Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Morgan Plus 4 2.5 Omex – Touring report

I’ve just returned from a 2-week holiday into Spain and France in the +4, fully loaded with Morgan leather bag (very heavy) and tandem. I covered about 1,200 miles over a wide variety of terrain and roads.

The most enjoyable aspect of the modified car is that it now pulls like a train in all gears. The hair-pin bends in Northern Spain were a delight due to the torque and also through the tightened up suspension (Suplex & brake reaction bars up front and asymmetric leaf spring and Panhard rod at the rear). On the motorways the 5th gear rolling acceleration is similar to that of a large capacity turbo diesel…very impressive.

On the negative side, the car is now lower than ever and exiting the ferry at Santander I had to drive over a “tie down” block on the floor and this removed the rear section of exhaust pipe from the car! Luckily there was a Spanish “Quick Fit” down the road so got them to re-attach it. On the return trip from St Malo, Brittany Ferries put me on the lorry deck as this has the minimum of ramps, so no problem here. Unfortunately, the road leading to the border checks now incorporates two large sleeping policemen, and this managed to again dislodge the rear section, so I had a very noisy 3-hour drive home with a less than impressed wife alongside me! Next project is to increase the ground clearance and possibly get Mrs Q some Valium!

Roger , good to hear you are flexing the muscles of the 2.5 Litre Mog , you may recall visiting us a while back for lunch and taking me out for a passenger ride !( Taller tyres ? )

Very interesting. I have dreamed of fitting the 2.5 ever since it became available. For me it is the obvious way to go for the car I would have ordered if it had been available (if that makes sense). I very well may have done it instead of fitting TBs to my engine if it had been available at that time. Which hp version do you have?

Regarding ground clearance I have fitted 195/65 R15 tyres which gives me another 10mm. I have just received some higher rated springs from Suplex for the rear 5L suspension but I don't know when I will be able to fit them. I will report in due course.

Re ferries we always tell them we have a ground clearance problem before loading and are usually loaded on the truck deck, never down in the bowels of the ship, which I hate.

This must be one of the best choices you could have made. My little Duratec 1800 a kitten beside your tiger. Even so Mrs H.M.T. has taken to wearing earplugs (due to Neuralgia, wind noise and the burble from the motor)...

Sounds like you need ride height adjustable air suspension!

OR

Side exit pipes!

Buy her some earmuffs!

Hi Steve,

Good to hear from you...of course I remember that fine lunch with you and your good lady!

I'm talking to Techniques and will be calling in to see then next week. Taller tyres are definitely on the cards, Brian there has 185/70 R15's fitted to his +4, so that might be an option, 65's will also be worth looking at, I'll need to check the clearances.

I see that you're getting a new car and I'm intrigued to find out what that will be! if you're passing near mine (Rutland) don't hesitate to call in, you'd be very welcome.

Seeing how the car performs it does seem to me to be a logical engine size to add to the Morgan range. Mine has long TB's as these maximise the torque and the car is putting out about 220BHP. The long TB's are a tight fit under the scoop and I was considering putting an air-box on to reduce the induction roar, however after a lot of head scratching the only way I could have done this would be to fit shorter TB's (Omex are developing direct to head TB's) but decided not to do this as I'd loose some torque. I have however got used to the noise and found it somewhat addictive when blasting up the narrow roads in the hills of northern Spain!

With regards to the tyres and suspension, I've contacted Techniques and will be calling in next Tuesday with the car so that they can have a look at the current set up and consider how to improve clearance.

I've seen you great report on the larger diameter tyres and will definitely be going down that route. Interestingly, Brian at Techniques has fitted 185/70 R15's to his +4 with no clearance issues.

Regarding ferries, I think that my car might be on the Brittany Ferries "watch" list as my arrival at St Malo immediately caused a bit of debate amongst their staff with the final decision to put me on the lower deck. Next time however, I will take your advise and ask to go on the lower deck. I'm not sure if the British Boarder checks will remove their bumps though!

I think she will need ear muffs (for the noise) a blindfold (to reduce stress on sighting speed bumps, ramps etc.) and a gag (to stop the tutting and other negative comments).

It was a shame Morgan didn't see fit to supply the Omex 2.5 into the ARP4 as well as making it available on the standard Plus 4, however I understand that Morgan managed to fall out with the guys at Omex over the Baby Doll emmisions, after Morgan changed a couple of things whilst fitting it , I believe.