Hey thanks John!
Great to have that question answered. I think the top end trade off is
worth it, the acceleration is just too much fun, and for sure it would pull
well past redline in 4th but I never ran it past redline. One day maybe dad
will get her back on the road, if not then I’ll probably be the one to do it
(gladly). And I guess instead of hunting down hot chevelles and mustangs
I’ll be hunting civics and celicas!
Bill Smith----- Original Message -----
From: “Duhig, John F” jduhig@tycoelectronics.com
To: <@bill_smith>
Sent: Friday, November 09, 2001 3:20 PM
Subject: It’s all in the rear end… Terminal speed of E types
Date: Fri, 9 Nov 2001 10:04:52 -0500
From: “bill smith” <@bill_smith>
Subject: [E-Type] Speaking of speed… and gear ratiosJerry or Anyone,
Please indulge me a basic math question here. I always wondered about my
dads e-type… it redlined in 4th gear at 110mph or so. Third would go to
about 90 or 95. I always heard e-types would top out around 130 or 140
depending on gear ratio. But this car would go straight to 110 with no
waiting and hit redline. I did suprise quite a few hot chevys and fords
through quarter miles and never lost one. And on many occasions would have
to open the bonnet to prove that it was “only a six cylinder”. Some of
them
would see that awesome triple carb twin cam engine and still think it was
a
twelve. Also, I had a '71 Mach1 with the hi-po 351 cleveland, posi etc…
and the jag would walk off and leave it to 110mph. This e-type is a
regular
factory car, at least I know the guy who bought it new (to drive it on his
honeymoon), and he never changed anything. I haven’t looked at the rear
end
to check the id tag, but I thought some of you might have the same
experience. I was always sort of dissapointed that it wouldn’t run 140mph,
although I know now It was a blessing in disguise. Still have the car
btw…
45k miles on the clock.
Bill SmithBill,
It is all very simple. Your father’s car has the “American market” 3.54
rear
end.There were three rear axle ratios available for Es (I won’t go into years
and model types) but generally they were:Early US market and Europe option 3.31 (my 62 has
this)
US market later S1 and S2 3.54
Euro ratio 3.07To get the mystical (mythical?) 150mph, you need the 3.07 and “tall”
tyres.The 3.54 limits the top speed but provided what was perceived by Jag to be
the requirement for the US market, good acceleration (as you’ve already
noted!)I like my 3.31 as it provides good acceleration, reasonable speed (I can
confirm that it will show over 110 on the speedometer but I’m not saying
where or when…) but is not too high an engine speed when on a freeway.
However, I do agree that it could pull a higher gear as there is
sufficient
power to do this.Many of the list members have changed from the 3.54 as it makes for
“fussy”
cruising with high engine revs at highway speeds. However, if you intend
autocrossing, racing, etc., you’ll probably find it a good ratio.The ideal is probably to go with an overdrive, 5 speed gearbox and several
people on the list have done this as well, but it costs. OF course, you
end
up with the same acceleration that you have now plus higher top
speed/quieter cruising.There are others that will fit but these were the ones supplied with Es.
It is all in the specifications.
Regards,
John Duhig (62 OTS)
