Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Suplex front/rear suspension for 4/4

Tazio

I have had the Suplex RS kit fitted to my 1999 +8 for about 3 years now , and I am really pleased with the results. The front end is definitely "softer" sprung , yet retains good damping, and the handling is much better on rough surfaces.

There is a difference in "feel" at the front end , if you prefer the ultra direct visceral (but perhaps harsh) experience then perhaps it is not for you. On the other hand if you enjoy the ability to ride through bumps mid corner without being thrown off course , then you will enjoy it. I would not use it for racing , but for any other sort of Morgan motoring it is (in my opinion) an improvement.

As others have said try to find someone who has had the conversion , and ask if you can try their car. Williams have a hire car which is Suplex equipped if you can't locate anyone closer.

I am contemplating going to the Suplex 5L for the rear, but it is a lot more money and I want to be really sure about this move before embarking upon it.

Folks - I have had the Suplex front for the past 3 years and actually would not have a Mog without it -- for my style of driving, and I stress, my style, it transforms the car and ensures that the front goes exactly where I point it on bumpy Irish secondary roads.

So--- I have just had the rear Suplex fitted and, while it is early days, I am delighted with it -- again for my style of driving and for the roads on which I primarily drive, the ride is much more compliant and the car handles just as I like it. I agree that for those who really push the performance - mine is a Plus4 - it may not be "visceral" enough, but for me it is a really good step forward.

Thanks to the Williams boys who seem to have the installation and set-up nailed -- they took great care - and even vacuumed my car out when they finished!!!!!

Cheers!

Robbie

I agree totally about the Suplex RS for the front.

Great to know about the Suplex 5L on your car. What rear shock absorbers did you specify? If adjustable what setting are you running them on?

If Williams tried to vacuum out my car , I think they would need an industrial sized machine and lots of sacks!

Andy,
I opted for the standard Bilsteins - seem perfectly adequate to me

Cheers!

Hi all,
My Roadster was the first 3.7 to have the Suplex 5 link fitted along with the front Suplex RS kit.
As Robbie say for my style of driving I found it a total transformation from the standard leaf spring and in all fairness I would not have bought the Roadster with circa 300bhp if I had not been able to improve the rear suspension enough to handle the power.i.e it totally removes the chassis flex and allows you to use what you have under the bonnet.
If any of you are in the north of England my car is for sale at lifes motors Southport Dave will be only too pleased to let you look over how it works etc.
Unfortunately a change in my circumstances for the sale of my beautiful Roadster some lucky person will buy the best sorted road Roadster there is.
Regards David Gawthorpe

As an alternative to Suplex front suspension, is there any experience of the Rutherford (New Elms) setup?
Suplex is clearly good, if it suits, but I rarely hear about the New Elms version.
Is it any good?

It seems to me that it is often overlooked that the "standard" kit offered in both the RS and 5L kits are, let us say, oriented towards sports touring and comfort.

If race performance is required there is a specific Suplex front race kit that comes with several springs, shims for ride height adjustment and adjustable Quantum race dampers. The front suspension on the successful Williams race car is a good example of what can be done for track preparation. As I have mentioned on several occasions the lowest rate spring of the race kit is available on request from Suplex if a harder edged experience is desired.

The 5L kit can not yet be used for racing (class rules) but different higher rate springs can be obtained for it.

Peter
Whilst I appreciate that the Williams car uses it for racing , as far as I am aware no others do (yet?) They have the added benefit of Peter Ballard living nearby and he does spend a lot of time developing and refining the front suspension to suit the track for them. Quite frankly this is way beyond what a privateer can afford, and certainly would take a lot of time before each meeting. When I raced in the 60s, 70s and 80s I used the standard +4 factory set up for a whole season and would only strip it down to check it over at the end of the year. I appreciate the racing and technology has moved on since those days, and track times are much faster, but I still don't think I would want to spend this amount of time or money. There is "lower hanging fruit" which I think would gain me more time per lap.

I still maintain that there is slight "loss of directness" at the front with the RS system, because it absorbs bumps I think this is inevitable (but others might contest this , and I have not tried the harder springs of the RS option pack for racing). I have learned to "trust" it and it has never let me down. However when racing and contesting every centimetre of the track I think I would prefer the visceral direct feel of the "standard" set up.

Dear all,

First and foremost, thankyou to everyone who read and responded to my question. All replies gratefully received. All of you have certainly convinced me that the suspension upgrade is definitely worthwhile. I shall go ahead with the conversion and let you know the outcome.

Thanks again and best regards.


Tazio Nuvolari aka "The Flying Mantuan"

Lets address a few things here on the our race car.

We are still on leaf springs on the rear and are NOT using the Suplex 5 link system.

The front end set up is a work of art, yes I have Peter on hand to help when needed and when I need questions I have answered, WE developed the Quantum front and rear (leaf spring) dampers, which are avaliable in non adjustable,& double adjustable options. These are for sale through us.

Also another good point of using the Suplex on the front, is that you can do a basic front corner weight set.
The steering is alot more direct and allows a lot higher corner, just watch my on board go pro footage. In face the steering was so direct and under alot more force, that we found the center wheel nut was undoing itself on both sides!!! hence now we use hub clips to keep the nut located.

Also what helpped us with the car was good preparation, learning how to use weight of vehicle and the tyres together. The most important thing to get 100% right was making Henry comfortable, feeling as one with the car. This builds confidence which in turn makes him quicker.
To others including myself, when driving the car it feels bloody horrible as the car is built and prepped for just Henry.

Any questions I'll be happy to answer