Quest for the Low number

[Bradley G]

Chatting with "Hotrauder" the other night, got me to thinking.
He mentioned some of us have a passion, to make our Marauders faster.
Besides the most obvious Marty O. and Jerry B. currently #1 & 2, with Ten second cars.
I'm guessing these two are too thirsty, to ever stop.
Is thier any point where you predict, you will no longer do modifications to make your Marauder go faster?
Me first;
I promise to be happy, breaking into the 12 second arena, till I get the
C of O.
(Title):grad:

[STLR FN]

I suppose once I get a Trilogy and break into the 12's I might be happy. :rolleyes:

[Cheeseheadbob]

I'm at 12.035 after my first trip to the track. I do not think I will do any more to the motor in its current form, i.e. non-forged internals. I am confident I will be in the 11's when the temps drop here. I will be happy when I reach that goal. Since my car is a daily driver with close to 70K on it, to make it a "true" track car probably is not in my future.

[DEFYANT]

More mods? Me? Well I guess it depends on Bob.

Probably not. But you never know.....

[Haggis]

I'm happy now the way they are. :D

[Cheeseheadbob]

Charlie, I may go for the custom cigarette lighter, you game?:D
More mods? Me? Well I guess it depends on Bob.

Probably not. But you never know.....

[DEFYANT]

Charlie, I may go for the custom cigarette lighter, you game?:D

:hmmm:

Sure... that is a neat trick ;)

[merc]

I am going to drive the car like I stole something. Three years of N/A was a blast. My only regrets was not going head to head with Cruztaker. What’s in the future…Boost, New Motor, Rear Seat Delete, and a ton of other Modifications. What’s my objective you ask ? To make Marauder history and have fun with friends and family. :beer:

[ctrlraven]

:hmmm:

Sure... that is a neat trick ;) PepBoys push button starter cigarette lighter? :lol: I am thinking in the same boat with everyone else getting into the 12's. That can all change though, I know once I get my settlement money a s/c is going on. Not sure which one yet but I want to buy another mm engine and trany, modify them even before they can collect dust. Keep the bolts on simple until the engine or tranny go and then drop in the new drivetrain and swap whatever else over. I plan on keeping this car for a VERY long time.

[Breadfan]

I didn't run out of modding ideas but did run out of money for the mods. :)

Heheh. Seriously though, I've got more planned, I'm not sure when I'll quit, but right now I'm taking them one step at a time and enjoying what I do and making sure I don't lose site to enjoy the car. I like merc's response and agree, I love to mod it but also get it out and have fun, thus far I feel I've been able to do both quite nicely.

[Bluerauder]

Just putting you guys on notice --- Charlie, Bob, Mike, and Mark --- that if I win the Marauderville IV S/C raffle --- there will be no reason for me to hold back anymore. ;) I might as well go whole hog and do the tune, the gears, driveshaft, D/S loop, brakes, oil cooler, CAI, split rims, new tires .... the works !!! :D

My goal will be 11.6 and to show my Blue MM taillights to all of you within the first 30 days of installation. :rolleyes:

After that ... :seesaw: .... I figure that the car will be impounded and I will be cooling my heels in the regional holding tank !!! :rofl:

Man, I hope someone else wins the S/C -- :lol:

:jk: folks .... except for the winning part.

[Power Surge]

I'd be happy with 10.0s. :D

[MarauderTJA]

I'd be happy with 10.0s. :D

That's my plan, even if it is 10.999:up:

[CRUZTAKER]

I'll be happy just finding out what my car and its current setup will run with a Vortech.

Until then...naturarally aspirated 12's or more than acceptable. :cool:

[Cobra25]

That's my plan, even if it is 10.999:up:I sure you will get their! :rock:

[Rider90]

I want to be in the low 14's.


OK I'M HAPPY! :D

[Tallboy]

My only goal was a 12.XX run. I didn't care if it was 12.999, I just wanted a "12-second car". I got a 12.97, and was thrilled. That's why, even though I'm almost at the two-year mark since the Trilogy install, I have yet to do another performance-related mod.

[MikesMerc]

I think I'm just about done. My point of stopping is not based on a target ET but on a combination of reaching the point of dimishing returns for mods applied, and keeping the car with the same street manners it had the day I drove it off the showroom floor.

Nothing against the 10 second guys, but I'll never go that route. Those cars are cut up race machines. That's not a bad thing....its just not for me. My car needs to start, idle, and run with a seemless oem feel with all the creature comforts and amenities intact. IMO gutting a car to gain every last drop of ET performance is neat, but it gets away from the reason I bought the marauder in the first place.

