Need an upgrade for your Lucas OPUS Type AB3 ignition amplifier?
Introducing the NEW
...without changing the original appearance or location!
Suitable for 1971-1982 Jaguar V12 engines including: Jaguar XJ12, Daimler Double Six, E-type SIII, Jaguar XJ-S. Also... Aston Martin Vantage/Volante 5.3 litre 1977-79, DBS V8 1976-79. Plus various Rolls-Royce, Bentley, and several Race-car applications (e.g. Cosworth DFV engines).
Owners of earlier versions of REOPUS Please Note: You can now have them converted to the latest Mk.4 specifications. Contact us for details.
REOPUS 4 is a totally new amplifier circuit board that replaces the original in your Lucas OPUS AB3 alloy amplifier casing. Originality and future compatibility is therefore preserved.
All other components of the Lucas OPUS ignition system are retained. In our experience these are usually reliable and effective.They can still be purchased new at classic Jaguar spares dealers. However, the amplifiers have sold out due to their troublesome nature.
The REOPUS 4 is re-designed circuitry on a new board using modern high-grade ignition components. Every unit is hand-built to a very high standard. They are then checked and tested on three specially designed test-rigs before despatch.
Let's have a closer look at the Lucas OPUS problem...
It's not a case of "if" but "when" with an OPUS amplifier. Usually, the engine dies suddenly when hot. If you're lucky, opening the bonnet and letting everything cool down for half an hour allows you to restart and drive on - until it heats up again. Other symptoms include difficulty in starting a warm or hot engine. From here on it will only get worse.
The original OPUS amplifier is well known for being the main failure point of the OPUS system fitted to Jaguar V12 and other high performance vehicles of the era.
Designed in the 1960's, the OPUS system was a very elegant solution to cope with the incredibly rapid firing requirement of high revving 12 cylinder engines. The basic operating principle is still used today. The problem lies in the fact that the OPUS designers had a limited number of comparatively primitive electronic components to work with. Forty years on, and there are now many high-grade components specifically designed for vehicle electronics.
The OPUS amplifier PC (Printed Circuit) board is housed in a finned aluminium case... see photos above. This was initally located between the cylinder heads where it is subject to extreme engine heat. This was necessary because the leads needed to be as short as possible to avoid electrical interference. Later modifications allowed Lucas to lengthen the leads and the amplifier was moved to a cooler location near the radiator. This marginally improved its reliability but the OPUS system conseqently changed several times while Lucas attempted to improve it. We have come across EIGHT variations of Lucas OPUS and it wouldn't surprise us if we discover more.
One problem in replacing individual parts of the original system is that of compatibility. It is not possible to use an early pick up with a later amplifier, or to use long leads on a short lead OPUS. The amplifier, leads and pick up are all "oscillator-tuned" to work with each other as a matched set. Therefore the lengths and type of cable should NOT be altered.
Your engine may still be running, but heat and age will have changed the values and capabilities of some of the original components. The unit is probably operating outside its designed limits. The results are an irregular and weak spark with as much as 12 degree timing errors between cylinders.
The Alternatives...
We looked high and low for other solutions...
We found one that replaces the amplifier internals with a converted Lucas CEI - a design from the 1980's. It's expensive because it also requires a new distributor, pick up and coil... money and effort wasted if your originals are still working. These parts are on an exchange basis - therefore you lose your original parts. PLEASE NOTE: If you own one of these, we cannot help you if you no longer have your original parts.
If you're not concerned about originality, we found a couple of generic aftermarket "black box" systems. Our research revealed owners having problems with system compatibility, reliability, component quality, ease of fitting and a lack of knowledge, service, and support from the manufacturers/retailers. Check their amplifier specifications. Can they run 12 cylinders @ 8,000rpm, or do they only quote 8cyl @ 6.000rpm? A V12 fitting kit may be available, but is this just a corporate way of selling more of their generic amplifier boxes?
Think of it this way: In the V12 engine, the ignition has to work 3 times faster than a 4 cylinder, 2 times faster than a 6 cylinder, and 50% faster than an 8 cylinder. It makes sense to go with a system designed to run 12 cylinders from the outset.
Not satisfied with what we found, the decision was made to work on the REOPUS and make it available to other enthusiasts. The latest REOPUS version 4 was designed using the best components to run 12 cylinders accurately - even in the heat of the V12 engine valley! Jaguar mechanics will not be phased by non-standard parts - servicing procedure is identical to the original Lucas OPUS - testing is even easier.
THE NEW SOLUTION...
- Uses existing casing and wiring = original appearance.
- Quick and simple fitting.
- Dramatic performance improvement over original.
