or an XJ-SC to me. The 3.6 manuals can be a lot of fun

[DP33]

lukeharding said:

craigjm said:

OTT532 said:

Take a look at this. It looks like a solid car.



https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1986-Jaguar-XJS-KWE-Rar...

If it’s as good as it says it is then it will be great. Low price because it’s the least desirable of all XJS

It looks nice enough, though the steering wheel and gear knob don't look right to me. I wouldn't say its the least desirable though, its more desirable than a 3.6 auto or an XJ-SC to me. The 3.6 manuals can be a lot of fun

I fully concur with Luke on this one: that car looks cracking too - a new gear knob and steering wheel are easy fixes.

[lukeharding]

DP33 said:

lukeharding said:

craigjm said:

OTT532 said:

Take a look at this. It looks like a solid car.



https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1986-Jaguar-XJS-KWE-Rar...

If it’s as good as it says it is then it will be great. Low price because it’s the least desirable of all XJS

It looks nice enough, though the steering wheel and gear knob don't look right to me. I wouldn't say its the least desirable though, its more desirable than a 3.6 auto or an XJ-SC to me. The 3.6 manuals can be a lot of fun

I fully concur with Luke on this one: that car looks cracking too - a new gear knob and steering wheel are easy fixes.

I'd probably change a few other things to make it a little more individual and maybe a little more dynamic (and bin the speaker in the boot), but its a nice car just as it is. Buying it at that price wouldn't be bad at all.

[alabbasi]

I wonder if the 6 speed from a BMW 540i/6 would be suitable for a 6 speed conversion. I ask because I have a 6 liter V12 Convertible and a broken 540i/6.

[lukeharding]

alabbasi said:

I wonder if the 6 speed from a BMW 540i/6 would be suitable for a 6 speed conversion. I ask because I have a 6 liter V12 Convertible and a broken 540i/6.

Not entirely sure. I suppose it would so long as it sits behind the engine, though you'd need a custom bell housing etc.

[urquattroGus]

It just needs a V12 or a Supercharged 4.0 XJR engine....

[lukeharding]

urquattroGus said:

It just needs a V12 or a Supercharged 4.0 XJR engine....

Either good options, but I quite like a standard 3.6 manual too.

[DP33]

urquattroGus said:

It just needs a V12 or a Supercharged 4.0 XJR engine....

The supercharged AJ16 with a manual box would be really interesting in a late XJS, for me it's has to be the one derivative that "got away" and I can't help but feel that it was a missed opportunity for Jaguar. But the earlier bog-standard Sport Pack 3.6 manual is actually a really decent combination and one that works as a slightly sharper option, without going down the TWR / JaguarSport route.

[alabbasi]

DP33 said:

The supercharged AJ16 with a manual box would be really interesting in a late XJS, for me it's has to be the one derivative that "got away"

It exists and is called the Aston Martin DB7

[RobXjcoupe]

alabbasi said:

DP33 said:

The supercharged AJ16 with a manual box would be really interesting in a late XJS, for me it's has to be the one derivative that "got away"

It exists and is called the Aston Martin DB7

Yep, well a 3.2litre version .

[urquattroGus]

There was a 1994/5 XJS that has been converted to XJR driveline doing the rounds, done to a high standard and featured in one of the Jag magazines, seen another less shiny one too.

There is also that nice looking one off DB7 which Tom Walkinshaw had made with the Jag V12 before the Ford derived V12.

[a8hex]

urquattroGus said:

There was a 1994/5 XJS that has been converted to XJR driveline doing the rounds, done to a high standard and featured in one of the Jag magazines, seen another less shiny one too.

There is also that nice looking one off DB7 which Tom Walkinshaw had made with the Jag V12 before the Ford derived V12.

There was also a DB7 with the Aston V8, I can't remember whether it was the NA or SC version, but IIRC it was supposed to go quite well.

[DP33]

RobXjcoupe said:

alabbasi said:

DP33 said:

The supercharged AJ16 with a manual box would be really interesting in a late XJS, for me it's has to be the one derivative that "got away"

It exists and is called the Aston Martin DB7

Yep, well a 3.2litre version .

Both very good points. I wonder why they went with the 3.2 rather than the 4.0? Never driven a DB7 and after a few years of being bit ambivalent towards the DB7 I now find it really intriguing. Based on the way values are going it looks like I'm not alone...

[e600]

I built a S3 E Type with an XJR supercharged and original 5 speed manual, fantastic performance, used a switchable 3 map ecu which could provide 32 mpg or smiles per mile. With a 2.88 lsd and 20” wheels it ran 70mph at 1700 rpm.

[V12 Migaloo]

Great Thread... I am doing the same with my XJ 12, I have a replacement V12 ready to go in and I want to fit a 5 speed manual... the options are,
-4 speed e-type or early XJS...
-Cosworth/Transit box
-3.6 getrag from an XJS
- supra gearbox

I would really like to hear the opinions of the cognoscenti on this forum, the cheapest easiest route is the most preferred... any thoughts??

[craigjm]

The two most used options are the Getrag and the Tremec T5. The getrag gives you a much more factory kind of feel whereas the Tremec is quite raw. Look up the Harry’s Garage episode on YouTube where he drives a manual v12 XJ coupe and you will see the rawness.