Gone and done it... DONE!

[magindat]

This saga all started with being goaded into a set of 4.10's. Well, if I get 4.10's I need a drive shaft. Well If I get a shaft, might as well do the loop. Well, If I do 4.10's I need the rear tailshaft lube. Well, that's part of the Art Cart Level 2 kit, might as well do that! Hey, go ahead and put an Art Car pan on it while it's out. Oh yeah, and let's do the rear cooling mod while the tranny is out, too. Well, if we're under the hood and thinking cool, lets do the Denso IT-20's and the 180 stat. And finally, while the rear end is apart and in the air, we need some control arms.

Well, on the way up I realized I needed an oil change, while it was in the air, needed a fuel filter, and when we pulled the axles: yes, the dreaded TSB.

Believe it or not, that list got done in one work day. We left the rear end open waiting for the axles to come in the next day. The axles came and less than an hour later, the car was on the Dyno. She made 283 horse and 293 torque at the wheels. I asked Dennis to keep it a little conservative cuz she's my daily and ONLY car.

I'll post again with my driving impressions....

[Rider90]

You got bit by the bug BAD! :rofl:

[magindat]

The 4.10's and Control arms made the car lose 1000 lbs. The ease of take off and acceleration are amazing. Agressive lane changes at 100+ are totally confident and stable.

I think you can actually tell the driveshaft is changed. While before I had no noticable vibration, the smoothness and quietness after is noticable. I can only attribute this to the shaft, since there didn't appear to be anything wrong with any other components (other than the axles, which could contribute).

Before I left I made an aluminum lower air dam (more on that in another post), which made the car run a shade cooler on the highway. The rear engine cooling made a bigger difference. While I used to stay at about the halfway mark on the water temp, it was just barely over 1/3, even with the higher rpm's caused by the 4.10's.

The KVR brake lines decreased the necessary pedal effort to stop by about 1/3. They are very confidence inspiring.

And last, but not least. Holy Moly, this transmission is a bada$$. Shifts are fast and hard under higher throttle, but comfortable at low throttle. She'll bark 'em 1-2 (don't forget, these 20"' SUV [nitto 420] tires grip way more than the stock BFG's ever did). No gear hunting at all. Climbs the gears quickly at moderate throttle, but runs 'em out when in the pedal. Downshifting is terrific. Engine braking feels more like a standard shift car and helps inspire confidence in the braking department.

On the highway, punch OD off and mash it about 3/4, good gracious, I feel like I could pass a fighter jet. And punch it hard and kick down 4-2 (I can do that now with the hardened tailshaft) and hold on to your arse!

No, it's not as fast as an S/C car (thanks for the ride, Dennis), but it's plenty for me. I'm sure I'll get the bug again (especially if I fall into some money), but for now this car is FUN.

Of particular note: I knew there would be fun factor in these mods, but truly, I wanted a super-reliable super-tough car and I have it. The fun is a bonus!

[magindat]

I ended up about 25% over my budget. The overage included the unexpected axle TSB, oil change, fuel filter and I'm sure I'm forgetting something. However, the car is paid off and I figure it was $ well spent from a reliability and longevity standpoint while keeping in mind a lot of people do all this for straight up fun!

The moral: be prepared to go over budget, you never know what you might discover when stuff gets took apart!!!!

[HwyCruiser]

Wow, that's quite a laundry list to have done all in one day. Good to see a happy customer. BTW, did you get the torque converter?

[magindat]

I did get the PI torque converter. You know, some said it would ruin drivabilty, but you know, the tune makes it so I never noticed it. I'm sure it's doing it's job, cuz when gears kick down, the resulting surge is MUCH greater than before!

[Cobra25]

Congrats on the nice list of mods installed. Glad to see your happy. Now you need to take a break so you can save up more money for more mods. It's a never ending cycle.

[scoutrjp]

Has most of what you had done with Dennis & boy oh boy!! It made great bit of difference in how it ran & handled & yes alot of $ but now on to the nest mods Enjoy!

