Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Three Wheeler & Super 3 New Owner: Deciding on Upgrades: Please Chime In

I am a new to the M3W world. I have 2012 that I hope to take delivery in about 4 to 5 weeks. The dealer I am working with has been great. I am asking him to do some upgrades prior to shipping the car as follows. I am interested to hear everyone's opinion on my plan. I am mechanically inclined so I will also be tinkering with her over the coming years.

Note: I live in North Florida where is can get to the mid 90's F (32 to 34 C). However, I would drive it rarely during this time and if I do, there are no hills or traffic. I will use the car much more in spring, and winter when the humidity is lower.

Tires are original so I am replacing the fronts. The tires are in good shape but th efforts are exposed. Florida UV in the summer can be harsh.

The chassis brace is going in. Again, the dealer is being great. This is going in at NC.

The steering comfort kit is going in to address bump steer.

I am likely going to hold on the urban cooling kit. Although it gets hot here, the humidity here is so brutal I am unlikely to drive much in the summer. If I do, there is no stop and go traffic to the super market or gym.

I am going to bide my time on the cent drive. It has the original coupling and is fine. I realise it could go soon but on the other hand maybe not. I figure I can always have i done close by if I start to hear it go. I just don't see th point of spending $6000+ on something that isn't broken yet. I have resources near by if I am wrong.

That's it. Please let me know what you think.

I assume you have seen this excellent buyers guide:

https://www.mtwc.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Final-150.pdf

Welcome!

If the rear tyre is also a 2012 then it's essential you replace it regardless of the tread left. Tyres age and a rear puncture on a M3W can be serious.

The Urban Cooling kit helps lower the engine temp when running and is a good thing to do regardless of the climate.

Add some form of derestricted exhaust - either by drilling out a baffle (bafflectomy) or for example Morgan Stage 1 / Garage56. This will improve the engine breathing and transform the car.


The key thing is to use it and enjoy it

Fuel pump is a known weak link. Replaced mine this winter (2016 car) using the Walbro upgrade kit detailed in the alternative spares list. Allan Lane

Drove mine several times in 105-110 degrees, no issues. Highly recommend the urban cooling kit, the plastic shroud directs air behind cylinders, and it’s pretty inexpensive to fit.

There are a lot of upgrades you can do, some smaller (like the cam cover spacer) some bigger (like the centa-drive).

Best bet is to read the above buyers guide cover to cover and get really familiar with it - if it was me I would have as many of the later model upgrades carried out as possible to reduce the likelihood of future problems.

I would also recommend improving the lighting. I had several incidents when I first got mine of people pulling out from side roads who had apparently not seen me. I added amber/yellow LED fog lights (High Noon started a good thread on this in the archive here), and wired them to come on with the ignition as daytime running lights. I also upgraded to the JW Speaker headlights (in the US you can buy some "retro" looking ones) and drive with them on all the time, I modified the rear reflectors to be running/brake lights (again there is a thread here on doing this), as well as mounting additional high-level lights on the back of the headrest that act as turn signals, running lights, and as high-level brake lights with a flasher. These make me more obvious from behind to the pickup truck drivers!

As others have said or implied, with an early bike, best is to get it to 'par' with ALL improvements included by MMC on later bikes. Each was done for good reason. Ditto the need to replace all three tires. The original Avon's are extraordinarily prone to understeer; their combo of old age and design could make your next corner entertaining. Go straight to the Excelsior's or Blockley's for an instant upgrade.

Once at par with new tires, the following would be my prioritized list:

1. Baffleectomy and stealth-type intake for cooler, smoother running
2. Improved daytime illumination, at least up front with LED driving lights (and LED headlamps)
3. Dynamat insulation
4. indoor and outdoor car covers
5. Steering wheel of your choice
6. A factory luggage rack

If you then want to take it up a notch:
1. MorganCustoms (Emil) oil cooler
2. Ohlins
3. Sky's the limit!

+1 with the UCK. Skip fire mode is truly horrible. Better avoid it altogether.

Install the Urban Cooling Kit as others have said. My 2013 has it installed and I am in Seattle - the fan comes on all the time. In all types of weather. As others have said, the top shroud under speed shoves air on the back of the cylinders - which they need. Remember this engine was designed to sit side sideways and have air running over both sides of the motor at speed in a motorcycle. I actually look to see if the UCK is installed on M3Ws for sale - if it is not installed that tells me the owners never really drove the cars much.

For the exhaust, the Garage56 is my preference. Mine had the G56 already installed when I bought it - but the exhaust note is addictive and there is a big difference on throttle response versus a stock exhaust. I drove a stock car and could not believe the difference. And the owner of the stock car driving my car could not believe how much faster my car was compared to what he was used to.

A free-flowing air cleaner setup is also a must. There are several from S&S and others. Again, better throttle response. More air in more air out. I actually had to use my stock air cleaner with the G56 exhaust briefly and was surprised how choked the engine felt using the restrictive stock air cleaner setup. Throttle response went noticeably down.

On headlights- if you do not want to go full upgrade you can get LED bulbs that fit in the stock headlights. That is what I did and I am happy with them - although I do not drive much at night. LED bulbs are a good less expensive alternative to going with something like JW Speaker headlights.

And... have fun. You will never cease to get thumbs up, smiles, and questions from just about everyone. In close to a year of driving, mostly in the pandemic, and 3k miles I have only had one negative response on the car. A woman in her late 60s who told me, authoritatively, that cars can only have 4 wheels, and not, under any circumstances, 3 wheels!! Life is short. Welcome to the insanity.