I am thinking long term here - I am considering having my 5.3 auto converted to a five speed manual. Simply Performance provide a complete kit http://simplyperformance.com/v12-5-speed-conversion/
The case studies on the website are very favourable and I am wondering if anybody on the club has had this done.
i dont really understand why owners would want to change a 5.3 litre executive style car from standard auto to manual, few manual cars were produced because it then makes it HARD WORK to drive. in simple terms a HEAVY clutch pedal for one thing, and driving a "big busV12 " like one of these around in todays traffic with a manual gearbox WONT be fun! , value and cost wise its wasted money , people that buy cars like these want AUTO not manual they never made many manuals for ONE very simple reason owners and buyers of cars like these NEW wanted AUTO not manual, thats why production of manuals never lasted long! FEW orders for them . no one wanted one back in the day in the executive new car buying class AUTO'S were and still are the expected "standard" with cars of this type and cost new , im sorry but a "novelty factor" this one isant, that car will be hard work as a manual totally different and MUCH heavier car to drive as compared to an E Type the XJ-S, ! regards.
I am having second thoughts on this now; mainly because I am keen to retain the authenticity and originiality but also because the cost is unlikely to be returned. It will have a positive effect on mpg but the cost of the change will buy an awful lot of petrol! I will look to invest in improving the suspension and other areas of the car instead.
Dont believe a word of it Mr Harbon! your xjs is not worth less if convert to manual, if anything its more sellable if its manual as rarity more attractive plus it transforms the car in a spectacular way. the 9" clutch is light and easy to use and is not heavy plus you get what feels like a massive 50% increase in power as that GM400 sapped most of the power,its truly amazing. if your handy and you know someone, it can be done for less than £2500.00.
regards.
Couldent agree more, it would cost a lot to do, and i dont think you'd enjoy driving it in manual mode either and contrary to popular speculation it will be many many years before these cars start making large amounts of money , Classic car dealers "shaking them up and Down" to see if some money falls out of them! with CRAZY "Advertised" prices is also not an acurate way to gauge values either currently,
.prices on coupes are all over the place , REALITY however says they have gone from being £1500 to £3,000 which is what many were doing for years and years to 4, 5, and £6,000 in the real world today yes soft tops do a little more but again it aint double figures either, far toooo much "hype" with the XJ-S and prices FEW make big buck's, there are lots and lots of mechanical area's to invest some money making an XJ-S drive and perform better
kind regards