KB Marauder-S whats evryones opinions and thoughts

[BODYMAN]

Good morning everyone! I just wanted to see what everyones opinions and thoughts are on the KB Marauder? Is it worth the $$$$
overall performance and driveability. I hope menserea reads this and can help with some input. I need some thing to go off of If I plan to spend that kind of money and screw up my warranty! I do not question the work of the folks over at kb as I have 2 friends who have had work done on there mustangs by them. I plan to take a drive next saturday to Indianapolis to speek w/ the sales staff in person and see there facility. Any input from anyone would be greatly appreciated good or bad as I do not plan to make the commitment until next week after I see how bad uncle sam gouges me.

:po: :po: :flamer: :flamer: :P :P :( :)

Thanks Todd

[TAF]

You're right, mensrea (Bill) is best to answer here. I haven't driven it, but my statement always is "Bill got a World Class car for <$50k!"

I AM interested, however, in what they tell/quote you since you already have chip, gears, etc. Please keep us informed...

[BODYMAN]

todd, I will let ya know after I talk to them on Saturday. Dennis was first choice but I'am just to far away from him (St louis). Kb is only a 4 hr drive and I can tow mine back up to KB should I have any problems. I just want to be sure before I spend that much money if you know what I mean!!!!

Todd :)

[mensrea]

Well you have asked a question that I could spend hours and hours answering. Let me start by telling you what led me to go to Kenny. (KENNY IS A SPONSOR OF MERCURYMARAUDER.NET!)

1) Kenny has been around the automotive scene a long time (just do a search for Kenny Brown on the net)
2) Steve Babcock mentions Kenny by name when asked about possible superchargers
3) His suspension packages are world class - as are his braking packages.
4) He is a "darling" of the media (when's the last time you saw a competitors car in MotorTrend, Car and Driver or MotorWeek (plus magazines like MM&FF)), his Panther conversion has been in a TON of mags. If and when I go to sell my car, I think the fact that Kenny is well known, and his work has been published, will help me get at least some of my money back.
5) When driving my car, there are people that will say, “is that really a Kenny Brown Marauder”? In fact Kenny was driving it to Detroit and within an hour there were posts on another board reporting the sighting, that’s pretty cool. There is some name recognition with Kenny that others might not have.
5) He has completed more Marauders than all of the competition combined (even got a blue one in his shop). I was the first, but he's done a bunch more. I wouldn't have agreed to be the prototype for anyone but Kenny. He is constantly refining his package.
6) He has modified more panther Platform cars than anyone else, he knows the platform inside and out.
7) He fabricates his own pieces... you should see his machine shop
8) He doesn't just take someone else’s stuff and market it as his own (like many of the other chip/shaft/gear packages out there) If he is selling you something that someone else provided, you will know where it came from and he won't take credit for developing something that someone else produced.
9) He is a great guy, who isn't at all what you would expect. He's actually a nice down to earth guy.
10) I had a problem with my car and took it to my local shop... Kenny's guys called my guy and it was resolved same day, so he works with you to get things right if they ever go wrong.

I have said it before whether you pick Kenny or someone else, just make sure you feel comfortable with your decision, research the heck out of the options, and then go for it.

The final thing I would do is ask to drive the shops Marauder, you really want to check the drivability. I have heard stories about two other Marauders that were supercharged, and both of those had drivability issues. The ability to see a completed car is something you have to consider. You can come drive mine anytime you like, and that offer is something you can't get from any other shop.

I have no regrets, would do it again any day, without hesitation.

What else can I say?

[BODYMAN]

Mensrea,
I cant thank you enough for the quick response. youre opinion was really what I was looking for. I will be taking a drive to his shop next Saturday so I can see his facility. It sounds like you couldn't be happier!
How about the overall driveability do you feel comfortable in it? Would you feel comfortable taking a trip in it?
I have in fact done alot of homework on this and I do feel Kenny is probably the best choice! I have so many questions I would love to ask but it could take forever.
As for the powerplant after seeing youres do that monster burn out from a complete stand still I have no questions about the power output. Just thinking this is 4200 pound 5 passenger vehicle doing this!!!! WOW
How about the noise level in the vehicle much different?

Anyhow I could sit here and think of questions all day
Thanks for youre input and future input I'am sure. I also greatly appreciate the offer to come drive yours. Do you know if he has a marauder at the shop done? The only one they told me about when I talked to them was one they had just got in.

