Wow And O' Boy!

[South Hills]

I recently completed several modifications to my 2003 Marauder, but I’ll get to that in a moment. I purchased the MM shortly after its release in 2002; drove by the local L/M dealership, saw it out front, and had to have it right then. Knowing nothing about the MM other than what was learned from seeing it sitting on the lot and a short test drive, I’m in the office to “sign the papers”.

I think the Marauder is a wonderful car in completely stock form, but over the last several months I began to think seriously about making a change. After considering virtually all the cars within reason to my DI, I could not find anything I preferred over the MM. I looked at Daimler Chrysler’s new products (300C, Magnum, & Crossfire), several BMWs, GM’s performance offerings (Vette, CTS-V, & GTO), and even briefly considered a few “rising sun” products, including the FX45 and the 350Z.

None of these vehicles had the visceral appeal of (for me) the Marauder. All the MM lacked was major league grunt, and a few individual stylistic cues. Having hit this site initially in late August 2002, I have spent countless hours enjoying the comments of the member group and learning from your experiences and ground-breaking mods on this unique vehicle. Thank you all for the information sharing, insights and advice.

Last week, I drove from Pittsburgh to Detroit and had Lidio install Trilogy’s S/C kit # 36 and provide his custom tune. I cannot say enough about quality of both the kit and Lidio’s work. Both are absolutely top-notch. All expectations for both the kit and install/tune were surpassed; the kit looks absolutely beautiful and performs great, and Lidio is, in my opinion, ground zero for Marauder performance enhancements and tuning. I would recommend Lidio and his shop to anyone interested in the highest quality performance work and expertise available for our MM’s; he is a consummate professional.

My objective in making performance mods to the MM was to realize the tremendous potential of this car while maintaining a well-mannered, stable, and dependable daily driver. I also was interested in making the Marauder faster than most anything else on the road, particularly from zero to 80 MPH. Objective achieved on all fronts! At moderate throttle input, the car feels completely stock, only more responsive. So much so that you’d swear you’re into the boost when you’re not due to the custom tune. But stand on the pedal, and the MM transforms into a monster thrasher. Right-off idle, it makes enough torque to pin you in the seat and spin the tires until you decide to let up. Zero to??? is an engine screaming, tire smoking, speed making, ear-to-ear grinning experience. I could not be more pleased with the new Marauder, and, even more than before the performance work, look for reasons to jump in and stretch her legs a little bit. Every drive is an adventure.

Beyond the performance work, I asked Zack to provide a badge less front-end (absolutely perfect fit and finish), and also had the rear badge pulled by a local body shop. As things stand now, I couldn’t be more pleased with the MM, and look forward to lots of eventful motoring.

Thanks again to all the members of this group for your advice and willingness to share ideas about these great cars.

Best Regards,

Phil

[teamrope]

Congrats SH, (can you see the envy shade of green) :D :up:

[buckyboy]

Congrats on your mods!..:up: .How many miles on your mm? worried about additional engine wear?

[buckyboy]

Congrats on your mods!...How many miles on your mm? :up: worried about additional engine wear?

[Svashtar]

What exactly is the Trilogy’s S/C kit # 36? What does that involve? Unfortunately Detroit is 2000 miles away!

Tnx,

Norm

[teamrope]

What exactly is the Trilogy’s S/C kit # 36? What does that involve? Unfortunately Detroit is 2000 miles away!

Tnx,

NormS/C = SUPERCHARGER. :up: (Now you know why I'm green with envy.)

[BruteForce]

What exactly is the Trilogy’s S/C kit # 36? What does that involve? Unfortunately Detroit is 2000 miles away!

Tnx,

Norm

The "#36" designates that it was the 36th Trilogy kit to be purchased/installed. Kind of like a signed limited edition.

[BillyGman]

What exactly is the Trilogy’s S/C kit # 36? What does that involve? Unfortunately Detroit is 2000 miles away!

