Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Roadster 3.7 ECU Upgrade IMPORTANT Info.

Good luck with your new purchase, I hope that you are lucky and do not have an issue.

I purchased my 3.7 Roadster last summer and was really concerned that this would be an issue. I really cannot spot the problem, I've even tried pushing harder than normal in safe conditions to see if the revs hold on gear change, and they don't.

Although your thoughts make sense Peter, the gearbox ratio's used on our Roadsters are the 3.7V6 Mustang ones shared with the 2.3 turbo variant. The same gearbox casing takes the higher 5.0V8 gear cluster though (although 5th is still 1:1) and a swap I've considered.


[pedant]There isn't an ECU per se on our Roadsters, its a PCM which works to the benefit of the full drivetrain. There is however a BCU controlling all non engine specific aspects of the electrics/electronics and heavily integrated with the former.[/pedant]

The original reason MMC gave for lack of availablilty of their "ECU" upgrade was lack of suitable connectors, although the cost was horrendous. It was speculated it may have been for (lack of) emission compliance though given the suggestion it shares the same mapping with the ARV6 track variant.

Thank you StevieMac. I will tell you here next week.

If you scroll back through the post it is clearly stated the upgrade gives the same or lower emissions than the standard set up and similar mpg.

It is also stated to deliver over 300 bhp which is what the dealer told me. I have never had it tested though

A dealer explained the ECU has to be send to MMC. Aero Racing would do some changes. The warranty will stop and he is not sure that this feature is still available.

Someone else on here asked the factory recently and they said it wasn't available.

Hi Jan and welcome to the madhouse!

I have a 3.7 roadster purchased new in 2019. Like StevieMac I have not experienced this Rev hang issue or if it is there I have not noticed it. What is funny is that in my youth I used to take part in rallies and one of the most common modifications and seen as a great benefit was to set the tick over at about 2500 revs. This created the “rev hang” that everybody on here moans about. The other thing I find strange about the roadster is the number of people who moan about the gearbox. Yes, first gear is very low, but great for hill starts, but apart from that I would say one of the nicest boxes around. My previous two Morgan’s had the Mazda gearbox which everybody raves about but give me the roadster one any day.

DONT worry about it drive it and you will love it.

Sir P

Hi Sir P,

motivating and interesting words. Thanks for that.
During the last 34 years I drove dozens of different cars. Always it was helpful to feel the groove and to find the individual way each car wants to be driven. I'm sure you know what I mean. And I suppose there is a special way a Roadster 3.7 wants to be driven. If you are willing to adapt you can be lucky. So I'm sure (I hope ;-)) - I can love it in the Morgan special way.

What I noticed is an exact gear lever. Thats fine. For my opinion it could be shorter. You say the 1st is very low. What about starting in 2nd? That shouldn't be a problem with 1000kg and 290 HP.

Jan

I normally start off in second.

Jan

"What I noticed is an exact gear lever" Could not have said it better.

You are quite right about startng in second, 9 times out of 10 this is the case. It is really 2 cars in one. If you want to have some fun press the throttle and it just goes and goes and goes. I took it up Mont Ventoux in France and it was electric. It suprised the locals and also me how fast it went up the steep gradients and when you really open her up the noise is fantastic. Then, the opposite, you sit on a motorway at 70mph in 6th gear and it just purrs like a Rolls Royce. Very nice car I am sure you will enjoy it.

Sir P