Aero8 S1 - upping the power?
Discussion
Having had a 4/4 and a rather well breathed on '78 +8 in the past I have always rather fancied an Aero8. However, I would like a bit more power than comes as standard in the S1 and am not sure I can stretch to a newer one (I do like the GTN's and if I could afford the £50K they still go for would jump at one).
Has anyone upped the power on an S1? If so what did you do? I know that Alpina and other German tuners offer some upgrades for the engines in their original applications, has anyone tried these?
Has anyone upped the power on an S1? If so what did you do? I know that Alpina and other German tuners offer some upgrades for the engines in their original applications, has anyone tried these?
Hi Biggles,
I'm no stranger to this topic, and I did a lot of research on upping the power on an S1, the results of which I shall now report.
It is possible.
Standard power is 286bhp through a standard exhaust.
Swap on a Morgan sports exhaust and you'll gain 10bhp. I can vouch for this having done before and after runs in my S1 before and after having the exhaust fitted.
A bit of ECU tweaking and a sports exhaust will see the car up to around 310 maybe 320 bhp. For this call on DMS or similar. Cost in the region of 750-1000 quid with before and after rolling road maps.
To get any higher than this, means serious surgery though.
Alpina do not do tuning. They did supply the engine in the GTN, but that is all. You can go for an engine swap, but then you're destroying the value of the car for resale, and spending in the region of 10-15k (I had it costed to fit a 400bhp Alpina engine). Not financially sensible.
If you really want to go down the hot route, then its a case of going for a Hartge engine upgrade. It's still listed on the HArtge site somewhere (though not necessarily as an Aero upgrade - look at the NA upgrade for the x5 of the same vintage). Total cost was around 15000 quid last year - bearing in mind the euro, it will be more like 20k now.
So after all that my advice.
1. Don't bother going beyond an exhaust air filter and ecu tweak - that will get you nearly 10% more power and the standard Aero S1 is ferociously quick anyway - remember it's only 1150 kg the S1. > 300bhp in a car that light is serious power to weight. Go drive one and decide if you actually do need more power...
2. If you do want more power, then spend an extra 10k and buy a series 2 - reliably tweakable to around 350-360bhp with remapping. Series 2 prices tend to start with a 4 - rather than series 1's which are in the 30's.
3. If you really want a fast Series 1 and want to preserve the resale value for the future - buy on of the 11 GTN's. There is one for sale - 50k on the Morgan website. It won't depreciate unless you crash it or something.
I'm no stranger to this topic, and I did a lot of research on upping the power on an S1, the results of which I shall now report.
It is possible.
Standard power is 286bhp through a standard exhaust.
Swap on a Morgan sports exhaust and you'll gain 10bhp. I can vouch for this having done before and after runs in my S1 before and after having the exhaust fitted.
A bit of ECU tweaking and a sports exhaust will see the car up to around 310 maybe 320 bhp. For this call on DMS or similar. Cost in the region of 750-1000 quid with before and after rolling road maps.
To get any higher than this, means serious surgery though.
Alpina do not do tuning. They did supply the engine in the GTN, but that is all. You can go for an engine swap, but then you're destroying the value of the car for resale, and spending in the region of 10-15k (I had it costed to fit a 400bhp Alpina engine). Not financially sensible.
If you really want to go down the hot route, then its a case of going for a Hartge engine upgrade. It's still listed on the HArtge site somewhere (though not necessarily as an Aero upgrade - look at the NA upgrade for the x5 of the same vintage). Total cost was around 15000 quid last year - bearing in mind the euro, it will be more like 20k now.
So after all that my advice.
1. Don't bother going beyond an exhaust air filter and ecu tweak - that will get you nearly 10% more power and the standard Aero S1 is ferociously quick anyway - remember it's only 1150 kg the S1. > 300bhp in a car that light is serious power to weight. Go drive one and decide if you actually do need more power...
2. If you do want more power, then spend an extra 10k and buy a series 2 - reliably tweakable to around 350-360bhp with remapping. Series 2 prices tend to start with a 4 - rather than series 1's which are in the 30's.
3. If you really want a fast Series 1 and want to preserve the resale value for the future - buy on of the 11 GTN's. There is one for sale - 50k on the Morgan website. It won't depreciate unless you crash it or something.
Rich,
Thanks for the info - good to hear from someone who has already looked at this and to have a realistic feel for tunability. My problem is my current set of wheels, a TVR Chim 500 is fairly quick and not that heavy, I want to go to a next step of something better built but that goes as well - as you say I need to drive some.
