UK version has the same rubber bumpers, just thinner bumper frame, so it sits more flush.
Are these bumper struts adjustable, or do I just cut them shorter and weld the outer (aluminum) parts back?

 

they are adjustable for a few inches (and supposedly the full length) eventually the inner bolt will bind up keeping you from being able to adjust them totlaly flush. i cut the adjusting ends off of mine, slid them into my desired fit, and JB welded them into place.

 

Ive just solved some of your problems lol

 

And add on top of that mess, that is why the REAL MGB-GT was not allowed in the US too is because of the EPA people..... Well that and that British Lealand didn't want to lose sales from the TR-6 to the MGB-GT, which was a cheaper car in retail....

Had a 77 MGB. Loved that car. Not sure if it turned heads from what it was or because of the ugly school bus yellow color it was.... Still loved it.

 

How did I miss this thread? JagZilla, I like the cut of your jib, and would like to subscribe to your newsletter, etc. Yes, the rear overhang is too long, and the car could use a modern transmission and a doubling of horsepower with no loss of refinement.

 

Based on your redesign drawing, just go buy you a 68-69 two seater American motors AMX that's basically what your redesigned XJS looks like

 

I think it's an interesting modification. Wouldn't (couldn't afford) the frame modifications, but I think a rear seat delete, additional sound damping, modern transmission and generous power increase would be right up my alley.

 

I'm planing on doing the blade bumpers on my car, because I hate the rubber bumpers aswell. It's like jagusr couldn't decide to go all bumber or all chrome and then theu added them together and Made it look ugly.

 

I suppose it may seem that way if one only looks at the drawing, without delving into the reasons for the modifications. The AMX is not at all what my redesign is about. I've driven an AMX with a 420hp 390 and 4-speed. With a wheelbase of about 97 inches, and 500 pounds of cast iron sitting on top of the front wheels, that car was all about straight line performance, and handled worse than a dump truck.

You'll notice that I retained the XJS's 102" wheelbase, but, I moved both axles forward 6 inches, in order to put the V12 behind the front axles, and improve the front-to-rear weight distribution, for better handling.

Yeah, the modifications to shift the wheelbase & reconstruct the rear body of the car to look proportional would be very expensive. I had to cut it up like a jigsaw puzzle in order to get it to look right in my drawing.

However, I've been studying the frame at the front of the car, and I believe it would be relatively simple to move the front suspension crossmember forward at least 6 inches, putting the V12 behind the front axles. A new cross member would need to be constructed which would bolt right up where the original used to be, and would serve as the motor mounts for the V12. The problem is that you now have at least a 108 inch wheebase. That's not a terrible length, and would, in fact, provide a better ride, and greater high speed stability for the car, but, I don't know if those qualities would offset the penalty of an increased turning diameter.

I like that double blade look as well, but, it's purely cosmetic, and I question it's stability at high speeds. If they wobble (especially the front bumper), they might act like a wing, and, could affect the feel of the car at those speeds. I'm working up some drawings for JagZilla's final design, which either do away with the bumpers entirely, or, feature either the bumperettes similar to what was on the standard Shelby AC Cobra (minus the hoop around the grill), or a redesign of the quicklift style bumperettes used on the 427 SC & 289 FIA versions of that car, but, styled to fit the design of the XJS.

 

How about Mid Engine

 

Or transaxle?

 

has anyone here actually weighed there XJS on a digital and calibrated scale, not the 4 wheel scales?
then we can decide on what mods to do!