Iwill post a proper thread on my new old XJR soon, but I just want to gauge opinion..

I got the car 24 hours ago, and I'm just adjusting to it after an auto 3.2 (which I am keeping for the moment)

The biggest surprise for me is the heaviness of the clutch. The previous owner may be reading this, and it is not a criticism! But I was surprised.. it has a beautiful smooth progressive take-up, but MAN it is heavy!
I dropped in to my normal mechanic today and he thought it was to be expected, given the clutch will need strong springs to cope with torque and power without slipping.
For comparison he let me try the clutch action on a manual 5 speed 4.0 XJS that was in. That was a bit lighter, but then it is only 240bhp..
What is the 'normal' experience of others?

To be fair, i need to phone Ray who sold me the car and talk to him.

My size 12 foot is giving me average of about 12mpg at the moment... though cruising at a steady 60mph is giving instantaneous economy of about 20-25. great power, lovely whine. the manual makes the power fairly instantaneous and brutal.

Me likey..

 

Never driven a manual XJR or XJ6 so I don't know...

But i've had a couple of Aussie V8's with manual boxes, and the clutches in those were heavy as, like your left leg would ache when you got stuck in traffic...

Just had a quick look at the setup on paper, it's a big single-plate clutch and there was a different flywheel and pressure plate for the S/C cars (presumably the pressure plate was with stronger springs for the S/C), but the hydraulics (master/slave) were the same regardless of the engine capacity.

Could be that it's just a really strong springed pressure plate to cope with the power & is therefore harder to operate than the regular manuals?

 

Hi AL
I am pleased you like the XJR' I never really noticed the heaviness of the clutch as most of my vehicles are manual. When i first done the manual conversion i used the standard clutch from a standard 4.0 litre Xj300. but it did not stand up to the power and torque of the XJR. MP Autos here in Upper Hutt then rebuilt it to Holden HSV spec as they are similar in torque rating. I rang Greg at MP Autos they do clutch and brake repairs and mods he says if you want a softer clutch you go to a smaller bore in the Master cylinder which gives more travel and softer clutch bigger bore gives you less travel and harder clutch.
Cheers Ray

 

I fitted a full set of new clutch kit to my X300 XJR 4.0 SC during my auto-to-manual conversion, and can testify that the clutch is really heavy. I would say it is twice heavier than my Mercedes C124's.

 

The supercharged engine produced 512Nm compared with 400Nm for the 4.0L naturally aspirated so the springs in the clutch cover are increased accordingly.


I've just done a crude test on my own manual XJR6 with a set of bathroom scales. They read 20kg (44lb) before I even go to full travel on the clutch pedal.

 

thanks Andy
I don't know how you fit your bathroom scales in there...

With the ECU remap you did for Ray on this car, did torque increase, or just bhp?
Also, when the car is part warmed up (up to normal gauge temp) after a couple of miles, the engine still hesitates on gentle part throttle below about 25oorpm, as if it is too rich or too lean. Once full power has been used a couple of times, this disappears. It is the same feeling as in old carburettered cars when not quite warmed up - I presume that is the problem, but I thought a modern ECU car would overcome this. What do you think?
thanks

 

Hello, offtopic, how does your selector feels like? My x300 on manual gearbox seems like a bit woobly especialy on neutral, does your feel the same?

Thanks

 

No, gear lever feels fine, but I did have 3 Austin 1100s when young! they have wands for gear sticks

 

Was reading some au commodores v8 foruns which use the same geteag 290 and some of them complaint of the same, but if yours dont then is something i should check

Thanks

 

Hi AL NZ,
My remap increased the ignition advance across the whole engine speed range, so there will be a performance improvement at all speeds.


I can't explain the hesitation when part warm below 2,400rpm. You are right, moderns EMS should not exhibit driveability problems if the engine is running correctly. I suggest you check the fuelling adaptions with a scan tool and also the on-plug ignition coils for any signs of cracks.

 

thanks Andy.
Today the car intermittently ran well and rough, stalling a few times at idle at traffic lights.
It seems to be a mixture issue and is off to my mechanic Mark Yates tomorrow for OBD check. Mark should be able to sort it out, he specialises in older Jags & has the diagnostic equipment

thanks

 

I just noticed this thread, I thought I'd chip in as well. I've got 3.2 manual and the clutch did feel heavy from the day I bought as well, especially when jumping into it after a drive in '05 Ford Focus.