Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Morgan Roadster 3.0 vs 3.7 V6

I've always believed my ser 1 roadster is a getrag box. A total delight.
Nick

+1. That is how I understood it.

Gearbox:

This is a Jaguar 5 speed manual. The remote system is unique to Morgan Motor Company

What year did the Roadster go from S1 to S2? Are there any other telling differences between the two?

It seems like an early 232bhp Roadster is the way to go...

I concur.

Also having driven all 3 Roadsters when recently looking, I would say the easiest and most compliant is the S3. the gearbox is great, steering with the electric power assist is great, mine is setup with adjustable AVOs all round and brake reaction bars, the only think I might add is a Panhard rod, apart from that it is one of the best traditional type Morgans I have driven. Finally it is very quick!

The gearbox on my 3.7l Roadster is silky smooth, except when cold, when changing too quickly from 4th to 5th produces a graunch. I soon learned to change slowly till the temperature had reached normal, and thereafter the change is quick and silent through all gears. No hanging throttle experienced.

Is ground clearance a problem on the Roadster?
Bob.

.. Or a total car change. Go on, you know you want to

The S1 Gearbox is Getrag. Now it might be that this was fitted to the S Type Jag, I don't know. The change is fast and smooth, but reverse is a bit notchy. I believe in changing gearbox oils at reasonable intervals, but the Getrag in the S1 was designed around a particular Esso ATF which took a bit of finding. Details are in one of my service "How To's". Remember that the S1 also has the six leaf rear springs, and one dealer (who shall remain nameless) has described the S1 as "agricultural handling". Very early Roadsters are two road tax bands below "normal".
The S1 is 223 not 232bhp.
The difference between S1 and S2 is easily spotted - the dash on the S1 has the speedo and revcounter in front of the driver with four small gauges across the centre. The S2 got the silly dash with the revcounter in front of the driver and the other (2) gauges in the centre.

Peter

General opinion over at http://www.bobistheoilguy.com where they post used oil analysis of engines, transmissions and diff fluids.

Change gearbox and diff fluid at 30k miles to get the ware metals from running the unit in, still there at the 60k miles flush and get a true result at 90k miles after the wear iron is out the unit.

So good time to change the fluid.

Could not find any Ford gearbox UOA's of that gearbox.

eddie

In my understanding, S1 is the first Roadster, fitted with the 3.0 engine, 223 HP borrowed from the S type/Mondeo ST220, matched with the smooth Getrag 5 speed box. This is the the most rev willing engine in comparison with S2 and S3. S1 Engine has barrel tappets to get higher revs and the adjustment is a manual job. Built until 2006 or so.

S2 is from the US, matched with the Ford Transit gear box, 204HP and hydraulic tappets with automatic adjustment. Very relaxed drive, more cruiser than S1. S1 is a bit more lively but S2 also opens up nicely after long running in period. Built until early 2010.

S3 started with the Roadster Sport mid of 2010. Wider front axle than before. Some months later bespoke models became available with same wider front. Same engine as S2 but somehow tuned to 230 HP. Exhaust manifold got a slightly bigger diameter. Same Ford Transit gearbox. After more than 20K km the engine opens up and drives nicely. No rev hanging issues at all with S3 series which is a joy.

I must say, you can get used to the Ford Transit gearbox (S2/S3) easily, but in my view the ratios are not perfectly matching the power/weight ratio of the Roadster. First and Second gear are really too short.

So a 3.7 could be called an S4.
A big advantage of S1 to S3 is the comfortable legroom due to the narrower drive train tunnel in comparison with the Mustang 3,7 Roadster.

I'm wondering if some weight has been added with the appearance of the 3.7 Roadster? (more engine weight, servo steering etc?) I never drove a 3,7 but all 3.0 series.