I am enamored of the looks of the Jaguar XJS convertibles,
but was hoping to find one with a manual transmission.
However, according to Wikipedia, no more than 10 were
imported, in 1994. All the rest were automatics, mostly 4-
speeds.
Why the manual? I think shifting is fun, and automatics
boring.
So anyway, was the automatic tranny used in the XJS
convertibles any good, and an acceptable substitute for the
joy of shifting?
/Mr Lynn–
XJS convertible admirer.
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In reply to a message from mrlynn sent Wed 25 Jul 2007:
Depends if you are looking at a V12 or a 6 banger. Trans for the
V12 is MAJOR strong, can take 1000 hp if needed.
Chadbourn Bolles
803 798 3044–
Dr. Chadbourn Bolles
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In reply to a message from mrlynn sent Wed 25 Jul 2007:
It is possible to find them. You can either find V12 cars that have
been converted using a Keisler 5-speed conversion, and there are
factory 6-cyl convertibles with 5-speeds. I have had customers with
both, and have owned two V12 cars with the Keisler 5-speed
conversion. My personal opinion is that the factory 6-cyl/5-speed
combination is not great. The shifting action is too light, and so
they chose to compensate for it by making a very heavy shift knob,
which really doesn’t do a good job of it. By comparison, the V12 5-
speed uses a Tremec TKO transmission that, to me, is wonderful to
drive. It has firm shifts and you can feel the gears. It matches
the V12 nicely. These kits have factory reliability and fit and
finish. I have been most impressed.
Keisler sold his Jaguar operations to ‘‘The Driven Man’’ and I
believe he still sells conversion kits, maybe even for the 6-
cylinders. That said, get a V12. :)–
-Ted – '92 XJS V12 5-speed
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In reply to a message from mrlynn sent Wed 25 Jul 2007:
Mr Lynn,
There are 6cyl manual cars. But if you want a 12cyl manual
car, most probably you’ll have to convert one. You can buy
ready transformation kits in the USA. If you’re not afraid
of the cost, are mechanically inclined and have the tools
for the job or access to these, believe me you won’t regret
it. It transforms the car. Go ahead! May I ask: why 1994?
Rgds,–
Luis Gasperini / '91 V12 XJ-S conv. 5sp
Montevideo, Uruguay
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In reply to a message from Luis Gasperini sent Thu 26 Jul 2007:
‘‘May I ask: why 1994?’’
I’m going on this quote from the Wikipedia, re XJS, here:
‘‘In 1994 the car received an updated more aerodynamic bumper
fascia front and rear completing the face-lift. 1994 also
marks the only year the 5 speed manual transmission xjs was
imported to the United States. Exact production figures are
unknown, though it is likely there are fewer than 10.’’
Since I’m in the USA, and since they don’t say how many of
those 10 cars were convertibles, it looks as though any
factory manual transmissions would be mighty scarce, at
least in this country.
Though I enjoy minor car repairs, and can learn to do more,
I don’t have the time to spend on a transmission conversion
kit. However, I wouldn’t be adverse to finding a used XJS
convertible with the conversion already done. Are these
hard to find?
I’ve been told that XJS convertibles can ‘‘require a level of
‘commitment’.’’ This person suggests a Miata or Mustang or
such, as demanding less attention. I know Jags have a
reputation for being repair-hungry, but is this really more
true than other cars of similar vintage (say, 10-15 years
old)?
In reply to a message from mrlynn sent Thu 26 Jul 2007:
For under 3000 dollars you could convert (doh! ) any convertible you want to manual transmission with all factory parts. Off-list for details.
My manual convertible is, however, less satisfying than my manual coupe was, simply because if you really want to drive quickly the body is less rigid and can’t exploit the performance available quite as well. There’s no question any manual Jag is a whole lot sportier and livelier than the corresponding auto and you would be happy with the results if you don’t mind working a little harder in traffic. Probably the single biggest performance enhancement possible, in terms of value for money and you get better fuel economy. Not often those things go together!
A manual six pot is a quick car and uses either the 4-plane 265 Getrag behind the AJ6 or, post 1990, the 3-plane stronger Getrag 290 box for the AJ16 cars. I do not agree with or recognise the comments about shift quality, although if your trans mounts are soggy or shift gaiters are binding the change can be a little ‘goey’ or stiff over to reverse or up to fifth. It wouldn’t surprise me if modern expensive aftermarket boxes are slicker but the Getrag Jag boxes are not bad.
