New Guy Researching a Marauder

[AzMarauder]

Greetings all !

I am researching a Marauder. If I had the money available I'd jump in with both feet but the only way I can get a Merc is to part with my SVT Cobra. (which may happen yet)

I have a lot of questions about the Marauder .... hopefully you folks all know the answers :help:

I have my eye on leftover (LO) MMs. Price will be cheaper on an LO 2003 vice a 2004. However, what are the differences between the 03 and 04? Is there a specific reason why I would want an 04 vice an 03?

The MMs that come without the optional 6 disc CD changer. The radio is still the same? Could a changer be added later and if so is there an aftermarket solution or a cheap source for an OEM changer?

From my reading here I follow there are aftermarket exhausts for the MMs. Is the MM exhaust like the SVT..eg... three sections... Headers --Mid pipes/cats-- catback/mufflers/tailpipes? How much of a PITA is it to put headers on the MM? On the SVT it is the last mod you do to the car due to difficulty and the HP derived just isn't worth the hassle until you REALLY need the final 12 horses or something.

The Trilogy S/C setup. Is that an eaton system ala the 03 Cobra? I went to the trilogy site but didn't see a complete breakdown of the system components nor a price. Is it intercooled? I have access to an eaton blower off an 03 Cobra, will it work with the MM?

Of the S/C'd Marauders, what is the prefered system? Roots style eaton (Trilogy) or the Centrifugal (Vortech)?

Finally, anyone have a component breakdown for putting a 6-spd into the MM?

Ok... I'll stop here... appreciate any information you MM owners can offer on your rides. I've been in love with the car since I first saw it up at the Ford Centenniel. For some reason it has been eating at me for two years.... like I said... so much so I am contemplating replacing the SVT Cobra with one. You folks have a FINE ride there.

Oh... my user name is AzMarauder... but right now that is wishful thinking :rolleyes:

[mcb26]

Just wanted to say welcome. You S/C guys be nice to the newbe, If yall want to argue PM each other. The Trilogy is an Eaton based system. Not much if any differance between an 03 with traction control and an 04.

[Bluerauder]

I have a lot of questions about the Marauder .... hopefully you folks all know the answers :help:
Welcome to the MM.Net, AzMarauder !! :welcome: and good luck on finding an '03 or '04 MM to suit your tastes.

I'll let more qualified folks address your questions ... if they don't have the answers ... well, that ain't gonna happen !!! :rofl:

[AzMarauder]

Just wanted to say welcome. You S/C guys be nice to the newbe, If yall want to argue PM each other. The Trilogy is an Eaton based system. Not much if any differance between an 03 with traction control and an 04.
Thanks for the welcome... does the statement 03 w/traction control (TC) imply that the 04s do not have TC? Can the TC be switched off ala 03 Cobra?

[AzMarauder]

Welcome to the MM.Net, AzMarauder !! :welcome: and good luck on finding an '03 or '04 MM to suit your tastes.

I'll let more qualified folks address your questions ... if they don't have the answers ... well, that ain't gonna happen !!! :rofl:
Thank you sir.....

Life is a funny thing... for all I know I could be a week away or two years away from owning an MM. Just depends. I had hoped that a trade on my Cobra would be stronger and I had thought folks would move a LOT further on leftover 2004s. I had to laugh when they started at MSRP with their figures and then applied Ford's incentives from there. I asked them to show me what THEY the dealership were discounting.... no luck so far.

[SouLRioT]

Answers in RED


Greetings all !

I am researching a Marauder. If I had the money available I'd jump in with both feet but the only way I can get a Merc is to part with my SVT Cobra. (which may happen yet)

I have a lot of questions about the Marauder .... hopefully you folks all know the answers :help:

I have my eye on leftover (LO) MMs. Price will be cheaper on an LO 2003 vice a 2004. However, what are the differences between the 03 and 04? Is there a specific reason why I would want an 04 vice an 03?

Where do you live? If you live up north ou might want the 04 with heated seats, also the 04 has dual knock sensors and a better tranny, but if your going to go S/C that will fix most of your problems with that, even a chip will fix it.

