Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Suplex Front Suspension Kit

Hi, this is a subject I read a lot about on various forum topics but I haven't noticed a reference to a Morgan as old as mine. So I apologise if I've missed it but here goes. I have a 1969 4/4, which needs kingpins etc replaced. So would fitting the Suplex system give me £1000 pounds worth of refinement? Thank you in advance.

I fitted the Suplex Kit to My '63 +4-4Str and My '61 DHC. Took both Morgans on a two day trip from Seattle to McCall, Idaho and back utilizing some pretty rough roads including about a 100 miles of Forest Service Roads in Eastern Oregon to test the Suplex Kit. The ride and capability of Suplex on rough roads certainly was better than it was. But IMO not a $1,000 better. The quality of the kit is very good. There a lot of different opinions on Talk Morgan. This is just My Opinion. My opinion, having used the Suplex Kit on My +8 also, is that the Suplex Kit seems to do better on the lighter Morgans than it does on My +8. ie: My '61 DHC with Ford ZETEC engine was the best and it will become a permanent addition to My DHC.

I have not driven a Morgan with Suplex fitted so I'm not able to comment on the benefits of it, however, I had fitted a pair of brake reaction bars fitted which at £38/ pair and 45 minutes time to fit have to say was a bargain for transforming the handling and braking on my 4/4.

Paul,

Go along to a HopMog meeting and talk to a few of the owners who have fitted it, and some without the mod. It does seem to be a Marmite (Vegemite) experience, some rave about it, others have disliked it so much they have removed it. Some dealers like it , others are perhaps more equivocal.

For me the modification and extra refinement (combination of comfort/ride and improved handling on less than perfect surfaces) justified the cost. There is a different feel at the front, you don't get the same bone-jarring feedback, the suspension just absorbs all bar the worst bumps, and so if you are addicted to driving over coins and detecting whether they are heads or tails , then perhaps it is not for you. If was still racing on perfect surfaces I certainly would not bother, however for long distance touring it is beneficial. It certainly suits my current Morgan needs.

However almost more important than the Suplex is to fit hard chrome king pins with grooved phosphor bronze bushes. This will allow the front suspension to move properly and remove quite a bit of "stiction" in the system.

I have been a passenger in a 2.5 litre plus 4 with suplex and to my mind t is very good if you want a bit of give at the front as lets face it there is no give at the front of a trad. if you have adj shocks at front you can adjust the softer feel .

I think, as Tim pointed out the last time Suplex was discussed, that "Is the Suplex Kit worth a 1000 lbs"? (Or what ever it cost to get it to your Morgan) a proper measure. My opinion of worth is certainly different than others. I think maybe a better question is:
1. Does the Kit absorb the bumps in the road better than the original?
2. Does it do what is advertised?
3. Is the handling as crisp as the original?
a. Better
b. Worse
c. How much better or worse?
4. Is installing the Kit a good idea if You do not upgrade the King Pin and Bushes?
5. If I had more than one Morgan (or replaced My Morgan) would I buy a Suplex Kit for the others?
6. Another words keep the discussion of worth out of this discussion as it is so hard to define.

OK: I will answer my questions.
1. Yes
2. Yes
3c On smooth paved roads no change - On pot holes and bumpy road 20% improvement - How many miles do I drive on bumpy roads out of the total trip * probably less than 2%.
4. Yes
5. No

Thank you gentlemen, your opinions are certainly giving me pause for thought. One consideration in my mind is that I've been happily driving my car over every kind of road condition for the past 47 years without realising it required a more sophisticated front suspension set up. At present the steering is great and the handling is fun. Will A Suplex system add or subtract from this?

I don't know the answer, but with Your experience it would be interesting if You were to install the Suplex Kit and report back what You think of it.

I have the Suplex front mod on my plus4 for nearly 3 years and 35000 Kms. On Irish back roads it makes a huge difference - the car tracks where you point it rather than hopping across bumpy corners which on narrow roads with a car coming the other way is really comforting!!!!
My wife noticed the difference within 15 mins on the back roads in East Sussex even though she hadn't known I was having the kit fitted.
I am now going to have the 5 link rear kit fitted next month!!!

Just my 2 euro worth!!!!