Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Three Wheeler & Super 3 HERE WE GO............tuning the S&S

The simple solution if you are so unimpressed with the weight is to build your own threewheeler and see how light it is. Many people have...Triking, JZR. Blackjack, Lomax. Then weight it, calculate the parts cost, put it through emissions control, SVA, European Safety rules. Add in a factor for marketing, labour, energy costs, insurance etc and see how cheap and light it is.

What a depressing thought for a Saturday morning!

Bang on Boshers. I consider it amazing that the likes of Morgan and Caterham have managed to keep up with the ever rising tide regulation to keep the cars we love in production. As you say, the alternative doesn't bear thinking about.

To steer the thread back to the original question, I suspect that as several of the aero contingent, (all accustomed to the shock and awe of the mighty BMW V8), who've taken delivery of 3W's find the power output adequate......then it probably is.

Morning Boshly, I'm pretty sure that I said that I have only seen one inaccurate report on Mogwire. Whilst that may mean my knowledge of Morgans is much less than yours, it certainly does not mean I'm wrong.



Did you read the reviews of the M3W on Mogwire?
Anyway It is clear that the author does not approve of the current direction of the MMC, that needs to be taken into account when reading the articles.
I see it as no different than the need take take into account that some of the postings here from people who are often personal guests of the MMC. Nothing wrong with that. Six of one half a dozen of the other.

The level of vitriol is a shame though.

Anyway I'm off to Indo-China and the Far East for a month so despite the fact that is pouring with rain here I'm off to do the last minute shopping in my Mog.

I'm really pleased to see some sensible discussion here, neither over heated nor boorish. Thanks to all and it has again convinced me that forums like this are a good thing to be part of. Please don't think I am against the M3W, I am spending my own hard earned cash on it after all. I happen to like lightweight, small and powerful cars, the simpler, lighter and more basic the better, and I am sure you all know Colin Chapmans philosophy of 'adding lightness', so this is the direction, after a lifetime of Chapmans products, from which I am coming. The fact that the car is 525kgs, in itself, does not make it a bad product, though I am aware of several people who have either cancelled orders or not placed them because of the weight and lower power issues. I am after a unique driving experience, I am sure I won't be disappointed.

I am very willing to believe that there is sufficient power, more, in fact than the chassis can handle, which is what makes it so much fun, [and possibly a little dangerous], I believe I am coming more from an engineering angle, though I am no qualified engineer, but have had a lifetimes experience with many mechanical things, and of course, I am looking for a sensible discussion on the merits of the development of the car.

I really do not think that the fact that the Seven has had over 45 years of development affects the development of the M3W, rather MMC should have taken advantage of all that work when redesigning it. Like the M3W, the Seven parts are all outsourced, and whilst the chassis manufacturer is not a midlands company, I am sure they would have been delighted to have redesigned and made a lightweight chassis. I doubt they were asked though. Of course I do not have the advantage of knowing anyone at the works, so can only comment as an outsider, not knowing the trials, tribulations and difficulties which needed to be overcome, much easier to do when you do not know the personalities involved, but never the less relevant.

The fact that a power upgrade is available soon would indicate that the works think the car can take the power, which is why I commented that it was a shame it was not available from the word go, then an upgrade would not be required - do you see where I'm coming from with this line?

As far as personal development is concerned, although I have not raced much [a few races in my 20's] I have sprinted and hillclimbed for over 10 years, retiring 5 years ago when I thought my reactions were slowing some, and have a thorough understanding of developing self and car for greater performance, and I can only agree that engine power comes at the bottom of the list, however, in practice it does not always do so, as it is the easiest and possibly the cheapest to do, and the temptation is always to look at this first, especially if the power is easily available, as it is in this case.

Can I also comment, as a newbie here, on Mogwire. I agree that there is always a negative slant to what is written, and that has to be taken into context when reading, however, on the whole I find it an interesting and informative window on all things Morgan. If someone would like to PM me with details of why friction has developed between the editor and the MMC, I would be grateful and it will help me understand the wonderful world of Morgans a little better.

I fear the upgrade is the entire top end of the thing:

http://www.sscycle.com/product/X-Wedge-Series/Top-End-c51/

I had the chance today to watch a 3 wheeler in action on the track. It was being driven by our very own Aeroman.

I think after his drive Aeroman is best placed to speak on the subject of extra power, so I'll let him comment in full.

But judging form the way his hands were shaking from where the adrenaline had been pumping I think I'd conclude it has enough power.

Must say my hat goes off to Aeroman having watched him drive he gets my vote for largest kahonies on TM.

I should add that just before he set off with an instructor the instructor was told by his boss to be careful. His comments after his few laps with Aeroman were similar to mine above, but the grin on his face said even more.



New official 3 wheeler top speed 105mph.

Aeroman surprises us in many ways

As an aside I went karting today, the karts weigh 139kg.........

Thanks John, what a great track-day and no problems with noise, despite an 87.5 db drive-past limit!

It rained in the morning session with the instructor, so loads of sideways fun. We even managed to harry several performance cars so much in some of the tight bends, they let us by on the straight!

In the afternoon the track was dry and so the instructor gave me the usual talk about sideways being slow, though fun but that we (i.e. me) now needed to be very careful as we didn't know the limits in the dry!

Rather than post too much verbiage here's a few photos:


My younger brother followed for part of the session in his tricked-up track-day special, with (Asbo)John operating his new video camera:

We were certainly not disgraced by most of the cars there, though many out-dragged us down the straights:


Mind you we were pushing it somewhat in the bends and had it up on two wheels on more than one occasion:


I leave you to judge individually whether it needs more power, after you've also seen John's video, and remember it is still limited to 5000rpm's until the first 1000 mile service...
For me the power is certainly currently 'adequate' for both the grip available, and my driving ability!