6.0 TWR XJS

[vario-rob]

A bit of advice from one who doesn’t stray into these parts very often.

Back in the mid to late 80’s our local Jaguar dealer (Minden motors as it was then) carried out a number of TWR conversions to both XJ6, 12 and XJS mostly cosmetic but one or two XJS were increased to 6.0 litre and were worked over pretty comprehensively.

I’ve looked around the internet to try and find a bit more information about these conversions and think I’m right in saying that the 6.0 TWR conversion was an altogether more potent job than the Jaguar Sport 6.0 that appeared a few years later?

I have no idea what a proper TWR 6.0 litre car would be worth today and I’ve not seen one advertised either but a few leads would be most welcome as I’ve always had a hankering for one.

It’s the time of year for a bit of automotive super sleuth work as it’s a year since I bought my last project in the shape the car that’s design inspired the Series I XJ6

Many thanks

[groomi]

I'm a little bit vague on the details, but 'Jaguarsport' was a joint venture by Jaguar and TWR, and as you point out, these cars were 6.0L. I'm not aware of any beforehand unless they were aftermarket conversions, which I would imagine were most likely to be TWR conversions.

Lister did some pretty manic XJS specials and some conversion kits were available, so that could be another possibility...

Other than that, I'm stumped.

[Steve_T]

Might be worth having a chat to Racing Green, I've seen the odd Lister (7.0 I think) or two lurking in their showroom.

[bobfrance]

There's a company that still supplies all the specced-up goodies for the V12. The name escapes me at the moment, but I'll find it when I get home tonight.

Alternatively you could make me an offer on my genuine, fastidiously maintained XJR-S.
I am toying with the idea of selling at the moment
(See profile)

Bob.

[jagsport]

The TWR (pre Jaguarsport) conversion was 6.1 and used an 80mm crank, the Jaguarsport was 6.0 and used a 78mm crank with cosworth pistons and Zytek ECU system. Jaguar dealers dumped the Jaguarsport Zytek cars as there was no spares availability nor has there been for some years. Fast Fast cars in their day.

[vario-rob]

Many thanks for the input, I’m going to shuffle the garage in the next month or two and fancy a tasty XJS. Unfortunately the Lister option is both more money than I would want to spend and I seem to recall a right swine to have maintained?

Certainly a Jaguar Sport car might well be on the cards but I just have it in the back of my mind that the slightly earlier TWR car were more bit more powerful? As has been pointed out, the TWR modification went to 6.1 litres but I also seem to remember 400 bhp being quoted although I’m not that sure given how long ago it was.

What’s more, asides from the two tone paint and Speedline wheels TWR would also do a manual conversion which I know has been done by others but the full house TWT XJS added up to a bit of a brute.

One logical step is to go to HR Owen in BSE as the guy who’s looked after my XJR has been there for years and was (and is) a real dab hand with the V12’s. Hopefully he might remember the TWR conversions that were done there in the mid to late 80’s.

If all else fails there’s still the Lynx Eventer route……………………

[XJRS]

Does anyone have any idea how much a GENUINE TWR would be worth, not one with just a bodykit and badge slapped on it. This one has v12 engine, not sure on spec, MANUAL 5 speed gear box, Large AP racing Brake kit with lightweight calipers, scotish tweed half leather, vented rear disks, bilstein shocks, body kit TWR badge, Black, dechromed trim, TWR steering wheel, speedline 16 inch wheels, etc.
Any idea on value with an MOT but in need of a slight restoration?
Any idea what sort of top speed this would have?

[marque]

Not sure of the costs however there is a guy in north kent famouse jag fixer who has a twr monster he was roumoured to have had it up to 178 when he was arrested by the kindly french police who then confiscated the car and banned him from french soil for ever..

[another]

Top speed? Why unless you start changing final drive ratios you'll be going quoted topspeed of 150mph in a V12 XJ-S. It's torque, I've a 1988 XJ-S convertible with Chris Window RGC manual conversion and other mods. Old 3rd is matched to 4th and I've run out of road when attempting more. What is superb is the torque and acceleration from 100 up never changes. The V12 is so torquey, 5000 rpm in standard ratio top if I remember correctly is over 140mph. Probablly redlines at 6000rpm to get the published 150mph but with the 5th yuo could change up. A simple 5.3 manual revs well and is a delight. I'm shuffling cars and may be in selling for sensible price PM me.

[bobfrance]

My old Facelift XJR-S was quoted as doing 165mph top speed although I never tried to get anywhere near that.

[xjrs]

I have had 160 from my 5.3 XJR-s, once, not been that fast in it again, they are faster than the XJS, although people do not think so as the engine is the same, but the bodykit, spoiler and speedline kit reduce drag, and help pin the car into the ground significantly. ALso got a 6.0litre XJR-s that is limited to 158, so must be capable of 170ish de restricted I would have thought!

[NormanD]

Speed is more to do with gearing than power available.

[600m]

I have a little 7.6 litre in my Lister MK1 which produces comfortablbly over 600ft/lb of torque and just a shade over 595 bhp. Has a 6 Speed with 2.88 diff 100mph in 6th is just touching 2150rpm.