New Project Car

[Rick@Metco]

Kristi found a Marauder last weekend. It was a one-owner car purchased new by a city council member in a small Georgia town, and it is clean, complete, and unmodified. Kristi is very excited.

We're very grateful to Chris at ADTR for his effort in assisting us in finding a suitable car.

This car is a 300B, with a build date of 3/03. It has the Flint interior, which is in remarkable condition.
Our first stage of upgrades will consist mostly of bolt-ons. We already have a tune on the way, a cold air kit from JLT, and window tint scheduled for tomorrow. We'll continue to post as we make progress.

[myrodr]

Very nice! enjoy.

[Ms. Denmark]

Nice find. Looks like mine. Any chance it might inspire you guys to create front suspension parts? ;)

[crownvic97]

That is gorgeous!

[guspech750]

Very very purdy.


Sent from The White House on taxpayers dimes.

[MOTOWN]

Congrats Sir! It will make an excellent test car for more of your excellent products!

[Lowndex]

Can't go wrong with a Silver Birch Marauder. :)

[Ambitious1]

Congratulations! Car looks Great!

[Catfish]

Looks good. Enjoy it!

[1Marauder]

Hey NOW!

CONGRATS!

As we all live vicariously through other's Marauder Purchases... I want much more data and photos.

miles? Picture of INT, motor etc... This looks like a great find--one we all dream of,

[Roadwarrior]

Nice SB. :coolman:

[jay87lx]

Congrats and enjoy

[babbage]

it does look great - only 77k - nice find!

[MyBlackBeasts]

Nice find. Looks like mine. Any chance it might inspire you guys to create front suspension parts?

Ooo! Excellent thinking, ma'am! ;)

Now, waiting on edge of seat for answer... :drink:

[Rick@Metco]

Nice find. Looks like mine. Any chance it might inspire you guys to create front suspension parts? ;)

Thanks for the nice words...

With regards to front end parts, our strength is in machining, and not as much in the bending and welding of steel. Front suspension parts (like sway bars, springs, cast or forged control arms, etc) don't really suit us.

[MERCURY 2003LSE]

Nice Silver birtch looks like my LSE .:beer:

[8UWITH6]

Did this replace my favorite turbo Monte SS? Congratulations

[Rick@Metco]

Kristi sold the GN-Monte SS about 18 months ago. It was very, very difficult for her to let that car go, but it was necessary to finance the Hellcat she now drives.

Thanks for the kind words, Neil.

[8UWITH6]

I can only imagine, super neat car. Very nice heaven's kitten ;). Are you guys going to the Buick National's this year? If so might see you there. Congratulations again on the silver car.

[Rick@Metco]

We'll see you in BG next month...May even bring Kristi's Merc with us.
:)

[8UWITH6]

We will park the blue next to it. :)

[Turbov6Bryan]

September. Wow

http://www.gsnationals.com

[Rick@Metco]

We've made a bit of progress on the car...We've done some necessary maintenance (oil change with a Motorcraft filter, coolant change with 170* t-stat, fuel filter, etc), and we've also done some fun things.
Kristi added 20% tint all around, and also uploaded one of Lidio's legendary 93 octane tunes. Last night we installed JLT's excellent cold air intake kit, and we also deleted the rear cats for a more aggressive exhaust note.
The car runs great and strong.

As soon as our next production run of Watts Link kits and control arms are ready, we'll add them to this car. We're also working to track down a set of widened wheels so we can fit some proper tires on the rear of this car.

Much more to come...

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e274/RKHiPerformance/Merc%200804_zpskvvjeozl.jpg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e274/RKHiPerformance/Merc%202%200804_zpszdppvw3r.jp g

[Rick@Metco]

Installed rear control arms this morning...

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e274/RKHiPerformance/055dde81-337d-45d8-89da-518dab82771e_zpsb8elf4uf.jpg

And then dismantled the interior for the replacement carpet...

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e274/RKHiPerformance/2eb60e86-7e4f-451f-8d05-1c6092df917a_zps8rwfokjm.jpg

[HotRaud90]

Lookin good! Keep us all updated with the progress. Thanks for sharing in the thread!

