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Customer
Feedback
We welcome
your comments regarding your experiences with The Driven Man.
Send us a note
HERE on
what other products you think we should offer car lovers that you haven't seen
here. Or let us know of other interesting ideas that you think would
benefit our family and friends that you'd like to see placed on our website.
An email from J. Garfield, North Carolina
(1990
XJS V12 Roadster)
Mr. Hall,
The 5-speed is magnificent!!! The XJ-S behaves as if it had been
waiting for it.--Quicker off the mark, cooler running engine, lower
rpms, handles like a much smaller and lighter roadster. You've
installed the speed-shift spring for 3rd and 4th gears.--I like it.
The last time I wrote to you, I told you of the 24.1 mpg I
experienced
driving from Gary's shop to my home in Asheville.--It has gotten
better with my highest recorded mpg being 28.2 (The overall average
for that 260-mile trip from Asheville to Fort Bragg was 27.8 mpg.)
The trip from Fort Bragg to Asheville is along gentle uphill roads
with the steepest hill being Old Fort Mountain.--On good (i.e.,
ideal) days with the GM Turbo 3-speed Automatic, my mpg would be in
the 18.5 to 19.3 range using 13.0 gallons. On my 16 February trip
to Asheville with the TKO500, I used 9.9 gallons. I habitually
travel at the established speed limits.
Most sincerely,
Jeff Garfield.
Happy Life with 5-speed
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An email from Michelle & Johnny H., North
Carolina (TKO600)
Dear Gray Fredrick,
I can't begin to thank you enough for the fantastic and speedy service
that you extended out to me and my husband when purchasing the
transmission for our 69 Mustang. It was by far that smoothest
transaction I have ever made and your knowledge and expertise made our
decision that much easier. Thanks again so much. Michelle & Johnny H. |
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An email from a
Vendor "Help, need money fast! Going on vacation!"
Robert,
Just a quick note to thank you. Thank
you for going above and beyond for the effort you put in to my
problem. I commend you and Tina for the extra effort. I am proud of
being a client and business partner of your Company. Excellent job
done very well! My kids also thank you and Tina.
A Friend for life!
Thanks from the deepest of my heart,
S. M.
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An email from Ian C.
United Kingdom (Jaguar
17" Wheels)
Hi Tina
First of all let me thank all at "The Driven Man" for the first class
customer service. Everyone has been courteous, prompt and helpful beyond
expectations. I look forward to future business with you and recommend
you to all.
I have now driven a few miles on the new wheels, some "enthusiastically"
using the performance (but within the speed limits officer.....!!). The
ride has been firmed up slightly by the lower profile tyres (225/50
Goodyears) but as I run a rear anti-roll bar/aftermarket springs, my car
is a little stiffer than normal and I like it with a little more
"communication" from the front wheels. The big bonus is the significant
improvement in steering/braking and fast cornering...excellent.
Overall, I am extremely pleased with the wheels, they look good, fit
without dramas and have improved the driving experience as well, top
marks.
Regards,
Ian C |
TKO600 Transmission
Conversion Kit for 1973 Challenger
November 20, 2007
Dear Gray,
First let me thank
you for caring about the product you're selling me and explaining which
transmission would be best suited for my application.
I
will say at first, spending this kind of money on a transmission is a huge
expenditure for me. But because of your knowledge and customer service
this is why I went for what seems to be the perfect fit for the Challenger.
I'm awaiting my parts and transmission. It will be a few months before I
can recover monetarily and have the kit installed into the car but believe
me I can hardly wait. I will keep you updated on the progress of the
car, as soon as it is installed for a final progress report.
What made me purchase the kit from you is the customer service that you gave
me and without that I would have probably gone somewhere else. You
were also able to shave quite a bit of the price which also was a
determining factor. If all goes well, I will tell everyone I know to
call The Driven Man for the kit. May you and your Family have a
happy and safe Holiday season.
A true muscle car & MOPAR Enthusiast
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A couple of emails from Mike at Jaguar Central (Jaguar
E Type Transmission Kit)
August 18, 2007
Thanks for the
fast service. We will be buying all of our transmissions from you. Thanks
again Mike/Jaguar Central
August 21, 2007
Please add my comment to
your webpage. I am very pleased with your service and staff. Let me tell
you a little about Jaguar Central. We are a restoration facility in
Ontario, Calif. and have been restoring Etype Jaguars and all XK Jaguars
for over 30 years. Many of our customers want the 5-speed transmissions
installed in their Etypes during their restorations. I am very happy
that we have found an excellent supplier.
Thank you, Mike/ Jaguar Central
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XJS 5-speed
An email from Jeff (Jaguar 5-speed Transmission
Conversion Kit)
Gentlemen:
THANK YOU.
I truly appreciate the reception, conversations,
getting me to the hotel, and all the great,
hard work in
installing the Driven Man 5-speed.
Guys, the trip to Asheville was great.--'Like
driving a new sports car! Once I entered Highway 40, I remained in 5th
until exiting on Asheville's Highway 240 Loop. Of course the RPMs were
down compared to the automatic's top gear and the temperature guage rested above
"C" but well below "N", so the engine was running cooler. The car felt
more maneuverable. I really enjoyed the
115-mile drive.
Most respectfully,
Jeff.
Your loyal
customer.
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An email from Scott M. (Front and Rear Sway Bar Kit) Monday, July 23, 2007
Robert,
Thanks for the GREAT product! My car handles
much better. Greatest modification to date!
Scott M.
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An email from
Gary H. (Front and Rear Sway Bar kit - Jaguar XJ)
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Robert,
It took some real searching for a few months to find a shop confident in their
abilities of installing your sway bar upgrade on my XJ-S. I'm glad I persisted!
