Fitting an XJ40 rear end on a pre-facelift XJ-S

[555ttg]

Another question has come to mind, does anyone know if it is possible to fit an outboard brake equipped, rear end, from an XJ40 saloon, to a pre-facelift XJ-S with the V12????
The reason why I was wondering, is that it is way easier to change pads and discs on the XJ40 rear, than the inboards on the original fit, rear that came with the V12?
I don't want to cause an international incident, by my question, so please don't shoot me for any censorship issues!
Phil

[almcl]

I am sure it's possible, almost anything is, given sufficient resources, but the XJ40 has a rather different sub-frame and shock absorber arrangement. And I don't think the diffs are all that compatible, either.

Compared to the problems you'd have to solve to achieve this, changing the discs and pads is surely simpler?

[kierant]

Didn't the post-facelift XJS also have outboard brakes?

Presumably this would be either an easier place to start or, if it's actually the same as an XJ40's rear end, then at least the donor car would show you where to make the modifications to your older car.

[ptjs1]

Phil,

Fitting an outboard rear disc setup to an inboard disc XJS is a modification that has been done by a number of people. It's also been done by Series XJ owners. I think there was in article either in our own mag or in JWM within the last few months by a guy who did it to a Series 3 XJ.

I believe that one of the ways is to leave the inboard discs in place and just use them as a handbrake, as I believe that one the problems is how to get the outboard handbrake cable linkage set up.

As mentioned, transplanting a complete late XJS setup would seem to be the simplest way. As you know, rear brake maintenance is so much easier on an outboard.

Have a word with David Marks (as always!) or else contact some of the racing boys via Terry Dye (contact details on the XJS Forum Contacts Page) who I'm sure can also add something to the debate.

Paul