Jaguar World Monthly Forum - Manual gearbox conversion

Geirr

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Manual gearbox conversion
19.06.2008 at 17:47:12

Hi all,

I am curious, is anyone else planning to convert their XK8 or XKR over to the six speed T-56 manual transmission? The kit was developed by EAPJ and featured in the February issue of Jaguar World. They are currently working out the price of the kit. My 1997 XK8 has only 64000 miles, but the ZF 5HP24 auto transmission has been troublesome for about 13000 of those miles. Besides, the Corvette that I traded in on the Jaguar had a nice T-56 six speed and that is the only part of the Vette that I really miss. In any case, I am saving up my money for EAPJ's kit now!

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r1jbw Junior Member Offline Posts: 96 Aberdeen Gender:	Re: Manual gearbox conversion Reply #1 - 19.06.2008 at 22:45:25 I think the artical said it was going to be c£8K? I know from personal experince that a new 6 speed auto for a XKR is £5700 if fitted by Jaguar. Luckily I didnt have to pay!! Manual does sould good perhaps worth the extra !!!!!
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Geirr

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Re: Manual gearbox conversion
Reply #2 - 25.06.2008 at 17:17:05

Yes, indeed c.8k installed is a bit more than automatic replacement, but I think it will be worth it. EAPJ will have to send me the kit (maybe around 6k) since I live in the U.S.A., but I have a trusted specialist near by to accomplish the installation. Since the U.S. dollar is so weak, the exchange rate is going to make it even more pricey. In any case, EAPJ has assured me that the conversion kit is all worked out, but they are still working out how much exactly to charge for it.

Gary
1997 XK8 coupe
1994 XJ40

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Geirr

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Re: Manual gearbox conversion
Reply #3 - 29.07.2008 at 17:55:08

While waiting for the final price for the EAPJ kit, I contacted The Driven Man and enquired on whether they had a six speed manual conversion. I learned that they are indeed considering a manual conversion for XK8s. They have a source for the kind of electrical box required to ensure proper transmission to engine ECU compatibility. However, they are planning to work directly with TREMEC on an appropriate gear-set that will not require changing the rear end gearing. This will greatly reduce the cost. They are quite aware of the Elite and Performance Jags kit, and want to undercut the price significantly. They are currently estimating a price of about $6500. Given the current exchange rate, that is half the price of EAPJ's conversion! Unfortunately, they are several months away from development. There are two reasons for the delay, TREMEC is heavily occupied just producing transmissions, and the expected demand is low enough not to give it a high priority. However, they are adding names to a list of people interested in the conversion. When the list is long enough, they will develop the conversion with or without TREMEC's aid.

Gary the Viking
U.S.A.
1997 XK8 coupe
1994 XJ6 Vanden Plas (XJ40 Daimler 4.0)

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Geirr

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Re: Manual gearbox conversion
Reply #4 - 29.08.2008 at 19:51:55

Hi all,

Just an update on Elite and Performance Jags (EAPJ). Apparently they had a break-in and a lot of their tooling was taken and much damage done. However, they are currently able to do six speed manual conversions at their shop. If you live in the UK and you want a manual transmission in your XK8 they are ready to do the job. Also, if you don't have an XK8, the one featured in Jaguar World Monthly is available for purchase. Unfortunately, I live in the U.S.A. and the best they can do for me is send most of the components for the conversion for roughly 9k. Too much at the present exchange rate. Maybe the dollar will rebound.

I'll haggle on the price and check again with DrivenMan to see how their conversion plans are going.

Gary the Viking
1997 BRG XK8

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Geirr

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Re: Manual gearbox conversion
Reply #5 - 04.09.2008 at 17:55:07

Hi all,

The latest update from EAPJ. They are planning to market the "electronic box" for about 600 UK Pounds. So for those of us that live in the U.S., that means that we only have to find a TREMEC distributer willing and able to do the manual transmission conversion. The DrivenMan has lots of experience and is willing to do it if there is a demand.

Gary "the Viking"
1997 XK8 Coupe
1994 XJ6 (XJ40) Vanden Plas

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Geirr

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Re: Manual gearbox conversion
Reply #6 - 09.09.2008 at 14:19:33

Hi all,

I gave the information on the EAPJ "electronic box" to The Driven Man and here is their reply:

"Gary,

Thank you for your info. The 6 speed we could use is still indefinitely back
logged.

An excellent and quite sensible choice would be to employee the same 5 speed we
use in the XJS's with the 2.88 diffs.

If we had the electronic box and some paying customers, we could develop the 5
speed kit.

Robert Hall
423-773-9789
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry"

I know from a previous phone conversation with them that the 5 speed will provide excellent acceleration, with nice ratios, and is less expensive than the 6 speed. Anyone interested?

Gary
1997 XK8 Coupe

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ms I've just arrived Offline Posts: 1	Re: XK8 Manual gearbox conversion Reply #7 - 18.02.2009 at 22:21:18 The Elite car (featured Feb 2008) is now for sale at £9750 see www.carpartssale.co.uk
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Bros650

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Re: Manual gearbox conversion
Reply #8 - 13.01.2011 at 09:50:31

Have now done this - or should I say a very good mechanic friend of mine and a stack of $$$$$$$ has. My car had some k's but, and was due a major service and I wanted to replace the headers, cat converters, and as I understood that the auto in these cars is, at its best, only reasonable, so got a T56, had a flywheel made, scored a clutch etc. and did it. First runs about 100k and second about 160k, and still four more to go. A bit high geared for NZ but still usable. Still a couple of issues, electronic mainly, but what a hoot. Holds 6th nicely above 120k or so, and the box I have is a bit hefty to use. And don't it sound GOOOOOOOOOD

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Nikasil Nik I've just arrived Offline Posts: 9 Beverley , East Yorkshire Gender:	Re: Manual gearbox conversion Reply #9 - 30.01.2011 at 23:39:53 Hi Bros , I'm glad it's been sorted , do you have any pictures of the conversion ? All the best , Nikasil Nik
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M80XJR Junior Member Offline Posts: 74	Re: Manual gearbox conversion Reply #10 - 24.01.2012 at 22:18:27 nice experiment on your car but makes me think there is a reason that jaguar didnt make a manual xk is due to low demand and cost also i really dont see point in a manual xk/xj its a luxury car and as such most owners dont want to have to mess about changing gear .thats why tiptronic is now the gearbox to have
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SV8Predator

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Re: Manual gearbox conversion
Reply #11 - 25.01.2012 at 11:23:23

M80XJR wrote on 24.01.2012 at 22:18:27:

i really dont see point in a manual xk/xj its a luxury car and as such most owners dont want to have to mess about changing gear .thats why tiptronic is now the gearbox to have
Wink

I guess the person who would do this conversion is not too interested in your opinion. Everyone to their own. I would love the manual gearbox, and who really wants a Tiptronic?

But that's only my opinion.

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