Tnx,

NormNorm, the "Trilogy" S/Cer kit is a complete Supercharger kit made only and specifically for the 2003, & 2004 Mercury Marauder by a company that is a vendor of this board named Trilogy Motorsports. You'll find that they have their own forum here on this board, and if you go to that forum, you'll also find a link to their website which will explain more about their Supercharger kit. This kit comes w/an Eaton roots type Supercharger, intercooler, electric water pump, bigger fuel injectors, as well as many other things for a complete installation on a Mercury Marauder including all the hardware, belts, and coolant lines and hoses neccessary. This kit also comes w/a computer chip burned by Lidio of Alternative Automotive specially for this set-up.



I've installed this kit on my 2003 Marauder myself as some other members here have too. It's a big job if you tackle it yourself, but if you're mechanically inclined, then you can hack it. It only requires common tools, and there really isn't any fabrication neccessary. The kit comes w/everything you need for the installation including an instruction manual that's in a loose leaf binder notebook, and includes color pictures on 80% of the pages of a Marauder engine.

The manual is no joke. There's nothing generic nor universal about this manual. It's specifically and exclusively for installing this Supercharger on a Marauder, and nothing else. It's by far the most discriptive and most explanatory manual I've ever used in my entire life. It takes you step by step through the installation process. Nothing is left to guess work, and the installation doesn't take any highly trained experts to complete. You don't have to be a trained or professional auto mechanic to install this Supercharger kit on your Marauder. If you're used to working on cars, and you have tools, you can complete this task as long as you follow the Trilogy instruction manual.

Trilogy Motorsports makes these S/Cer kit for the Mercury marauder only, and atleast three dozen of them have been sold and installed on Marauder thus far. Many of those Marauders are owned by members of this board. Adding this modification reduced my quartermile ET by 1.6 seconds!!!



Here's a pic of what my car looks like under the hood w/the Trilogy kit installed. It might not be the greatest picture, but it will give you a good idea of what the finished product looks like.......

[Svashtar]

Thanks for all the great info! Great job. I understand the advantage in racing, but how does this affect your "regular" driving? Is mileage affected?

Tnx.

Norm

[BillyGman]

Thanks for all the great info! Great job. I understand the advantage in racing, but how does this affect your "regular" driving? Is mileage affected?

Tnx.

NormVery good questions Norm. My mileage went from 13 MPG around town to 12 MPG around town. Keep in mind that I had previously installed 4.56 gears in the rear end of my car, and that's the reason for the type of gas mileage I'm getting. I get about 15 MPG on the highway. So the S/Cer has only effected the mileage by one full MPG, and I get on that gas pedal every day. :burnout:

And as far as driveability in daily traffic goes, it isn't effected at all. And I DO mean NOT at all. I still drive my car back and forth to work every day, and so does John (AKA "JET") drive his Trilogy equipped car every day to work as well. If you didn't tell someone that it's S/ced, and you let them get behind the wheel, they would never know that it is unless they pushed that gas pedal to the halfway point or beyond. Anything less than that, and it behaves exactly the same way as it did before the S/Cer installation since you're not into the boost pressure to any great extent. the car can even be driven in the snow if you chose to.

And BTW, Mr. "South Hills" Phil, congratulations man on your new S/Cer installation. I can definately relate to your enthusiasm about this modification. it's the best thing I've ever done to this car, and I've done quite a bit. :up:

[Patrick]

SOON!!!!!!!!!!! :up: :up: :up: :up: :up: :up:

[MARAUDER S/C #5]

Welcome to the Trilogy club Phil. :burnout: :burnout: :banana2: :bounce: :P

[Sactown]

What exactly is the Trilogy’s S/C kit # 36? What does that involve? Unfortunately Detroit is 2000 miles away!

Tnx,

Norm

Unfortunately, it is not legal in the Golden State...yet. Word is that Trilogy is working on CARB certification. If you are a gambling man, you can get it anyway and hope it does get certified before your first smog inspection.

[teamrope]

Here's a pic of what my car looks like under the hood w/the Trilogy kit installed. It might not be the greatest picture, but it will give you a good idea of what the finished product looks like.......

Billy, you should also show Norm the burnout vidio clips to give him an idea of what a bad ass MM can do. :D

[South Hills]

Congrats on your mods!...How many miles on your mm? :up: worried about additional engine wear?

Hey, thanks to all kind comments. Buckyboy, my MM had 9,021 miles on the clock when the install took place. As goes without saying, I don't drive a lot of miles; I use the wife's rig when the weather is not perfect, and have a M/C to provide further distraction during the warmer months.