That said, I have a few more tweaks up my sleeve. Major mods are definitely done, but I have a lot left in the tune. I'd have the tune refined already, but my summer schedule was blown up by the dream cruise and my fathers passing. I am hoping, however, to get my tune sorted out, tweak the NOS delivery, and lop another few tenths off my best time before the snow flies. That would put me in the low 11s. Anything beyond that requires mods that, IMO, would "ruin" the car. So, low 11s is where I'll hope to settle:)

[MikesMerc]

whoops...double post:)

[Bradley G]

I can't think of anyone more deserving!
whoops...double post:)

[Joe Walsh]

. That would put me in the low 11s. Anything beyond that requires mods that, IMO, would "ruin" the car. So, low 11s is where I'll hope to settle:)


I'm going to run as deep into the 12's, N/A as I can this Fall.

Then I'll bolt on Greg's F.I.T. Procharger kit, 3.73 gears in a built 8.8" rear, Methanol injection system, and a Dyno tune.

I'm hoping for low 11's and then I'm about done with Marauder mods.

(Then its on to a 392 Windsor for the 85 GT Mustang, and finish building my 2.5 stroker Turbo 4 cylinder for the 84 GT convertible. These poor Mustangs have been on 'HOLD' since I bought the Marauder and poured all my mod $$$ into it!)

[Big House]

I just want to beat a Corvette...plain and simple...Don't really care how fast I go...

[Power Surge]

Nothing against the 10 second guys, but I'll never go that route. Those cars are cut up race machines. That's not a bad thing....its just not for me. My car needs to start, idle, and run with a seemless oem feel with all the creature comforts and amenities intact. IMO gutting a car to gain every last drop of ET performance is neat, but it gets away from the reason I bought the marauder in the first place.


Gotta disagree with you on that one. There's no reason to cut up one of these cars to run 10s. And there's also no reason the car can't have stock drivability and 1000hp. Technology is a great thing. Make lots of power, and with proper tuning and you CAN have it all. My Lightning made 805/830 to the wheels and drove like stock. Ran 10s at 4760lbs, nothing stripped out of it. My PI could easily run 10s if it had rear suspension and a tire. And nothing has been stripped out of it either.

[MarauderMark]

I have had enough , PLEASE:bows:

[jimlam56]

I want a bulletproof forged motor that is flexible through all power bands.
Supercharged or turbocharged...I like the clean install on the Trilogy, but the turbo keeps calling me...are you listening Juno and TurboTodd?

[Bradley G]

Someone in peticular?
Or any ol' Vette?
I just want to beat a Corvette...plain and simple...Don't really care how fast I go...

[SergntMac]

Gotta disagree with you on that one. There's no reason to cut up one of these cars to run 10s. And there's also no reason the car can't have stock drivability and 1000hp. Technology is a great thing. Make lots of power, and with proper tuning and you CAN have it all. My Lightning made 805/830 to the wheels and drove like stock. Ran 10s at 4760lbs, nothing stripped out of it. My PI could easily run 10s if it had rear suspension and a tire. And nothing has been stripped out of it either.'cept for track safety rules, eh?

[MikesMerc]

Gotta disagree with you on that one. There's no reason to cut up one of these cars to run 10s.

And I'll have to disagree with you in return. There is far more to running 10s than sheer power. Putting a 1000hp into a marauder is only scratching the surface of getting down the qtr in the 10s in street trim. You'll then be faced with traction, suspension, and drivetrain reliability issues. Given the limits of the marauder, the only other option then to address every weak link while hoping to retain the OEM experience. And even then, the car would not retain all the street manners it should. I'm not referring only to how the motor runs, but also how the suspension feels on the road, the noises it makes, how it handles, how its shifts, and how reliable it is. All of that would be pretty much out the window.

I'm not sure about you, but I've been involved with drag racing marauders for a few years now, and I know what it takes. Not only do my own experiences educate me, but I've been very closely involved with Jerry's Trilogy #1 car in its exploits into the 10 second zone. Heck, I even raced the car myself. I know the limits of the car first hand. I've seen first hand where the parts and engineering fail and what needs to be changed to hit the 10s.

I can respect your own experiences with your Lightning. I'm sure you have some valuable knowledge. But, its not a Marauder, and it IS different.

My 10 second 91 mustang LX is a good example. What worked for that car is completely different then what works in the marauder. Especially in the chassis set up and drivetrain. The portly weight of the Lightning and Marauder is about where the similarity ends between those two vehicles.

Anyone can crank up the wick and bansi down the track in the 10s. I'm sure I could do just that if I wanted to just as the car sits. All I'd have to do is bump the NOS and run the tune real aggressive. But, that's not street trim in my book, nor would it be safe or reliable.

