E Type, 5 speed box

[macar]

Anyone had a 5 speed box fitted?
Any recommendations?

[Huntsman]

I think e type fabs do one, I dont know if its anygood but their front frames are spot on and their exhausts were beautiful, so I doubt their 5 speed is anythign less than spot on.

[Markh]

a friend in the US had one of these in his 65 FHC


http://www.thedrivenman.com/Jaguar/E-type/Transmis...

[Valentin]

would a ford t9 fit the xke??

[timhum]

Speak to Harry Fulford at E Type UK, he will certainly be able to help.

http://www.etypeuk.com/

Tim

[mph]

Huntsman said:

I think e type fabs do one, I dont know if its anygood but their front frames are spot on and their exhausts were beautiful, so I doubt their 5 speed is anythign less than spot on.

Their box isn't available yet, but I think is imminent.

The rest available on the U.K. market are a waste of time.

This guy makes excellent boxes and his website is very informative.He even "names and shames" several other so-called manufacturers.
I've had three boxes from him over the years and his V12 item allows for box removal with engine in situ.

http://www.5speeds.com/6cylkit.html

Edited by mph on Tuesday 29th March 16:27

[piquet]

mph said:

Their box isn't available yet, but I think is imminent.

The rest available on the U.K. market are a waste of time.

This guy makes excellent boxes and his website is very informative.He even "names and shames" several other so-called manufacturers. He is a bit prickly to deal with though.
I've had three boxes from him over the years and his V12 item allows for box removal with engine in situ.

http://www.5speeds.com/6cylkit.html

[tr7v8]

Valentin said:

would a ford t9 fit the xke??

It wouldn't take the torque from a Jag lump, they don't live long with a good 2 litre.

[MDT]

tr7v8 said:

Valentin said:

would a ford t9 fit the xke??

It wouldn't take the torque from a Jag lump, they don't live long with a good 2 litre.

I think I read in the Jag Driver's mag years back that their was a firm using the 6 speed box from the toyota supra. In the same article it also mentioned that the t9 was only really any use in the smaller straight 6 units of the Mk2 etc.

[fareaster]

mph said:

Their box isn't available yet, but I think is imminent.

The rest available on the U.K. market are a waste of time.

This guy makes excellent boxes and his website is very informative.He even "names and shames" several other so-called manufacturers. He is a bit prickly to deal with though.
I've had three boxes from him over the years and his V12 item allows for box removal with engine in situ.

http://www.5speeds.com/6cylkit.html

You "can" take the standard manual box out with the engine in situ by dropping the rear suspension, allowing the prop shaft to pull clear. Most believe it´s actually easier to remove the engine though.
How does 5speeds get round the issue of the prop shaft ? (assuming they continue to use the standard unit)

[XJ13]

fareaster said:

You "can" take the standard manual box out with the engine in situ by dropping the rear suspension, allowing the prop shaft to pull clear. Most believe it´s actually easier to remove the engine though.
How does 5speeds get round the issue of the prop shaft ? (assuming they continue to use the standard unit)

I am in the market at the moment for a 5-speeder for my S1 FHC and have looked at several offerings. Last Sunday at Stoneleigh Jag Spares Day I had a good look at the T5 offered by Derek Watson and saw that a shortened prop comes as part of the kit (as it does with www.5speeds.com). However this isn't done to make removal easier but to account for the greater length of the T5 compared to the Jaguar box.

In my opinion, trying to remove a 6-cyl E-Type gearbox/bellhousing with the engine in-situ would be an absolute nightmare (can it really be done?) and I have always taken it out with the engine. It may be different with the V12? I did have a 6-cyl E-Type once where some clown had "modified" the gearbox tunnel (by removing most of it) so that they could remove the gearbox from inside the car but, even so, getting at all the bellhousing fasteners was something of a challenge with the engine in place. There was no need to drop the back suspension - there was enough clearance for the prop. Before anyone asks, I later reinstated the gearbox tunnel, along with the structural integrity it gives, by welding a new pressing in place.

Incidentally, I ran a 6-cyl E-Type for a while with a 5-speed all-synchro box that came from an Iveco diesel truck (don't laugh ...). After adding a 25mm adaptor plate between the bellhousing and the gearbox not only did the gearlever come out in the right place but I was able to use the standard E-Type prop. I had to fabricate my own mount but didn't have to modify the tunnel in any way. The input shaft spline was identical to the Jag's so I was able to use the standard clutch plate and carbon release bearing. The only big problem was that first gear was a "crawler" and unusable because of it. I did end up with an all-synchro 4-speed box for next to nothing! Unfortunately I can't for the life of me remember the model number of the box I used but perhaps someone more familiar with these gearboxes may know?

[Valentin]

MDT said:

tr7v8 said:

Valentin said:

would a ford t9 fit the xke??

It wouldn't take the torque from a Jag lump, they don't live long with a good 2 litre.

I think I read in the Jag Driver's mag years back that their was a firm using the 6 speed box from the toyota supra. In the same article it also mentioned that the t9 was only really any use in the smaller straight 6 units of the Mk2 etc.

You're right of course! I meant to suggest a T5 box (Borg-Warner T5; now Tremec T5).
But as I see there are people out there with a far greater knowledge regarding 5 speed conversion on Jags. I only looked it up once, because I eventualy wanted to build a T5 or T9 into my old Volvo (I only got 4 cyl, so the T9 would suit my car )

Good luck with the conversion! I'll follow the story!