The MMs that come without the optional 6 disc CD changer. The radio is still the same? Could a changer be added later and if so is there an aftermarket solution or a cheap source for an OEM changer?

Yes the head unit is still the same, if your car doesnt come with one you could pick up a used one from a member I'm sure and then have to buy the wires, Ray Sr "theDealer" can set you up with this.

From my reading here I follow there are aftermarket exhausts for the MMs. Is the MM exhaust like the SVT..eg... three sections... Headers --Mid pipes/cats-- catback/mufflers/tailpipes? How much of a PITA is it to put headers on the MM? On the SVT it is the last mod you do to the car due to difficulty and the HP derived just isn't worth the hassle until you REALLY need the final 12 horses or something.

I'm not an expert on this so i'll leave this to someone else

The Trilogy S/C setup. Is that an eaton system ala the 03 Cobra? I went to the trilogy site but didn't see a complete breakdown of the system components nor a price. Is it intercooled? I have access to an eaton blower off an 03 Cobra, will it work with the MM?

Your not going to beable to do the swap, unless you want to spend better part of a year fabing up the parts to do it. Yes its intercooled.

Of the S/C'd Marauders, what is the prefered system? Roots style eaton (Trilogy) or the Centrifugal (Vortech)?

To each his own, it depends more on what you want out of the car, low end or high end power.

Finally, anyone have a component breakdown for putting a 6-spd into the MM?

Dont think about it right now

Ok... I'll stop here... appreciate any information you MM owners can offer on your rides. I've been in love with the car since I first saw it up at the Ford Centenniel. For some reason it has been eating at me for two years.... like I said... so much so I am contemplating replacing the SVT Cobra with one. You folks have a FINE ride there.

Oh... my user name is AzMarauder... but right now that is wishful thinking :rolleyes:
hope this help, and If i'm incorrect on anything please correct me.

[MERCMAN]

Facts only no flaming, lets help instead of starting ANOTHER S/C war. I also suggest using the search feature and reading previous posts about the S/C's available with the pros and cons of each.


'NUFF SAID

[CRUZTAKER]

:welcome:

All I can offer is the fact that there isn't a big price difference between 03-04 models. The early 03's (300a models) didn't have T/C. All the 04's do have T/C. The stereos are all the same between model years, and most have the trunk cd changer. 04's may have heated seats as well. Ask.

No comment on the S/C choices. It's a preference thing. :hide:

Only comment on the manual tranny is, yes, but oodles of money and headaches. :hide:

Have fun, and find one before they're all gone!

[Marauder8]

welcome aboard........................ ...

[DEFYANT]

All the answers can be found within this site. More questions lead to more searches and more questions and more searches and more ques.....

Welcome.

[Patrick]

:welcome: :wave: :wave:

[RF Overlord]

what are the differences between the 03 and 04? The major differences are that the late '03s (called 300Bs) and all the '04s do NOT have:

full-size spare
automatic parking brake release
electric fuel filler door release
metal grilles over the rear speakers
stand-alone clock in the dash

The late '03s and all '04s DO have traction control, which the early '03s (called 300As) do not...

Is there a specific reason why I would want an 04 vice an 03? Not really...


The Trilogy S/C setup. Is it intercooled? Yes...
I have access to an eaton blower off an 03 Cobra, will it work with the MM? Maybe, but it would require a fair amount of fabrication and custom tuning...


Of the S/C'd Marauders, what is the prefered system? Roots style eaton (Trilogy) or the Centrifugal (Vortech)? It's a matter of personal preference. Roots blowers make less peak HP, but they make more of their available power down low, which makes them beneficial for large heavy cars like the MM; Centrifugal blowers make greater peak HP, but higher in the RPM band, making them more beneficial for smaller lighter cars, like the Mustang...


Finally, anyone have a component breakdown for putting a 6-spd into the MM?I don't, but at least 2 vendors on this board have installed Tremecs and they have both had a lot of trouble with things breaking...it's a heavy car...