[merc]

It's a never ending cycle.
Oh, it has an ending and so does your credit card. If that reminder is not sufficient then your wife chimes in. :lol:

[KillJoy]

Congrats on the build up! Some nice mods you just got there ;) Kinda wish I had a few of them myself :(

KillJoy

[magindat]

Oh, it has an ending and so does your credit card. If that reminder is not sufficient then your wife chimes in. :lol:

Ain't got no wife. :argue: How else do you think I could done all that?! :rofl:

[KillJoy]

Ain't got no wife. :argue: How else do you think I could done all that?! :rofl:

Easy...how do you think I got boost ;) :D

KillJoy

[ckadiddle]

Mag, I'm officialy jealous now. :)

[Blackmobile]

Hey Rich, you now may be able to keep up...Maybe.....J/K:D

Congrats on a job well worth getting done.

[Blackmobile]

Give us your honest opinion about the 4:10's after your first tank of fuel.

If it wouldn't cost anything I'd put the 3:55 back in, but I'll take the power for now. In the mean time I picked up a $300 93 Mercury Cougar with a 5.0 eng. for a beater.

Go figure, another car in need of mods.

[juno]

Nice going Rich!!!

[magindat]

Give us your honest opinion about the 4:10's after your first tank of fuel.

If it wouldn't cost anything I'd put the 3:55 back in, but I'll take the power for now. In the mean time I picked up a $300 93 Mercury Cougar with a 5.0 eng. for a beater.

Go figure, another car in need of mods.

I think I was running rich to begin with, so with 4.10's and the tune I think it's a wash for me. We'll see, though. I did pay attention to guage vs. landmarks on my way home in sections of 95 I travel often and it seemed OK. Time will tell.

Besides the first 2 tanks don't count cuz you can't keep your foot out of it!

[Bradley G]

That's quite a list Rich!
Good luck holding off, aquiring a power adder! :eek:

[MarauderMarc]

Sweet Rich!!! Looks like youre getting ready for the Vette vs. Stangs meet......tasy Vette burgers coming up!!!!:D

[ckadiddle]

Here's a pic of Rich beating up on me at Gainesville with his new mods:
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f129/ckadiddle/photosz163.jpg

[magindat]

Sweet Rich!!! Looks like youre getting ready for the Vette vs. Stangs meet......tasy Vette burgers coming up!!!!:D

I've had the stuff for about a month. ME LIKEY!!!:D

[Marauderman]

I've had the stuff for about a month. ME LIKEY!!!:D

Now I know why when Dennis and I were chasing you on I-4 last week in traffic to the race track you were pulling away so darn good---I kept thinking --...." .Man , his car is pulling real darn good for not being S/C'd......
( I didn't know of your mods then)....".. glad to hear you are enjoying your mods... ,heck , I've already seen how well you enjoy them.:lol: :banana2: :banana2: .......

[LILALLEYKATT]

Hey Rich; Glad to seeya likin your mods...I'm savin up cause I dont like getting beat by you..In the parking lot at the dragstrip that is...I guess you are my N/A comp...Seeya soon AL

[ctrlraven]

Mag, I'm officialy jealous now. :) Yeah same here!

[magindat]

Now I know why when Dennis and I were chasing you on I-4 last week in traffic to the race track you were pulling away so darn good---I kept thinking --...." .Man , his car is pulling real darn good for not being S/C'd......
( I didn't know of your mods then)....".. glad to hear you are enjoying your mods... ,heck , I've already seen how well you enjoy them.:lol: :banana2: :banana2: .......

Yeah, blame it on Dennis. It's all his fault offering all that go-fast stuff.

Boy, was Sheila mad at me when we got there! Sorry Sheila. Boys will be boys!

[magindat]

Hey Rich; Glad to seeya likin your mods...I'm savin up cause I dont like getting beat by you..In the parking lot at the dragstrip that is...I guess you are my N/A comp...Seeya soon AL

Hey, you started it!

