Manual Gearbox conversion

[Snapper]

Dear all,

I did leave a message on the transmission section about this, but I am still looking for any advice or feedback from anyone who has has this conversion done. There is a company advertising in the JEC magazine this month called Simply Performance who say they have done 60 or so using the Getrag 'box, but there is also a very professional looking outfit from the USA called 'Keisler' who offer three 'box option kits. (With the £/$ rate these look good value.). And I am sure there are others.

Anyone with any experience who could offer some guidance would be appreciated.

Regards

Gareth

PS My XJS is a 1992 facelift V12 with an AJ6 extractor exhaust and no cats.

[davidr]

There was a review recently in Jaguar World of the Kiesler conversion as marketed by "The Driven Man" - looked quite good!
I can't remember which issue it was but I could look it up if you're interested.

[Snapper]

Davidr,

Yes, I read that article and as with most other reports of manual vs. auto with the V12 engine, it gives a very favourable view. Better acceleration, more relaxed cruising etc.

I was hoping that someone on the XJS forum had had this done in the UK, prefereably by Simply Performance, so I could get a flavour of competence, price and post-sales back up.

Regards

Gareth

[dhdove]

If Simply Performance are a reliable and puckah company they should be very happy to put you in touch with previous (satisfied) customers if you ask them to
If they won't......................
DH Dove

[Snapper]

Dh Dove,

I have asked them to to do that........but their list may not be totally impartial hence the request for independent comments, or in fact alternatives as there do not seem to be that many options.

I see your notes say you have a black 1994 4.0 coupe - mine's a '92 V12 also in black. In black I think they look the best..........menacing in fact - a touch of the Stealth Bomber about them. That's why I am looking for the manual gearbox; to give it the performance to match the looks.

Regards

Gareth

[dhdove]

Gareth
List may not be impartial, but at least it will show they have SOME......satisfied customers....that you can talk to directly. Have they supplied you with ANY contact details?
I didn't choose or even want a black car I just "got it" (I like Alpine Green/ Cranberry Red and the blue colours), having said that I have grown to love Glossy Jet Black......it seems to suit the facelift particularly well, tho' I think it's more of a pussy cat than menacing .
Re Stealth Bombers is this F117 or B2? I must admit that I haven't noticed the similarity
If you have a V12 already.....how much more performance do you want
Best Wishes
DH Dove

[Snapper]

DhDove,

The list has been promised - I will post some feedback here when I get it.

How much more performance? I just want to use that V12 engine in the way it was meant to be used i.e. at high revs rather than slogging away at low rpm through the 3 speed GM 'box. If I hold the gears to the red line it does over 60mph in 1st and over 100mph in 2nd, and sounds great, especially as the catalysts have been removed. The pull as it comes on cam at about 4,500 rpm is stupendous but unless I drive around in 1st all day I can never use it. Hence more gears will be better, and being able to manually select one will be better still. I hope.

Regards

Gareth

[dhdove]

DH Dove

[Snapper]

Just out of interest for anyone who is looking at a 5 Sp 3.6 Getrag manual conversion, I have not had this done on my '92 facelift because......

- Made up flywheel has been given some less than favourable reports

- Pedal box also reportedly impossible to fit with ABS system........

I am still looking though................