The V12s used the normal 4-synch box and you can fit plain or overdrive (electric 5th gear) equally easily as a direct swap for the auto box which is identical in length to the LWB or OD four speed.
In the USA I daresay you’d recoup the cost of conversion by the ehanced value of a manual car due to its rarity?–
Peter Crespin 66E, 76 DD6 Coup�, 84 DD6, 85 XJS 5sp convert
Cambridge, United Kingdom
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In reply to a message from PeterCrespin sent Thu 26 Jul 2007:
I’ve never driven a coupe (either manual nor auto),
therefore I can’t compare with a convertible. Anyway, the
biggest improvement when installing a manual box is that
(besides the gear shifting pleasure while spirited driving
on winding roads), the automatic V12 XJ-S is only a fast car
at speeds where it is illegal to drive it, whereas a manual
V12 XJ-S is quick in all the speed range. But remember that
it will never be a light car (weighs around 2.000Kg). Think
of it as an agile and comfortable Grand Tourismo and not as
a sports car.
Again rgds,–
Luis Gasperini / '91 V12 XJ-S conv. 5sp
Montevideo, Uruguay
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Since I’m in the USA, and since they don’t say how many of
those 10 cars were convertibles, it looks as though any
factory manual transmissions would be mighty scarce, at
least in this country.
They are scarce, although I think the number of USA 4.0 5-speed cars was
more like 150
I’ve been told that XJS convertibles can ‘‘require a level of
‘commitment’.’’ This person suggests a Miata or Mustang or
such, as demanding less attention. I know Jags have a
reputation for being repair-hungry, but is this really more
true than other cars of similar vintage (say, 10-15 years
old)?
Much depends on how much care the previous owner lavished on the
car…something that varies quite a bit. An XJS is certainly not a “drive
it and forget it” type of car. The typical scenario with a used XJS is to
spend and chunk of time and money sorting the repairs and services neglected
by the previous owner and then enjoy the car with just an occasional weekend
of tinkering. And most of us enjoy the tinkering so its not a hardship
anyway
Cheers
Doug Dwyer
Longview Washington USA
1995 XJR
In reply to a message from mrlynn sent Wed 25 Jul 2007:
My 90 convertible was converted using a Getrag 5 speed
tranny. The conversion was done by the PO so I don’t have
much details on how it was done or where the kit was
acquired from. The conversion looks stock, there’s nothing
that looks out of place under the hood or under the car.
It is a fun car to drive. The torque really kicks in around
3000rpm and holds past 6000. I think a better induction
system should improve on the upper figure a bit. I don’t
really get much chance to thrash it much beyond third gear
because I’m well past 60mph leaving second!
FYI, the PO spent more on the manual conversion than I paid
for the car two years later.
If your an XJS owner contemplating a manual conversion (and
you find yourself in the DC area) drop me a line and we’ll
see if we can arrange a test drive.–
Steve Tyng, 1990 XJ-S, V12, Convertible, 5 Speed
Waldorf/MD, United States
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In reply to a message from SteveT44 sent Fri 27 Jul 2007:
Hey Im in ellicott city MD. I would like to see that. I have
a 96 6cyl and Im thinking of converting it.–
lasstss
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In reply to a message from lasstss sent Sat 28 Jul 2007:
Hi Everyone… first time Jag owner about 2 weeks ago and
first post here.
I have what I think is one of the 10 (or 150) 1994
Convertible manual 5-speeds. (A review of the car on cars.com from 1994 by a Orlando Sentinel writer says ‘‘Jaguar
officials say only about 100 customers in the United States
have bought an XJS with the stick shift and that the option
will be dropped by the end of the 1994 model year.’’)
I can tell you that the car is very fun with the manual, but
it’s very tricky to drive…there’s not enough vertical foot
room from the floor the the knee bolsters for my size 13
shoes. My clutch foot either gets stuck on the carpet or
behind the knee bolster. And for my right foot, if I put
the right side of it against the transmission hump, the left
size still touches the brake pedal!
So, how could I tell if I have one of the original 100 cars
or if it’s a conversion?
) any convertible you want to manual transmission with all factory parts. Off-list for details.