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View Full Version : Took the Marauder to Mid-Ohio yesterday



a_d_a_m
08-21-2020, 06:35 AM
Yesterday, I learned that a Marauder with RideTechs, Addcos, and Heinous control arms can boogie its ass around a road course and only suffer one minor malfunction over the course of three 20-minute sessions. :m


Dad and I attended one of Mid-Ohio's Lead-Follow instruction sessions, which is required of any attendants prior to being eligible for open lap test and tune. Just as the name suggests, an instructor leads students around the course. Instruction is provided via FM radio during the first session with each lap getting progressively faster. Every lap, the lead student drops to the back, giving the next student in line an opportunity to follow directly behind the instructor. This allows the instructor to see exactly what line you're running and make suggestions on the fly, which can be utilized in the next two 20-minute sessions.


The first session started easily enough, but I soon found out that I was really hanging on and struggling to wrangle the car around the course. The GT350 and Vettes in our session were killing it in the horsepower department, and in my struggle to keep up, I found I was braking too late/hard. This, combined with a HARD panic stop due to some dipshit in a Vette hot-dogging down the backstretch and brake-checking the entire field, caused me to cook the brakes on the second to last lap, so I came in early to assess the situation and let the car cool off. Was pretty nervous because the pedal was super spongy at this point.


Everyone came in after, and the GT350 guy and the non-dipshit Vette guy came up and were asking me all sorts of questions about the Marauder. What is it, is it stock, how does it handle that well in the turns, how was I hanging with them, blah blah blah. I guess the big girl can dance!


Luckily, the pedal feel returned quickly and the brake temps were normal by the beginning of the next session. I decided to lay off the brake a little and just let the car sail around a little more. MAN, what a great decision that was. The car just felt so much more planted; unsurprising since I wasn't introducing hard brake and causing the car to squat as much. I was able to close gaps on everyone most of the turns (my best one was under the Honda bridge). This made up for the HP disadvantage as well as the fact that I was really struggling with two turns on the track and letting a gap form.


In between sessions 2 and 3, a few spectators came into the paddock and were asking more questions about the car, shocked that it was out there doing its thing. Clean Panthers are getting harder to find so I guess people are shocked to see them out getting thrashed.


Anyway, session 3 was basically a continuation of session 2 - higher speeds, lots of tire squeal, just a great time. When I came in and parked, though, I smelled rear diff fluid and knew it was coming from my car. Underneath was bone dry, so I looked at the tires...yep...a fine mist of diff fluid mist on both rear wheels. Guess the ol' 28 spline axles/seals finally crapped the bed. Had to drive it home the hundred plus miles, so I'm sure that didn't do it any favors, but oh well...it was worth it (and the leak isn't THAT bad, just...it's there).


Overall? Absolutely worth it. If you have the chance to thrash a Panther on a road course, do it. I plan to return once the car is fixed, and do some open laps.


https://i.imgur.com/lNw4zre.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/ws6TCY4.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/2kcd2Ev.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/7N1euz8.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/8b4bxt0.jpg

crouse
08-21-2020, 07:21 AM
What brake pads are you running. It's possible you had some moisture in the brake fluid and that turned to steam when your brakes got hot causing a spongy brake pedal.

I run several auto cross events each year and every spring I run new brake fluid through my lines.

I run Carbotech AX-6 Auto Cross brake pads. If I ran a track day event, I's probably switch to their XP-8 or XP-10 pad.

crouse
08-21-2020, 07:23 AM
Also, check the vent tube on your rear differential.

a_d_a_m
08-21-2020, 07:26 AM
I can't remember exactly what pads I'm running, but I do have the Zack&Jerry big brakes on the car. They've been great overall.

I bled them before it went into storage in November last year, and figured since I had less than 500 miles on the car since then, it would be fine. But your hypothesis about moisture in the lines might be right on the money, and I'm definitely going to bleed them before I go out next time.

a_d_a_m
08-21-2020, 07:27 AM
Also, check the vent tube on your rear differential. I did rear diff service last year and cleaned the tube out then, but it probably needs to be checked again. Since the seals are leaking now anyway, I'll just give it a better once-over when I'm in there to fix it.

