Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Plus Four, Supersport & Plus Six (CX & CXV Generation Vehicles) Plus 6 SSL Suspension upgrade

What hardness setting have you put on the front and back dampers please ?

I am not sure how ssl spec them unfortunately

I had my SSL setup fitted by Williams - as it was the first Aero S5 with SSL suspension I spent some time with Peter Ballard describing the handling I had with the factory setup, and how I wanted the car to feel.
He then set the car up that way (& changed the ARBs too)

We've since adjusted the setup - in my case to raise the ride height and very slightly soften the ride. There's a temptation to make changes regularly in search of the perfect setup. For me, living in the centre of a city that's littered with sleeping policemen I suspect I'll always have a compromise between safely clearing the policemen and optimal ride/handling on the open road. With my current setup I don't hit sleeping policemen, and fully laden I get some float at higher speeds on A roads. Which works for me.

I'd guess any supplying dealer can take you through the same process.

Hi Ian, did you made any changes to the SSL dampers when you got them or was it just plug and play?

Hi, I had the kit fitted by Revolution, Perth, Scotland. It was very much plug and play. If I recall the Spax shockers could be set between 1 -10 and I chose 5 as we thought that was a good starting point. From my perspective the change was so dramatically positive, I haven’t even considered fine tuning it. In short love it.
Cheers
Ian

Reflecting on the suspension problem MMC must have been so pleased that they did not go any further with development of the suspension because the Plus Six handled so much better than previous models. After all they had come from a rather obsolete sliding pillar system. And let’s be honest the Plus Six was and still is a very good car.

Then two things happened regarding the new suspension:
1. The suspension began to sag and owners were hitting speed bumps, ramps etc. because the ground clearance had dropped to 80 to 85mm, and
2. The handling was becoming a bit “hairy”. As Ian has stated “the front and the rear did not feel like it was connected”. While it had a Morgan “feel” it certainly did not feel like a modern sports car.

Along came Peter and Dan from SSL and they not only recognised the problem but they developed and produced a solution to the handling, and the sagging woes, by way of replacement coil over damper suspension units specially for the Plus Six.

The four Plus Six Morgans in New Zealand have now all been fitted with SSL units. I have done round 2500 miles in our Plus Six on the SSL suspension units. The car will go on the hoist shortly and we will check ground clearances and make any required adjustments.

So after that driving what can I say? Firstly I have not grounded the underside of the car on any speed bumps, ferry ramps and other roadside obstructions.
BUT when it comes to handling it is a totally different car! When cornering it feels like the car is on rails. No longer do I have to hesitate and take the power off. It is power on and full on driving. I have a new found confidence in the car as it “hugs” the road.

No thanks to MMC, but a huge shout out to SSL as I now have the handling of a REAL SPORTS CAR!

Now to the BRAKES!
Kerry

What have you set the dampers to?

The kit from SSL is very expensive, nearly £1500 + vat + delivery+ fitting, I normally pay around £100 a corner for a good quality coilover, why are they so dear?

Tend to drive more like James May than James Bond so not noticed any handling changes but my drive way is sloped and the Plus 6 is now scraping slightly on the brow as I exit onto the road which it didn’t do when new.

Will leave it until next service to see if they can do anything on the standard suspension.

The M word & a limited market, which is why we old hands generally look for MG, mini parts etc for trads whereever possible