Etype jag series 1 question

[Welshbeef]

Is it true that the original 3.8ltr only had syncro on 2/3 and top gear while a big improvement on the 4.2ltr was that all gears were syncro ?

Do the classic collectors keep with that original box or upgrade to the 4.2 for ease of use?

[Otto]

Yes, no synchro on first. And yes, owners do upgrade - there is actually a (Borg Warner I think??) kit to convert to a 5-spd with NO changes to the chassis or appearance of the vehicle. Transforms the car completely into something more usable, and can be reverted relatively easily to the original box.

[Theoldfm]

Oooh sorry...

[Welshbeef]

Did the 3.8 & 4.2ltr all have the XK engine link?

I've read that for it's day they were 250hp yet very good economy relative to it's capacity plus it is known to be one of the most balanced units ever made...

[LuS1fer]

A lot of older cars didn't have synchro on 1st. My 1964 Austin A40 didn't have synchro on 1st and may well be the ultimate performance car of all time.

[300bhp/ton]

Welshbeef said:

Did the 3.8 & 4.2ltr all have the XK engine link?

I've read that for it's day they were 250hp yet very good economy relative to it's capacity plus it is known to be one of the most balanced units ever made...

Remember that was 250hp rated without the need to used set standards, tests or even tell the truth.

Many a UK car in the 60's and 70's simply had a made up HP figure.

Logically speaking the 3.6 AJ6 engine that replaced the XK made only 223hp, the 4.0 litre variant 225hp and the last of line AJ16 variant 241hp with 4.0 litres.

Based on the fact the AJ16 was a good modern engine, multivalve, EFI, DOHC and so on. Would you seriously believe a 1960's engine made more power with less displacement?

[LuS1fer]

60's cars were rated gross ie on a test bench without any ancillaries and open headers. I also suspect later engines had more stringent pollution standards and not sloshing huge amounts of fuel in through triple carbs and to hell with the consequences.

[davepoth]

And so the rumour goes the original press cars were effectively fitted with racing engines to make the car look better when it was reviewed.

[300bhp/ton]

davepoth said:

And so the rumour goes the original press cars were effectively fitted with racing engines to make the car look better when it was reviewed.

That's nothing new though. Not sure about race enginess though, a big lopey cam and open headers would be a dead give away

[Welshbeef]

A neighbour 7 odd years ago his old man had an original series 1 and visited once a month or so Sunday mornings. The sound of the I6 and the stunning red and it really was in stunning condition - yet ge happily parked it on the road- really helped confirm to me it is the prettiest car ever made and the cobra 427ci the most agressive.

I'd lovingly have either. My old man the e type only jag man