Retrofitting Jag rear suspension?????
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
From: Franksville Wisconsin
Retrofitting Jag rear suspension?????
Has anyone heard of fitting Jaguar rear independant suspension in a Vette? I have had several Jags through the years and that suspension is a work of art.Needle bearings at all pivot spots and grease fitting everywhere including wheel bearings. Wondering if it would be worth fitting one in my '81.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
Have to check out the geometry... your car, if stock does not make enough power to hurt the differential so no issue there.....If you still have access to an E-type bring a tape measure and a notebook containing a sketch and dimensions from your car. A possible area requiring considerable engineering would be sussing out how to hang the center section... that alloy carrier won't retrofit the Jag pumpkin readily.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,487
Likes: 1
From: Sydney
Hmmm I do have experience with jag rear ends have fitted one to a hotrod, they are nice, the aluminium 'hubs' at each wheel do have a tendency to develop stress cracks though. First thing you have to do to make it pretty is lose the steel 'cage' it is mounted to the car with, and make new trailing arms because the originals are somewhat ugly and mount to the car using a big weird rubber ball in cup type of fitting.
Really doesn't seem like it is worth the effort, if I would ever consider a rear-end swap in a C3 it would be to a solid rear axle with multi link suspension. Would get rid of all those uni joints, handle a lot more power and make gear changes cheaper and easier.
A Jag swap would be possible, but IMHO not worth the effort. The C3 IRS is fine as is, there are plenty of things I would do to a C3 before considering this.......
cosmic
EDIT: Oh and re having "grease fittings everywhere" have a search in the archives, grease fittings are not always a good thing, most guys recommend uni joints with no grease fittings as they are much stronger.
EDIT 2: The inboard disc brakes on the jag rear end are also a nice idea in theory, and do reduce unsprung weight but in practice they are a PITA to work on.
Really doesn't seem like it is worth the effort, if I would ever consider a rear-end swap in a C3 it would be to a solid rear axle with multi link suspension. Would get rid of all those uni joints, handle a lot more power and make gear changes cheaper and easier.
A Jag swap would be possible, but IMHO not worth the effort. The C3 IRS is fine as is, there are plenty of things I would do to a C3 before considering this.......
cosmic
EDIT: Oh and re having "grease fittings everywhere" have a search in the archives, grease fittings are not always a good thing, most guys recommend uni joints with no grease fittings as they are much stronger.
EDIT 2: The inboard disc brakes on the jag rear end are also a nice idea in theory, and do reduce unsprung weight but in practice they are a PITA to work on.
Last edited by cosmicvette; Dec 15, 2009 at 09:03 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 289
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From: Franksville Wisconsin
I'm looking into this for the future. I can't stand the original rear suspension in the Vette. I've had so many problems with them. Currently have rh wheel bearing back apart after 500 miles of use. It was shimmed perfect,but when i jacked car last weekend it had some play when holding tire front and back with twisting motion. Removed halfshaft and checked it again and it in in the bearing assy. After taking it all apart and fit bearing on tool preload is perfect. upon further measuring all I needed to do it put shim under the halfshaft flange. The large washer bottoms premature and does not allow the flange to go in quite far enough. Thinking back there was a shim under it the first time and I deleted it since according to manual it does not belong. The other C3 I had few years back had major diff. stub shaft problems and then again.......more problems. The jag rear end is great and the brakes are not that bad to work on.....
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Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 15,892
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Wonder why you're having so many problems.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,572
Likes: 51
From: Wichita Kansas
I'm looking into this for the future. I can't stand the original rear suspension in the Vette. I've had so many problems with them. Currently have rh wheel bearing back apart after 500 miles of use. It was shimmed perfect,but when i jacked car last weekend it had some play when holding tire front and back with twisting motion. Removed halfshaft and checked it again and it in in the bearing assy. After taking it all apart and fit bearing on tool preload is perfect. upon further measuring all I needed to do it put shim under the halfshaft flange. The large washer bottoms premature and does not allow the flange to go in quite far enough. Thinking back there was a shim under it the first time and I deleted it since according to manual it does not belong. The other C3 I had few years back had major diff. stub shaft problems and then again.......more problems. The jag rear end is great and the brakes are not that bad to work on.....
I have owened Jags and can't see the advantage of a Jag IRS in a Vette. I have drivin some of my past Vettes 75 and 100 thousand miles as DD's and out of 6 C3's have only replaced 1 rear wheel bearing. Maybe just luck.
If you want to up drade go to the C4 rear suspension. That would be an up grade and you can find help here on how to do it.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 289
Likes: 0
From: Franksville Wisconsin
If I had to pay someone to do the rear axle work I would sell the Vette......