Todd

[mensrea]

Drivability is great; in fact the car rides better than stock. I don't know if it is cause of the new tires, the lowering, or his bushings, but everyone who rides in it says, this thing is smoother than stock. You don't notice the power until you need it, in fact I let a sixteen-year-old kid drive the car and he did fine. Noise is comparable to stock, except for the supercharger whine :)

I am sure Kenny will have a completed car there, just give Dave a call and set up a meet, you won't be disappointed. (you could eat off his garage floor)

I drove it from Indy to Chicago and wasn't ready to get out, I wanted to keep driving.

Oh ya, and the ability to give a Z06 a run for there money is worth every penny... let me share a story.

I was out driving around (looking for something to play with) and up came a Camaro SS, well at the light he pulls up next to me and starts revving his engine, and then when the light changed he took off. I waited until I had good traction then stomped on it. By the time he caught up we were at the next light and he said "holy CRAX, what is that thing" and I said "just a four door sedan"

And then there was this time with a Dinan blown 5 series BMW, and oh ya that one time where the Sable kicked my behind, damn snow!

[Reaper948]

MENSREA
did u get the recent performance numbers off the KBM-S yet?...0-60, 0-100, quarter mile....I think everyone is dying to know those.......

[mensrea]

It is my understanding that the performance numbers will be released next month... I 2 can't wait to see them. As soon as I get them I will post them (assuming they don't stink :) )

[jefferson-mo]

Ahhh yes the immortal Sable:burnout:

the stuff of legends.................:beatn ik:


FEAR THE SABLE!:bows:


LOVE THE SABLE!:rock:

[BODYMAN]

Mensrea, you have told me what I was wanting to hear! music to my ears, I have in fact I have already spoken with David Frey at KB. I was set to go up there this weekend but one of my buddies wants to go with and he could not make it last weekend. So I will be going up there this weekend to talk to them and also see there facility. From everything you have told me it looks like I will be going with KB. after talking with you it makes me wish it was already done. One last question how many miles were on youres when he did the work? also I imagine I may have someother questions after I visit there shop on Saturday.
Again thanks for all youre input and help. I cant wait to see youre dyno ####'s but after seeing that burnout you posted I dont think horsepower is a issue. A BIG THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!

Todd

[mensrea]

I had about 5 thousand miles on it... I am sending you my phone number in a PM so you can call my with questions.

My car should be there next weekend so have someone take you for a ride :)

[MercCougarXR7]

For those unfortunate enough to be very far from Indiana, does KB sell parts for customers to install on their own?

As a future MM owner (this summer/fall), I'm VERY interested in his products, but cannot see how the car would get to him.

I can however, swing by and pick up the parts in the big truck :).

[BODYMAN]

Mensrea, So youres will be there next weekend? Man that would be great I will let them know so they can take me for a short ride. But all in all my mind is made up thanks to you and all the positive comments you have been so helpful to share with me I cant thank you enough. As for that SS he had to have been stunned when you blew by him!!!!:D :D :D

Thanks for everything
Todd

[LincMercLover]

Todd,

Hey man, we could road trip together ya know! (wink wink, nodd nodd) ;)

[SaxGuy]

Is there a current offer for just the supercharger plus installation?

[mensrea]

I believe Kenny's conversion consists ofr brakes and suspension as well as the supercharger. You don't want to drive a 450 horse car around with the stock brakes.

[Reaper948]

Anyone have guesses on the numbers? I think the 0-60 would come out to be 5.2-4........and then the quarter would come 13.1-2......
150 more at the wheels.....yea i think thats about right....NOW....wheres that n2o for ya..... :)

[Reaper948]

BMW M5......4000lbs....400 horse........0-60 in 4.8.....jeeeez.....Lets see whatll happen with OUR M Marauder.... what do u want with that, Germany?

[SaxGuy]

I would imagine the 0-60 times to actually be better. My old 99 TransAm with only flow master exhaust, and whisper lid induction did 0-60 in 5.2 seconds. Does anyone actually have time sheets?

[looking97233]

Don't get me wrong, the Marauder S is awesome. I just wish Kenny Brown would look in to using a Twin screw pump (autorotor) Being the most efficient and providing rated boost from 2000rpm all the way to red-line. The torque curve from vehicles using these is just flat. Not that I can afford either right now.