Even so, there is a good record documented on this site by members that have added the blower, applied a reasonable tune, flogged their cars hard, and have not had problems past 30-35K. That's four more years of driving at my current burn-rate.

Beyond this, I have not seen or heard anything that suggests the kit and tune will not provide many miles beyond the current benchmarks in trouble free service.

I guess we’ll all find out together as the miles and years roll on.

Thanks,

SH

[BillyGman]

Billy, you should also show Norm the burnout vidio clips to give him an idea of what a bad ass MM can do. :D
Uhmm, okay, you talked me into it...... Hey Norm, click on these two media links below. One is from a Dead Punch, and the other is obviously a brake torque burnout as my tire rubber went up in smoke merely for your entertainment (although it was kinda fun for me too. :) ).......


http://www.mercurygallery.net/mmnet/images/video.gif (http://www.mercurygallery.net/mmnet/showphoto.php/photo/3247/sort/1/cat/all/page/1) http://www.mercurygallery.net/mmnet/images/video.gif (http://www.mercurygallery.net/mmnet/showphoto.php/photo/3375/sort/1/cat/all/page/1)

[JET]

[b]If you didn't tell someone that it's S/ced, and you let them get behind the wheel, they would never know that it is unless they pushed that gas pedal to the halfway point or beyond. Anything less than that, and it behaves exactly the same way as it did before the S/Cer installation since you're not into the boost pressure to any great extent.

:confused: Sorry Billy but I have to disagree with you on these points. If I let someone drive my car without telling them to be careful with throttle they would be in for a real surprise and I would be worried that they would lose control. Could you imagine leaving your car with a valet and they think their driving a Grand Marque and slam on the pedal. Living in the city I have no choice but to leave my car with a valet once in a while. It is usually brought back by someone different but they all have the same look on their face. It is that “what hell did you do to that thing look”. Yes the car is still very drivable but I can only go a quarter pedal before I start hauling arse. I mean this car is a drivable as it comes for what it is equipped with but for me living in a big city and even with my Nitto’s I’m getting tire spin at anything more than quarter pedal when I’m driving around town. However I’m not complaining. I love it.


the car can even be driven in the snow if you chose to.
Well it can but the fact is it shouldn’t be and even when it was completely stock this car has no business in the snow. I admit I have done it but when I do I am careful as possible. This response only refers to my experience with the 300a which doesn’t have traction control.

[Paul T. Casey]

Jet, there's a mod to the valet key which will only allow the car to be driven at 15 or less mph. I saw it a long time ago, and I believe Mr. Reinhart put it in my upgrade. I don't know, as I wouldn't let a valet drive mine. I was one once, I know how they are!

[Patrick]

Uhmm, okay, you talked me into it...... Hey Norm, click on these two media links below. One is from a Dead Punch, and the other is obviously a brake torque burnout as my tire rubber went up in smoke merely for your entertainment (although it was kinda fun for me too. :) ).......


http://www.mercurygallery.net/mmnet/images/video.gif (http://www.mercurygallery.net/mmnet/showphoto.php/photo/3247/sort/1/cat/all/page/1) http://www.mercurygallery.net/mmnet/images/video.gif (http://www.mercurygallery.net/mmnet/showphoto.php/photo/3375/sort/1/cat/all/page/1)

Never get tired of watching those vids!!!!!!

[FordNut]

Jet, there's a mod to the valet key which will only allow the car to be driven at 15 or less mph. I saw it a long time ago, and I believe Mr. Reinhart put it in my upgrade. I don't know, as I wouldn't let a valet drive mine. I was one once, I know how they are!
No mod to the valet key. The only way to accomplish what you're suggesting is to put a second program in the chip and switch to that program with a hidden switch before turning the car over to anyone else.

[Dan]

Hey, South Hills,

Do you have a full size photo of your avatar? . :lol:

Best,

Dan

[BillyGman]

[QUOTE=JET]:confused: Sorry Billy but I have to disagree with you on these points. If I let someone drive my car without telling them to be careful with throttle they would be in for a real surprise and I would be worried that they would lose control.