[MOTOWN]

Installed rear control arms this morning...

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e274/RKHiPerformance/055dde81-337d-45d8-89da-518dab82771e_zpsb8elf4uf.jpg

And then dismantled the interior for the replacement carpet...

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e274/RKHiPerformance/2eb60e86-7e4f-451f-8d05-1c6092df917a_zps8rwfokjm.jpg

Looks like your doing right by that Silver Birch!:bows:

[8UWITH6]

Love the Metco sticker on the tunnel. Identification mark!

[Rick@Metco]

Widened wheels arrived today...Ahead of schedule and better than described. Thank you, Jerry!

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e274/RKHiPerformance/Marauder20Wheels_zpsb4izs8t7.j pg

[lji372]

Widened wheels arrived today...Ahead of schedule and better than described. Thank you, Jerry!

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e274/RKHiPerformance/Marauder20Wheels_zpsb4izs8t7.j pg

I didn't want to disappoint so I took 2 out of my private stock. Glad your happy... :2thumbs:

[RacerX]

I didn't want to disappoint so I took 2 out of my private stock. Glad your happy... :2thumbs:

Would you even notice two missing Jerry??? :P

[RubberCtyRauder]

I didn't want to disappoint so I took 2 out of my private stock. Glad your happy... :2thumbs:

Jerry is dreamy:D:banana2::bows::P

[Kristi @ Metco]

I didn't want to disappoint so I took 2 out of my private stock. Glad your happy... :2thumbs:

The wheels did NOT disappoint! I couldn't be happier. Thanks so much for your help, Jerry!

[lji372]

Would you even notice two missing Jerry??? :P

actually these are 2 of the 4 best i've been hoarding for 3 years. other a minor knick here or there i didn't want to disappoint. and since it's metco, well you know, a little butt kissing never hurts when you may need a favor down the road. :beer:

originally had them boxed then i thought, what if the ups guy had a bad day hmmm. so i wrapped the boxes in bubble wrap and shrink wrap :banana2:

[8UWITH6]

Nice job Jerry. Glad the Metco folks are happy.

[Rick@Metco]

So what's the go-to tire on the 9.5" wheels? We're considering the 295/45-18 Nitto 555 (non drag radial). Has anyone tried a 305/45?

[justbob]

So what's the go-to tire on the 9.5" wheels? We're considering the 295/45-18 Nitto 555 (non drag radial). Has anyone tried a 305/45?



295 no problem. 305's on some cars slight rub the shocks, on others they barely clear. This is without any kind of spacer however.


Sent from my iThrone using Tapatalk

[RubberCtyRauder]

305/45 are Nitto drag radials..depends on use, they are any extra $100 each,wear fast, not recommended in rain.

[lji372]

So what's the go-to tire on the 9.5" wheels? We're considering the 295/45-18 Nitto 555 (non drag radial). Has anyone tried a 305/45?

This is the tire I use on my daily driver.

Qa1 single adjustable should cure any fitment issues.

Or Monroe severe duty and cut of the dust shield (top part).

[Zack]

Hankook 295's are the ticket

[Rick@Metco]

305/45 are Nitto drag radials..depends on use, they are any extra $100 each,wear fast, not recommended in rain.

^ Agreed. I didn't realize initially that going to the 305 meant a jump to the 555R tire.
I think we're gonna try the street-going 555 series in the 295/45 size.

Thanks for the replies! 😀

[Zack]

Rick, PM me your address and I'll send you a few godshead decals.
Thanks for treating everyone well over the years

[Rick@Metco]

We serviced the trans last weekend, adding the Econoline-style trans pan.
We were surprised to find this little yellow plastic dude rolling around in the bottom of the pan. It doesn't seem as if it was intended to be part of the trans - maybe a plug used in assembly?

