My Next Mod?

[Marauder131]

Well, who ever said there is no such thing as a last mod may have been correct. I swore that after installing a 3000 torque converter (already had 4.10's and tune) that that was it. It would seem though that I have been bitten by the mod bug and still want more. I would absolutely love to get a supercharger, but I can't justify such a cost. I'm beginning to entertain the thought of an 80 shot of the juice, but am a little hesitant. I'm starting to think I need to attend "modaholics anonymous" meetings.

[Local Boy]

Me too...Keep telling my self to stop...It's a family car...But to no avail...Looking at Granatelli plug wires and up grading the coils...Building cars, one beer at a time...ALOHA

[whoskal]

Hmmmm...I am afraid you are done for............


Might as well sell the car before it is too late!!:eek:

[Raudermaster]

Do you have full exhaust? I'm still waiting to install my 150 wet shot. Local Boy, I've heard the Granatelli's COP's do not do that much of justice on an N/A Marauder, but do more good on a forced induction MM.

[fastblackmerc]

Now you need underdrive pulleys, frt & rear Addco's and Metco upper & lower rear control arms.

[fastcar]

Marauder131,

I'm going through the same thing as you. I broke the bank to buy the car, now I'm like a teenage girl in a shopping mall - I have no control - I'm completely obsessed... And someone is going to get into trouble :help:

I envy your stall mod, that's an expensive and I hear really potent upgrade. Do you know what it was worth in the 1/4?

If you haven't installed a CAI, I would STRONGLY encourage you to do so. It is one of the cheapest mods you can do, and is worth 1/8 sec in the quarter. It dramatically improved throttle response, and feel on my car which had no tune (getting that next...) You can read about it at my thread: http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=36816

I like the K&N because it looks more factory, with formed plastic componentry, but makes no more power than the other brand, despite their claims. Someone claims that Ram Air is in the works, also, but I don't know from who...

About NOS: it's EXPENSIVE. Filling the bottle is costly, and my friends tell me that if you enjoy it, you will be filling it WEEKLY. It could end up costing you a couple hundred dollars PER MONTH, not including buying and installing the system...

I think half the issue with the modification disease is just to keep tinkering... I'd do the CAI, let that wear off, then try some pulleys. With the costs associated with using NOS, it would be my last choice. I'd rather save $100-200 a month, and put it in a piggy bank labeled 'blower'. ;)

fastcar:burnout:

[Hack Goby]

Marauder131,



About NOS: it's EXPENSIVE. Filling the bottle is costly, and my friends tell me that if you enjoy it, you will be filling it WEEKLY. It could end up costing you a couple hundred dollars PER MONTH, not including buying and installing the system...

I think half the issue with the modification disease is just to keep tinkering... I'd do the CAI, let that wear off, then try some pulleys. With the costs associated with using NOS, it would be my last choice. I'd rather save $100-200 a month, and put it in a piggy bank labeled 'blower'. ;)

fastcar:burnout:
I went the "NOS" route and it`s a good and bad thing.I only spent $1,500.00 for Lidio to install and tune my Marauder with a 80 shot,cooler plugs and a flip chip so I can keep my regular tune.I haven`t been to the strip yet but I figure mid 13`s.Mat Pierce probably spent double what I did to get high 13`s (so far) with a Torque converter,Headers and full exhaust with x pipe.Even though I paid less It still costs over $70.00 to fill my 15 pound bottle that gets me around fifteen blasts down the strip plus the fear in the back of your head that your motor can go at anytime.Mat`s car is less Worrysome and most likely his motor will hold up a little longer as he waits for his supercharger.It depends how you want to go.If I had to do it over again I would have gone with the torque converter but maybe thats next year.

[Marauder131]

Marauder131,

I'm going through the same thing as you. I broke the bank to buy the car, now I'm like a teenage girl in a shopping mall - I have no control - I'm completely obsessed... And someone is going to get into trouble :help:

I envy your stall mod, that's an expensive and I hear really potent upgrade. Do you know what it was worth in the 1/4?

If you haven't installed a CAI, I would STRONGLY encourage you to do so. It is one of the cheapest mods you can do, and is worth 1/8 sec in the quarter. It dramatically improved throttle response, and feel on my car which had no tune (getting that next...) You can read about it at my thread: http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=36816

I like the K&N because it looks more factory, with formed plastic componentry, but makes no more power than the other brand, despite their claims. Someone claims that Ram Air is in the works, also, but I don't know from who...