- Voltage regulated for precision timing between all 12 cylinders.
- Item 4 above means smoother, quieter running at all engine speeds.
- Better fuel consumption.
- Cooler running engine due to better fuel burn.
- Improved emissions.
- Temperature compensation system - V12 engine heat is no problem!
- Eliminates the temperature related timing scatter problems of the original unit.
- Works in harmony with the rest of the system.
- Uses existing pickup, coil and ballast.
- Latest Hybrid transistors specifically designed for firing coils.
- More flexibility with coil choice.
- Latest Hi-Spec components give better hot and cold starting.
- Uses original wiring layout.
- Accurately fires all V12 cylinders up to 8,000rpm - V8/V10 racecar applications reach proportionately higher rpm.
- Specifically re-designed and manufactured to far exceed original performance/quality requirements.
- Ruggedly built using smaller and lighter components on a double-sided board.
- On board diagnostic led system.
All these benefits... by just replacing the old circuit board in your existing amplifier casing.
Easily installed... by anyone who can use a small soldering iron, screwdriver, and a spanner. If you have ANY doubts about your soldering ability, an auto-electrician should be able to do the job in less than an hour! Print out the the "Fitting Instructions" page for the fitter... or email them a link to the page.
You could just unbolt the amplifier case and take it with your new REOPUS 4 for them to do the soldering.
If you have any problems, we are proud of our customer support. Email communication is prompt and ongoing with technical queries mostly answered by the REOPUS designer/manufacturer himself!
What our Customers are saying;
(Full names and addresses can be supplied on request as these independent customers were happy to give their permission.)
The following is a letter to the Jaguar Drivers Club in NZ:
"I am absolutely astonished at the difference in performance of my V12 E-Type since fitting your REOPUS circuit board. It performs like a brand new car now. Nothing I have ever done to a car has made such a big difference to smoothness and performance. If you know anyone who has not made the change yet tell them from me "Just do it!". Phil Warner, Director, Car and Classic Ltd. www.CarAndClassic.co.uk
"Dear Stephen,
Just wanted to let the members know about the improvement that fitting one of the Dave Curry REOPUS units has made to my 1973 V12E. I can confirm that all the claims made by REOPUS Engineering have also been my experience... I have owned my car for coming up 20 years & travelled extensive mileages so the cars performance prior to fitting the new unit is well known to me... Fuel consumption improved by 9% and overall the engine performance improved. The standing quarter down from 15.79 to 15.40 and overall drivability significantly improved. So I can recommend the unit.
Just to make it clear I do not know Dave Curry and we have never met.
Kind regards,
Bryan Wyness"
“I am very happy with the REOPUS upgrade and in particular the increased torque that my XJS now has. I can feel the real acceleration for the first time”
Barry Eade, Auckland, September 2006MORE COMMENTS PLUS A "TECHNICAL" DESCRIPTION FROM THE REOPUS DESIGNER HERE: Testimonials
What more can we say? Well...
We're so confident with REOPUS 4 that we're giving you a manufacturer's FIVE YEAR GUARANTEE.
If you want to experience the real power and smooth torque of that beautiful V12 like never before, here's REOPUS UK's unbeatable online price ...
£235.00 ...registered delivery world-wide is included in this price. NOTE: REOPUS 4 is manufactured and despatched direct to you from New Zealand. Customs duty and/or handling charges may be applicable depending on where you are. We cannot give details for individual countries. Please allow 5/10 days for delivery.
IMPORTANT: We will need details about your car and existing ignition system. To view the questions we ask before placing an order, click here. After payment, you will be automatically taken back to this form and asked to fill it in.
To order REOPUS 4 with your usual debit/credit card or PayPal account, click on the "Buy Now" button.
5 Year Warranty.
The manufacturer warrants, for a period of FIVE years from the date of shipment, that the REOPUS 4 circuit board is free from defects in material and workmanship.
The manufacturer’s obligations under this warranty are limited to the REOPUS 4 circuit board only when it is used as a replacement for the Lucas OPUS Type AB3 ignition trigger amplifier together with the original car manufacturers pickup sensor and an appropriate coil.
All warranty claims will require you to return the unit to our manufacturing facility, at your cost, for examination. If the unit is found to be defective we will either repair or replace it at our discretion and return it to you free of charge.
The warranty shall not apply to any units which been repaired or altered, except by the manufacturer, or which have been subjected to misuse.
Web Site © Double Six Design
Fitting Instructions Print out and check how easy it is to fit.
Testimonials What Owners say about their REOPUS.
FAQ Unsure about something? These may help.
Original Wiring Help Differences between Jaguar models, photos, and schematics.
Contact Us Fill in a form so we can help you.