Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Comfort suspension

Probably best not to go into it here, but there's considerable history in the relationship between the GoMog webmaster and much of the Morgan community, which frequently reflects in his views.

The points he makes about not changing a standard Morgan are particularly interesting, given the extent of the changes he has done to his car...

My understanding is that the Bilsteins are tuned so that they are reasonably compliant initially but then become hard as more force is put on them, thus trying to compliment the progressive springs. However a Plus 8 and Roadster is much heavier that a 4/4 and this will affect the tuning of both springs and shocks I believe.

His review seems balanced and knowledgeable. He seems to have driven a Suplex car. I have heard similar views expressed by others in the Morgan community I have spoken with about Suplex. He does not say that there is anything wrong in fettling your cars suspension or modifying it but suggests caution when modifying the suspension. An honorable position, surely?

Thanks - this makes sense. Suplex was developed on a 4/4 I understand?

I was fortunate to have a Suplex kit fitted by PJB to my 1954 Plus 4. It came FOC because Suplex wanted to test it on an early car. It has improved the suspension to a great extent, but without losing the Morgan feel. As I was lucky to receive it free, I feel a moral responsibility to publicise my satisfaction (no commercial interest). But equally I can give a pretty honest feedback because, had I paid £700 for the kit, I might have felt obliged to perceive a non-existent benefit.

Out of interest and as a doubting Thomas, I recently removed the Bilsteins and re-fitted the Konis. The ride quality deteriorated, not so much over small undulations but over larger ones where there was a dreadful crash that shook through the whole car. So I refitted the Bilsteins.

Hope this is helpful,

Tony

I have really enjoyed this topic, I thought that perhaps I was missing something and had convinced myself that the Suplex upgrade? was for me.
As I read about it the suggestion made a lot of sense - and I have great respect for the views of (PJB)and would not question his knowledge.
I still think that a Suplex upgrade when the King pins need replacement is on, but I would now prefer to try the modification before I make a decision.
Thanks for the views, as ever the forum is a priceless resource.
All the best
Tony

Actually, and just to wade into the "comfort" and "why modify" debates, to me the answer is simple. My car is a 2005 4/4 previously fitted with damper blades and equipped with AVOs, which were themselves a big improvement over the original factory dampers.

The Suplex conversion has improved comfort by being far more progressive over both small and larger bumps, and by being more stable in roll. Often a bump is noticed through the rear axle and not the front end. My wife noticed an immediate improvement!

It has also improved handling by keeping the front end more under control over uneven surfaces, especially accelerating out of a bend.

Another benefit is lighter steering at low speeds, as it includes roller bearings and the damper blades have been removed. My car has no shimmy as a result (6deg camber), but I do find the lighter steering to be perhaps a little jittery at speed, so I intend to fit a Mulfab steering dampler, as recommended by PJB.

The essential characteristics of the car have not altered, they have been improved (in my opinion). And at a very reasonable cost.

Nigel

PS They were fitted by Beamish Morgan (John Macdonald), who have fitted several, and they like them.

I would be interested to hear PJB's response to the issue of different engine weights. I suspect it is partly covered by the adjustment to the correct ride height and it well may be that the different spring rates used by Morgan are more related to getting correct ride height than any issues of handling.

One must also keep in mind that tuning suspension for road use and track use are two entirely different things.

A very self opinionated and somewhat biased review by a person who has not bothered to communicate with the designers or even attempted to understand the technology (I have done both)

I respect his right to have opinions but his review shows a certain level of ignorance and therefore lacks any authority. IMHO

The system has been extensively tested on both 4/4 and Plus 4 models (the MD of Suplex UK owns a Plus 4 too).

The issue of steering shimmy relates to the replacement of the damper blades on earlier models and not to the springs. The replacement of the blades with bearings was a common mod even before the Suplex system was thought of. Anyone who has bothered to read the instructions would know that the damper blades may be retained, if desired.

The other main complaints relate to cost and I think we are all capable of making our own decissions on that subject. I, for one, am very happy with the results obtained for what it has cost me.

Quicksilver mentioned that Morgan stick to British shock absorbers.
The standard shocks on roadsters and +4's were Sachs front and Bilstein rear. Both German. The Suplex kit use Bilstein and reset in the UK by Bilstein to suit the Morgan.
Suplex now supply Morgan with their springs after the original supplier's were poorly tempered and sagged.
Interesting debate, but having owned 5 Morgans, all different models, for the last 40+ years, they all had there own different character. Their handling has been improved by Rutherford, Spax, Koni, AVO and and now Suplex respectively. You could always put the original Girlings or Armstrongs back on if you want original British and can find them in a garage bin somewhere!