[E-Type] 5 speed Gear selection

E-Type
1

Hi all just come back from a drive in my car and it is still
jumping out of first gear, just as it was when I parked it in
November. I thought it might fix its self. Obviously jags don�t
have any self-healing ability. So now its crunch time install a new
5 spd. The question is which gear ratios to use? I recently
installed a 3.07 Diff and as this has obviously been done before
could the members having completed this fill me in as to what they
used and
Are they happy with the results?
My car is 4.2 engine that has been upgraded.
My Moss box ratios are 1st 2.28 2nd 1.74 3rd 1.27 4th 1.1
I was contemplating using a 5 spd with a 1st 3.35 2nd 1.99 3rd
1.33 4th 1.1 and a 5th of .83 this matched with the 3.07 diff?
What dy think??? Thanks for the input. Roger.–
1966 XKE 4.2 Coup. Vin #1E-32095.
Quilicum Beach, B.C., Canada
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2

In reply to a message from Wheels. sent Wed 8 Feb 2012:

Hi Roger,

That diff ratio was standard in the UK and first gear ratio
settled down to 2.933 having been 3.377 in the 3.8 Series 1
then 2.68 (is 2.28 a typo?) in the 4.2. So you’ll be
effectively opting for the early 3.8 setting.

I have a 3.8 Series 1 with 3.07 diff and originally had a
Getrag box with 3.8 ratio first gear - I barely got moving
before having to change into 2nd. It was awful. Now I have
fitted a T5 derivative with 2.94 first gear and I find it
perfect.

So your choice is halfway between what I had and what I have
now. Mmmm, I’m not so sure…it’s too close to the 3.8
ratio I rejected for me. Especially as you have upgraded the
engine - does that mean uprated?

Hope that helps
Ray–
The original message included these comments:

5 spd. The question is which gear ratios to use? I recently
installed a 3.07 Diff and as this has obviously been done before
could the members having completed this fill me in as to what they
used and
Are they happy with the results?

–
1963 E Type FHC Series1 3.8 1988 XJ-SC V12
Bury, Lancs, United Kingdom
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

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3

In reply to a message from Wheels. sent Wed 8 Feb 2012:

Roger, I would have thought that you need a 5th gear that is
more like 0.7 as you wish to cut engine revs and noise, and
improve gas mileage. Yes I know you have the 3.07 diff.There
is info in the archives, specifically on the best ratios to
use with the this diff in an ‘‘XKE’’, but can’t remember the
posters name.–
The original message included these comments:

I was contemplating using a 5 spd with a 1st 3.35 2nd 1.99 3rd
1.33 4th 1.1 and a 5th of .83 this matched with the 3.07 diff?
1966 XKE 4.2 Coup. Vin #1E-32095.
Quilicum Beach, B.C., Canada

–
John M Holmes 1973 E Type SIII Supra 5Sp, 70 SII OTS 05XJ8L
Ontario, Canada
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4

The RPM Calculator is a free download on 5speeds.com. It will help
you select the appropriate gearing.

I have a .8 5th with a 3.54, and it’s just about right. I would think
that .85 or even .9 would be ok with a 3.07, otherwise the gearing
would be so tall that you never use 5th. .7 on a 3.07 would be good
if you mostly cruise at 90.

Mike Frank

At 07:07 AM 2/8/2012, you wrote:>In reply to a message from Wheels. sent Wed 8 Feb 2012:

Roger, I would have thought that you need a 5th gear that is
more like 0.7 as you wish to cut engine revs and noise, and
improve gas mileage. Yes I know you have the 3.07 diff.There
is info in the archives, specifically on the best ratios to
use with the this diff in an ‘‘XKE’’, but can’t remember the
posters name.

