Hi all, thanks for your interest in the SUPLEX 5L rear suspension. I need to tread carefully as I am of course linked to SUPLEX UK Ltd who I consult for and am also viewed by Morgan directors as a supplier, but at heart I am a Morgan owner & driver.
As you know we fitted a 5L (Five Link) rear suspension to a 3.7 Roadster last week, it is a 'bolt on' system; so no welding but a few holes needed for the Panhard Rod cross member. This is PreProduction2. PreProd1 went onto a new 4/4 earlier this year, the prototype is on my 4/4 and has been for 18 months.
Some features of the 5L:
*Full use of all rear suspension travel.
*Progressive spring rate to give good initial ride and grip over poor surfaces that then stiffens in bump.
*Progressive roll stiffness that gives good compliance for small single wheel inputs for ride, but then stiffens up in roll, this is done by the link geometry and integral bush compliance as well as by the progressive spring rate.
*Adjustable monotube dampers with separator piston to give consistent performance when used hard, though nonadjustable monotubes will be available as the standard setup. Both have progressive bump stops.
This 5L kit must be fitted with the RS (or its development) up front, as the 5L is part of a complete Morgan suspension system. Thus spring rates, spring rate progression, damper settings must be compatible front to rear of course, like any other modern high performance sports car. Also like the Williams race car that is doing well, on which we have set up spring rate progression and damper rates front and rear to be compatible.
The RS (Refinement System) needs to fitted up front to give the front suspension spring rate progression to match the 5L rear; having the front suspension going regressive (softer) in bump as many Morgans are and then the rear suspension going progressive (stiffer) in bump makes no sense at all, and will not achieve best ride and handling. OK some owners have set up their own front suspensions that just might be compatible, but they can be assessed if the owners are interested in the 5L. We have also worked on the RS Bilsteins and have a slighter stiffer low velocity bump characteristic, that may be useful, but the proposed adjustable Quantums up front are going to be good; a single adjustable version of the double adjustable versions I set up on the Williams race car.
Four seater, this still needs to be done, but is on the list. Packaging and weights of course different.
Fitting agents; initially there will be a select few based on their known abilities and closeness to advice from SUPLEX people. In time other agents will be approved, that all sounds a bit formal, it is not a difficult kit to fit, but setting up needs to be right to ensure eg corner weights and rear axle alignment are correct.
Prices still to be announced, but that is a SUPLEX matter, I am only the techie.
Impressions from the 3.7 owner and the other renown Morgan ex-racer are more valid than what I would write of course.
I hope that this helps - PJB (Peter J Ballard)
