So I have found a 86 3.6L XJS with a factory 5 speed for a decent price. Is this tranny compatible with the v12? I could get the whole car for less than the cost of any manual conversion I've found so far. But not as good a deal if I still have to adapt it

Are the jag 5 speeds considered good units?

 

Jigjag,

The 3.6 Getrag 265 box is a common conversion for V12s here in the UK because you also use the pedal box, ski slope etc etc.

BUT... aren't 3.6 manuals super-rare in the US? I thought there were only 20 or 25 which were brought into the country to be used by Jaguar management to gauge public reaction. Perhaps it should be saved intact as a very rare US car?

Paul

 

I realize it's a very rare item! I immidiately planned to restore, but whew, is it rough. No bumpers, top shredded and interior has suffered very badly. Exterior is rough with a lot of home done bondo work never even primered over. Some serious rust and many missing bits. It would be a very pricey and long restore. And I don't know that it's rarity would earn the expense back. I haven't seen a sales price for a US manual xjs because I've never seen a US manual xjs.

Does the Getrag bolt right up to a v12 using the same bellhousing?

 

I saw one sell on eBay right here in my home town a couple of years ago for 5500.00

 

No, it does not, you will need an adaptor plate, which are available in the UK at least. For that matter you will need an adaptor plate or a special bellhousing for any manual conversion of a V12. The 6 cylinder manual box is not quite man enough for the V12 if you are actually going to use the grunt the engine has. Cruising around fine, but really going at it, the box will fail at some point.


I am not sure about how the ratios will pan out, but you may need to swap out the rear axle too.
Greg

 

Thanks Greg durability is what I was mostly wondering about. I would not want to swap to a tranny not designed to handle the 12s oomph.

My concerns about purchasing for restoration are that this is a XJSc ( not my personal fav design ) a 3.6 and roooough. I just don't think it's got the desirability to pay for the work it needs at resale.

 

I agree totally.
Greg