[BillyGman]

welcome aboard...to answer your question about the Trilogy supercharger (since I'm one off their customers) it is a model 112 Eaton S/Cer just like the one on the Cobras, but the 03 Cobra that my co-worker has looks like the supercharger snout id shorter than the one that's fitted to the Trilogy Supercharger on my Marauder. So I believe that the snout itswlf is a longer one on the Trilogy, and the Trilogy kit also comes with a special Alternator bracket since the alternator must be relocated to make room for the supercharger snout and pulley. And you won't find that to be the case on the Cobra. what I mean is, the alternator locations on both the stock Marauder, and the Trilogy supercharged Marauder, are different than that of the supercharged Cobras. And to my knowledge, the bracket that's used for relocating the Marauder alternator which is included with the complete Trilogy kit, is NOT a Ford part, but has been specially fabricated for Trilogy Motorsports. What the bracket does, is relocates the alternator, and also turns it around backwards, which was neccessary to keep the alternator pulley in alignmant with the rest of the accessory drives, so that it can still be driven with the same belt as the other accessories are. And unlike the Cobra, the Marauder intake piece, sweeps to the driver's side of the engine, so the one for the Cobra cannot be used without various other modifications, such as relocating the battery tray and battery, and who knows what else.


The Trilogy kit also includes many other things that you'll need for a proper installation (a Ford intercooler, Bosch electric water pump for the intercooler coolant only, 11 various pre-formed coolant hoses for the intercooler coolant system, intake piece that sweeps to the driver's side of the engine which the Marauder uses, a Kenne Belle "Boost-A-Pump" fuel pump amplifier,bigger than stock fuel injectors, a special computer chip for the proper engine tune which was burned by Lidio of "Alternative Automotive", a coolant resovior tank and special mounting bracket, all the hardware needed, and the best instruction manual that I've ever used in my life, etc., etc...).

I hope this helps you. I wanted better off the line acceleration out of my Marauder, and since the Marauder is a whopping 4200 w/out the driver, then I decided on the Trilogy roots type S/Cer since it offers greater low-end torque. there are also a number of members here who have chosen the Vortech centrifugal S/Cer for their Marauder. to each their own I guess. my Trilogy S/cer kit was serial #24, and last I heard, Trilogy was up to kit #59. I know that the Marauder owner who has kit#58 on his car is a member here (I believe that would be "Techheavy") as are a number of other S/Ced marauder owners. feel free to send me a PM iof you have questions that are specific to my set-up on my car.

[TechHeavy]

Greetings all !

I am researching a Marauder. If I had the money available I'd jump in with both feet but the only way I can get a Merc is to part with my SVT Cobra. (which may happen yet)

I have a lot of questions about the Marauder .... hopefully you folks all know the answers :help: Welcome AzMarauder! Get your butt in gear and get one before they're all gone! :) I suggest using Autotrader.com. They have LOTS of listings and it's how I found mine!
Uh, BTW, make use of that search tool up in the toolbar when asking about S/Cers... Not that you were wrong to ask, (my first post here was on that very topic) but lately there's been some very, uh, well... interesting debates on the subject. You'll find with your search, threads that will answer all of your questions, for sure.... (without getting anyone worked up again)! :D

Again, welcome aboard, and let us know when you sign the papers on your new MM! :)

Addendum: I just saw Billy's post above. Everything he said you can write in stone... he's the real deal. Also, feel free to PM (private message) me if you'd like more detailed info. Good luck finding that MM!

[Bluerauder]

Answers in RED

If you live up north ou might want the 04 with heated seats

hope this help, and If i'm incorrect on anything please correct me.

I have an '03 300B Marauder and it has heated seats and mirrors. So, the option is not limited to the '04's. :)

[jgc61sr2002]

AZ Welcome to the MM site. :D

[slamnmm]

Welcome, :beer:

You just became a member of the newest & rarest car & car club around.

[AzMarauder]

Thanks for the warm welcome !

It appears I have my deal lined up. A leftover 2003 300A demo (2k miles on the car) sitting in Vermont (of all places). :rolleyes:

Still need to crunch some numbers as to how I get there etc but got the deal I needed on my 2003 Cobra.