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5

I have a 5 speed. I think a .70 or .75 fifth is about right with the 3.54. That way you get the best of both worlds… unless you really MUST drive over 145 MPH.
LLoyd

My driveway is long enough that you can appreciate the conflict between the desire for privacy and the terror of being completely lost .----- Original Message -----
From: “John M Holmes” jmholmes@sympatico.ca
To: e-type@jag-lovers.org
Sent: Wednesday, February 8, 2012 4:07:34 AM
Subject: Re: [E-Type] 5 speed Gear selection.

In reply to a message from Wheels. sent Wed 8 Feb 2012:

Roger, I would have thought that you need a 5th gear that is
more like 0.7 as you wish to cut …

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6

In reply to a message from chuffer sent Wed 8 Feb 2012:

Ray thanks for the reply, my car has the EJ box with a 2.68 first
gear, and yes 2.28 must have been a typo. Upgraded is same as
uprated.There are a few options to consider,will put your choice on
my spread sheet and look for more info. Roger–
The original message included these comments:

That diff ratio was standard in the UK and first gear ratio
settled down to 2.933 having been 3.377 in the 3.8 Series 1
then 2.68 (is 2.28 a typo?) in the 4.2. So you’ll be
effectively opting for the early 3.8 setting.
I have a 3.8 Series 1 with 3.07 diff and originally had a
Getrag box with 3.8 ratio first gear - I barely got moving
before having to change into 2nd. It was awful. Now I have
fitted a T5 derivative with 2.94 first gear and I find it
perfect.

–
1966 XKE 4.2 Coup. Vin #1E-32095.
Quilicum Beach, B.C., Canada
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

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7

In reply to a message from John M Holmes sent Wed 8 Feb 2012:

John thanks for the reply. I will look in the archives,sometimes
there seems to be to much information and too many opinions and
finding the best choise is exactly that.I was looking for an easy
way option.thanks Roger–
The original message included these comments:

Roger, I would have thought that you need a 5th gear that is
more like 0.7 as you wish to cut engine revs and noise, and
improve gas mileage. Yes I know you have the 3.07 diff.There
is info in the archives, specifically on the best ratios to
use with the this diff in an ‘‘XKE’’, but can’t remember the

–
1966 XKE 4.2 Coup. Vin #1E-32095.
Quilicum Beach, B.C., Canada
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

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8

In reply to a message from Michael Frank sent Wed 8 Feb 2012:

mike,thanks for your reply.I agree with your thinking,a more usable
5th of .85 for every day driving,and a fst gear 2.94 might be the
way to go. Roger–
The original message included these comments:

The RPM Calculator is a free download on 5speeds.com. It will help
you select the appropriate gearing.
I have a .8 5th with a 3.54, and it’s just about right. I would think
that .85 or even .9 would be ok with a 3.07, otherwise the gearing
would be so tall that you never use 5th. .7 on a 3.07 would be good
if you mostly cruise at 90.
Mike Frank

–
1966 XKE 4.2 Coup. Vin #1E-32095.
Quilicum Beach, B.C., Canada
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

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9

Roger,
Before spending a wad of money check to make sure the gear lever can
go completely into gear with no interference to the body, namely the
console. The body parts can be moved around some as well as the
engine fore, aft and sideways tilt (also caused by bad motor mounts).
If all these components are at their extremes the console can actually
push the gear lever out of gear when the engine torque causes it to
move. I’ve never had a problem with first but did have a problem with
second once.
pauls 67ots

.

Hi all just come back from a drive in my car and it is still
jumping out of first gear, just as it was when I parked it in
November. I thought it might fix its self. Obviously jags don’t
have any self-healing ability. So now its crunch time install a new
5 spd. The question is which gear ratios to use? I recently
installed a 3.07 Diff and as this has obviously been done before
could the members having completed this fill me in as to what they
used and
Are they happy with the results?
My car is 4.2 engine that has been upgraded.
My Moss box ratios are 1st 2.28 2nd 1.74 3rd 1.27 4th 1.1
I was contemplating using a 5 spd with a 1st 3.35 2nd 1.99 3rd
1.33 4th 1.1 and a 5th of .83 this matched with the 3.07 diff?
What dy think??? Thanks for the input. Roger.
<<<<<<<<<From: “Wheels.” reatkins@telus.net
Subject: [E-Type] 5 speed Gear selection.

