My first race with my trilogy.... and i lost

[txmarauder]

Well it has been a week and 2 days since the finish of my install and i had my first race..................and lost:( . It was to a ls1 TA, we lined up at the light and i did not know if he was wanting to race or not. Because i taunted him for about 3 miles or so, so i could race on a roll, I have no traction. Well the light turned green and we both rolled out and then slowly and evenly got into it, I went a little sideways while he got a half a car on me and as the rpm went up he gained to a 1 car lead then i shifted and he got another half so in about 1/16 mile he was 1.5 cars in front then we shut down and caught another light. he said is that one of those police cars and i said sort of, then asked him what mods he did and he said just a couple nothing much. The light turned green before i could ask him to race again and he was gone. The obviuos mod i could tell was something to the exhaust, it was very loud and it did go back to the bumper, it sounded something like glass packs. Does anyone know what a stock ls1 ta would run and what it would run with a couple of mods to include exhaust. I am just trying to make myself feel better about the 6k i spent and the loss i had. I love the car but i think i will leave it alone and get back on the Grand National, with less than 4k i could run 11s.

[Shaft333]

LS1 is no slouch. Assuming he still had an LS1 in it.

Don't sweat it. There is no way in hell a Marauder will guarantee being the top dog. There is always someone better.

'Sides, I usually read the "kill" stories about Porsches and Vettes with a grain of salt. I suspect the competition is either caught off guard, not fully aware they were racing, just learning how to drive or weren't trying.

Enjoy your ride... BTW: Grand Nationals rule too.

[DEFYANT]

Keep in mind that your car is one in 89 (?). There will always be a faster car out there man, do not take it to heart. Your time will come.

[DEFYANT]

I usually read the "kill" stories about Porsches and Vettes with a grain of salt. I suspect the competition is either caught off guard, not fully aware they were racing, just learning how to drive or weren't trying.

Enjoy your ride... BTW: Grand Nationals rule too.
There is truth here. By the numbers... my Trilogized MM can hang with a vette in a straight line with right on reaction time. And only beat it if the other guy is late or misses a shift or something. Still not bad considering the investment. :D

[rocknrod]

..... I am just trying to make myself feel better about the 6k i spent and the loss i had. I love the car but i think i will leave it alone and get back on the Grand National, with less than 4k i could run 11s.Your right. You need to take that nasty thing off of there and send it to me!:D

[maraudernkc]

There is pleny more prey waiting. You can't win them all! :)

[bigslim]

LS1 is no slouch. Assuming he still had an LS1 in it.

Don't sweat it. There is no way in hell a Marauder will guarantee being the top dog. There is always someone better.

'Sides, I usually read the "kill" stories about Porsches and Vettes with a grain of salt. I suspect the competition is either caught off guard, not fully aware they were racing, just learning how to drive or weren't trying.

Enjoy your ride... BTW: Grand Nationals rule too.
I ran a new 05' Vette on the freeway Saturday and we were side by side the whole way. He could not leave me.

[txmarauder]

I know I cant win them all, I am just bumbed that after a week of trolling for a kill, I get killed. I am confident that if i do the 4.10s, full exhaust upgrade and a cold air kit i would have taken him. The main reason i bought the car is because it will be great for long distant trips and is reliable, If i start modding too much i will take away the reliability. The 4v is supose to be good on top end and mine feels flat. like i stated that is when he pulled on me the most. I need new rear rubber and just go to the track and see what she will do.

[txmarauder]

Hey big slim, what is your rpm at 70mph with the 4.10. I had a 94 mustang with a 4.10 and a s trim vortec and was at 3k with a pound or two of boost. Does yours have any boost while cruising the hwy.

[BillyGman]

LS1 is no slouch. Assuming he still had an LS1 in it.

Don't sweat it. There is no way in hell a Marauder will guarantee being the top dog. There is always someone better.

'Sides, I usually read the "kill" stories about Porsches and Vettes with a grain of salt. I suspect the competition is either caught off guard, not fully aware they were racing, just learning how to drive or weren't trying.

Enjoy your ride... BTW: Grand Nationals rule too.LS1 cars are definately NO slouches, however, I beat three of them with my Marauder. And I spoke to all three Camaro SS owners after I beat them to find out what they did to their cars, and exactly what years they were. One of them is owned by a guy who I work with.

#1. 1998 Camaro SS (first year of the LS1 engine in those cars). I beat the guy from a stop in an 1/8th mile run at 330am (nobody around, and clear open road on a weeknight). The car had gears, a chip, and extensive exhaust mods including headers. he also had ported cylinder heads, and a bigger camshaft. My car beat his by atleast one and a half car lengths as well as off the line. We ran three times, and I beat him every time, and he also had Nitto drag radials just like I do (he wasn't happy).

