Jaguar Gearbox Conversion

[Jag53c]

Guys can a Jaguar f-type ZF8 gearbox be fitted to an old school Jaguar V12 engine from the late 70’s. Is it possible?

Has anyone done this?

[blue_haddock]

Realistically anything can be done with enough time, money and skill.

If your putting the gearbox in, it will probably be just as easy to swap the complete running gear in.

[ingenieur]

The actual task of bolting a gearbox to an engine should be fairly straight forward. You'll more than likely require a bellhousing adapter plate. All that has to happen is the engine has to spin the torque converter in the gearbox. If it does that, if it's nice and central and balanced then job done.

The gearbox will have it's own 'TCM' inside it. Transmission Control Module. You will have to reprogram this to suit the character of the v12 and whatever differential ratio you decide to use.

There are various places on the internet you can go to for learning how to program the gearbox: "Turbo Lamik TCU - Community" on facebook is one such place. I think there is a website to go with it as well: http://manual.turbolamik.eu

[alabbasi]

You're probably better off bolting a GM 6l80 6 speed or 8l90 8 speed box. Jaguar V12's used GM gearboxes (TH400 behind the 5.3 and 4l80E behind 6 liter cars). You'll need to make an adapter plate but I expect that stand alone controllers are available. A 4L80E is actually a pretty nice upgrade to the TH400. My 6liter XJS is a lot of fun to drive.

[florian]

Have you seen the 6-speed automatic conversion offered by Motorlegends, yet?
https://www.motorlegends.co.uk/6-speed-automatic-c...

It´s based on the Ford 6R80 transmission that is also used in the Ford Mustang. There are many examples of E-Types, XJSs, XJs etc. with successful conversion. I think the issue with more modern transmissions like the ZF 8HP is that they are very interconnected with the ECU and other control units that makes it hard to integrate them into our older cars.

[ingenieur]

florian said:

Have you seen the 6-speed automatic conversion offered by Motorlegends, yet?
https://www.motorlegends.co.uk/6-speed-automatic-c...

It´s based on the Ford 6R80 transmission that is also used in the Ford Mustang. There are many examples of E-Types, XJSs, XJs etc. with successful conversion. I think the issue with more modern transmissions like the ZF 8HP is that they are very interconnected with the ECU and other control units that makes it hard to integrate them into our older cars.

I don't think that's massively concerning.

The ZF boxes are almost universal. A lot of people are fitting the 8 speed to classics.

The reason the ZF boxes are universal is because they're fitted to so many different kinds of cars and light trucks. There are hundreds of applications. The box has the controller inside it so you just have to provide basic information about engine, wheel speed, RPM, throttle position. All automatic gearboxes require this sort of information but if it's older then it does it with horrible things like vacuum controls and bowden cables.

There's a well established online community dedicated to manipulation and modification.

[florian]

That´s certainly correct. In the end, it depends on whether you are prepared to do the integration work yourself and spend all the time. Or go to a full service provider that has done it many times in the past and takes care of everything including a warranty.

I had the ZF 8HP in one of my previous cars and it is indeed a magnificent gearbox.
And those of us with the old 3-speed BW and GM gearboxes know what a letdown those boxes are and are certainly most interested in this thread.