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10

In reply to a message from Wheels. sent Wed 8 Feb 2012:

Hi Roger. My 3.8 coup� has a 3.31 diff and I’m running
2.95, 1.94, 1.34, 1.00, .80 gears in my JT5. I can’t
imagine how I could be much happier. The .8 5th combined
with the 3:31 is equivalent to a theoretical 2.65 diff on a
4 speed which is relaxed at high speed but still very usable
below 50 mph. With your 3.07 the .83 would work out
equivalent to a 2.55, which would probably still pull nicely
below 50 mph.–
The original message included these comments:

My Moss box ratios are 1st 2.28 2nd 1.74 3rd 1.27 4th 1.1
I was contemplating using a 5 spd with a 1st 3.35 2nd 1.99 3rd
1.33 4th 1.1 and a 5th of .83 this matched with the 3.07 diff?
What dy think??? Thanks for the input. Roger.

–
Tom Morris '62 E-type FHC (885688)
Sechelt, British Columbia, Canada
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11

In reply to a message from paul spurlock sent Wed 8 Feb 2012:

paul,somthing I failed to mention is that I am about to get stuck
into changing out my frame rails and whilst instaling a 5 spd isnt
a must, I would like to do it at the same time. So first I have to
decided what to install.And the other factors driving this is the
Canadian dollar is at parr and I paid off my visa. A GUYS GOTA DO
WHAT A GUYS GOTA DO. Thanks for your reply Paul. Roger–
The original message included these comments:

Before spending a wad of money check to make sure the gear lever can
go completely into gear with no interference to the body, namely the
console. The body parts can be moved around some as well as the
engine fore, aft and sideways tilt (also caused by bad motor mounts).
If all these components are at their extremes the console can actually
push the gear lever out of gear when the engine torque causes it to
move. I’ve never had a problem with first but did have a problem with

–
1966 XKE 4.2 Coup. Vin #1E-32095.
Quilicum Beach, B.C., Canada
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

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12

In reply to a message from Bloggins sent Wed 8 Feb 2012:

Bloggins,your post just confirmed my gear and diff selection, which
I have written down after looking through the archives and reading
the posts on this subject. The selection. 1st 2.95 .83 5th with the
Diff 3.07 this will make a nice driver. Thanks for your post. Roger–
The original message included these comments:

Hi Roger. My 3.8 coup� has a 3.31 diff and I’m running
2.95, 1.94, 1.34, 1.00, .80 gears in my JT5. I can’t
imagine how I could be much happier. The .8 5th combined
with the 3:31 is equivalent to a theoretical 2.65 diff on a
4 speed which is relaxed at high speed but still very usable
below 50 mph. With your 3.07 the .83 would work out
equivalent to a 2.55, which would probably still pull nicely
below 50 mph.

–
1966 XKE 4.2 Coup. Vin #1E-32095.
Quilicum Beach, B.C., Canada
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

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13

In reply to a message from Wheels. sent Wed 8 Feb 2012:

Roger,

I ignored all the ratios except 1st in my earlier reply
simply because I thought the others were OK. Just for
completeness I will confirm that my T5 derivative, with the
3.07 diff, has .83 as 5th and it’s OK for me.

It does indeed pull away fine from well below 50mph and
gives approx 33mph per 1000 revs. So a comfortable 2500 rpm
pulls me along at a law-breaking 82 mph. It’s so easy to
watch the rev counter up to 3000 revs and find you’re doing
100mph though!

Can’t wait for better weather to get out there again…

Ray–
The original message included these comments:

I was contemplating using a 5 spd with a 1st 3.35 2nd 1.99 3rd
1.33 4th 1.1 and a 5th of .83 this matched with the 3.07 diff?

