Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) What do I 'need' for my Plus 8?

Sounds quite a list of jobs

Look forward to hearing how it goes and some photos of the mods.

Enjoy!

Hi Marcos, I fitted a Panhard rod to my 1993 Plus 8. I tend to drive it quite fast, and I do feel a more "planted" stance in fast corners.

Thanks for that. Does it transmit more driveline noise into the chassis? Or add vibration, anything that would detract from a nice smooth but fast road car..?

Hi, over the years I have fitted AVO shocks, panhard rod and recently anti tramp bars to the rear. The back end now feels well planted. I would not necessarily dismiss the anti tramp bars.

1999 Plus 8
Victoria AU

No more noise or vibration. Just a better feel in tight corners.

Okidoki, SUPLEX system with Bilstein shocks all round is all sorted.

The rear shocks have been matched to the fronts and are specific to Morgan apparently, a new development from SUPLEX; apparently my car will be amongst the first to have this fitted, which is nice.

Magnecor plug leads, ECU chip, fuel regulator and new dizzy ordered to go with the full exhaust system.

This is shaping up to be a quite a different car now

All sounding worthwhile mods.

Another vote for anti-tramp bars here. I have anti-tramps and a panhard rod on my 170bhp 4/4, and I find it very stable, especially under hard acceleration.

So Marcos, do you have it done, interested to know what you went for and your thoughts on it? Also you might want to talk with Mark Adams re: Tornado chip for your +8, it should give about 10% more BHP, better torque curve, and will run slightly richer, yours should be like mine with the 14CUX standard chip, this was for Range Rover I think and is set up for an auto, constantly resets itself, and runs the engine lean (not great with modern fuel). You should also get better fuel economy overall. So if you went for the twin stainless exhaust, that should give you about an extra 20bhp and with the chip overall the car should give around 240-245bhp. It's easy to fit yourself and then just need to adjust the timing. I am fitting one this weekend, so can let you know what I think about the result.

Mark's number is 01694 720 144

Still a work in progress! Turns out my kingpins and bushes were worn and should have been an MOT failure 200 miles ago (naughty garage, but we all know and have one) so the new and improved type is on its way from Mulfab along with the Panhard rod.

The exhaust is also being held up as the wrong piece was sent and the right piece must be made-up now and be delivered. They estimated all parts in stock by Friday so me getting the car back towards the end of next week Stainless manifolds apparently fit beautifully and are on the car

Tornado chip (as far as I know) is the one that has been ordered, Bill ison top of this.

I would be very pleased with 240bhp+, it's the feel and power delivery of the car that I want improved, but that power level would make for quite a potent car in extremis at under a tonne.

I had a hand built 4.6 Rover making 348bhp in my 890kg Marcos... It was actually a pig to drive and could be quite intimidating when you didn't necessarily want it to be. I definitely don't want that again in our 'afternoon tea carriage'


Adrian, I would be very interested to hear your thoughts on the chip. As I have only done 200 miles in my Mog since buying it - and none of them quickly - I never got used to it in standard form. Had the suspension not started clonking I'm sure I'd have held off these mods and driven it for the rest of the year as is. But once it went into the garage, the writing was on he wall...