I've started a 6 speed conversion on a Late 6.0 v12 1996 XJS. It's the last and best of the production run... a late VIN...and with the vented rear rotors and vacuum breaks.

This XJS came to me with maintenance records and a review of those records showed the owner had been complaining about transmission problem for about a decade. This is unusual since the 4l80e is a very robust unit. The service records showed there were many un-successful attempts to fix the transmission and at great expense. Since the transmission has been disturbed and failed, it probably is beyond a proper repair so the decision to do a 6 speed conversion got the green light.

So next I ordered the kit from the Driven man. They charged my credit card 5500$ and I waited... and waited... and waited months.... Then they called me and said they needed pictures of the brake booster and even though I ordered the six speed, they told me only the 5 speed was still available. I said fine... send it....They said 2 weeks. Four weeks later the sales guy stopped taking my calls and after about 4 months and I eventually got a refund. Undeterred I decided to do all the development myself and do it better than the rest.

I learned a lot and a still have a way to go until completion. I learned that there no kit or anything even close to a kit to get this done and I'm having to make almost everything except the transmission and flywheel. This is becasue the 6.0 is different in many respect when compared to the earlier cars.

Off to a humble start but I make small progress each day.





Findanza Flywheel, one of the few off the shelf parts that actually fit.



Full roller pilot bearing. Custom machined as the proper size does not exist.

 

What was wrong with the original automatic?. Or to put it another way, what was the complaint that the previous owner was unable to solve?

 

Didnt move, purged whatever fluid was put in.

 

Good for You , ICSA. keep us posted.
greg

 

This is why my 6.0L was re-drilled for the TH400 bolt pattern, makes transmission swaps much easier.

Good on you. Hope the conversion goes smoothly.

 

Too late for you now but the proper size does exist:

Item number: 282194530540 on www.ebay.co.uk - it is made by Perfect Fit Industries of Florida.

I put together my own kit & for 6.0ltr cars it’s pretty much the only way to go - come to think of it, if the ‘customer (lack of) service’ you experienced is the same with the 5.3ltr kit, then there’s no point in paying them $5,000 - just put your own kit together.

You will love the car when it’s done.

Rgds.

A.

 

I don't think that would work for me. I looked into a bearing like this but the input splines on the GM T56 magnum would extend past the bearing and thus not allow the transmission to bolt up. The Ford T56 has the shorter input shaft and would allow a bolt up but the Ford T56 has no provision for a hydraulic clutch release bearing which was a must have feature for this project.

 

Ah yes, it slipped my mind that you were going 6 speed T56,I was thinking TKO600 5 speed which is what went in my car.

Just out of interest, where are you getting your bellhousing/adaptor plate?

Rgds.

A.

 

Dellow conversions, it looks good but needed a considerable amount if drilling and grinding. I'm just happy they got it here and that I had something to work with.

 

Lots of projects and this is progressing too....


Tight fit. considerable work on the trans tunnel is necessary for a good fit.



Modifying the rear mount... easiest part of the project.




Considerable fab and machine work to fit master cylinder on early housing with later vacuum booster. Tight fit everywhere.

 

The 6 speed has hit the streets! Its drives wonderful. So Smooth, no clutch chatter, clutch pedal is easy to modulate. Hydraulic release bearing makes for a very light and easy to manage clutch experience.

The 3.54 gears and low end torque make for very brisk acceleration. Traction is an issue.

Video next week when I get the exhaust blow sealed up.

 

Thanks for the posts! Just got a '95 and am planning on doing the same. Which gear set did you go with, the .80, .63 od's, or the .74, .50? The tunnels mods, mostly cutting, hammering and bending, or both? What pilot bearing did you start with? Where did you get your pedal assembly? Thanks again!

 

if you'd like to buy any of those items direct message me your contact info.

 

i have both an automatic XJS ,700R4, and 1975 XJC V12 4 speed manual, wife could drive auto fine , but after trying couple times Hated the manual shift .

any of us old guys love manual shifting(altho i'm likin auto too.)

different strokes for different folks!

ron