About NOS: it's EXPENSIVE. Filling the bottle is costly, and my friends tell me that if you enjoy it, you will be filling it WEEKLY. It could end up costing you a couple hundred dollars PER MONTH, not including buying and installing the system...

I think half the issue with the modification disease is just to keep tinkering... I'd do the CAI, let that wear off, then try some pulleys. With the costs associated with using NOS, it would be my last choice. I'd rather save $100-200 a month, and put it in a piggy bank labeled 'blower'. ;)

fastcar:burnout:

I've tinkered with the idea of a few different mods. A CAI, as you indicated, is a relatively inexpensive mod. However, I'm not generally a fan of the air filters that accompany them. Are they a detriment in the long run? I don't know, I just don't like them, but that's me. I've considered the new Amsoil dry Nano conical's, but you never really find any concrete evidence of their filtering ability, only advertisements and opinions. For someone like myself, staying with the stock air box might be more appropriate and provide peace of mind.

I'm sort of the same way when it comes to UDP's. That's one area I don't tend to fiddle with, but everyone's different. I also feel the stock exhaust is pretty good. In light of this, I'm limiting myself a little as far as potential further upgrades. Also, dependent upon what further mods I go with and their costs, added to the expense of the mods I've already done, I might end up having been smart to have gotten a supercharger in the first place, which I would have loved to have done. Initially, I didn't intend on doing any mods, but who knew?

As far as the addition of the Stallion T/C, I find it does pull a little harder, especially off the line between first and second gear. Although I don't have actual data to provide evidence of an exact improvement, it is noticeable, but I wouldn't say huge. I don't regret it, but it is a little expensive and if one's expectation are too high, they might be disappointed. It's all subjective when it comes to the so called "butt dyno".

You provide good points to consider as for as nitrous. While I wouldn't expect to use it too often, the temptation might be too great, and as you indicated, it could get expensive.

[Krytin]

Me too...Keep telling my self to stop...It's a family car...But to no avail...Looking at Granatelli plug wires and up grading the coils...Building cars, one beer at a time...ALOHA
Don't do the Granatelli plug wires - check out Sumit Racing. They have the Accel upgrade coils for the 4V mod motors for around $25 each.

[mpearce]

I went the "NOS" route and it`s a good and bad thing.I only spent $1,500.00 for Lidio to install and tune my Marauder with a 80 shot,cooler plugs and a flip chip so I can keep my regular tune.I haven`t been to the strip yet but I figure mid 13`s.Mat Pierce probably spent double what I did to get high 13`s (so far) with a Torque converter,Headers and full exhaust with x pipe.Even though I paid less It still costs over $70.00 to fill my 15 pound bottle that gets me around fifteen blasts down the strip plus the fear in the back of your head that your motor can go at anytime.Mat`s car is less Worrysome and most likely his motor will hold up a little longer as he waits for his supercharger.It depends how you want to go.If I had to do it over again I would have gone with the torque converter but maybe thats next year.

Hack, with everything added together, it was almost double, a few hunderd dollars short though. Plus, my headers were coated, my exhaust was custom (not a "kit"), and that total included labor as well.

My goal was to get 2 big mods done at the same time (headers & torque converter). I didn't want to waste my time or money doing them piece by piece, and the car was immediately dyno tuned by Lidio and ready to go when it was done. No fooling around with flashes, programmers, etc. Everything was done right the first time. The end result is an amazingly aggressive car...much more so than it was before the mods.

The car did go 13.84 @ 99.78, on the last run of the night @ 75 degrees outside. While i'm pleased with the run...I know the car will do better with cooler air, and when I have it more race ready. ( Had 38 psi in my Nitto's, 3/4ths tank of gas, and everything else in the trunk!)

If anyone is wondering about the NOS...give it a consideration. Hacks set up is very nice, very clean, and his car is quite fast. It's very deceptive though...because it sounds the same and acts the same as before he had the NOS, but when he's spraying...it's just faster. I know thats a weird way to describe it...but thats how it is. It really moves.

Nice job Hack! :cool:

-Mat