5-Speed Upgrade

[cjd]

I am very keen to upgrade my 1962 S1 FHC 3.8 to a modern 5 speed gearbox. Have done much reading etc and have almost decided to fit the Elite 5 Speed kit based con the Tremec box. Has any member any positive or negative opinions on this choice?

One restorer has recommended I use an 'XJ6 series 3 late 5 speed box which will fit exactly, and be much cheaper' -I cannot find any references to this upgrade online so am a bit wary. Has anyone got any knowledge or experience of such an upgrade -and again comments would be very gratefully received. Thanks to all in advance. Chris

[christopher storey]

The late XJ6 box is in fact the Leyland 77mm box as used in Rover SD1, Triumph TR7 etc and is a good box with well selected ratios . They are best run on Automatic Transmission Fluid as that lightens up the change a good deal, this having been a particular problem in very cold weather. Otherwise , they are a box with much to commend them . However, finding one can be a problem, and try to ensure you are not fobbed off with one which came from a Sherpa, which had much wider ratios

[mgcjag]

Was looking at details re the LT 77 XJ 5 speed gearbox....note that you will also need the bellhousing and flywheel that are specific to the Lt77 box.... Steve

[Simonpfhc]

Hi,

I have the Elite Tremec 5-speed and It is proving to be fantastic! It fitted without much issue, the gear-change is super slick and has a pretty short throw. I have a 3.31 diff and at 2500rpm I am cruising at about 75mph.

Cheers.

[abowie]

I have a Tremec based 5 speed in my 3.8 roadster; it is really good. Not an Elite box so I can't comment specifically there.
I am not aware that there is an easy "drop in" solution with any stock Jag 5 speed box.

[Tjellvar]

Hi

I have done the upgrade with The Driven Man kit, Tremec T5.
See my article in The E-type magazine Sep. 2017.
The kit require a 9.5" clutch. The clutch need an already drilled flywheel from engine no. RA5801 or a modified fly wheel, an other option is to buy a new fly wheel.
To install the kit was as easy as putting the old gearbox back.
The only modification I needed to do was some enlargement on the gearbox cover(part of the chassis) for the gear shifter. The kit can be ordered from SNG Barratt.

Tjellvar

[Barry]

Hi there, I have commented on many occasions about problems with Elite gearboxes. I had two fitted to my Series 1 FHC and each of them had a very noisy 5 th gear. Whilst New Forest Classic (NFC) replaced each ‘box, the third one was ok, but then I sold the car last April. NFC had a total of 6 gearboxes which were bad. The owner was not honouring any returns which made it even worse for NFC. when I rang NFC, their attitude was appalling. Don’t buy from them. A friend has fitted one of Ulryk’s gearboxes from Etypefabs, or one of NFC’s new gearboxes made by Quaife. The Etypefabs 5 speed are well tried and well engineered. NFC got Quaife to make a new design for them after such appalling results with Elite. By the way, Quaife make all Eagle’s gearboxes now, but a different design to NFC. NFC’s design is twin shaft, but Eagle’s is to a more traditional single shaft design. Eagle won’t sell you one unless you buy a car from them. I hope this helps!

[Barry]

Sorry Chris, I need to clarify what I said! It was Elite who were appalling to deal with. NFC WERE FANTASTIC!
One other point, the cheaper options are not necessarily the best. I outlined the Etypefabs gearbox, and NFC’s new Quaife gearbox. Both are more expensive than the Elite racing gearbox, but hassle free.....when you are paying our a few grand you need to know your choice will be reliable, as well as the people you are buying it from....

[paulsco]

Hi,

I know nothing about the LT77 gearbox, but I just read an article (about lowering seats) in the November Jaguar Enthusiasts magazine, where a 2+2 owner who has an LT77 gearbox states that the gear leaver is 3" further back than standard.

Paul

[politeperson]

Having has a few LT77 gearboxes in 2 and 4 wheel drives, I am not sure it would be worth the effort!

Heavy slow change, heavy gearbox. Far better alternatives in 2017!

[vipergts]

Hi,

I have the Elite Tremec 5-speed and It is proving to be fantastic! It fitted without much issue, the gear-change is super slick and has a pretty short throw. I have a 3.31 diff and at 2500rpm I am cruising at about 75mph.

Cheers.

I have the same with the 3:31 diff. Still gives great acceleration and sensible cruising. Think it’s the optimum set up

[Dal]

Has anyone heard of problems with the welded input shaft of the Elite 5sp?

[mgcjag]

T5 welded shaft mentioned in this thread.....Steve viewtopic.php?f=3&t=19170&p=155589&hili ... ft#p155589

[chuffer]

Has anyone heard of problems with the welded input shaft of the Elite 5sp?

Worth noting that it is not Elite that weld input shafts but a company in your fair country. See JagLovers for plenty of info. Elite use the standard Tremec input shaft, at least for the XK engine.

[Dal]

Chuffer, I should have noticed the 10 spline “Mustang” input shaft, not welded. You have piqued my interest. Thanks

[angelw]

Dal Wrote:

Chuffer, I should have noticed the 10 spline “Mustang” input shaft, not welded. You have piqued my interest. Thanks

Hello Dal,
The Mustang 10 spline is a smaller diameter than the spline used originally with the Jaguar, but there are "Off the Shelf" clutch plates available that are correct for the standard clutch used on the Jaguar. The only modification required to be made to the Mustang First Motion Shaft is to machine the Spigot Journal down to 0.499".

I'm not aware of a one piece First Motion Shaft with the correct spline used standard with the Jaguar, but if there is, it just makes the company that supplies the welded shaft just so the standard Jag clutch assembly can be used, more inept than I give them credit for.

Regards,

Bill

[Roketman]

Why not change the rear end gear to a 307 or 288?

[RICHOT]

Believe it or not but I have done both!! --- 2.88 rear Dif and a new Tremec T5 box.

Fortunately the cylinder head was gas flowed by Peter Lander some years ago which gives the car great lowdown torque and smoothness.

It is like going back to a 4 speed box with an overdrive for motorways etc.

I do a lot of touring in my E (S.Africa twice, N America 3 times and virtually all over Europe) and it makes the driving experience very relaxing.

Cheers,

Richard

[Roketman]

Hyper convincing me to get a 5 speed for my next winter
Project