Custom2kGt
11-19-2002, 09:43 PM
Hopefully I'm posting this in the right place. Sorry if I'm not. Here's a little tale that I've had over the past couple of months that is just sublime and has turned this hardcore Stanger into a true Marauder fan. A MM in my future, well maybe.... Read on.
A couple of months ago a buddy of mine and I went over to Kenny Brown's on a Saturday afternoon, yes they close at 12 but we warned them we were going to be late. We both needed to get some rear diff. fluid and I wanted to go with some high temp brake fluid for an upcoming Autocross. So we met up w/ a couple of the guys @ KB, names to remain unmentioned to protect the innocent {Like that Rich? ;-)}. While there we started talking and asked if we could see their latest goodies. We went into the shop, shhhh insurance guys will freak!, and of course saw Kermie, the KB Road Course car, a Cobra R w/ the full KB package, a couple of Panthers, heck we even saw KB's roots super charged Voyager. But there in the middle was the very first late model Marauder I have ever seen. She was gorgeous. Of course I had to ask what all they had done to her. The response "Oh not much, well not much more than 8 or 9 psi anyway." We all chuckled and I said "No really what have you done." Never believing they had crammed a charger in that thing. The KB guys went on and opened the hood. There before my eyes was a beautifully done custom S/C bracket with a Vortech attached, custom discharge tube leading into a compact but well designed inter-cooler. Upon further inspection I found the resevoir neatly tucked infront of the radiator behind the grill. My friend and I drooled over that car for at least 30 minutes. Asking every possible question you could imagine.
A couple of weeks later a few of us stanger guys, mostly on {shameless plug} www.corral.net/forums. Were getting together and hosting a Dyno and tune day here in Indianapolis. Being that I have just a simple ol' 2000 Gt I had no reason to fork out the cash for the tune but upon hearing rumors of one of Kenny Brown's latest toys was going to be onsite I had to make the trip and see if it could be the same car. A couple of hours after I showed up, and a couple of AWESOME dyno's later, in rolls the Marauder I had seen just a couple of weeks ago. I sat and watched as the dyno session went on and how the car screamed and twisted the drums to the tune of around 374 hp. I also asked around and met the lucky SOB. ;-), that owned this car. Bill was all smiles and grins, nicest guy you could ask to meet. Definately not what one would expext to own such a beast.
Several weeks went by and I didn't hear much about the car other than it went back to KB for some refinement and niceties. Then a rumor went out, ok it was blatantly posted on our website, that the SVTOA club was having a dyno day @ Kenny Brown and the Maruader was going to be finished and run it's last dyno then be "delivered" to it's owner. Bill invited us all. That Saturday I had a ton of "honey do's" to finish before I could head to KB's shop. I finished up after 12:00 pm. Knowing full well they show was probably over I headed out anyway. After I exited the highway to KB's shop I turned left onto Rockville road, just a right hand turn away from KB, and practically cut off "The Marauder". I could only guess it was the same car. As I passed in front of the car I threw a big thumbs up at it and realized it wasn't Bill driving. But I did see that the guy had a KB tech uniform on {At least I thought he did}. I went down Rockville and to my amusement the Maruader turned right just after I did onto the famed "Gasoline Alley". (Gentlemen if you've never been to Indy just driving down this road is awesome). I took the first right into KB's complex, the Maruader followed. As I parked I got out and sure enough heard the beautiful wine of a worn out alternator bearing, you know what I mean. That impressive Vortech whine. The KB tech got out and we talked a bit. I went inside said my howdy do's to the salesmen, one of which I AutoX with, and went back out side to see Bill, just a grin'n from ear to ear, take the keys and ask if anyone wanted to go for a ride. Never one to be a fool I pushed one of the KB guys out of the way and said "ABSO-!@#'n-lutley!". Bill got in the driver's seat along w/ 3 of us passengers. I reached out shook Bills hand and introduced myself as one of the guys Bill had met on the corral.net website and at the previous dyno session. As we pulled away we laid a few layers of the previously new tires down on the tarmac. Apparently Bill's foot is heavier than I figured, hehe. We went North on Gasoline Alley, all the way Bill just saying how much he loved the way the new torque converter kicked in and hung on into the upper RPM's. Then we came to a light, I still get shaky at this part. Bill looked into the rear view mirror and said {these words will ring in my ears for a long time.} "Darren since you've been to both dyno sessions and showed such an interest in this car on the net and showed up today just to see the thing, wanna drive it?" My response was of complete elation and if I quoted myself here I'm sure it would look something like this "What, are you ****'n serious? **** yeah I wanna ****'n drive it!!!" And I don't curse much. I got in the driver's seat. After a bit of a calming period and reassurance to Bill that I was insured and wouldn't kill his "Unicorn". I put her into drive, got out on the road, went to the next light and in the 45 mph zone, with Bill asking me to of course, put my foot to the floor at 30 to 35 mph. Boys, let me tell you she can move, before I knew it we were up to 80 and she was just shifting into 3rd!!!!!!!! We got back to KB a VERY short time later. I got out, shaking at the knee's and thanking Bill w/ every breath, I went on to film the videos you've seen of the MM burn'n rubber.
Bill thanx a ton for the experience. It was truly appreciated. I hope you and your car have a great and safe time. Anytime you need a cameraman I'm all over it buddy, just gimme some seat time behind that wheel!!