#2. was an all stock 2000 Camaro SS, and I beat him four times...from a 15 MPH roll, from a standstill, from a 50 MPH roll, and from a 70 MPH roll (again in the wee hours of the morning on a weekday out on tyhe highway, and absolutely nobody else in sight). It wasn't as close as the contest with the 98 modified SS was.

#3. was another all stock 2001 Camaro SS. It was from a 30 MPH roll and didn't last past 60 MPH since he gave up quick because he saw that my car was clearly faster. He was shocked. Great guy though.

...then there was the Porrche 911, and he tried twice, and just couldn't keep up with my car.

You need some 4.10 gears, and above all else, DRAG radials, and you'll beat the Camaro SS, and Trans-am cars provided that they're only lightly modified. LS1 engine cars run about 13.0's-13.2's bone stock. The 98 Camaro SS I ran ran 12.4 ET's, but he had aftermarket cylinder heads, as well as a bigger camshaft, and headers, along with Nitto drag radials too.

[DEFYANT]

I have 4:10s and traction is a big problem. I am considering weather or not to simply (and cheeply) replace the rear tires or get the wider rims and tires. A 1K difference!!!!

[BillyGman]

Hey big slim, what is your rpm at 70mph with the 4.10. I had a 94 mustang with a 4.10 and a s trim vortec and was at 3k with a pound or two of boost. Does yours have any boost while cruising the hwy.I had 4.10's in my car before the 4.56's. At 70 MPH you'll rev at 2,400-2,450 RPM's while in O/D with the 4.10's. It's no big deal. And your gas mileage will decrease by 2 MPG. Again, no biggie.

[DEFYANT]

FYI, I get 21 mph to the gallon with 4:10s. Thats very easy driving w/ cruise control!!!

[BillyGman]

BTW, I can cruise on the highway even at 80 MPH with my 4.56 gears, without being into the boost. So there's nothing to worry about there.

[Blackened300a]

I have Seen Stock LS1 FireChickens Run 12.8's with a good driver. A Few Mods and a good driver will put that in mid to low 12's without a problem. Just Remember! His Car was built for speed, and can't carry a family of 5 Like Our MM's can so Dont worry about that loss.

[Haggis]

Well it has been a week and 2 days since the finish of my install and i had my first race..................and lost:( . It was to a ls1 TA, we lined up at the light and i did not know if he was wanting to race or not. Because i taunted him for about 3 miles or so, so i could race on a roll, I have no traction. Well the light turned green and we both rolled out and then slowly and evenly got into it, I went a little sideways while he got a half a car on me and as the rpm went up he gained to a 1 car lead then i shifted and he got another half so in about 1/16 mile he was 1.5 cars in front then we shut down and caught another light. he said is that one of those police cars and i said sort of, then asked him what mods he did and he said just a couple nothing much. The light turned green before i could ask him to race again and he was gone. The obviuos mod i could tell was something to the exhaust, it was very loud and it did go back to the bumper, it sounded something like glass packs. Does anyone know what a stock ls1 ta would run and what it would run with a couple of mods to include exhaust. I am just trying to make myself feel better about the 6k i spent and the loss i had. I love the car but i think i will leave it alone and get back on the Grand National, with less than 4k i could run 11s.

TXMarauder - My wife's best time in her stock LS1 Firehawk is 13.49 in the 1/4 mile and her car was dynoed at 350rwhp & 314rwtq. The exhaust was probably the SLP loudmouth cat back system, he could have even had the long tube headers and Y-pipe. He also probable had some other mods to beat your S/C Marauder.

The LS1 has good low end TQ and could possibly get you off the line, but you should of had him by the 1/8 mile.

[Jerry Barnes]

I agree with Billy, you need to get wider rims and Drag Radials. Getting 4,300 lbs. moving is no small task. Before I changed the rims/tires on my cars, I just smoke the tires all of the time. The Nitto's really help get the car moving. I have raced many LS1's and have not had a problem. But, reaction time and traction are key.

And remember all of the threads that talked about traction at the drag strip. This is exactly what everyone was referring to.

Keep trying!!

Practice makes perfect!!!

[txmarauder]

Yeah, I am still proud of the Trilogy MM just wish I would of shut that kid down. He had no problem with traction. Looked like he had some 295 or 305s they were wide. My next purchase will be some new meats. What does everybody recommend, I would like to stay with the stock rims to cut down on costs. Thanks for the encouragement.

[Haggis]

Yeah, I am still proud of the Trilogy MM just wish I would of shut that kid down. He had no problem with traction. Looked like he had some 295 or 305s they were wide. My next purchase will be some new meats. What does everybody recommend, I would like to stay with the stock rims to cut down on costs. Thanks for the encouragement.

Stock tire is a 275 R17.

[N40GL]

You guys sure are taking a risk posting this - there're a lot of vigilantes on this board that'll slap you for risking life and limb on a public road! :lol:

[from my perspective - I agree with Jerry Barnes.]

