Hi, from Australia.
Just a question regarding VIN number nomenclature, specifically the eighth (8th) character, 'Engine Variant'.
Using the official wallchart, the letters V, W, X, Y and Z relate to V12 types A,B,C,D, & E respectively.

This is where it becomes puzzling. Is it chronological? No - my 1986 HE is a 'C' ('X' in VIN), whereas there are 1982 models with 'D' engines.
Yes, we know Jaguar went from Lucas Bosch to Marelli (have owned a 1989), but there seems to be nothing on the 'net, about the above lettering convention.

Can anyone explain these differences?
Regards,
Steve

 

I think....not sure...that the A, B, C, D, E represent the type of emissions system the car is fitted with

Cheers
DD

 

My understanding is that character defines the engine and emission system installed, for emissions testing facilities.
As an example, the 5.3L HE engine had 4 different emissions configurations, and in ‘89 the Marelli ignition system was introduced with those same 4 market-specific emissions systems (8 total). The testing facility had to verify that the appropriate system was fully intact prior to testing.

 

Thanks, DD.
This car's emissions are designated as. ' Middle East', so nothing to see here! A lot of Aussie V12s were in that emissions category.

 

Thanks RGK, that makes sense.

 

..it's just weird that the Emissions are addressed, in the 11th character, albeit also referencing the 'Manufacturing Plant'.

 

SAJNL5042GC132796

my canadian spec 1986 v12

 

Weirdness can occur because different VIN systems were used. Whatever decoder you're using must match the type of VIN assigned to your car.

Cheers
DD

 

Is that from the door sticker, or the cowl in the engine bay? There is a North American VIN convention and rest of the world, and they don't decode the same. The two locations of VIN should not match.

 

its from the plate in the window.

 

That's the NA style VIN then, it won't decode using the Jaguar poster that gives the various emissions variants.

 

Pretty sure that the C is the manufacturing plant; the 4 is the engine code (same as my ‘88) which indicates North America emissions.

 

SAJJNLEX4GC132796 from firewall

trying to figure out which emissions they equipped Canadian market vehicles with in 86(after 87 I believe they matched US spec)

No air pump, catted downpipes only(not the second pair US spec cars have after the downpipes,

 

That decodes to Emission C. I don't know what that includes though.

 

Hi Nicki, that equates to; Jaguar-XJS-Canada Spec-2 Dr Coupe'-5,3'C'' (same as mine)-Auto LHD-1986-Middle East emissions (same as mine)-132796 (mine's 131823, Built April 1986).
Have guessed the Middle East emissions is lowest restriction, but happy to be corrected - have heard the Californian ones had six Cat Converters per bank (hard to believe). but yours is same spec as Aussie build, which is pretty free and easy, 299bhp.

 

You're right to question it ....because it isn't true.

The California cars have two cats per bank like the other USA-spec cars

Cheers
DD

 

The "4" means Auto LHD, not engine code. The "G" = 1986MY And the "C" = the emissions code as "Middle East 3.6/4.0[D) or 5.3[D]"

"SAJJNLEX4GC132796 from firewall" - That's the primary VIN as defined by Jaguar. It's the only VIN used for most countries and the one held in the Jaguar archive build records. Cars for America then had a "secondary" VIN added, presumably to meet local VIN legislation / standards.

Cheers

Paul

 

well, technically there are 2 cats in the downpipe primary pipes(each side). Plus the 2 more per side.

4 per side, 8 total.

 

Not quite, Canada cars were lower compression and 262 hp.

 

which always seems odd when the US cars with air pump, 2 additional cats spec the same output.

it seems like the additional compression is the only factor contributing to increased HP(11.5:1 vs 12.5:1), air pump and cats have no impact on output.