Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing Rolling Road

Took the 4/4 to a rolling road diagnostic place today because I was a bit concerned that she seemed to be hanging back on overtakes etc.

Apparently she is down by 15 bhp mainly, they say, because she's been driven so sedately over the last 5,000 miles since new.

They recommended a few months of pushing the revs up to about 4,5k and driving her a bit harder.

They reckon that, if this doesn't do it, they can change the throttle body for a 2.0 version (mine's 1.8) etc.

They say the cat doesn't help either.

For the time being, I'll try pushing her a bit more as they reckon this might just do it.

Anyone else had this issue at all?

I was told by Mark at the factory to thrash my 4/4 to get the engine up to its max power. I follow his advice with great gusto!

I might just try that!

To be honest, I was feeling a bit disappointed to have very little power just when I needed it and thought that, since Morgan's have a racing history, it surely shouldn't be right - even with a 1.8.

Equally, I didn't want to spend money on the wrong kit or to bugger the engine up.

I'll be fitting a Librands Sports Exhaust system on at some stage....I've already got their sports silencer on ( it sounds faster!) but concerns over the engine warranty has delayed me fitting the front half with sports cat.

Jay, have you fitted a Librands manifold yet? And what about a sports cat? GerryWal.

Hi Gerry.....not fitted the manifold or sports cat yet. Once the cars a year or so into warranty...in a couple of months...i'll fit them.

Jay, I fitted the 4branch to my 2000reg Zetec earlier this year. I'm very pleased with the result and am now considering a pair of Kent cams for even more oomph! GerryWal.

On the subject of cams, any suggestion for the 1.8 black top zetec? Without changing the ECU or TB?

Nigel

Mine's the 1.8 black top and have been recommended to contact MogSport.

The car is running a bit better now after a bit of enthusiastic driving, so might wait a bit longer.

Hi Davel - I spoke to Mogsport and all they seemed to be offering (after an air filter swap which I did myself) for the black top 1.8 zetec was a full-on 4x throttle body conversion with piggybacked ECU, at an eyewatering cost. Or a turbo, even more £££. At these prices, it would be better to just change the car, both in terms of value for money and because a heavily reworked 4/4 could well be less saleable.

I went for the Librands full exhaust (4-2-1 and sport cat) and this has improved driveability considerably, without affecting the essential character of the car, or (I hope) it's saleability (Librands exhausts are seen as a desirable option), and has not affected the insurance premium.

I think if I really want more power (and I'm not actually sure about that any more), I would be better buying a +4 or a roadster. Maybe in a couple of years.

Nigel

PS just looked back at earlier posts. Don't change the throttle body - it's the same on both the 1.8 and 2.0 black top zetec!