www.jec.org.uk

Just thinking, why do it?
Why do what? you may ask/think?
Why go to great lengths to make your/a xjs go faster?

I mean at the end of the day if you want to go fast, go and buy another car.
Because lets admit it an xjs is not that quick.
And more to the point, I don't think most people but them for that, and i dont think they were designed for that in mind.
Ok you can make a xjs go faster.
But then again I could make my granny or a brick go faster if i tie a rocket to either or both.
An xj is a Gt grand tourer, its meant to be comfortable, cruise well at good speed and hopefully in style. with a reasonable mpg if lucky.
So is'nt it better to make your cat more comfy/stylish or fuel economical.
Ok I am sure this will cause some debate/controversy and/or ruffle some feathers maybe. But it's only a though and not even an opinion as i could quite easily go either way on this one.

Because lets admit it an xjs is not that quick.


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I dunno, I took an Audi TT going up a very steep hill the other day in my 94 4-ltr..............not that I was trying to race you understand

Well, the xjs might not be particularly fast, but I'm not looking to make mine go faster, really I've got a fireblade and a triumph daytona for that, and both will do 0-100 in about 6 seconds, topping out around 170+mph (but never in the UK, honestly officer).

I'd like to mod the XJS just to have a manual gearbox to play with. A three speed auto box just doesn't do it for me. Even the 6 speed auto in my XJR didn't do much for me, although it was a fantastic car in every respect by the way. Give me a clutch and gearbox any day. I like changing gear when I want to!

I personally would fit a manual gearbox, all I have read about such conversions is positive. It apparently transforms the car. In my case I have had a rebuilt auto box fitted less than 5000 miles ago so it does not make economical sense.
I variously toy with the idea of manual box or LPG conversion. Both appear to cost about the same. For those interested in LPG there is a good write up at www.go-lpg.co.uk/xj12's.html fortunately having both these major changes in mind distracts me from making a final decision. It will probably thus preserve my marriage

I take it they never made a 5.3 manual?
I don't recall seeing one.
I would never have an auto out of choice, in any make of car.
Although they can be nice to drive, I like playing with the box too much though.

Jaguar made a few hundred manuals in the early years of production but dropped the model because nobody wanted them. Ironically, they are really quite sought-after now. It used the 4-speed box from the E-type. I drove one once and it felt really quite different to an auto - more urgent.

I love manual boxes, but I actually prefer my 4.0 convertible with the sports auto box. The only time I've missed a manual box was on a track day at Snetterton. XJSs aren't as quick as some supercars, but as a sports cruiser I think they do the job admirably. I too get my speed kicks from my bikes - I've got a Triumph Daytona (0-60 in 2.8sec) and a 70's Triumph Bonneville.

If money was unlimited (I wish!) I quite like the look of the 6-speed manual box conversion that's currently on the market. A 6.0 coupe would go well with that! But I don't think I could ever justifying the cost of converting a cheapish 80's XJS. I think I'd just buy a manual 3.6 XJS instead. It's probably as quick 0-60 as an auto 5.3.

Paul

Aaah! Jags and Triumphs... now that's a combination . All we need now is for someone to throw in a couple of Nortons for good measure and it'll make what the best of british was all about.

The more I drive my XJS the more I like it - it never fails to put a smile on my face, but I agree with Paul (btw is the Bonnie a T120 or a T140?) that the early 4 speed manual did have a greater sense of urgency than the automatics that came afterwards. An xjs with a three speed auto is perfect for cruising with grace and pace, but occasionally it is nice to up the pace with a bit of driver induced cog swapping

I think I've more or less made up my mind to do the manual conversion on mine, but now its a question of when and which 'box. It'll probably be the Tremec but as for 5- or 6-speed, I'll have to wait and see what I've got in the kitty after 4 new tyres and whatever routine maintenance is required when it goes up on the ramps this week...