[txmarauder]

Seeing as it was only 1/16 of a mile, our top speed was 50-55 in a 60 zone with no side street access and we were the two in front. I think they will get over it.

[BillyGman]

Seeing as it was only 1/16 of a mile, our top speed was 50-55 in a 60 zone with no side street access and we were the two in front. I think they will get over it.Yeah, but some people on this board won't get over it. :rolleyes:

BTW, the problem is that having 18" wheels limits us big time as to our choices of tires. You have to pay attention to the outer diameter of the tires in question if you want them to look nice on your car. You need to stay with a tire height of 28"-29" for the back, unless you've lowered your suspension/ride height. And that limits your choices because there are a number of P275, P285, and P295 tires in 18" that are too short since they merely have an overall height of 25" or 26" and with the stock suspension height, and I for one wouldn't like the way that looks on my car.

That's why I like the Nitto P305's. They have a height("outer diameter") of 28.6" and they look great from all angles. you can go to www.tirerack.com (http://www.tirerack.com) to look up tires by brand or by size, and when you click on each tire, you will then see a "specs" link at the top of the page, and by clicking on that you can look up the outer diameter of any tire they sell.

[BillyGman]

I have Seen Stock LS1 FireChickens Run 12.8's with a good driver. .They most likely had drag radials on the back since many guys at the track who have fast cars use them. Either that or the temperature at the track was very cool like in the 40's or 50's, OR their car really wasn't bone stock despite their claims. I've run into that on the street as well as at the track many times.

Guys swear their car is stock, but when it comes to modifications, they just can't tell the truth to save their life. You think they were working for the car manufacture or something to boost sales. If someone asks me what I've done to my car, I tell them. what's the big deal? However, it seems that most hi-perf car enthusiasts don't look at it that way. i think it's just an ego thing for them.

[txmarauder]

I hope you are not one of THOSE people:D

[BillyGman]

I hope you are not one of THOSE people:DHardly. I think you know me better than that. :banana2:

[Logan]

Did this long time ago... Compares the RPM's at various speeds 3.55:1 vs 4.10:1

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gears.html

If I were to get rid of the caddy, buy another stock marauder and start from scratch, it'd probably include 4.56's. Just because I wanna be a badass like billy. :)

[younga1]

Just for fun, I picked a race with a new GT. Wow what a spanking I took :mad: . I have a stock (Except for Borla) 2004 and am now reluctent to spend another dime on it. Bottom line, we can keep spending money on parts but we will NOT overcome the 4400 lb. issue. PERIOD! Looked at new Charger today, may drive tomorrow?

Well it has been a week and 2 days since the finish of my install and i had my first race..................and lost:( . It was to a ls1 TA, we lined up at the light and i did not know if he was wanting to race or not. Because i taunted him for about 3 miles or so, so i could race on a roll, I have no traction. Well the light turned green and we both rolled out and then slowly and evenly got into it, I went a little sideways while he got a half a car on me and as the rpm went up he gained to a 1 car lead then i shifted and he got another half so in about 1/16 mile he was 1.5 cars in front then we shut down and caught another light. he said is that one of those police cars and i said sort of, then asked him what mods he did and he said just a couple nothing much. The light turned green before i could ask him to race again and he was gone. The obviuos mod i could tell was something to the exhaust, it was very loud and it did go back to the bumper, it sounded something like glass packs. Does anyone know what a stock ls1 ta would run and what it would run with a couple of mods to include exhaust. I am just trying to make myself feel better about the 6k i spent and the loss i had. I love the car but i think i will leave it alone and get back on the Grand National, with less than 4k i could run 11s.

[BillyGman]

. Bottom line, we can keep spending money on parts but we will NOT overcome the 4400 lb. issue. PERIOD! Looked at new Charger today, may drive tomorrow?That all depends on which "parts" and how much $$ you spend (just as it does with any car). I'm running consistent low 12's in the quartermile just as others are with a supercharger, and so far I haven't been beaten on the street. I'm not saying it will never happen, but 95% of the cars on the street cannot keep up with mine. And many have tried to.

[jstevens]

Just try to fit 5 people in a GT.

I took out a group for lunch at work the other day, got comments that my back seat area is nicer than one of their living rooms.

Yes, it is a heavy car but can serve dual purposes. :D

[BUCKWHEAT]

Hey, tx, if you are manually shifting the MM, don't! Computer shifts it just fine. I managed to grenade the motor shifting it myself. Expensive lesson.

Regards, John



he gained to a 1 car lead then i shifted and

[Bradley G]

Finally comming to your senses?:D

I think you could accomplish this goal, despite the ratio change!
Bradley G

Did this long time ago... Compares the RPM's at various speeds 3.55:1 vs 4.10:1

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gears.html

If I were to get rid of the caddy, buy another stock marauder and start from scratch, it'd probably include 4.56's. Just because I wanna be a badass like billy. :)