The jag rear suspension is a race proven design with quality bearings at pivot joints with grease zerks. The vette used rubber parts that rot every few years and need replacment. I'm a capable mechanic that restored dozens of cars and a full time aircraft mechanic. If the rear axles in the Vette are so special and need the experts to do them then I will sell the car before I pay $700 + for rear axle rebuild. Some of the cars I restored were jags.
The jag rear suspension is a race proven design with quality bearings at pivot joints with grease zerks. The vette used rubber parts that rot every few years and need replacment. I'm a capable mechanic that restored dozens of cars and a full time aircraft mechanic. If the rear axles in the Vette are so special and need the experts to do them then I will sell the car before I pay $700 + for rear axle rebuild. Some of the cars I restored were jags.
Last edited by WhiteC3; Dec 16, 2009 at 11:15 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 289
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From: Franksville Wisconsin
The Hope is to drive the Vette this summer and if its broke all the time as last summer went I will probaly be selling to buy a Jag XK8.
Last edited by WhiteC3; Dec 16, 2009 at 11:38 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
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Let me tell tell you all about the foibles of modern Jags if you think you'll be making a positive move.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 289
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From: Franksville Wisconsin
I've had a 1995 Xj12 with 6.0 V12 for some time and have no complaints.I hoped this current Vette would be differnent than the first,but I'm having the same results.
I have had many British cars MGs' Triumphs Jags and all the unreliable talk going around is BS. Same with the Lucas rumors and joke like "why do the british drink warm beer"? all not true. In fact I've had more electrical problem with American car than any other. Sorry I made the the unrilable comment in previous post ,but its been ture for me with two vettes so far. This summer will be the deciding factor for my current '81 vette. I like the looks and the feel of driving it, when it drives.
I have had many British cars MGs' Triumphs Jags and all the unreliable talk going around is BS. Same with the Lucas rumors and joke like "why do the british drink warm beer"? all not true. In fact I've had more electrical problem with American car than any other. Sorry I made the the unrilable comment in previous post ,but its been ture for me with two vettes so far. This summer will be the deciding factor for my current '81 vette. I like the looks and the feel of driving it, when it drives.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,572
Likes: 51
From: Wichita Kansas
I also owned a very nice LOOKING 1985 Jag XJS V12. If you like dancing with the Prince of Darness then I would say go for it. You think rebuilding a Vette is expensive try on that V12 and just try to get some HP out of it. It will cost you more than the car itself. There is a reason why Jags have Chevy under the hood.
I would agree that if you want a rocket with luxury go with a Jag and a BBC or LSX. Then all you have to worry about working on is the electrical system with the multiple of relays.
Ever look to see what the Jag has for relays.
After installing the Chevy rip out ALL of the wiring and re wire the car with an after market kit.
Now you will have a fast, reliable, comfortable and stylish luxury sports car with a back seat.
You ever notice that when someone is trying to sell a Jag with a Chevy in it they advertise it as having a CORVETTE engine.
I would agree that if you want a rocket with luxury go with a Jag and a BBC or LSX. Then all you have to worry about working on is the electrical system with the multiple of relays.
Ever look to see what the Jag has for relays.
After installing the Chevy rip out ALL of the wiring and re wire the car with an after market kit.
Now you will have a fast, reliable, comfortable and stylish luxury sports car with a back seat.
You ever notice that when someone is trying to sell a Jag with a Chevy in it they advertise it as having a CORVETTE engine.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,528
Likes: 148
From: East London/SW Essex UK
As a Brit and UK based I have owned Jags in the past but live axle stuff not IRS. Plenty of people here have put what were once plentiful Jag IRS's in all sorts of things like rods, vans, street machines etc, and yes they look pretty in something a model T rod, far prettier than the Vette rear end (not that you can see it) - even though the design is quite accomplished it is (like the Vette) somewhat dated. I don't see any advantage whatsoever in sticking one under a Vette - the Vette rear end can be ungraded (at a cost!) to handle significant power outputs and have improved geometry - the Jag rear end is probably limited to 500-550 hp. And to top it all the Jag rear end will de-value your Vette big time !
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2001
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 2,541
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From: Chicago
As a Brit and UK based I have owned Jags in the past but live axle stuff not IRS. Plenty of people here have put what were once plentiful Jag IRS's in all sorts of things like rods, vans, street machines etc, and yes they look pretty in something a model T rod, far prettier than the Vette rear end (not that you can see it) - even though the design is quite accomplished it is (like the Vette) somewhat dated. I don't see any advantage whatsoever in sticking one under a Vette - the Vette rear end can be ungraded (at a cost!) to handle significant power outputs and have improved geometry - the Jag rear end is probably limited to 500-550 hp. And to top it all the Jag rear end will de-value your Vette big time !
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Inserting the C4 rear suspension is much more "doable", salvage parts or new parts are readily available and less expensive than Jag parts, and IMO [for whatever that's worth to you], the C4 rear would be a much better system/design and more compatible with the [earlier] C3 design.