Which dealers in the south would you go to for an early aero8 testdrive? Berrybrook are my nearest but mostly have S4's, I know if I drive one of those I'll end up spending too much!
I was lusting after the GTN at Melvyn Rutter's earlier - this one is ex-Charles Morgan, probably the one on the Morgan site.
Why did you change from S1 to S2 - was it for speed or the general development of the model?
Brett
Thanks for the info - good to hear from someone who has already looked at this and to have a realistic feel for tunability. My problem is my current set of wheels, a TVR Chim 500 is fairly quick and not that heavy, I want to go to a next step of something better built but that goes as well - as you say I need to drive some.
Which dealers in the south would you go to for an early aero8 testdrive? Berrybrook are my nearest but mostly have S4's, I know if I drive one of those I'll end up spending too much!
I was lusting after the GTN at Melvyn Rutter's earlier - this one is ex-Charles Morgan, probably the one on the Morgan site.
Why did you change from S1 to S2 - was it for speed or the general development of the model?
Brett
Mr_Tony said:
2. If you do want more power, then spend an extra 10k and buy a series 2 - reliably tweakable to around 350-360bhp with remapping. Series 2 prices tend to start with a 4 - rather than series 1's which are in the 30's.
Or more in some cases 
But remember your starting with about 40Bhp more for not a lot more weight and some nice features (wider compartment, ABS etc). S1 is more focussed S2&S3 just as quick but not so 'hardcore'
All IMHO (except for my BHP for which I have a RR readout
)Biggles111 said:
Thanks Philip - very kind offer and useful feedback re. the Griff. Am becoming very keen on an Aero - sounds like a logical choice given my history of cars, wife is keen too which helps. Just a question of finding the right one.
Hi BigglesI appreciate its a long way for you (from devon) but if you get to Silverstone this weekend you will see both the Aero GT3 cars in action and meet a lot of Aero owners (and all Morgan owners) of all persuasions. I'm sure you will even be able to see what they are really like
Boshly
Hi Biggles,
Good luck in the search, I would suggest driving an S1 and an S2 if you can find one of each somewhere.
I changed up for the model development, I loved my S1 and still do love them, but the S2 although IMHO not being stylistically as great as the S1 has several distinct advantages :
1. Interior space - wider cockpit.
2. Safety - airbags, anti slip (not T/C) and a windscreen that is higher than my head (I'm 6'2") in the event of a roll!..
3. Practicality - more room in the boot, and cockpit for stowage.
4. Sound - sidepipes sound awesome. You can get them fitted to an S1 though.
The real difference is for long journeys - the S2 is quieter inside and more comfortable place to be if you're driving 8 hours straight. I did many long stints in the S1, and the ride is excellent and it's a brilliant car. But as I spent more time doing trips of a longer nature in it, rather than Sunday morning blasts, it made sense to go for the S2 given it's more 'GT' nature.
Good luck in the search, I would suggest driving an S1 and an S2 if you can find one of each somewhere.
I changed up for the model development, I loved my S1 and still do love them, but the S2 although IMHO not being stylistically as great as the S1 has several distinct advantages :
1. Interior space - wider cockpit.
2. Safety - airbags, anti slip (not T/C) and a windscreen that is higher than my head (I'm 6'2") in the event of a roll!..
3. Practicality - more room in the boot, and cockpit for stowage.
4. Sound - sidepipes sound awesome. You can get them fitted to an S1 though.
The real difference is for long journeys - the S2 is quieter inside and more comfortable place to be if you're driving 8 hours straight. I did many long stints in the S1, and the ride is excellent and it's a brilliant car. But as I spent more time doing trips of a longer nature in it, rather than Sunday morning blasts, it made sense to go for the S2 given it's more 'GT' nature.
Boshly - would love to come up to Silverstone, but am currently overseas trying to earn some cash to pay for my toys. Having looked at the options I am certainly keen to do something on my return (July). If you hear of any private sales amongst other Aero owners for around then do let me know. Even better if they would take a cherished 5 litre TVR in PX.
Mr Tony - interesting; I think I may prefer the S1 more than the S2 - I always in many ways enjoyed (call me odd!) the discomfort of my earlier Morgans, having a roof that leaked, noise, heat, above all character and being something different; I think this it what sums up Morgans and their owners. Having said this other attributes of the older Morgans such as scuttle shake and suspension travel were less good, and am very keen to drive an Aero8 on my return. You mention height - I am 6ft 2, I always had my head touching the roof of my +8 on the rare occasions the roof was up - from what you say it sounds as though the S1 is the same? Oh well - who uses a roof in a morgan...