ETA:
might be interesting what box he used:
http://www.coupers-cars.com/sprite_restoration.htm
bloody lovely, little car that one!!!!!!!!

Edited by Valentin on Tuesday 29th March 13:00

[fareaster]

XJ13 said:

I am in the market at the moment for a 5-speeder for my S1 FHC and have looked at several offerings. Last Sunday at Stoneleigh Jag Spares Day I had a good look at the T5 offered by Derek Watson and saw that a shortened prop comes as part of the kit (as it does with www.5speeds.com). However this isn't done to make removal easier but to account for the greater length of the T5 compared to the Jaguar box.

In my opinion, trying to remove a 6-cyl E-Type gearbox/bellhousing with the engine in-situ would be an absolute nightmare (can it really be done?) and I have always taken it out with the engine. It may be different with the V12? I did have a 6-cyl E-Type once where some clown had "modified" the gearbox tunnel (by removing most of it) so that they could remove the gearbox from inside the car but, even so, getting at all the bellhousing fasteners was something of a challenge with the engine in place. There was no need to drop the back suspension - there was enough clearance for the prop. Before anyone asks, I later reinstated the gearbox tunnel, along with the structural integrity it gives, by welding a new pressing in place.

Incidentally, I ran a 6-cyl E-Type for a while with a 5-speed all-synchro box that came from an Iveco diesel truck (don't laugh ...). After adding a 25mm adaptor plate between the bellhousing and the gearbox not only did the gearlever come out in the right place but I was able to use the standard E-Type prop. I had to fabricate my own mount but didn't have to modify the tunnel in any way. The input shaft spline was identical to the Jag's so I was able to use the standard clutch plate and carbon release bearing. The only big problem was that first gear was a "crawler" and unusable because of it. I did end up with an all-synchro 4-speed box for next to nothing! Unfortunately I can't for the life of me remember the model number of the box I used but perhaps someone more familiar with these gearboxes may know?

In my dim and distant past I was involved in transmission component replacement on E Types but that was at Jags and they would only do it by removing the engine.
My car has had a squealing clutch release bearing (at least when cold) for some time now and this has prompted me to investigate ways of getting the gearbox out without removing the engine. Given the size of my garage it would be impossible to remove an engine there. During a clutch master and slave cyclinder replacement a month ago I had the car up on axle stands with the transmission cover off. Access to the bell housing bolts appears viable but the real problem is the propshaft in that it is enclosed by the bodywork and has to be slid out either forwards (engine out) or backwards (IRS dropped), at least with regard to the V12. There is much written about this subject on the various Jaguar forums and, of course, has to be taken with a pinch of salt!

[mph]

fareaster said:

You "can" take the standard manual box out with the engine in situ by dropping the rear suspension, allowing the prop shaft to pull clear. Most believe it´s actually easier to remove the engine though.
How does 5speeds get round the issue of the prop shaft ? (assuming they continue to use the standard unit)

I'm not sure of the specifics but he does use a different bellhousing and drive shaft as per the link.

http://www.5speeds.com/v12kit.html

I've spoken to a contact in the trade and they have removed/replaced this gearbox with the engine in situ.

[VetteG]

Interesting read here, although not a Jag, I fitted a Tremec T56 6 speed (5 close ratio's and overdrive 6th) to my 1970 Corvette. The T56 is the same as fitted to some Astons and the Dodge Viper and as such is rated to take over 500hp, obviously stronger than the T5, I'm just surprised no one has mentioned the T56 yet.

G

[Valentin]

VetteG said:

Interesting read here, although not a Jag, I fitted a Tremec T56 6 speed (5 close ratio's and overdrive 6th) to my 1970 Corvette. The T56 is the same as fitted to some Astons and the Dodge Viper and as such is rated to take over 500hp, obviously stronger than the T5, I'm just surprised no one has mentioned the T56 yet.

G

IMHO a 6 speed wouldn't suit a XKE. Just my opinion of course but 60's cars didn't have 6 gears. A T5 gearbox is rated at roughly 300 lb/ft i think (not sure on that exact figure). Would that be sufficent enough?

[V10Mike]

Lots of information, dated but still relevant, here: http://www.westnet.com/~mfrank/FiveSpeeds.html

and here http://www.xke-lovers.com/faqs/5speed.htm

[a8hex]

Valentin said:

IMHO a 6 speed wouldn't suit a XKE. Just my opinion of course but 60's cars didn't have 6 gears. A T5 gearbox is rated at roughly 300 lb/ft i think (not sure on that exact figure). Would that be sufficent enough?

Isn't it torque not power that is an issue to gearboxes. Since the XK makes it power at rather lower revs than modern engines, it implies that the torque will be higher.

[VetteG]

Valentin said:

IMHO a 6 speed wouldn't suit a XKE. Just my opinion of course but 60's cars didn't have 6 gears. A T5 gearbox is rated at roughly 300 lb/ft i think (not sure on that exact figure). Would that be sufficent enough?

Not sure I follow your logic, the E type never had a 5 speed box so why is it OK to give it a 5 speed box and not a 6 speed?

G

[lowdrag]

I've said it before so I'll say it again. Why does everyone overlook the cheap option? Get a S1 XJ6 overdrive box and shorten the propshaft. Job done.