Given the visibility of the front units then I would have hoped that Morgan & Suplex would have had the sense to colour them to fit the design of the car - black! Is there a photograph anywhere of them fitted ?
BlackAdder, the colours are not that detracting - general opinion is that they enhance the car - but beauty is in the eye of the beholder for sure. This is the only photo I have, not the best to show the colours sorry. Once deliveries start then you can see the colours in person. You will have to contact SUPLEX IF you want different colours, I can not comment on that. (I thought that the SPAX units were red bodied, or am I mistaken?)Cheers PJB.
(I thought that the SPAX units were red bodied, or am I mistaken?)Cheers PJB.
They are, but I painted mine black for that very reason. It's a mild shame that MMC quickly made the Spax uprated units available, probably knowing that some owners would rightly see these as an improvement and purchase a set, only to then market a further alternative and add confusion to the world of 3 Wheelers. I will see how I get on with the adjustable Spax units for now though, seeing as I'm £700 in so far already, as others may be too. Bad comms all round I think.
The standard car is shipped with everything black which makes the engine and exhausts the visual highlight against your desired body colour. No doubt Morgan designers spent hours days and months deciding on a neutral colour palette (black) so the front end so it doesn't look like a mess of engineering components. I'm sure they will be thrilled throwing in a bit of red and silver! The 'upgraded' Spax units are red, but as R1NGA says the first job most people would do is spray them black so they don't look like an afterthought to the car. PJB given it sounds like you haven't started making them yet then can I suggest you make the front ones black - the rear ones can be sky blue pink , but don't f&@k up the look of the car by not thinking about the aesthetics. Having to spend £1.572.25 is bad enough, but to then to get them in a colour that has no relation to how the car was originally designed is adding insult to financial injury. I suppose we should be grateful they are not blue and yellow!
BlackAdder, thanks for your comments. A few little clarifications: I do not make them, I only work as a test driver & independent automotive consultant so I am more concerned about how they perform and what the settings are. The units are due for delivery soon, but that is up to SUPLEX and Morgan. Morgan have no problems with the colour of the SUPLEX units on the M3W. The SUPLEX RS product for the four wheelers use Bilstein dampers in their own company colours of blue and yellow, but of course are hidden away. BUT I will pass your comments back to SUPLEX UK ref colour of the units against the colour of the M3W. Best regards PJB
I suspect that the Spax + Empire kit will produce a very good setup indeed. Sure the Suplex kit is probably better, but there again a £4k Ohlins kit should be better still?! You have to stop somewhere.
We must not forget that aside from the bumpsteer issue, we were all very happy indeed with the handling of our motor cars as they were delivered, so we can't be anything other than over the moon with the end results having fitted some upgraded parts. You can always make improvements, but will they always keep the real essence of what made the cars fun in the first place?
Biggest improvement right now would be dry sunshine - and that would cost nothing - but I can't see that available on the Aero-Racing website anytime soon either!
Dan, not sure I understand the use of the word 'most' in your question, but: of course the spring rate of all the SUPLEX units is proprietary information, however typically the initial spring rate is softer than standard for good ride then goes a lot stiffer than standard in bump and roll to minimise full bump impacts and increase roll resistance. The internal rebound spring stiffness is very stiff in comparison and also progressive. Gas pressure also adds some stiffness and is proprietary info too.
To set spring rate if you intend to do your own; determine what bounce frequency you want and then measure mass of front end and do the maths. The rate progression is essential if you are to run softer main springs in any application.
The progressive non-uniformly wound rear springs & rebound springs are more expensive to make as they need a special spring winding machine to form them and the elastomeric front 'spring assist' (Durable closed cell high density elastomer) are unique to this product I believe.
I hope this helps a little. Regards PJB.
PJB, thanks for the reply and information. I'm reading everything I can about the M3w's to prepare myself for hopefully a purchase.