A fellow Jag enthusiast and I took her out for a drive recently. She had driven
the car before the sway bars were installed and loved it. When she took the
wheel after the kit was installed, her reaction was the same as mine: neither of
us could stop grinning.
My Cat tracks straight and true while still maintaining that famous Jaguar ride.
The very noticeable difference, however, is in the corners! No reasonable person
could expect a 20 year old 4000 pound car to handle like that .... but, now,
mine does.
Thanks!
Gary, 1986 XJ-S
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An email from Fawaz in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
(Jaguar Control Arm)
Tuesday, April 11, 2006 12:02 PM
Hi Tina,
Thanks great, I look forward to receiving the part soon. Thanks so much for you
courteous, quick response and the help with finding a cheap shipping solution.
Robert was very helpful with informing me about the product. The attention I
received for such a low ticket item makes this one of the most pleasant
experiences I have had dealing with any company. I look forward to dealing with
you in the future.
Thanks,
Fawaz A.
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An email from
Kevin, Versailles, KY USA, addressed to Robert Hall when sending in customer
gallery pictures.
Car: 1985 XJ-S
HE
Robert,
I am still enjoying my new exhaust system. It has
improved the performance, engine temperature, exhaust sound and looks of my car.
Kevin C., Versailles, KY
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Posted on
Tuesday, August 19,2003 Customer: D.
F. Neff
Car: 1991 XJ-S
V12
Keisler's
extraordinary 5-Speed kit with 32% Overdrive easily achieves 25 MPG (US) at
75-80 MPH in heavy XJ-S Convertible with a 2.88 differential ratio.
Equally important, the formally hot running V12 now runs consistently at a very
cool temperature.
Keislers’
responsive lightweight Aluminum Flywheel allows the Jaguar V12 to rev freely
while still providing abundant torque for smooth starts with a heavy XJ-S
Convertible during stop and go driving. The clutch pedal action is light
and comfortable making frequent shifting enjoyable and fun.
The dynamic
Keisler Team of Professions, Marc, Pat and Jeff, repeatedly demonstrated that
only Perfection was acceptable while they worked with meticulous detail on my
V12 Jaguar XJ-S. They insisted that the finished project on my XJ-S meet
their personal Precise Standards and Strict Tolerances as if each were working
on their own Jaguar.
D. F. Neff
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Posted on
August 2, 2003
Customer: Bill F.
A letter from
Bill, Maryland USA, addressed to the Jaguar Lovers XJS Email List.
Dated:
February 10, 2000
I strongly
suggest that anyone interested in doing a 5-speed conversion to their cat read
this issue and all articles with particular attention to Shafi’s Keisler
conversion kit article.
I may be
slightly biased, here because I just installed Shafi’s kit, but then again I
also believe in letting other enthusiasts know about great performance mods.
I’m not
financially affiliated with Shafi. The 5-speed conversion he offers is
absolutely astonishing! It is the most complete kit out there and it is
great. I just finished installing mine, and as my earlier post mentioned
the traction bars are desirable given the amount of power this cat is finally
putting to the road.
The
acceleration is well WOW! I mean there is no automatic out there that could even
come close to keeping up with me, not even by a long shot. And the v12,
well that engine was designed for a manual, it purrs and runs through the
rpms effortlessly and the car is a sheer pleasure to drive.
If you are
interested or know of anyone who is in doing a conversion, please refer them to
Shafi. As I mentioned there is not incentive here for me, only the honest
truth. I’ve research the conversion for over two years, and have spoken
with everyone in the business (not gonna mention names) and end users.
What I found
was that everyone else’s kit is far from complete, costly and of general poor
quality. Shafi has spent numerous months in developing a high quality kit
that includes very nut, bolt wiring harness and piece necessary to do the
conversion effortlessly. I mean the buyer has absolutely nothing to
manufacture.
All of that
and it’s still by far the most affordable kit out there, half of what GT Jag
charges for theirs and that’s only 75% complete! BTW it only took me 2 days to
install (somewhat experience mechanic).
Should anyone
have any questions and want to keep this off list not to offend anyone, please
feel free to contact me. Pics and track times will be available very soon
too.
I think in the
end value and quality is a matter of opinion, but the more people who agree on
the soundness of the one product, the more likely their opinions parallels the
truth.
Regards,
Bill F.
1985 XJ-S
5-speed
Beaming from
ear to ear!
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Posted on
Tuesday, August 2,2003
Customer: Joe
M.
Car: 90 XJ-S
A letter from
Joe, Georgia USA, addressed to the Jaguar Lovers XJS Email List
Dated:
November 30,1999
While visiting
my mother in East Tennessee over Thanksgiving, I had an opportunity to visit
Shafi Keisler to take a look at his 5-Speed tranny setup. He gave me an
opportunity to drive his converted 86 XJSC. In a word WOW!!
The XJS
becomes an entirely different type of cat with the 5 speed installed. Now
I want one. Shafi is doing a very professional engineering job on this
set-up. New cast bell housing. Jaguar peddle box, peddles, and Jag
clutch master cylinder, but more importantly it feels strong when you drive it
and puts the power to the rear wheels. I didn’t know an XJS would
accelerate that fast.
Shafi is also
in the process of designing and casting a new nose piece for a light weight
Denso started for a jag replacement. While it won’t cost much less, it
should save 20-25 lbs in weight. It was a great afternoon and if anyone
ends up close to Knoxville you should arrange for a visit.
Usual
disclaimer of no connection except that I am really glad that I went by.
Joe M. ‘90XJ-S
St. Marys, GA
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Photo Galleries and
Installation Pics
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