–
1963 E Type FHC Series1 3.8 1988 XJ-SC V12
Bury, Lancs, United Kingdom
–Posted using Jag-lovers JagFORUM [forums.jag-lovers.org]–

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14

Roger,
In that case then you need a new 5sp :slight_smile:
pauls 67ots

paul,somthing I failed to mention is that I am about to get stuck
into changing out my frame rails and whilst instaling a 5 spd isnt
a must, I would like to do it at the same time. So first I have to
decided what to install.And the other factors driving this is the
Canadian dollar is at parr and I paid off my visa. A GUYS GOTA DO WHAT
A GUYS GOTA DO.
<<<<<<<<From: “Wheels.” reatkins@telus.net
Subject: Re: [E-Type] 5 speed Gear selection.

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15

In reply to a message from paul spurlock sent Wed 8 Feb 2012:

Roger

There was a thread running on this on the E-Type Forum and
we complied this list which may be of help:

3.97, 2.34, 1.46, 1.0, 0.76 - JT5 (recommended for 2.88 and
3.07 diffs, discontinued)
3.57, 2.07, 1.38, 1.0, 0.76 - Getrag 225
3.37, 1.86, 1.28, 1.0, n/a - Moss box
3.35, 1.99, 1.33, 1.0, .68 - JT5 variant
3.35, 1.99, 1.33, 1.0, .73 - JT5 variant
3.35, 1.99, 1.33, 1.0, .83 - JT5 variant
3.35, 1.99, 1.33, 1.0, .90 - JT5 variant
3.31, 2.08, 1.36, 1.0, 0.763 - Broadsport
2.95, 1.94, 1.34, 1.0, 0.8 - Watjag T5/T5
2.95, 1.94, 1.34, 1.0, .63 - JT5 variant
2.95, 1.94, 1.34, 1.0, .73 - JT5 variant
2.95, 1.94, 1.34, 1.0, .80 - JT5 variant
2.93, 1.90, 1.39, 1.0, n/a - Jaguar K* series box
2.68, 1.74, 1.27, 1.0, n/a - Jaguar EJ series box

Full thread here (amongst others):
http://etypeuk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1140

Regards

David–
David Jones, S1 OTS
Nottingham, United Kingdom
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16

Hello Dave,

You are painting the Jaguar series gearboxes
with a little bit too wide a brush. There is a sub-
serie, consisting of KP and KM that has:

1th 3.238
2nd 1.905
3rd 1.389
4th 1.000
Rev 3.428

Above is ideal in combination with a 2.88 rear axle and
retain a modicum of originality.

In the EJ series there is also the EJS:

1th 3.040
2nd 1.973
3rd 1.328
4th 1.000
Rev 3.490

In all, there are 4 distinct gear sets for the Jaguar
all-synchro gearbox, the two you listed and the two
mentioned above.

Dick Vandermeyden
San Carlos, CA

1963 E-type FHC (RPG = RIP)
1967 E-type FHC
1968 E-type OTS
1968 E-type FHC______________________________________________________
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17

In reply to a message from bardinet15@aol.com sent Thu 9 Feb 2012:

Interesting: As usual, I learn so darned much about these beasts,
due to this gang!

I might be interested in the KP 'box, with my 3.07, but wouldn’t
that ‘‘firtht’’ gear still bit a bit high?

1th 3.238–
Paul Wigton, steward to a '60 DKW 1000 SP, Tweety, '63 FHC!
Keenesburg, CO, United States
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18

Hello Paul,

A KP gear set with a 3.07 rear axle would be just
right. It is important to look at the overall ratio’s
for comparison reasons.

Using an EJ gearbox with a 3.54 rear axle as a
reference, the overall ratio in first gear is about
9.50. That seems to be very practical, have not
heard any complaints about that.

By comparison, a Moss box with a 3.54 rear axle
comes in at 11.95. I think the consensus is that
is a bit too much.

A KP gear set with a 3.07 rear axle comes in at
9.94. Very usable.

