Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Classic Morgans (pre-CX) Engines and gearboxes

I have a 2009 4/4 Sport but want more power and come to an impasse as too the way forward.

So far I have increased the BHP to 132, which involved a side exit race silencer only, KN panel filter in the stock air box, and reroute the air intake to the front grill facing forward.
Now to move on with the sigma engine I will need to increase the revs to 7500, add new throttle bodies, ECU, headers and race cat 165bhp.
For more I will need to re cam fit stronger conrods, which should take it to 200bhp. But none this will not be cheap.
I will also have to re-gear and fit LSD.

I see my another options as:

1/Fitting a new engine/ gearbox, re-gear and fit LSD

But what?
2.0l as fitted to the SS (what engine and gearbox is it)

Rover V8 and gearbox (but I believe I will have Emissions problems, as the Morgan is a 2009)

Roadster V6 3.0 and gearbox (what engine and gearbox is it).
I had a roadster for a couple of weeks on loan and loved it. I love my Sport as well.

All work will be undertaken by myself I'm leaning towards the 2.0l SS engine especially if it fits on the sigma gearbox.

Any ideas thoughts
engine/gearbox info

Hello Cain
Glad to hear you are getting on with the sport, I have the plus 4 super sport, the engine and gearbox are from the mazda mx5 I believe but with re mapping, this is an expensive route you are going down might be worth considering changing the model.
Alan (gatecraft)

Stick with the Sigma it's a great engine - tune it to get the most out of it - plenty of parts available.

Whilst the gearbox should work on the Duratec family of engines but why would you swap it... you might as well change model as suggested.

Engine transplants only really work when they are cost effective in comparison to model change - which at your age of car I can't imagine it is.

In your case either a late model +8 or Roadster both would easily cost in - in comparison to the headache of forging a new path to an engine upgrade.

If you really like the 4/4 style then possibly the 4/4 Aniversary edition might tick all the boxes.

I think for you there are two choices:
1) Tune the Sigma engine you have 200bhp is achieveable and zingy fun
2) Ride the torque and get an older v6 or +8

I'm in a similar situation Cain, with my 4/4 Sport. The attraction of the 4/4 is the narrow body. The 4/4 75th Anniversary is nice but too expensive in my view for what is essentially just an upgrade to the Plus4 engine. So far, I've fitted a full sports exhaust system, ITG filter although not re routed the intake yet. The one mod I have done which has transformed the car is change the final drive to a 4.1:1.
The next step will be throttle bodies although I'm undecided if I go the factory route or elsewhere.

Even going down this route it is still cheaper than upgrading to a Plus4 and it will be more powerful as well. I'll be happy with 150 - 160bhp in what is a light car.

Jay, When you do re-route the intake will you post a pic.? I'm very interested in all of this and there have been posts already with some interesting figures. I had the opportunity today to try out some in gear runs,with the standard axle and gearbox on the M16 engine, albeit with a bespoke Omex ems. Best we managed was 75mph in second before the rev limiter cut in at 6,500 rpm and 110 in third. So as I am mulling a change to v8 power, or perhaps adding throttle bodies to the existing engine, I'm always looking at other peoples experiences.

I re-routed my intake pipe, took about 15 mins. No parts needed. Cut the zip ties route pipe near side of rad poke through to in front of rad and zip tie in place facing forward as near to the grill as possible.

The problem with the V8 will be emissions as I believe you will have to comply to your year of manufacture and model outputs. If I have the correct info from the MOT tester.

I was looking at aftermarket throttle bodies from AT Power.

Hi Alan how are you? Yes loving the 4/4 sport, and rallies are fun to, off to Germany for one in April!!

No on the V8 emissions (at least not on earlier cars and I'm pretty sure it hasn't changed). You can use the year of the engine, rather than the vehicle. However, if it will fit, together with a suitable gearbox is another matter, plus there will be all the expense of upgrading suspension etc.
Do all your costings carefully (even your labour time is worth something) then double it to give a more realistic figure. Your 2009 should be worth almost what you paid for it - what will it cost to change it for a year or two earlier +4 or Roadster?

Cheers,

These people seem to have an interesting selection of tune-up options http://www.raceline.co.uk/ and http://www.burtonpower.com/