Mr Tony - interesting; I think I may prefer the S1 more than the S2 - I always in many ways enjoyed (call me odd!) the discomfort of my earlier Morgans, having a roof that leaked, noise, heat, above all character and being something different; I think this it what sums up Morgans and their owners. Having said this other attributes of the older Morgans such as scuttle shake and suspension travel were less good, and am very keen to drive an Aero8 on my return. You mention height - I am 6ft 2, I always had my head touching the roof of my +8 on the rare occasions the roof was up - from what you say it sounds as though the S1 is the same? Oh well - who uses a roof in a morgan...
Edited by Biggles111 on Tuesday 28th April 06:01
Hehe -maybe I am going soft! I've reached that point in life where I am considering that I'll have to join a gym rather than relying on dancing all night to stay thin(ish)..
The S1 is a wonderful car - I think it will suit what you need exactly, it is immediate, visceral even but the suspension and ride is fantastic for such an immediate car to drive.
Yes your head will hit the roof (but you can always de-stuff the drivers seat a bit).
On S1's my advice would be to take your time to see as many as you can. Look on the morgan site (www.morgan-motor.co.uk) to see cars for sale, and keep an eye on the press and ask around on the web via the various enthusiast sites.
If you drop me a PM then be more than happy to let you know if I hear of a car for sale.
Main choice you'll have on the s1 is which kind of roof you want - there are at least 3 versions. Otherwise it just comes down to condition.
Don't worry about mileage on them though - there seems to be some kind of paranoia for cars with more than 20k on the clock - but given the BMW internals - they will handle mega mileages as long as they are serviced properly.
The S1 is a wonderful car - I think it will suit what you need exactly, it is immediate, visceral even but the suspension and ride is fantastic for such an immediate car to drive.
Yes your head will hit the roof (but you can always de-stuff the drivers seat a bit).
On S1's my advice would be to take your time to see as many as you can. Look on the morgan site (www.morgan-motor.co.uk) to see cars for sale, and keep an eye on the press and ask around on the web via the various enthusiast sites.
If you drop me a PM then be more than happy to let you know if I hear of a car for sale.
Main choice you'll have on the s1 is which kind of roof you want - there are at least 3 versions. Otherwise it just comes down to condition.
Don't worry about mileage on them though - there seems to be some kind of paranoia for cars with more than 20k on the clock - but given the BMW internals - they will handle mega mileages as long as they are serviced properly.
Mr Tony
You may be going soft but your advise is sound.
Good luck with your search Biggles.
For what it's worth my S1 car has a Mk2 hood (believe that's what it is known as). Only problem has been lower seal on right hand side frequently tearing. Am working with a local specialist in prototype rubber/silicon parts of aerospace who's made a mould and is going to produce a black flexible silicon version rather than the factory rubber foam type. Should resolve this niggle.
Cheers
Philip
You may be going soft
but your advise is sound. Good luck with your search Biggles.
For what it's worth my S1 car has a Mk2 hood (believe that's what it is known as). Only problem has been lower seal on right hand side frequently tearing. Am working with a local specialist in prototype rubber/silicon parts of aerospace who's made a mould and is going to produce a black flexible silicon version rather than the factory rubber foam type. Should resolve this niggle.
Cheers
Philip
Biggles111 said:
but am currently overseas trying to earn some cash to pay for my toys.
I'm going out on a limb here but where are you overseas? As I can see mining I'm taking a wild guess at Africa? (yes I realise that it could be S America or a hundred and one other places).If you are in Africa and can get across to West Africa you could meet up with our Aero expert Aeroman who resides most of the time in sunny Lagos
He will soon persuade you in the way of the Aero 
I will certainly bear you in mind and if I hear of any decent Aero's in June will drop you a PM.
There are other places where you will meet like-minded people and Talk Morgan whenever you want, though you don't have the diversity that is PH. Just search for alternative Morgan forums
Cheers
Boshly
Thanks chaps - good friendly advice.
Boshly - not Africa this time (though did spells looking for gold in West Africa in the past). Am currently on top of a mountain somewhere in the Middle East. Good views over the desert but not too many Morgans here - all Toyotas I'm afraid.
I'm in the MSCC and get 'Miscellany' but there are not too many Aeros in there - please do feel free to PM me with any that you hear of in the next month or two.
Biggles
Boshly - not Africa this time (though did spells looking for gold in West Africa in the past). Am currently on top of a mountain somewhere in the Middle East. Good views over the desert but not too many Morgans here - all Toyotas I'm afraid.
I'm in the MSCC and get 'Miscellany' but there are not too many Aeros in there - please do feel free to PM me with any that you hear of in the next month or two.
Biggles
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