In conjunction with a 2.88 rear axle a KP gear set
will give you 9.33. Very comparable to the reference.
But now top gear behaves just like a 0.81 OD with a
3.54 rear axle. So you have low RPM at speed,
better fuel economy and have not sacrificed any
off-the-line performance. And the gearbox can be
the matching # one if you so choose. Just change
out the gear set.

Good luck finding a KP or KM gear set. The KP was
native to the later XJ-6 Ser 2 which had OD (KPN).
None were exported to the US. The KM was native to
the early manual XJS. About 400 left the factory and
are scarce like hen’s teeth.

Some time ago I managed to snag a KPN box in the
UK and had FedEx bring it over at great expense.
It is now sitting assembled and ready for installation
in a SWB configuration for the '68 FHC. Reused the
KPN main casing, gears, etc. But used a short main
shaft, dumped the OD and used an E-type style rear
cover (Thanks, George Camp!) and an EJS top cover.

Anyone wanting to part out a KPN gearbox, please
contact me…

Dick Vandermeyden
San Carlos, CA

1963 E-type FHC (RPG = RIP)
1967 E-type FHC
1968 E-type OTS
1968 E-type FHC______________________________________________________
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19

In reply to a message from bardinet15@aol.com sent Thu 9 Feb 2012:

Dear Dick,
The KPN boxes with overdrive also appear only very infrequently on
ebay, although most sellers I suspect have no idea that a different
gearset was available for the heavy underpowered xj6 saloons. Mated
with its original overdrive, my KPN box has finally made it into
the car, with the overdrive button hidden into the gear knob. It
gives one the impression of coming out of a wartime Spitfire and
runs a relay down by the overdrive solenoid. (I did it this way
because the solenoid takes 16 amps to fire (current drops to 1 amp
once engaged) and a component failure could thus create a serious
electrical problem.)

The point is that a standard Jag overdrive box and suitably chosen
differential, can provide a sensible, cheap, drop-in alternative
vis-a-vis expensive 5speed boxes out there in the market today.

http://www.jag-lovers.org/snaps/snap_view.php3?id=1326286185
http://www.jag-lovers.org/snaps/snap_view.php3?id=1170885932

kind regards
Marek–
MarekH
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20

Hi,

I did the conversion to 4-speed + overdrive a few years back.
I bought this transmission on eBay Germany;
2006, Nov.: Replaced the BW8 automatic gearbox with a 1969 manual
gearbox with Overdrive from a XJ6 Series 1,
stamped KFN 3657, 28-3-69. Gear Ratios: 1th - 2.930; 2nd - 1.905; 3rd

  • 1.389; 4th - 1.000; OD - 0.775; rev - 3.378

I am very pleased with this conversion. The Speedo ( SN 6332-01A
131.2) was accurate without altering anything.
Differential is a 3.31:1

I am doing 120 Kilometer/hour @ 2500 RPM.

Jos Raven
1969 2+2
Holland

At 00:21 10-2-2012 -0800, you wrote:>In reply to a message from bardinet15@aol.com sent Thu 9 Feb 2012:

Dear Dick,
The KPN boxes with overdrive also appear only very infrequently on
ebay, although most sellers I suspect have no idea that a different
gearset was available for the heavy underpowered xj6 saloons. Mated
with its original overdrive, my KPN box has finally made it into
the car, with the overdrive button hidden into the gear knob. It
gives one the impression of coming out of a wartime Spitfire and
runs a relay down by the overdrive solenoid. (I did it this way
because the solenoid takes 16 amps to fire (current drops to 1 amp
once engaged) and a component failure could thus create a serious
electrical problem.)

The point is that a standard Jag overdrive box and suitably chosen
differential, can provide a sensible, cheap, drop-in alternative
vis-a-vis expensive 5speed boxes out there in the market today.

http://www.jag-lovers.org/snaps/snap_view.php3?id=1326286185
http://www.jag-lovers.org/snaps/snap_view.php3?id=1170885932

kind regards
Marek

MarekH
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