Anybody ever convert auto to manual trans?
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RE: Anybody ever convert auto to manual trans?
Hello All!
It sounds like you have it pretty well sorted out.I do have a manual in my XJS V12, andhere's the straight scoop:
1. Gearing is everything ... almost everything. Having a lower1st gear and an overdrive 5th (and even 6th) gear along with 3 or 4 other well spaced gears in between lets you get the power from that glorious V12 to the road. A manual gearbox comsumes less horsepower than an automatic, so you have more power getting to the wheels. When you replacethe torque converter with an aluminum flywheel your V12 will rev like you only dreamed possible. Combine all of these things and you can literally knock 2 seconds off of your 0-60 times and add MPG's at the same time.
2. Once you have ALL of the parts lined up it does take about 25 hours to convert from auto to manual.
3. Luxury vs Sport - While the manual absolutley ads to the sportiness of an XJS, it does not eliminate the luxury. The V12 is so smooth and torquey you can still have effortless, civilized cruising. As a matter of facta manualis even more relaxed at speed than the automatic, because the rpm's are lower.
4. V12 performance - YES the number one thing to do make sure your V12 is running properly! There are also numerous bolt-on power upgrades.
5. The XJS platform is well suited to high performance GT driving. With the addition of a larger front anti-roll bar, a rear bar, polyurethane rack mounts, Bilstein HD shocks and quality set of sport springs an XJS is an extremely competent road machine. It is has a well-designedchassis that just needs a little help.
6. Modern automatics vs Manual gearboxes - Yes, modern automatics are nearly impossible to out perform in real world situations, but the XJS does not have a modern automatic. Many drag racers use automatic trannies because they make it easier (for girls and uncoordinated people
) to produce consistent run times.
ooops - better go to work now
Robert Hall - The Driven Man
It sounds like you have it pretty well sorted out.I do have a manual in my XJS V12, andhere's the straight scoop:
1. Gearing is everything ... almost everything. Having a lower1st gear and an overdrive 5th (and even 6th) gear along with 3 or 4 other well spaced gears in between lets you get the power from that glorious V12 to the road. A manual gearbox comsumes less horsepower than an automatic, so you have more power getting to the wheels. When you replacethe torque converter with an aluminum flywheel your V12 will rev like you only dreamed possible. Combine all of these things and you can literally knock 2 seconds off of your 0-60 times and add MPG's at the same time.
2. Once you have ALL of the parts lined up it does take about 25 hours to convert from auto to manual.
3. Luxury vs Sport - While the manual absolutley ads to the sportiness of an XJS, it does not eliminate the luxury. The V12 is so smooth and torquey you can still have effortless, civilized cruising. As a matter of facta manualis even more relaxed at speed than the automatic, because the rpm's are lower.
4. V12 performance - YES the number one thing to do make sure your V12 is running properly! There are also numerous bolt-on power upgrades.
5. The XJS platform is well suited to high performance GT driving. With the addition of a larger front anti-roll bar, a rear bar, polyurethane rack mounts, Bilstein HD shocks and quality set of sport springs an XJS is an extremely competent road machine. It is has a well-designedchassis that just needs a little help.
6. Modern automatics vs Manual gearboxes - Yes, modern automatics are nearly impossible to out perform in real world situations, but the XJS does not have a modern automatic. Many drag racers use automatic trannies because they make it easier (for girls and uncoordinated people
) to produce consistent run times.ooops - better go to work now
Robert Hall - The Driven Man
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,521
Likes: 71
From: Powell, Ohio U.S.A. 43065
RE: Anybody ever convert auto to manual trans?
Excellent overview from a man who knows his craft, thanks for that.
Two additional points:
Do you agree that that stiff suspension on a convertible variant, particularly a pre-facelift car, amplifies the lack of chassis rigidity and can actually be a detriment re: increased cowl shake?
Are you still looking for pedal boxes? If so, please get in touch.
Two additional points:
Do you agree that that stiff suspension on a convertible variant, particularly a pre-facelift car, amplifies the lack of chassis rigidity and can actually be a detriment re: increased cowl shake?
