Upgrade package (potential)

[marauder307]

Hello all! To begin...just picked up the latest issue of duPont Registry magazine. Found an outfit in ATL called Modern Day Musclecars (www.moderndaymusclecars.com) ; a trip to their website shows that they do a lot of business in GM stuff, but they also have Viper packages as well.

I got curious...what could they do for a Marauder? So I sent in an inquiry...got a phone call in about an hour. We talked for a bit, and they're putting together a package upgrade based on what my car has already (PowerSlot rotors, Hawk HPS pads, Metco rear suspension components) and what it will take to blueprint/balance/dynotune it, as well as beefing up the suspension/brakes/rim-tire combination further.

They're gonna mail out the quote on Sat.; because my mail's being rerouted on account of my current military situation, it'll take a little longer than normal to get to me. But I'm intrigued...will keep y'all apprised.

[DEFYANT]

Sounds good. Send them to the site.

[wchain]

Sounds good. Send them to the site.
http://www.moderndaymusclecars.com/tuning.html

They dont mention Ford at all.... :confused:

And they can't even spell Cadillac....

Looks like they got some neat rides, but their Tahoe SS isnt getting any more HP than the stock one, doesnt the 6.0L Denali???

Monte Carlo Gains 35 hp.....

Are u thinking about having them redo your motor?? :burnout:

[teamrope]

[url]And they can't even spell Cadillac....

That's scary

[Warpath]

Blueprinting may not be worth the money. I talked to SVT when I got my 99 and they said it wasn't worth the effort. I imagine balancing wouldn't gain anything either. These engines are well balanced and love high rpm. If you are going to those lengths, might as well upgrade to forged crank, rods, & pistons, new oil pump gears, etc. then blow or spray the hell out of it.

[marauder307]

"Are u thinking about having them redo your motor??"

"Blueprinting may not be worth the money."


Yes to the first one...in a limited fashion. The premise that I'm working on is that the Marauder engines weren't all that well screwed together at the factory---hence the numerous head problems and sometime overheating incidents that I've read so much about here at the site. Working from that, I'm theorizing that simply tearing the engine down and blueprinting it (and I'm going out a limb here---I hope I'm understanding the term correctly, given my limited knowledge) will probably yield about another 25 hp and rebalancing it will take that a little further. Part of my specs for the upgrade package included a full Magnaflow package, headers to tips, with the stock tips left intact; it's my understanding that these dual-cammer multivalve engines love air and lots of it. I'm guessing that by opening that up a bit I can pull a bit more...

At the same time, I'm working under certain constraints: Missouri is the first state I've been to that enforces both safety and emissions inspections, and I've got to keep the emissions controls in place far enough to get the car to pass. This thing is also going to be a driver, so s/c-NOS mods are out. Not that I have anything against 'em, you understand...An s/c is a tantalizing prospect, and I've wondered if it wouldn't somehow increase the efficiency of the engine...but I've got to keep an eye on the gas mileage.

The upgrade package isn't just for the engine. I spec'd out upgrades to the tranny (rebuild to OEM specs with stronger components), the diff (see transmission), the suspension (add Addco swaybars, if I haven't done so already), and the brakes (rebuild stock calipers and add SS brake lines throughout). They'll also custom-tune the PCM with emphasis on best combination of peak HP and fuel economy; probably sounds insane, but I'm going to see if it's really possible to find that sweet spot in the computer that gets me 15 more hp and another 5 mpg. Probably going to outsource to DR for the tranny...the last episode of "Rides", with Kenny Wayne Sheperd's "Xtreme Lee" Charger, mentioned a six-speed automatic; I'm interested, if such a thing exists...

And finally...whatever I do, this has gotta happen pretty soon, probably within the next year. My engine sounds as bad as the diesels in the GSA trucks that we use here at my CG unit; she'll probably start puking valves within the next 5,000 miles, if I'm lucky enough to get that far. The differential is a big question mark; I've read so many horror stories here at the site about axles and bearings going bad that I'm just waiting to hear that fateful grinding noise now. And I don't trust the tranny at all..again, due to the horror stories. And I'm still looking at an 863-mile 2-day drive to get back to STL after my deployment is over...

