I recently completed the conversion of my 1992 XJS convertible to a Getrag 265 5 speed manual transmission. It was arduous and challenging but well worth the effort and expense. We drove the car for the first time, since completing the conversion, and the car was completely transformed. It went from a stoggy old luxury car to a fun filled true GT. The exhaust note is reminiscent of a Ferrari V12 I once owned. The 5 speed is just a natural.
Ben at Simply Performance supplied many of the necessary parts and exemplary customer service along the way. I assisted my “master mechanic” during the 56 hour process. No time was wasted. This was not a casual project. Many challenges and some fabricating along the way.
My cost, just over $11k but worth every penny and I’d do it again in a heartbeat. Again, it completely transformed the car. It’s a triple black convertible with just over 40k miles. 16” x 8” lattice wheels from a 94 XJ12. Mildly improved exhaust and updated suspension.
I have a lift, which is an absolute must.

 

Nice! I love my manual xjs, couldnt drive it any other way. What gear ratio are you running in the diff?

must admit though, 11K sounds like a lot.

any reason you didn't consider a Tremec?

 

Oh I can feel your joy!
Boring you with the details again: My 88 V12 initially had a Tremec T5 (installed by PO). Issues with that so this spring replaced with Getrag 265. Night and day difference, or as my mechanic said: "this is the transmission it was always meant to have".
Haven't driven one with a more modern TKX like yours Nick, but I did find the T5 shift quality a bit underwhelming, plus polluting an English classic with a Mustang 5spd felt plain wrong (yes I know auto box is GM).

It is just SO much fun driving a 5spd V12. Gotta feel Jaguar dropped the ball by focusing on the car as an auto GT cruiser. I too have uprated poly bushings in the suspension, as well as uprated swaybars. It goes round corners as if on rails and yet retains fantastic ride quality over bumps. With the middle muffler delete it does have a nice exhaust note, but not Ferrari V12-esque. What mods did you do to the exhaust?
Pics please!

 

Not sure of my rear end ratio. Whatever was stock for 92. Simply Performance was 6 mo. to a year away from having the Tremec conversion ready. I’m 77 years old and didn’t want to wait. Ben, at Simply Performance, was kind enough to help me source a pedal box with clutch and brake. He then found me a used Jaguar Getrag 265 5 sp. He had concluded offering the Getrag conversion but put together most of the pieces I would need. The Tremec is a much larger gear box and would probably require some modification to the transmission tunnel. The Getrag fits perfectly. I could not be happier!!!😎

 

I started by removing the mid-mufflers. That did little so we replaced the rear mufflers with a pair of small glass packs. We tried a half a dozen before we found the right exhaust note. Now it has a mild sports car sound. When accelerating under a bridge, or anything that will reflect the sound, it reminds me of my Ferrari 330 GT. Again, the conversion has absolutely transformed the car.

 

Super happy for you!

 

The tremec tkx fits without modification to tunnel.

 

Congratulations !!! The ultimate XJS.

 

Can you let us know which of the half dozen glass pack resonators was the one that hit the sweet spot? Also, any issues with droning sound at higher speed?

Thanks

 

My muffler shop is closed until Tuesday. I will ask him about which glass packs he installed. Also, no droning. Just nice 12 cylinder sports care sound.

 

I just stopped at my muffler shop. The mufflera are AP 12” long glass packs with 2” inlet & outlet. I removed the center mufflers and the rear mufflers. We then installed the AP glass packs. The sound is absolutely perfect! No drone. It is especially rewarding in a tunnel or under an overpass. V12 music at its’ best!

 

I wonder if the same glass packs would work for the I6 engines. Would be cool to have it sound like the old XKE's, if possible.

 

It’s worth a try but probably won’t be as noticeable with the automatic transmission. My v12 with the automatic never exceeded about 2500 rpm. Now I get to explore the full spectrum of rpm, 6500 red line.

 

agreed. The automatic would rarely allow mine to hit the sweet spot of the powerband…unless i shifted manually.

 

Good points. I didn't think of that. Well, it was just a thought. Thanks.