I seriously appreciate the advice on both fronts, though. This is all new to me.

crouse
08-21-2020, 08:02 AM
I go through an entire quart of brake fluid when I bleed mine each spring. I suck out as much fluid as I can from the reservoir then refill it with fresh brake fluid. Then I put the entire car up on jack stands and remove the wheels and open up each brake bleeder while refilling the reservoir as the level drops slightly. I watch to make sure equal amounts of fluid are dripping from each brake bleeder. When about a quart has been run through, I close all of the bleeders and do some pump & holds on each corner. I also do this for the bleeder on the master cylinder.

crouse
08-21-2020, 08:06 AM
Do you have an additional transmission cooler?

a_d_a_m
08-21-2020, 08:07 AM
Hmmm, maybe I need to step up my brake bleeding game...I usually just bleed until it runs clean out the bleeders. (and yes, remove as much from the reservoir)


And no on the cooler.

crouse
08-21-2020, 09:09 AM
I'm probably overkill on the brake bleeding. :)

Can anyone with an additional transmission cooler chime in and let us know what brand and model you have and how it's connected?

tobiasg1995
08-21-2020, 01:55 PM
That's awesome you did that. I just saw the track day for like $250 or something for mid Ohio. Is that the one you did? There's one coming up in Sept. I would love to go, but I still have the factory brakes on, which are **** right now. I'm finding since getting my suspension done I've been more aggressive on the fun pedal [emoji16] I thought about taking my wife's Focus ST up though. It's about a 2 hr drive for us.


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justbob
08-21-2020, 02:32 PM
Sounds like you had fun Adam! Our Chicago track day at Marauderville wasn’t nearly that long but we had a blast. You don’t want too much power..


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RubberCtyRauder
08-21-2020, 03:02 PM
Sounds like a awesome time, Adam!

sailsmen
08-21-2020, 07:19 PM
Can't wait to get back to Drag Racing

1Marauder
08-21-2020, 11:35 PM
Dreamt write up! Wish I was with you!

a_d_a_m
08-22-2020, 04:32 AM
Not sure what's happening w/the forum but I'm currently unable to respond to direct quotes no matter how I try.

ANYWAY...

tobiasg1995, I got a deal on the lead-follow for $165ea earlier this year and bought time for myself and dad. It normally runs $195. The Focus ST would be fun, and a Panther with new stock brake components and a good bleed could survive. Once I learned what not to do, I started using way less brake.

justbob: a little more power would've been nice...but that's a slippery slope that leads to an empty wallet. :D

RCR: take one of your cars! You won't regret it.

1Marauder: there's an event near you in September, see below...
https://www.tracknightinamerica.com/events/1996455-track-night-2020-thunderhill-raceway-park-september-17

sailsmen
08-22-2020, 05:56 AM
I am having issues with copy paste an old post. Started a thread on it.

It was the one where a Marauder owner beats Ferrari's and Lamborghini's so bad they tried to ban him from the event.

justbob
08-22-2020, 05:57 AM
Adam I did this with the old Trilogy grotesquely overdriven and the six speed. The power wasn’t too much as it was producing more heat than effective boost but if I recall it was 461 hp back then and I felt it was on the borderline of wasted power and had to think doubly hard on not only braking and turn execution but now also power delivery and gearing. All this with the wife and three kids literally rolling around the back seat smashing heads together and against windows all the while laughing their asses off..

Now take a look at Sergeant Mac’s Shelby GT. That thing had every possible suspension upgrade, some not even in production yet, thrown at it from different vendors as a touring show and tell car. We swapped keys one day and while hot lapping a parking lot with islands/post lights/trees he threatened to take his afternoon nap if I didn’t stop *****footing his car! At that point I fed it some onions and all I can say is that little pony only responded, was a hell of a cornering beast, and with only something like low 300 horses would eat my car alive on any track any day. Not only that but you could almost steer with your eyes and give it no thought and you would already be approaching the next obstacle. Soooo much less thought and effort.