No offense here M8, but I get the feeling you beleive some of us just fell off the turnip truck. Quite the contrary, many of us some some serious experience in the build up and racing scene.

Last point is Mac being dead on regarding safety issues. I'll never put a roll bar in the marauder.

[Power Surge]

'cept for track safety rules, eh?

Well, of course. This is my daily driver, and really just a budget built street toy, so I really don't plan to run it at the track much. Some of my local customers are doing a private track rental in late Oct, so I may run it there if I can get some tires for it to be able to use any of the available power. But if it was a purpose built ET machine, then it would have all the needed safety parts.

[Big House]

Someone in peticular?
Or any ol' Vette?

Nope...any ol' vette will do.

[sweetair]

I still have an itch for a 3.0 pulley, headers, hi-flow cats and a x-pipe. My dilemma is getting together with Lidio. This would put me well into the 12.xxx range. Right now low 13's is where it is at, and quite happy there.

[Power Surge]

And I'll have to disagree with you in return. There is far more to running 10s than sheer power. Putting a 1000hp into a marauder is only scratching the surface of getting down the qtr in the 10s in street trim. You'll then be faced with traction, suspension, and drivetrain reliability issues. Given the limits of the marauder, the only other option then to address every weak link while hoping to retain the OEM experience. And even then, the car would not retain all the street manners it should. I'm not referring only to how the motor runs, but also how the suspension feels on the road, the noises it makes, how it handles, how its shifts, and how reliable it is. All of that would be pretty much out the window.

Naturally if you want to maximize your ET abilities, then things like suspension need to be addressed, and a car built to go straight will give up it's OEM ride characteristics somewhat. But even still, you can have a vehicle that goes straight well AND still drives good. Using urethane bushings instead of rod ends, using adjustable shocks (like QA1s) so you can have a street setting and track setting, and having pump gas tunes and race gas tunes are just some of the ways to keep the car OE-like on the street and still tear up the track.


I'm not sure about you, but I've been involved with drag racing marauders for a few years now, and I know what it takes. Not only do my own experiences educate me, but I've been very closely involved with Jerry's Trilogy #1 car in its exploits into the 10 second zone. Heck, I even raced the car myself. I know the limits of the car first hand. I've seen first hand where the parts and engineering fail and what needs to be changed to hit the 10s.

I can respect your own experiences with your Lightning. I'm sure you have some valuable knowledge. But, its not a Marauder, and it IS different.


Yes, you are correct that I have not drag raced Marauders in the 10 second zone. But it's not rocket science either. There is nothing special about the Marauder that would cause the car to lose it's drivability and be fast at the same time. To the contrary, the car has a great platform for drag racing, with the aluminum front end parts, rack & pinion steering, full chassis, and great 4 link with Watt's link rear suspesion. Most drag guys would kill for a car like that.

I still believe that with the proper parts and setup, you can have it both ways. But that's also what I do for a living. I always try to build a car to perform awesome, but also retain as much factory "fit and feel" as possible.

[MarauderTJA]

I still believe that with the proper parts and setup, you can have it both ways. But that's also what I do for a living. I always try to build a car to perform awesome, but also retain as much factory "fit and feel" as possible.

I agree and that is what I am working towards. I may be proven wrong, but I will never, ever cut up my car. My goal is to achieve high 10's (even if only once @ 10.999) with my street driven Marauder. Everything I am I doing with my new engine build, have done with my drivetrain/suspension and more I will try and accomplish my goal. Based on all the mods I have done to the car, running 18 lbs boost as well as 100 shot of nitrous and a 100 octane race tune, some knowledgable friends (Al Papitto, Jimmy Briante, Billy Glidden) have told me that high 10's are very obtainable. We'll see. Over the years I have had 10 second cars (Mustangs & a Camaro). But never gone 10's in a full sized 4 door sedan. It has put me on a mission.

Of course, like anything with drag racing a lot of other influences need to be in place (temp, traction, track conditions etc). But that is the fun and challenge that I personally like to go after. That to me is what makes all this exciting. And hopefully my stereo will be playing when it happens:D .

Then load in the street tune and have a nice, mid-to high 11's daily driven, extremely comfortable, luxury full sized car. :beer:

[KillJoy]

I will be happy with a 12.5 +/- .15. These cars doing a Mid-12 will suprise ALMOST everyone ;)

KillJoy

[DEFYANT]

I will be happy with a 12.5 +/- .15. These cars doing a Mid-12 will suprise ALMOST everyone ;)

KillJoy

Truth is, I agree with this statement.

I see alot of guys talking about getting into low 11s high 10s. That is a tall order. As long as your willing to spend the money, have at it.