No way John. Afraid of someone losing control? That's an overstatement as far as I'm concerned. My car turned back to back 12.2 ET's in the quartermile w/both runs yielding 60' times of 1.6 seconds and I haven't any fears of someone that I know "losing control" w/the car if they drive it. The thing isn't gonna pull the front wheels off the ground. I mean you don't need wheelie bars on your car.

But let's clarify something here. My original statements indicate that I was claiming that if you don't hit the halfway point w/the throttle, then you're not into all that much boost. Certainly NOT enough to effect any Driveability for the street. The driveability on the street has NOT been effected negatively. The fact that you're still using your car for your daily commute to work and back (just as I am) says it all.

It sounds to me that you've misunderstood my point, or you've taken part of what I stated out of the context of my entire post which is what it was intended for. What I said was "IF" someone didn't take my car past half throttle, then they wouldn't know it is S/Ced. They would know it's a fast car, sure. But not S/Ced. And since the previous question put forth was concerning driveability issues w/a S/Ced Marauder on the street as opposed to a car that isn't S/Ced, I was making a point that having a S/Ced Marauder does NOT effect driveability. Would you disagree w/that John? If so, then we will have to agree to disagree, because in that case I would have to say that you're wrong.

As far as Valet parking, I don't let people I've never met before drive my car anyway. Especially w/out me being in it. If you choose to do that, then I wouldn't say that you're wrong to do so since it's your car. So I'm not disagreeing w/your point about valet parking since you have no idea if that guy parking your car is gonna hammer the pedal down or not. However, that doesn't neccessarily mean that the driveability of your Marauder has been effected in a negative way since you're speaking of driving in a parking lot by someone who you don't even know. That's a completely different issue than you or a family member driving your car in traffic.

And as far as the snow issue, it must be nice to have a vehicle just for driving in the snow John, but some of us aren't that fortunate, and 20 of us here on this board last year have purchased the Michelin snow tire and wheel package for driving our Marauders in the snow. Or have you missed that thread? So are you going to claim that we are all wrong for doing that? I don't think so. These cars are GREAT in the snow w/those snow tires. If you tried them then you would see what I mean, but you obviously haven't. These tires make a major difference. I went up snow covered hills last year easier than some front wheel drive cars did. How do I know that? Because I passed someone on a snow covered hill last year who was stuck who has a front wheel drive car.

So I'll see you in the snow next winter w/MY Marauder. :up: Because having a Marauder with 4.56 gears and a Stallion torque converter w/a 3,000 RPM stall speed didn't effect it's driveabvility even in the snow last year. So are still going to imply that Marauders aren't intended for driving in the snow? I've been driving RWD cars in the snow since I was 16 years old. You simply have to get premium snow tires for them. If you try driving them in the snow w/anything less, then you're going to have a big hassle on your hands wether you have traction control or not. And BTW, I have a 300A which doesn't have traction control. I don't like traction control nor did I need it last year. And I still don't need it.

[South Hills]

Hey, South Hills,

Do you have a full size photo of your avatar? . :lol:

Best,

Dan

Hey Dan:

I think I know why you're asking; yes, indeed, that is a Pony car with it's top down in the pic.

Regards,

Phil

BTW, check your mail.

[Svashtar]

Uhmm, okay, you talked me into it...... Hey Norm, click on these two media links below. One is from a Dead Punch, and the other is obviously a brake torque burnout as my tire rubber went up in smoke merely for your entertainment (although it was kinda fun for me too. :) ).......

Gawd! But hey, I can get mine to do that kinda sorta...:) (I just have to stand on the brake with both feet and have someone else hold the gas all the way down!) :shot:

Thanks for sharing!

Norm

[teamrope]

Gawd! But hey, I can get mine to do that kinda sorta...:) (I just have to stand on the brake with both feet and have someone else hold the gas all the way down!) :shot:

Thanks for sharing!

NormThere, I knew you'ld like it. ;) :baaa: :banana2: :beer:

[teamrope]

Hey Dan:

I think I know why you're asking; yes, indeed, that is a Pony car with it's top down in the pic.

Regards,

Phil

BTW, check your mail.
Heck with the car, I wanna see a close up of the seat cover! :D