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e274/RKHiPerformance/6906be04-2b0d-40eb-9b7e-6d25da2ebd7b_zpsqbg4kgfp.jpg

[RubberCtyRauder]

We serviced the trans last weekend, adding the Econoline-style trans pan.
We were surprised to find this little yellow plastic dude rolling around in the bottom of the pan. It doesn't seem as if it was intended to be part of the trans - maybe a plug used in assembly?

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e274/RKHiPerformance/6906be04-2b0d-40eb-9b7e-6d25da2ebd7b_zpsqbg4kgfp.jpg


yes, used on assy.line,,gets pushed into pan when dipstick goes in. Just means the pan was never dropped on yours.

[Turbov6Bryan]

We serviced the trans last weekend, adding the Econoline-style trans pan.
We were surprised to find this little yellow plastic dude rolling around in the bottom of the pan. It doesn't seem as if it was intended to be part of the trans - maybe a plug used in assembly?

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e274/RKHiPerformance/6906be04-2b0d-40eb-9b7e-6d25da2ebd7b_zpsqbg4kgfp.jpg

That's the factory lollipop from the dipstick. Your the first to pull the pan since 03

Mine had 169,000 miles and I found that still in there,... People just do flush and fills but no filters these days????

[RubberCtyRauder]

The service writers "say" that the filter really only is useful for the initial miles on the trans to catch shavings on new gears etc...plus they sell the flush and fill for quick $$$ for the dealer and pay a oil change jockey far less than a tech. to hook up some trans lines to the machine...

[Rick@Metco]

That's the factory lollipop from the dipstick. Your the first to pull the pan since 03

Mine had 169,000 miles and I found that still in there,... People just do flush and fills but no filters these days????

We suspected as much...

We are not surprised to find that we are the first to drop the pan on this car. While the car was obviously cared for by the first owner, most non-car folks these days assume transmissions are 'sealed for life'. :bop:

[Kristi @ Metco]

Rick, PM me your address and I'll send you a few godshead decals.
Thanks for treating everyone well over the years


Got the decals, Zack. They're great -Thanks very much for sending them!

[Zack]

Got the decals, Zack. They're great -Thanks very much for sending them!

My pleasure.
Since I've added a trans drain plug, I empty the pan every other oil change.
I never intend to touch the filter again.
Transmissions from the 50's and earlier only had large hole mesh screens

[Rick@Metco]

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e274/RKHiPerformance/Merc%201%2011516_zpsvkw5tlyv.j pg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e274/RKHiPerformance/Merc%203%2011516_zpskkoqxr7i.j pg

[Mr. Man]

Lookin' good! ^^^^

[MOTOWN]

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e274/RKHiPerformance/Merc%201%2011516_zpsvkw5tlyv.j pg

http://i41.photobucket.com/albums/e274/RKHiPerformance/Merc%203%2011516_zpskkoqxr7i.j pg

That Silver birch looks outstanding :bows:

[Black&Gifted]

Looks sweet. What tires do you have on it? And what size?

[Rick@Metco]

We used Nitto NT555's, sized 235/50 and 295/45.

The car runs and rides very well. Kristi may race it at the Southern Heavy event in Atlanta next weekend.

[03mmmonroe]

We used Nitto NT555's, sized 235/50 and 295/45.

The car runs and rides very well. Kristi may race it at the Southern Heavy event in Atlanta next weekend.

I will be there running my Marauder over 750 1/4 miles runs and 13 years in a row going to this event.

Hope to see you.
Russ Pryor

[Rick@Metco]

I will be there running my Marauder over 750 1/4 miles runs and 13 years in a row going to this event.

Hope to see you.
Russ Pryor

It was great to see you, Russ. Your car is awesome.

Kristi's Marauder made two passes, both in full street trim, a full tank of gas, and a passenger (me). It went 14.80 and 14.60. We were surprised and Kristi had a great time.

[Curless]

It was great to see you, Russ. Your car is awesome.

Kristi's Marauder made two passes, both in full street trim, a full tank of gas, and a passenger (me). It went 14.80 and 14.60. We were surprised and Kristi had a great time.


Awesome! Glad you are having fun with it. It was great to see you two at the Buick show... don't forget that I do have that spare eaton supercharger laying around ;):beer: