Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Duratec engines/Zetec engines

I will probably go back to a 4/4 width car at some stage, with a 2 litre engine. The Roadster is great in many ways but I had more fun in my 4/4 with its throttle bodies although it could be a very frustrating car at times with its lack of torque. The new GDI engine is nice but would be nicer with around 180 bhp.

Peter, gearboxes can be very variable, I've driven cars fitted with the Mazda box and a couple have disappointed me with the change quality...my MX5 had a wonderful change. My 4/4s MT75 box had a dreadful change, others I drove were pretty good and I think a lot of it is down to the rather Heath Robinson remote mechanism.
The reason why the S2 Roadster has the Ford box is that MMC were not using Mazda boxes at that stage as there were still supplies of the Ford box.

A 180 hp version of the GDI engine should be easy enough to achieve. There are already 160 hp versions on Ford cars. It won't be long before a throttle body kit and ECU will be available and that should bring the power up to around 200hp without any internal engine mods. You still won't get the torque of the V6 but it should give a good improvement over the old 2 litre Duratec.

I would be interested to know what the differences are between the narrow and wide cars? Is it only wheelbase and wider wings, or is the actual body tub wider too, giving more internal room? What are the differences in roadholding and ride quality [if ride quality and sliding pillars/live rear axles can be used in the same breath?]

Paul
In recent years the differences are in summary:

* Interior cabin width is (roughly) the same. Only normal Morgan "handbuilt variations"

* The overall width of the cars vary depending on the width of wheels fitted. (Narrowest = 4/4, then +4, then Roadster). just have a look at the widh of the rear wheel arch.
Due to tyre/wheel width the +4s and Roadsters feel more planted.

* Ride comfort (my opinion only) better on a 4/4 due to deeper section tyres. However well lubricated front and rear suspension always helps.

I have been lucky enough to have driven most models and love my 4/4, mainly because you can have huge fun at relatively low speeds.

Thanks Simon, I had an idea it was mainly about wheel/tyre width and not body tubs width.

The cross head on the front of the 4/4 is also narrower than the wider tyred Plus 4 and Roadster.

I have a narrow bodied + 4 with 15" 185X70 Avon CR6 ZZ (basically road legal race tyres) and it is well planted I can't get it to step out or break away. I've even been right round a roundabout at 40 mph and couldn't even get a squeal. Love it

That is what I find confusing, when you say "narrow bodied" Keith, I assume you aren't actually talking about the body tub, but the width of the wings and track across the whole width of the car?

Yes, it is perhaps an older term, but in common useage in the Mog world...

Its a bit like the term "lowline" I've never understood that term apart from when it was used back in the 50, early 60s to differentiate between high cowl and low cowl models.