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

[V12 Migaloo]

OTT, that's sounds great, keep me posted how the conversion goes

[craigjm]

Tom Lenthall is a top guy in playing with old Jags

Edited by craigjm on Thursday 16th July 09:35

[alabbasi]

On the subject of American bumpers

[Jim the Sunderer]

alabbasi said:

On the subject of American bumpers

Bloody hell! The Land Rovers parked outside the Tyne Tunnel have bumpers like that for pushing broken down motors.

[2oldjags]

OTT532 said:

I am just about to convert my V12 XJS from 3 speed auto to 5 speed Getrag 265. I was very fortunate to find a NOS box with a special DJB bellhousing and a new Rob Beere flywheel. This enables the conversion without using any conversion kit. I was ready to buy a conversion kit using an old recycled gearbox with who knows what mileage on it until I stumbled over this new one. I am using Tom Lenthall in Wokingham to do the work. It should be finished in a couple of weeks I will post a review once finished.

Fantastic - I'm doing something very similar with my 91 XJS V12. Currently fitting a rebuilt motor after the old one came to a sad end (sticky valve interfered with piston), so going the whole hog with a Getrag 265 and the Simply Performance conversion kit. Will be interesting to compare notes.

Re the Getrag 265, I had the same box in my 88 XJ40 3.6 and as someone said that combination shifts very nicely - the 3.6 is a sweet motor. The gearshift I remember was smooth and precise, but that was when the car was only 9 years old. With age I expect any rubber bushings around the stick might get worn, I guess I'll find out soon enough.

[alabbasi]

2oldjags said:

Currently fitting a rebuilt motor after the old one came to a sad end (sticky valve interfered with piston), .

You must live in America because apparently that never happens in England

[lukeharding]

alabbasi said:

2oldjags said:

Currently fitting a rebuilt motor after the old one came to a sad end (sticky valve interfered with piston), .

You must live in America because apparently that never happens in England

Or at least, it certainly doesn't happen to nearly every car like you make out. Also, he didn't mention it overheating, did he?

[alabbasi]

lukeharding said:

Or at least, it certainly doesn't happen to nearly every car like you make out. Also, he didn't mention it overheating, did he?

[a8hex]

An ad has just turned up in my email from Guy Broad about their 5 speed conversion. They do a version for the V12 E Type so maybe this is an option for the XJS too. It uses Ford MT75 internals in a custom casing designed to bolt straight onto the Jaguar bell housing without needing an adapter plate. This was the gearbox I ended up with in the XK150 and it certainly has a nice slick action.

[V12 Migaloo]

oh I wonder how much.... WSM do much the same.... Now I have taken the lump out of mine I need to get serious about fitting a manual box..

Edited by V12 Migaloo on Thursday 16th July 09:35

[a8hex]

V12 Migaloo said:

oh I wonder how much.... WSM do much the same.... Now I have taken the lump out of mine I need to get serious about fitting a manual box..

It was Winspeed that supplied and fitted my gearbox. I'm not sure whether they still go through Guy Broad but it is that gear box. Chris is well versed in fitting it and making the other necessary changes to the car to cope with the differences. The gear box is design to bolt straight in but it is much lighter than the original Moss box for the XK (but then so are some battleships) so the suspension needs resetting. I suspect that they'll have a car with the gear box fitted that you can try. I'd imagine that it would be a good fit in the XJS, for the XK it felt too modern and easy to live with, fundamentally changing the nature of the car. This might be a good thing or a bad thing depending on taste, but a XJS is a very different animal to an XK150.

[lukeharding]

a8hex said:

An ad has just turned up in my email from Guy Broad about their 5 speed conversion. They do a version for the V12 E Type so maybe this is an option for the XJS too. It uses Ford MT75 internals in a custom casing designed to bolt straight onto the Jaguar bell housing without needing an adapter plate. This was the gearbox I ended up with in the XK150 and it certainly has a nice slick action.

Just had a look at their website for this, but can only find a 5 speed conversion for the XK, which is rated up to 300hp. I'd be curious to know more about the V12 one too if you've got more info on it?

[a8hex]

lukeharding said:

a8hex said:

An ad has just turned up in my email from Guy Broad about their 5 speed conversion. They do a version for the V12 E Type so maybe this is an option for the XJS too. It uses Ford MT75 internals in a custom casing designed to bolt straight onto the Jaguar bell housing without needing an adapter plate. This was the gearbox I ended up with in the XK150 and it certainly has a nice slick action.

Just had a look at their website for this, but can only find a 5 speed conversion for the XK, which is rated up to 300hp. I'd be curious to know more about the V12 one too if you've got more info on it?

The email says

GuyBroadAd said:

Based on the world-renowned Ford MT75 Cosworth internals, utilising the patented synchro system on all gears. Capable of taking 350 BHP or 300+ ft lbs torque easily.

The entry on the website looks older, its just talking about the XK and their testing in a XK140 and I didn't see the reference to the E Type.
Although it's hard to say what my engine (a 4.2) was producing, it was dyno'd by CKL when they fitted it at close to 300 when it really wasn't running that well and it felt much faster after more development it handled that without problems. The Ford community seems to report a wide range of experiences with more power (although it is torque that's the key for gearboxes) but as always it depends on how you use it.
If V12 Migaloo is talking to Winspeed then they know the box well and Chris has converted XJS to manuals in the past, although I don't know which box he used.