[magindat]

Here's a pic of Rich beating up on me at Gainesville with his new mods:
http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f129/ckadiddle/photosz163.jpg

Thanx for the pic, C. I finally got to see it (blocked at work by firewall). It ain't about winnin and losin. It's about havin fun and bein able to drive it home!!!!

[bryanthomas]

Glad to hear you're enjoying all your recent drivetrain upgrades! I remember the day Dennis did my 4.10s and TC... WOW!

I do have a question though. What advatages does the Art Carr Level 2 offer an N/A car? I was thinking of taking another trip down to Dennis' shop for the AC Level 2, cooling mod, 180 stat, and plugs. The Marauder is my daily driver (about 20,000 miles a year) and I thought these mods might help prolong engine life.

[magindat]

Glad to hear you're enjoying all your recent drivetrain upgrades! I remember the day Dennis did my 4.10s and TC... WOW!

I do have a question though. What advatages does the Art Carr Level 2 offer an N/A car? I was thinking of taking another trip down to Dennis' shop for the AC Level 2, cooling mod, 180 stat, and plugs. The Marauder is my daily driver (about 20,000 miles a year) and I thought these mods might help prolong engine life.

Bryan,
I did the AC L2 for just that reason. Longevity. Now I know I can do whatever I want in the power department without fear of a broke tranny on my 25K a year daily.

The Jmod in the tranny really quickens the shifts. Otherwise, new clutches are new clutches, tailshaft lube is insurance, and so is the hardened stub shaft and spring clip inside.

It's really worth the peace of mind and you can program that SOB to snap yer dam neck and bust the tires loose N/A on the 1-2 shift!!!!

Rich

[MarauderTJA]

I ended up about 25% over my budget. The overage included the unexpected axle TSB, oil change, fuel filter and I'm sure I'm forgetting something. However, the car is paid off and I figure it was $ well spent from a reliability and longevity standpoint while keeping in mind a lot of people do all this for straight up fun!

The moral: be prepared to go over budget, you never know what you might discover when stuff gets took apart!!!!


You da man Rich! Gotta love those mods my friend. And you have only just got started:banana: . Didn't really mean to stick the needle so deep in your arm.:lol: But you might as well face it, your hooked......welcome to the club buddy.:P

[bryanthomas]

Bryan,
I did the AC L2 for just that reason. Longevity. Now I know I can do whatever I want in the power department without fear of a broke tranny on my 25K a year daily.

The Jmod in the tranny really quickens the shifts. Otherwise, new clutches are new clutches, tailshaft lube is insurance, and so is the hardened stub shaft and spring clip inside.

It's really worth the peace of mind and you can program that SOB to snap yer dam neck and bust the tires loose N/A on the 1-2 shift!!!!

Rich

Thanks for the feedback! I think I will definitely take the plunge! :burnout:

[magindat]

You da man Rich! Gotta love those mods my friend. And you have only just got started:banana: . Didn't really mean to stick the needle so deep in your arm.:lol: But you might as well face it, your hooked......welcome to the club buddy.:P

Everyone's scared of needles, but the drug is so sweet!!!! Guess that makes me a junkie, huh?

[Hotrauder]

Aren't we all, at least to some level. I have never had a stock Marauder, mine was preowned by a member here and came to me with underdrive pulleys, stat, cold plugs, 4.10's and rear swaybar and Flomaster 40's. Nice ride and fair price. However, as experienced by many here; not enough. Now far beyond that and going further... there will never be enough, I am afraid. A bad thing? No way. this is the most fun this old man has ever had with a motor vehicle..and I have owned far more expensive and faster cars throughout my life. Which leads me to this....The car is fun but the people are the glue that makes this whole Marauder thing work for me. I also believe that this glue is in most of us and will hold us togather while we figure out where and what we are as a group of brothers. Dennis