In short, I'm afraid of this car. In light of this, the upgrade package is a flat-out necessity, due to my final constraint: You never throw away a Marauder.
Were this any other car, I'd'a tossed it back to the dealer a loooong time ago...or traded away on the B-ville GXP. So, as y'all can see, I've got some pretty weighty thoughts on my mind...

[marauder307]

"Are u thinking about having them redo your motor??"

"Blueprinting may not be worth the money."


Yes to the first one...in a limited fashion. The premise that I'm working on is that the Marauder engines weren't all that well screwed together at the factory---hence the numerous head problems and sometime overheating incidents that I've read so much about here at the site. Working from that, I'm theorizing that simply tearing the engine down and blueprinting it (and I'm going out a limb here---I hope I'm understanding the term correctly, given my limited knowledge) will probably yield about another 25 hp and rebalancing it will take that a little further. Part of my specs for the upgrade package included a full Magnaflow package, headers to tips, with the stock tips left intact; it's my understanding that these dual-cammer multivalve engines love air and lots of it. I'm guessing that by opening that up a bit I can pull a bit more...

At the same time, I'm working under certain constraints: Missouri is the first state I've been to that enforces both safety and emissions inspections, and I've got to keep the emissions controls in place far enough to get the car to pass. This thing is also going to be a driver, so s/c-NOS mods are out. Not that I have anything against 'em, you understand...An s/c is a tantalizing prospect, and I've wondered if it wouldn't somehow increase the efficiency of the engine...but I've got to keep an eye on the gas mileage.

The upgrade package isn't just for the engine. I spec'd out upgrades to the tranny (rebuild to OEM specs with stronger components), the diff (see transmission), the suspension (add Addco swaybars, if I haven't done so already), and the brakes (rebuild stock calipers and add SS brake lines throughout). They'll also custom-tune the PCM with emphasis on best combination of peak HP and fuel economy; probably sounds insane, but I'm going to see if it's really possible to find that sweet spot in the computer that gets me 15 more hp and another 5 mpg. Probably going to outsource to DR for the tranny...the last episode of "Rides", with Kenny Wayne Sheperd's "Xtreme Lee" Charger, mentioned a six-speed automatic; I'm interested, if such a thing exists...

And finally...whatever I do, this has gotta happen pretty soon, probably within the next year. My engine sounds as bad as the diesels in the GSA trucks that we use here at my CG unit; she'll probably start puking valves within the next 5,000 miles, if I'm lucky enough to get that far. The differential is a big question mark; I've read so many horror stories here at the site about axles and bearings going bad that I'm just waiting to hear that fateful grinding noise now. And I don't trust the tranny at all..again, due to the horror stories. And I'm still looking at an 863-mile 2-day drive to get back to STL after my deployment is over...

In short, I'm afraid of this car. In light of this, the upgrade package is a flat-out necessity, due to my final constraint: You never throw away a Marauder.
Were this any other car, I'd'a tossed it back to the dealer a loooong time ago...or traded away on the B-ville GXP. So, as y'all can see, I've got some pretty weighty thoughts on my mind...

Forgot to include: Also spec'd out MMX driveshaft. Improvements to rim/tire combo are: same size tires all around (front size to all 4 corners) and rims will be done over with gunmetal (or "pewter", if you prefer) spokes, with center caps and outer rings redone in original brightwork.

BTW Teamrope: How much did your Addco rear swaybar run ya?

[teamrope]

BTW Teamrope: How much did your Addco rear swaybar run ya?

I really can't remember. We bought 2 of them, 2 coolant mods, 2 tunners and 1 radar detector from Dennis at Indy. (Plus the dyno tune. Get's pricey when you're "Moddin' for two.")
:burnout: