Feeling in a celebratory mood as after 7 months at my mechanics, my recently acquired V12 XJS 5spd (acquired Oct, 2022) is now back on the road.

It has been a bit of an odyssey which has been documented on the forum as I have sought out help along the way. Forgive me rehashing previous posts, but the car in question is a TWR replica (sans bodykit) meticulously put together and maintained by a stalwart of the Jaguar scene here in Southern Ontario.

It went into Langs Motors in Etobicoke last fall to get some work done as part of the pre-purchase agreement (new heater core, cam cover gaskets etc.). No rush to get the work done as it was off the road during winter. While the dash was out we put in a pristine replacement dash pad obtained from Rob Laughton (forum member), as the original was cracked. Rob has been a great source of parts and is the most gracious person you could ever hope to deal with.

While Langs had it, I asked them to investigate the prematurely failed clutch throwout bearing. Upon Daniel's advice (head mechanic) we bit the bullet and replaced the T5 transmission with a Getrag 265 5spd conversion kit from Simply Performance in UK. This was sourced NOS from Rob L. The shift quality is significantly improved and it was a worthwhile investment.

Daniel was a revelation. I was advised here that you need to find a mechanic who is both experienced with old Jags and who also cares. That describes Daniel to a tee. He has treated the car as if it was his own, and the results have been fantastic. Ably supported by James and Andrew, my Jag has been in the best of hands.
I am now looking forward to putting some miles on the car as the summer driving season unfolds.

 

Like that exhaust, is it original on TWR's?

 

I understand it was an option from TWR. Owners could pick and choose what mods they wanted.
Mid-mufflers have been deleted and suspension bushings were upgraded. It now has the perfect compromise between handling (goes round corners on rails) and comfort (still soaks up Toronto potholes with aplomb). I couldn't be happier with the car!

 

Isn't it a fantastic feeling when you get a, XJS exactly how you want it!

 

I can't stop smiling when I drive it.
The V12 is just glorious. as a GT on the highway its unbeatable. The first seven months of ownership have been eventful, but so worth it.

 

Congratulations !!! A great looking car that probably runs as good as it looks.

 

Thanks Rick,
Its my first Jag, and being British by birth, the marque resonates. In addition I used to watch the TWR XJS's kick BMW 635 CSI butt back in the day in the European touring car series, and also saw the TWR silk cats at Le Mans in '87. Great memories.

 

Quentin,

Thanks for your kind words.

The car looks great without those door guards. It looks clean. I wish my car didn't have the big ones that are screwed in place, or I would have removed them.

Your introduction to Jaguars was a rocky road for a long time, I'm glad you prevailed.

Cheers,

Rob

 

Thanks Rob,
Agreed - I do prefer the cleaner lines without the body kit. Here's hoping I do not need to contact you or Daniel for a long time
......but its a pleasure when I do!
Quentin

 

Very nice! I remember when this one was for sale not too long ago. Had the tunnel been modified to fit the T5 and did this cause any challenges reverting to the Getrag? Our cars are very similar. What diff ratio are you using?

 

Hey, thanks Nick.
Putting the Getrag in seemed pretty straightforward. The tunnel opening needed some fine tuning as there was some interference in selecting reverse initially, but that was it.
rear diff unchanged, so I am assuming Dana 2.88:1. I do get to select 5th gear on the HWY, so stock diff seems okay. Does yours have a T5 or Getrag? Diff model and ratio?
Quentin

 

I have a Tremec TKX, close ratio with .68 5th gear. Not great with the stock 2.88:1 rear. I knew this when i bought the transmission, plan is for a 3.54(hoping Rob L has one for me).

the Getrag uses a different tunnel cover(the shifter pivot is much higher. As I wanted to use the OEM tunnel cover(supplied by simply performance), it took a little effort to get it right but it maintains a factory look and i didn't have to cut anything.

what did you do with the old T5 and bell housing?

 

Hhhmmm maybe they used the tunnel cover that came with the Getrag. My impression was they used the existing one, but I could be wrong.
My mechanic currently has the T5 and bellhousing. Know anyone that could use it?
Where are you located?

 

i am in Tiny Township, about 45 mins north of Barrie

they would have had to fabricate something if it was to seal well, otherwise you’d get a lot of heat up into
the cabin. Unless the part was supplied by Simply Performance.



Oem style tunnel cover installed

View from below (pre undercoated)

 

So your kit came from Simply Performance?
I gather they are rolling out their new TKX kits to selected customers nowish.

 

no, i just got a few bits from them. OEM clutch master, oem style(reproduction) tunnel cover.