[lukeharding]

a8hex said:

lukeharding said:

a8hex said:

An ad has just turned up in my email from Guy Broad about their 5 speed conversion. They do a version for the V12 E Type so maybe this is an option for the XJS too. It uses Ford MT75 internals in a custom casing designed to bolt straight onto the Jaguar bell housing without needing an adapter plate. This was the gearbox I ended up with in the XK150 and it certainly has a nice slick action.

Just had a look at their website for this, but can only find a 5 speed conversion for the XK, which is rated up to 300hp. I'd be curious to know more about the V12 one too if you've got more info on it?

The email says

GuyBroadAd said:

Based on the world-renowned Ford MT75 Cosworth internals, utilising the patented synchro system on all gears. Capable of taking 350 BHP or 300+ ft lbs torque easily.

The entry on the website looks older, its just talking about the XK and their testing in a XK140 and I didn't see the reference to the E Type.
Although it's hard to say what my engine (a 4.2) was producing, it was dyno'd by CKL when they fitted it at close to 300 when it really wasn't running that well and it felt much faster after more development it handled that without problems. The Ford community seems to report a wide range of experiences with more power (although it is torque that's the key for gearboxes) but as always it depends on how you use it.
If V12 Migaloo is talking to Winspeed then they know the box well and Chris has converted XJS to manuals in the past, although I don't know which box he used.

Interesting, thanks! I doubt I'll need it in the immediate future but possibly got an XJ or two I may convert so that may be another option.

[OTT532]

Well it took a little longer than I wanted to get all the bits together. Tom Lenthal now has the car and the auto box is out. Of course we have found a small number of additional jobs that are easier done while the car is in bits. Hopefully the 5 speed will be in early next week. I took the opportunity to replace all the wood trim with a dark Wenge veneer, by Classical Dash in Stokenchurch. I wanted something totally different and I am very pleased with the result.
The next job is a hand built Stainless steel exhaust from Haywood and Scott in Essex. That's booked in for August 17th. Then when the weather runs out and Autumn starts I will be doing the body work. Although this car has £37K receipts from KWE only 15k miles ago it has been 10 years and one particular wheel arch was filled instead of replaced with new metal. So that and a number of nicks and small blemishes mean a full restoration is going to be done.
Then I will have a V12 totally rust free, pre face lift 5 speed XJS with a sports exhaust. That is exactly what I set out to achieve.

[RobXjcoupe]

OTT532 said:

Well it took a little longer than I wanted to get all the bits together. Tom Lenthal now has the car and the auto box is out. Of course we have found a small number of additional jobs that are easier done while the car is in bits. Hopefully the 5 speed will be in early next week. I took the opportunity to replace all the wood trim with a dark Wenge veneer, by Classical Dash in Stokenchurch. I wanted something totally different and I am very pleased with the result.
The next job is a hand built Stainless steel exhaust from Haywood and Scott in Essex. That's booked in for August 17th. Then when the weather runs out and Autumn starts I will be doing the body work. Although this car has £37K receipts from KWE only 15k miles ago it has been 10 years and one particular wheel arch was filled instead of replaced with new metal. So that and a number of nicks and small blemishes mean a full restoration is going to be done.
Then I will have a V12 totally rust free, pre face lift 5 speed XJS with a sports exhaust. That is exactly what I set out to achieve.

Awesome sauce

[urquattroGus]

OTT532 said:

Well it took a little longer than I wanted to get all the bits together. Tom Lenthal now has the car and the auto box is out. Of course we have found a small number of additional jobs that are easier done while the car is in bits. Hopefully the 5 speed will be in early next week. I took the opportunity to replace all the wood trim with a dark Wenge veneer, by Classical Dash in Stokenchurch. I wanted something totally different and I am very pleased with the result.
The next job is a hand built Stainless steel exhaust from Haywood and Scott in Essex. That's booked in for August 17th. Then when the weather runs out and Autumn starts I will be doing the body work. Although this car has £37K receipts from KWE only 15k miles ago it has been 10 years and one particular wheel arch was filled instead of replaced with new metal. So that and a number of nicks and small blemishes mean a full restoration is going to be done.
Then I will have a V12 totally rust free, pre face lift 5 speed XJS with a sports exhaust. That is exactly what I set out to achieve.

Awesome! KWE do look like they can charge huge amounts!

[lukeharding]

OTT532 said:

Well it took a little longer than I wanted to get all the bits together. Tom Lenthal now has the car and the auto box is out. Of course we have found a small number of additional jobs that are easier done while the car is in bits. Hopefully the 5 speed will be in early next week. I took the opportunity to replace all the wood trim with a dark Wenge veneer, by Classical Dash in Stokenchurch. I wanted something totally different and I am very pleased with the result.
The next job is a hand built Stainless steel exhaust from Haywood and Scott in Essex. That's booked in for August 17th. Then when the weather runs out and Autumn starts I will be doing the body work. Although this car has £37K receipts from KWE only 15k miles ago it has been 10 years and one particular wheel arch was filled instead of replaced with new metal. So that and a number of nicks and small blemishes mean a full restoration is going to be done.
Then I will have a V12 totally rust free, pre face lift 5 speed XJS with a sports exhaust. That is exactly what I set out to achieve.

Excellent! Sounds very good. Is it a full exhaust inc. manifolds that you're having built?

[OTT532]

I am leaving the stock manifolds. i have discussed custom ones with H&S and they can add them if I want to go that route later.

[lukeharding]

Nice, sounds like a good plan