Edit: Videos
KB Marauder 1.mpg - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWnMuH10tX0
KB Marauder 2.mpg - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdXMenMipUk
KB Panther (Crown Vic) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WxiDxcW9HY
A couple of months ago a buddy of mine and I went over to Kenny Brown's on a Saturday afternoon, yes they close at 12 but we warned them we were going to be late. We both needed to get some rear diff. fluid and I wanted to go with some high temp brake fluid for an upcoming Autocross. So we met up w/ a couple of the guys @ KB, names to remain unmentioned to protect the innocent {Like that Rich? ;-)}. While there we started talking and asked if we could see their latest goodies. We went into the shop, shhhh insurance guys will freak!, and of course saw Kermie, the KB Road Course car, a Cobra R w/ the full KB package, a couple of Panthers, heck we even saw KB's roots super charged Voyager. But there in the middle was the very first late model Marauder I have ever seen. She was gorgeous. Of course I had to ask what all they had done to her. The response "Oh not much, well not much more than 8 or 9 psi anyway." We all chuckled and I said "No really what have you done." Never believing they had crammed a charger in that thing. The KB guys went on and opened the hood. There before my eyes was a beautifully done custom S/C bracket with a Vortech attached, custom discharge tube leading into a compact but well designed inter-cooler. Upon further inspection I found the resevoir neatly tucked infront of the radiator behind the grill. My friend and I drooled over that car for at least 30 minutes. Asking every possible question you could imagine.
A couple of weeks later a few of us stanger guys, mostly on {shameless plug} www.corral.net/forums. Were getting together and hosting a Dyno and tune day here in Indianapolis. Being that I have just a simple ol' 2000 Gt I had no reason to fork out the cash for the tune but upon hearing rumors of one of Kenny Brown's latest toys was going to be onsite I had to make the trip and see if it could be the same car. A couple of hours after I showed up, and a couple of AWESOME dyno's later, in rolls the Marauder I had seen just a couple of weeks ago. I sat and watched as the dyno session went on and how the car screamed and twisted the drums to the tune of around 374 hp. I also asked around and met the lucky SOB. ;-), that owned this car. Bill was all smiles and grins, nicest guy you could ask to meet. Definately not what one would expext to own such a beast.
Several weeks went by and I didn't hear much about the car other than it went back to KB for some refinement and niceties. Then a rumor went out, ok it was blatantly posted on our website, that the SVTOA club was having a dyno day @ Kenny Brown and the Maruader was going to be finished and run it's last dyno then be "delivered" to it's owner. Bill invited us all. That Saturday I had a ton of "honey do's" to finish before I could head to KB's shop. I finished up after 12:00 pm. Knowing full well they show was probably over I headed out anyway. After I exited the highway to KB's shop I turned left onto Rockville road, just a right hand turn away from KB, and practically cut off "The Marauder". I could only guess it was the same car. As I passed in front of the car I threw a big thumbs up at it and realized it wasn't Bill driving. But I did see that the guy had a KB tech uniform on {At least I thought he did}. I went down Rockville and to my amusement the Maruader turned right just after I did onto the famed "Gasoline Alley". (Gentlemen if you've never been to Indy just driving down this road is awesome). I took the first right into KB's complex, the Maruader followed. As I parked I got out and sure enough heard the beautiful wine of a worn out alternator bearing, you know what I mean. That impressive Vortech whine. The KB tech got out and we talked a bit. I went inside said my howdy do's to the salesmen, one of which I AutoX with, and went back out side to see Bill, just a grin'n from ear to ear, take the keys and ask if anyone wanted to go for a ride. Never one to be a fool I pushed one of the KB guys out of the way and said "ABSO-!@#'n-lutley!". Bill got in the driver's seat along w/ 3 of us passengers. I reached out shook Bills hand and introduced myself as one of the guys Bill had met on the corral.net website and at the previous dyno session. As we pulled away we laid a few layers of the previously new tires down on the tarmac. Apparently Bill's foot is heavier than I figured, hehe. We went North on Gasoline Alley, all the way Bill just saying how much he loved the way the new torque converter kicked in and hung on into the upper RPM's. Then we came to a light, I still get shaky at this part. Bill looked into the rear view mirror and said {these words will ring in my ears for a long time.} "Darren since you've been to both dyno sessions and showed such an interest in this car on the net and showed up today just to see the thing, wanna drive it?" My response was of complete elation and if I quoted myself here I'm sure it would look something like this "What, are you ****'n serious? **** yeah I wanna ****'n drive it!!!" And I don't curse much. I got in the driver's seat. After a bit of a calming period and reassurance to Bill that I was insured and wouldn't kill his "Unicorn". I put her into drive, got out on the road, went to the next light and in the 45 mph zone, with Bill asking me to of course, put my foot to the floor at 30 to 35 mph. Boys, let me tell you she can move, before I knew it we were up to 80 and she was just shifting into 3rd!!!!!!!! We got back to KB a VERY short time later. I got out, shaking at the knee's and thanking Bill w/ every breath, I went on to film the videos you've seen of the MM burn'n rubber.
Bill thanx a ton for the experience. It was truly appreciated. I hope you and your car have a great and safe time. Anytime you need a cameraman I'm all over it buddy, just gimme some seat time behind that wheel!!
Edit: Videos
KB Marauder 1.mpg - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWnMuH10tX0
KB Marauder 2.mpg - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdXMenMipUk
KB Panther (Crown Vic) - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WxiDxcW9HY