I'm kicking around the idea of getting an early XJS. The Pre HE type as I'm pretty familiar with Bosch D-Jetronic from the Mercedes Benz cars that I've owned in the past that use it.

I also kind of like the old dark interior styling without the wood.

As the HE cars much much better? The Pre-HE cars seem far and few between on CL, unless they have a small block motor installed but here is what i've found:

76 jaguar xj-s v-12
1979 Jaguar XJ-S 12-cylinder. Runs and Drives Great! Awesome CAT
1977 Jaguar XJ-S

Any pros/cons?

Thanks

Al

 

I think Grant has a fair bit of pre-HE background so his reply is probably worth waiting for. But, until then, and FWIW....

If a pre-HE is what you really want, I say "go for it".

My only reservation, personally, would be the funky old OPUS ignition but I'm sure there are ways around any problem that might crop up.

I'd be tempted to seek out one of the rare pre-HE models with that hotrod engine. For a few months in 1980....before the HE came in 1981.....the last of the pre-HE V12s had higher compression ratio and a different (or at least revised) fuel injection system. The exact details are foggy but they're supposed to be very gutsy....as much power as the high-comp versions of the HE V12

Grant will know. Or go to Roger Bywater's "AJ6 Engineering" webpage

Cheers
DD

 

The big reason for the conversion over to the HE engine was the fuel consumption. I have seen well tuned pre-HE cars that get only 5-8mpg.

Even after the High Effecience (HE) heads, the average is only 12-14mpg. And at premium gas prices.

My HE '92 gets 13.8 in the city and 23.2 on the highway. I have been told that that is very high.

 

No kidding, I didn't think you could get 23mpg out of a v12 jaguar even if you dropped it out of an airplane.

 

I like the non-wood interior too, and the black bumpers. There were also some pretty cool paint colours back then: greensand, regency red, etc.

 

Are those USA gallons ? Or Imperial gallons ?

My '88 would get 12 mpg in town and around 20 mpg on the open road....a bit more if driven gently, much less if "gave 'er the boot" very often


Cheers
DD

 

Those numbers are in US Gallons. I originally record these in liters/100kms because that is how it is done in Canada where I currently live. I then do the conversion mathematically to miles/gal because I'm actually an American and that is how my brain is wired.

I have kept every gas receipt since I bought the car and note current and elapsed kms/miles on each receipt.
So these are pretty good numbers.

My best recorded mileage was at 62 miles per hour (100kms/hr) with the top up with 26.4 miles/gallon (8.98ltr/100kms) but here on Vancouver Island it is very seldom I get to travel that speed for any distance.

 

For any who are interested, I've uploaded a period autocar review of the Jaguar XJS from 1976. It's pretty good reading:
http://w108.org/backup/76xjs.pdf

 

hey the pre he v12 could make much more power from thoes heads

 

Just so we are sure about terms you are asking about the engine change and not the body change called "The Facelift", right?

 

Yep, pre HE, not pre 92.

 

odd how times change things,the black rubber bumpers on my car (1978) XJS Pre-HE.

back 15-20yrs people did not care for them,they liked the face lift better, but in the last few months guys at car shows, are really liking the Rubber bumpers! mainly because there are not many left.

GO figure?