Use the lower power to your advantage and kill them in the corners and the Marauders awesome high rpm powerband in the straights.


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a_d_a_m
08-22-2020, 07:14 AM
Hmm, well...I'd still like to gearjam a boosted Marauder around a road course...just ONCE, to see how the other half lives. I'd probably be laughing and having a great time too, if I was a passenger!

Speaking of HP, I thought Dad would want more HP in his 2003 GT, as he complained about the straightaway gaps the fancy GT350s and C7 Vettes were putting on us both. By the time we got back to his house to unload cars, he was singing a different tune - he thinks a better seat would have helped him stay planted in the car. I'll say this, the Marauder seat is not the best thing in the world, but it's far and away better than the stock seats in a 2003 GT!!!

justbob
08-22-2020, 12:49 PM
Oh god, the seats in these cars are horrible for us skinny guys!

I’ve always said I was going to switch them out but still haven’t..


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a_d_a_m
08-22-2020, 06:40 PM
On the flip side, I really wish they made some affordable racing buckets for fat guys like me. :D

Mr. Man
08-23-2020, 10:35 AM
Be hard to do since you drive the car to the track, but a set of racing slicks could cut your times by quite a bit. Trick is to know with some degree of confidence where the breaking points of under/oversteering are and to be able to ride that razors edge. Lots and lots of seat time. Sounds like you and your dad had a good time.

Crazieboutamerc
10-29-2020, 07:34 AM
Adam, That is so cool. finally seeing a Marauder playing with the vettes. I always love a well handling car.

tobiasg1995, Your wife's ST would be a ball on a road course. I had a 13 Focus ST. Just make sure you put it in race mode.

Tim

Ken
10-29-2020, 10:01 PM
Justbob are you referring to Autobahn or Gingerman? Gingerman was much more fun, more time on the track, more training, and higher speeds. I did Waterford Hills in a 98 SVT Contour, at an SVT Experience event. That was a blast! Our tour of the track was full speed in a 15 passenger E350 Van, sitting in the back seat with a Bob Bondurant driver driving, showing us the sweet spots. Hearing the seats straining on their bolts was a trip. But following a $70k Mustang Cobra R take off out of the corner and leave me in the dust, but seeing me riding his bumper coming out of the next turn in his rear view mirror was satisfying (pissing him off) my FWD holding the corners while he struggled! :D

justbob
10-29-2020, 11:02 PM
Autobahn. I heard Gingerman was WAY better of an experience.

Luckily at Autobaun I was purposely toward the rear of the pack and thanks to all the years of Louisville escorts we know that is the place to be to stand on it. [emoji6]

As well as the brake that is... Thankfully to being able to down shift, I really didn’t need to hammer the brakes much at all. [emoji1303]

Even still I bet we never hit 80, but plenty of opportunities to get there pegged to the seats.


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Lowndex
12-28-2020, 01:06 PM
I am living through you. Dreams can become reality. Great looking ride - so happy you are enjoying to the fullest.

Mguildo
12-30-2020, 04:51 PM
If the vent tube on the diff is clogged it will blow the seals just a thought

MyBlackBeasts
12-30-2020, 06:13 PM
If the vent tube on the diff is clogged it will blow the seals just a thought

Yes, and the factory liked to install the diff and forget to add the vent tube leaving the orange paint covered plastic plug in the diff. Ask me how I know... :shake:

a_d_a_m
12-31-2020, 07:15 AM
I guess I never updated that I'd fixed the car before putting it into storage. New bearings, seals, vent tube cleaned (again).

Yikes:

https://i.imgur.com/cgtqn6U.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/MAz4FsL.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/fWozQUj.jpg



Dad's lady friend got a picture of us working on the car together. That was kinda nice.

https://i.imgur.com/yKKvCNS.jpg