1973 XJ6 S1 with AJ16 Supercharged - Project "Ropey"

[TeamTotalWankel]

I actually like this I think

[Pjn4200]

Hi, its my 1st ever post here but I have been reading your progress.
I have done 2 of these conversions and its my jag on the cover of this months mag.
I'm not a mechanic and a lot has been learnt the hard way.
I originally planned to use the standard ecu as I had a complete doner car. However I could never get it to work so I bit the bullet and went down the emerald route.
I also junked the 6 on plug coils and used a dizzy and plug leads and cam cover from a late xj40.
You can use the original manifolds and simple turn the y pipe exhaust upside down and it lines up with the standard xj6 down pipe, even the olives are the same.
I used the standard rad with an xjs top hose which lines up perfect.
I also split the engine cooling from the inter cooler as its daft using already hot water to cool the intake air.
On the1st car I used the x300 steering pump and reservoir coupled to the original rack. It worked but the steering was way to light but there is a company that makes an adjustment kit to tone it down. My current jag has a manual rack
It's an amazing transformation and the torque is incredible, the jag is a genuinely fast car. Good luck with the project.

(EDIT: by fha772, to make it easier to read )

[fha772]

Hello and welcome to the forum!!!

That's a great first post, with lots of very useful info

By the way, I love your Jag

Cheers Frank.

[Mr Bounce]

I love your Jag (welcome to our slightly off-cente of normal forum), and Project Ropey too. Both brilliant

[Pjn4200]

Thanks very much. The car is exactly what I wanted. Its got a few blemishes but its useable and im not afraid to use it.
Its such a heavy brute to drive but thats the appeal - no elctronic aids and about as basic as possible.
I still got a few things to do and I need to find an uprated clutch. I noticed that National clutches list the same clutch kit for Rover V8 SD1 & TVR's etc as the XJS/XJ6 clutch but im reluctant to spend the money to find out im wrong!!!

Cheers -Paul.

[kieran07]

Great stuff. I really rather fancy the AJ16S staring back at me from the bay of my '40.

[woody68]

I need to find an uprated clutch. I noticed that National clutches list the same clutch kit for Rover V8 SD1 & TVR's etc as the XJS/XJ6 clutch but im reluctant to spend the money to find out im wrong!!!

Cheers -Paul.

I used a company called Kestrel Transmission for an upgraded clutch on a project once they can build you a clutch to your dimensions and to take any amount of power you want to put through it

Here's their site

http://www.clutch-manufacturer.co.uk/

P.s Great thread by the way ...I've got a 99' 4ltr XJR and just love the power of these Jags

Phil

[richw82]

Hi, its my 1st ever post here but I have been reading your progress.
I have done 2 of these conversions and its my jag on the cover of this months mag.
I'm not a mechanic and a lot has been learnt the hard way.
I originally planned to use the standard ecu as I had a complete doner car. However I could never get it to work so I bit the bullet and went down the emerald route.
I also junked the 6 on plug coils and used a dizzy and plug leads and cam cover from a late xj40.
You can use the original manifolds and simple turn the y pipe exhaust upside down and it lines up with the standard xj6 down pipe, even the olives are the same.
I used the standard rad with an xjs top hose which lines up perfect.
I also split the engine cooling from the inter cooler as its daft using already hot water to cool the intake air.
On the1st car I used the x300 steering pump and reservoir coupled to the original rack. It worked but the steering was way to light but there is a company that makes an adjustment kit to tone it down. My current jag has a manual rack
It's an amazing transformation and the torque is incredible, the jag is a genuinely fast car. Good luck with the project.

(EDIT: by fha772, to make it easier to read )

Hi, thanks for the encouragement!

Your car is an awesome beast, and gave me a few good ideas on where to go with mine. Its nice to see that a couple of your problems were the same ones I'm facing, and I've arrived at similar solutions (particularly on the ignition side, and exhaust).

Can I ask, what did you do about the propshaft? The Getrag has a sliding yoke so it looks like a custom item is the way forward there.

I've not stopped working on it, but I'm the worlds worst electrician so the Megasquirt is taking some time. In hindsight I should have bought a built unit - but I like to at least try things in new areas even if I fail.

Its getting ever closer though! More wiring going in tonight.

Regards,

Rich

[Pjn4200]

Hi rich, good to hear from you

on my 1st conversion I used the front half of the XJS propshaft cut and welded to the standard XJ6 prop just forward of the centre bearing mount that still bolted to the car and rear half of the original XJ propshaft. I cant remember the company I used but it didnt cost much.

On my current Jag I used the whole XJS propshaft without any centre mount. I literally measured from the diff flange to the back of the gearbox and had the propshaft made to this length minus 10mm fo allow for slight movement.

The only issue with the 2nd option was that the propshaft company - Feltham Propshaft services (cost £125), had to use large diameter tubing so the clearance between the propshaft and the transmission tunnel was tight at the rear so I had to use a hammer to allow a bit more tolerance.

However both methods worked but I have the gearbox bolted to an engine mount so it dosnt move much.

I put all my electrics on seperate switches for no reason other than I like flicking them to turn on each system (sad really )

One thing I forgot to mention was the idle control. To get some manual control I tapped a thread into the throttle body below the throttle stop. I then screwed in a brass threaded rod connected to a drive cable and control knob on the centre dash panel. I can adjust the idle speed from the cabin and not depend on the stepper motor which I removed and blanked off.

Im just about to try and fit the XJS rear anti roll bar to sharpen things up. You dont sound to far from getting it running - keep us posted

Thanks - Paul.

[richw82]

Hi Paul,

Thanks for the guidance and answers. I have the original XJ6 prop and an XJS prop. I tried various combinations of both and figured one would need modifying. I'm having to rethink my gearbox mount as theres too much movement in the original Getrag/XJS item.

I've disconnected the idle stepper motor, my plan was to gut it and use a cable attached to an old E-type or XJ12 choke lever to move the plunger.

I've seen the XJS roll bar done before, the hardest part is drilling through into the rear seat pan for the attachment brackets. If you get the XJS radius arms and drop links the rest fits great. I think Ropey might get one when I fit the 3.54 back axle. I'm also tempted by outboard rear discs.

Last night saw the Megasquirt in place, the fuel pump and starter wired up properly, and the beginning of wiring the Megasquirt connectors into the loom (I hate it. I threatened to burn it twice.. and that was when it was going well.)

Regards,

Rich

[Smeden]

Keep it Up Richard.. No time for posting.. work work work

I bought my rear / and front stabeliser from Ray at classicspares they are from Harvey Biley and boy do they work

[Pjn4200]

Hi Rich,

I tried the stepper motor plunger attached to a choke cable method. It physically worked allowing more or less air into the engine. The problem was that this would make the engine run lean and misfire as this adjustment was not measured by the ECU. Thats why my idle adjustment is now done via the throttle flap/butterfly so the ECU can measure this via the throttle pot and adjust the fuel accordingly. There is actually an adjustment screw alredy on the throttle body but Jaguar never used it.

I dont know if your management set up is different but worth check it out before spending time/money on it.

I fitted the rear roll bar. No problems but needed to "adjust" the bodywork by 10mm each end to allow for extra clearance. Highly recommend outboard brake conversion, those inboard brakes are the stuff of nightmares!!!! - mine uses early XJ40 hubs.

Cheers - Paul

[richw82]

Christian,

You need to start posting your car here, they'll love it!

Paul,

That makes sense regarding the stepper motor, as theres no signal from the motor. I may be able to use some of the redundant cruise control parts on the throttle body, as that already has a cable.

I tried starting mine at the weekend, but the ECU's not behaving. Fun and games from self building it I guess, so its away to a specialist in the next few days for it to be checked and sorted out.

There's still plenty left to do to keep me busy though...

Regards,

Rich