Now I just need to figure out how I roll 2600 miles up there in the Cobra and 2600 back and still walk afterwards. :)


ROAD TRIP ! :burnout:

[Tallboy]

Thanks for the warm welcome !

It appears I have my deal lined up. A leftover 2003 300A demo (2k miles on the car) sitting in Vermont (of all places). :rolleyes:

Still need to crunch some numbers as to how I get there etc but got the deal I needed on my 2003 Cobra.

Now I just need to figure out how I roll 2600 miles up there in the Cobra and 2600 back and still walk afterwards. :)


ROAD TRIP ! :burnout:Awesome! Vermont is a beautiful state. If you find yourself on I-91, a nice rest stop is the Putney General Store. [Exit 5, head west 1.5 miles.] I hope the deal comes together...:burnout:

[jgc61sr2002]

Good luck with your purchase. Keep us posted. :D

[Bradley G]

If you get this deal I think we should do something cool to celebrate!traveling over 5000 miles to purchace a Marauder!Makes the 9 mile round trip I take to visit where she came from, seem tiny:shake: Best Wishes!

Bradley G


Thanks for the warm welcome !

It appears I have my deal lined up. A leftover 2003 300A demo (2k miles on the car) sitting in Vermont (of all places). :rolleyes:

Still need to crunch some numbers as to how I get there etc but got the deal I needed on my 2003 Cobra.

Now I just need to figure out how I roll 2600 miles up there in the Cobra and 2600 back and still walk afterwards. :)


ROAD TRIP ! :burnout:

[AzMarauder]

If you get this deal I think we should do something cool to celebrate!traveling over 5000 miles to purchace a Marauder!Makes the 9 mile round trip I take to visit where she came from, seem tiny:shake: Best Wishes!

Bradley G
I've a history of going distances to get my cars.. (dunno why)

My 2001 Cobra came from Minneapolis St. Paul. My 2003 Cobra on which I traded the 2003 came from Kentucky. I just seem to keep going further away. Wife has threatened to shoot me if I start looking at BMWs. :rolleyes:

But you guys keep convincing me I need to do this ! Nothing like driving 2600 miles in the middle of the winter... with Yahoo directions telling me to drive thru CANADA to get there. :confused:

[BillyGman]

So obviously you're going to be cruzing through Connecticut...so if you want to stop in my area to meet me for some brealfast, after supper dougnuts, or just a cup of java, and you want to take a look at my supercharged marauder and perhaps even get a ride in it, then I'd be happy to meet you, and also get a look at your new Marauder. Just let me know via PM.......

[CRUZTAKER]

....and I'll second Billy's offer and say that when you cross south of Cleveland on US80 Ohio Turnpike, I am 2 turns and 6 miles off the 173 exit ramp. You are welcome to crash here.;)

[AzMarauder]

....and I'll second Billy's offer and say that when you cross south of Cleveland on US80 Ohio Turnpike, I am 2 turns and 6 miles off the 173 exit ramp. You are welcome to crash here.;)
I might take you up on your offer.... I come right thru the Cleveland Area headed up to 90 and Buffalo!

I guess I should have looked at the map before I started this ! :alone:

Going thru Buffalo at this time of year... I must be crazy !

[CRUZTAKER]

Going thru Buffalo at this time of year... I must be crazy !
Everything east of Cleveland this time of year is crazy because the lake hasn't froze over yet.
You need to plan this trip with the weather. If there is a low pressure coming from our n.w. the lake effect machine will start.

The Marauder in our type of snow over here with out snow tires is not very pleasant. The last lake effect snow we had dropped 2 feet in two days. Buffalo lake effect is just plain old insane!!! They get 3 feet in one day out that way. Plan accordingly.

If you did pass through here, you would want to stay on the OTP until exit 173, and from my place run 271 north to I-90 Buffalo.

[Drives03Maraude]

I have a 03' with heated mirriors, no dice on the seats....
-Dennis Stiles