Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing 1979 Plus 8 rear and front springs

I am rebuilding a 1979 Plus 8 and am considering what springs to go for.
At the moment the rear springs are 6 leaf but I am of a mind to change to new the new 4 leaf for a more compliant ride. However I have been advised that I will probably need anti tramp bars. Has any one fitted these springs with or without anti tramp bars and if so what do do you think of the results?
As far as the front springs I have been advised to fit 115lb springs and by another specialist 140lb springs Again has anyone any experience with doing this please.

Many thanks Steve.

My +8 was a 2002 version that came with 5 leaf rears from memory, I fitted anti tramps and a Panhard rod, made a big difference and stopped axle tramp especially when pulling away at T junctions! As far as front springs I fitted 140lb springs, and also use these on later +4's, 115 will have it rolling all over the place as that's a very low rate? Talk to Peter Mulberry at Mulfab, he knows these figures from memory and years and years of experience.

Agree with Colin ,

Rears , use the 5 leaf springs ,IIRC the 4 leaf are not really designed for the heavier +8 , more suitable for the 4/4 and +4.

Fronts,
Again follow Colin's advice and talk with Peter Mulberry. Do not use anything less than 130, 140 is about right unless you use the Suplex system with rate risers.

If you are rebuilding the suspension don't forget that the right dampers are as important as the right springs.

On My +8 Bitsa (1998 chassis) I have switched from 5 leaf to 6 leaf rears several times. As well as the Mulberry Kit and Suplex Kit. It is sort of comfort with reasonable performance. This is very subjective and hard for me to determine. But I do like the 6 leaf springs and Mulberry Kit the best. When I first built this +8 I used Blue front springs and removed one leaf of a 5 leaf rear. It was a "PIG". Since then I have moved to a 5 leaf and now 6 leaf. As well as stiffer front springs. However at the moment I have the Suplex Kit installed. No front shocks at the moment. As I lowered the ride height (to cure bump steer) there was not enough travel for the Bilstein. A friend is fabricating upper shock mounts to give another 1" of travel. Hope this is enough. Really can't feel the requirement for a shock in front at all. I am told I must have a front shock and so I will. This should give a reader an indication that I will try anything but really do not know what I am doing. The message here, is the stiffer the rears the better the front behaves. Or at least that is my experience so far.

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The current 2 seater 4 leaf rear spring has the same spring rate as the old 5 leaf spring. However because it has less leaves, there is less friction, and hence a discernable improvement in ride quality

140lb front springs will work well for a road going +8

"The current 2 seater 4 leaf rear spring has the same spring rate as the old 5 leaf spring. However because it has less leaves, there is less friction, and hence a discernable improvement in ride quality"

I have heard this from several of My +8 Friends also. There is also a "Coil Over" Trailing Arm Suspension designed by Bill Fink. I chased the Owner of Fink's prototype +8 last Spring and it was very impressive. Also the Owner of this +8 was a much better driver than I.

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I have the 4 Seater 4 leaf springs on my Plus 4 and I'm very happy with the ride. AVO'S on 4 clicks.

Thanks all for the replies.
I did ask Peter Mulberry about rear springs and front and he recommended the 4 leaf on rear and 140 on the front. He didn't mention anti tramp bars. When I phoned New Elms who were equally as helpful about a rear hoop conversion they recommended using anti tramp bars at the back and 115 springs at the front. Looking at the replies it looks like 4 leaf on the back and 140 on the front
could be about right with a phone call to Peter Mulberry to check on the at tramp bars.
Anyone used Terry Foxton's steering damper modification? looks promising to me.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/262173451573?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

Thanks again. Steve

Steve, I believe Mulfab do something similar .... worth asking when you call them.