The title of the thread is "Quest for the low number". Perhaps it should have been "Quest for the most spent". :P

I'm very happy with my 11.98. The only real mod left is for me to improve my driving skills. I know I can get that down. ;)

[merc]

What you need is a RT Practice System. Santa has this one on the list.
http://www.raceamerica.com

http://www.raceamerica.com/images/rt/rtsystem.jpg

or

http://www.startingline1.com/products.htm

http://www.startingline1.com/images/screencap.jpg


Truth is, I agree with this statement.

I see alot of guys talking about getting into low 11s high 10s. That is a tall order. As long as your willing to spend the money, have at it.

The title of the thread is "Quest for the low number". Perhaps it should have been "Quest for the most spent". :P

I'm very happy with my 11.98. The only real mod left is for me to improve my driving skills. I know I can get that down. ;)

[MarauderTJA]

Truth is, I agree with this statement.

I see alot of guys talking about getting into low 11s high 10s. That is a tall order. As long as your willing to spend the money, have at it.

The title of the thread is "Quest for the low number". Perhaps it should have been "Quest for the most spent". :P

I'm very happy with my 11.98. The only real mod left is for me to improve my driving skills. I know I can get that down. ;)

Quest for the most spent, you are right there. With the suspension changes I have made, I am pretty confident that I could make the 11's now, even with the higher temps here in Florida. A mute point now though. Next week the new motor goes in. That is where the money spent will change into pure adrenalin and justify the money spent (in my mind only, not the wife's). And you guys are right, a mid to low 12 second Marauder is faster than most any car on the street today. Either way that is why we love our cars and do things differently.:D

[MikesMerc]

I always try to build a car to perform awesome, but also retain as much factory "fit and feel" as possible.

Well, here is where we hit some "common ground" :)

To retain as much factory fit and feel as possible is a relative comment. As such, when I refer to "cutting up" the car, I refer to making enough modifications from factory parts and design to change the driving experience in a way that I (personally) beleive is negative.

For instance, I've already done the rear end, control arms and watts link on the marauder. These mods along with the widened rims (for traction) and the trans mods (for durability) have already altered the ride quality....in a non positive way in my opinion. Now throw in the headers and other exhaust work which adds considerable noise into the cabin, and toss in some 4.10 gears, and the ride experience is far less refined from OEM.

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm very happy with the mods I've made and I love the performance improvements. But, I like them for spirited street driving and the track which I really enjoy. On the other hand, when I take the car to work and I invite my banker, attorney, or my customers to ride with me.....well the story changes completely. The NVH is simply not where I'd like it to be for these circumstances.

So, the bottom line for me, personally, is that i have already pushed the car as far from the OEM "sport luxury" ride as I want to go. To go faster (reliably, consistently, and safely) would require additional upgrades I'm not willing to do as they would only further degrade the ride. Examples would be the shocks and sway bars, significantly more power (which would require even more drastic trans mods), and a roll cage.

Same goes for slicks...I simply don't beleive in them for the marauder. If my aspiration is to run 10s or faster, I'd just be better served to do it in another car. What I find awesome about my car at this point is that I can run mid 11s the way it runs on the street. Last Thursday, in fact, I drove the car to my office in the morning, then directly to the track that evening. I arrived, removed a few things from my trunk, tech'd, went to staging, and ripped of an 11.56.

Perhaps I'm not explaining myself well enough, but I tried. I take great pride in how I've assembled the car and produced the performance that I have while retaining enough OEM quality that my grandamother or wife can drive the car comfortbly.

You never know. Perhaps with what I've already done I'll be able to tickle the 10s, but if I do or don't does not matter to me. I'm done making any mods that dimish the ride quality in any respect. That's personal choice I know:)

[MarauderTJA]

I agree in what you are saying Mike almost to the tee. I too have noticed a change in the ride with the Metco's CA's and watts link. The QA-1's on a softer setting does help somewhat. The 4.10's and tranny upgrade does as you say make it a performance oriented but I like that type of ride and feel. People that have riden in my car immediately notice and comment on the high performance aspect, but always say the car rides real nice and is extremely comfortable.

The Stainless Works long tubes that will be going in the car will make it somewhat louder I'm sure. But the Delta 50's do calm it down for normal driving. But there again I like a powerful sound. Noise to some people, music to my ears.

My ultimate goal is to maintain the Marauder to look OEM but with an extreme version with power both for the street and the track. Can't wait to see how it all turns out. Sounds like you have done a great job accomplishing that already.:beer: I hope my car turns out as nice.

[usafsniper]

Has anyone considered something like the Salt Flats runs for top end competition as opposed to the 1/4 mile runs everyone is doing?