Are you still looking for pedal boxes? If so, please get in touch.
Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 57
Likes: 8
From: Dallas/Trophy Club TX
manual transmission XJS
Wow, I wish I would have seen this post when it was going around the first time. I have owned 3 XJS convertibles. A 1995 6 cyl automatic, a 1993 6 cyl 5 speed and a 1990 V12 automatic. I owned the 93 and the 95 at the same time and took them out for a race to see the difference. At the end of a quarter mile my 5 speed car was about 10 car lengths ahead of the automatic. There is no comparison. The manual was so much faster and so much more fun to drive. I have actually put a 350 chevy 6 speed in it now after I tore up the 5 speed and couldn't get parts. Well, I could if I wanted to spend $3500. My choice was a little more money but 425 horsepower makes it worth it.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 882
Likes: 65
From: new york
hey guys, im converting mine to a manual, partly because you cant drift an automatic ( someones gonna yell at me on here for drifting an xjs ) and two because im doing the custom metal work to make the lister rear flares on the back and who would want to run 295 rear tires behind a v12 with an automatic. realllly
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 883
Likes: 173
From: Columbus, OH
hey guys, im converting mine to a manual, partly because you cant drift an automatic ( someones gonna yell at me on here for drifting an xjs ) and two because im doing the custom metal work to make the lister rear flares on the back and who would want to run 295 rear tires behind a v12 with an automatic. realllly
Thanks!
Veteran Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 7,362
Likes: 1,241
From: Austin tx and Daytona FL.
question, driven mans garage looks famlier,DUH, check mine out also.
question, how many of you guys have actually driven a V12 Jaguar, WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, 4-5-6??.
well i HAVE and as i said in other posts, if i were to to a build again YES, it would be a manual trans , stick shift.haha.
and if you came to a full stop,shut the engine off,, put in 4th gear, clutch out, turn the key , and the car would pickup smoothly and drive perfect, NO buckin, jumpin, or roughness. great for new drivers!
and just maybe Driven man is incarcerated, with not much to do, anybody??
question, how many of you guys have actually driven a V12 Jaguar, WITH A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, 4-5-6??.
well i HAVE and as i said in other posts, if i were to to a build again YES, it would be a manual trans , stick shift.haha.
and if you came to a full stop,shut the engine off,, put in 4th gear, clutch out, turn the key , and the car would pickup smoothly and drive perfect, NO buckin, jumpin, or roughness. great for new drivers!
and just maybe Driven man is incarcerated, with not much to do, anybody??
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 882
Likes: 65
From: new york
yeah, im at school at the moment but ill post some pics and such when im home. but factor in the flywheel, clutch plate, pressure plate, buy a used or blown mustang t5 and swap the heavy duty gm t5 gears, ( sounds difficult but really isnt) get a used camaro driveshaft (25$ and get it shortened ) slip yolk, for the clutch pedal, you can buy one that fits with a little grinding for like 350 on ebay, or you can be like me and copy his pattern from the pictures and make your own, 3.5 inch clutch throw 
. then get a pilot bearing from the driven man or have a bushing to fit it made it. if you use the chevy ford adapter bearing you can fit the stock ford t5 on, which the mustang cobra is about 1100$ rebuilt and holds 415 hp. use the www.fivespeeds.com bellhousing. fabricate the mount out of metal from a local hardwear store. if ou price it out it isnt that bad, it just takes much more than 25 hours to make. Espcially if youre like me and you like to get carried away. any questions just ask
. then get a pilot bearing from the driven man or have a bushing to fit it made it. if you use the chevy ford adapter bearing you can fit the stock ford t5 on, which the mustang cobra is about 1100$ rebuilt and holds 415 hp. use the www.fivespeeds.com bellhousing. fabricate the mount out of metal from a local hardwear store. if ou price it out it isnt that bad, it just takes much more than 25 hours to make. Espcially if youre like me and you like to get carried away. any questions just ask
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