slow off the line

[03blackvegas]

I've owned my 03 for 2 weeks now, and tonight I decided to punch it from a dead stop. Boy what a dog !!!, now don't get me wrong, the car runs good, but off the line I'am not impressed. I just sold a 02 crown victoria PI, and that car took off real nice, now I know why some owners install 4:10 gears and torque converters. If anyone can offer some insite on this occurance, I would like to hear from you. It's kind of funny, when I drive the car normal around town, it feels like it would fry the tires when punched, but far from it.

[fastblackmerc]

Get 4.10's and a tune.

[MACFORD88]

:confused:I Know What You Mean.i Have To Get Out And Push Mine To Get It Going.

[Aren Jay]

I spin my tires with my 04.

[SlkMerc]

shes a heavy biatch!

[Local Boy]

What Fastblackmerc said...A tune and 4:10's will do the trick...

The 3:55's gears and the stock tune is just pittyful...

Remember my sig...Friends don't let friends drive STOCK...LOL

ALOHA

[RF Overlord]

blackvegas, part of the problem is what was already mentioned^^^: the car is really heavy, the 3.55s are a compromise (it was supposed to have 3.73s or 4.10s from the factory, but the gas-guzzler tax killed that idea), and of course factory tunes are always a compromise.

Another factor is that Ford tailored the part-throttle response to make the car seem livelier when driven normally, but at heavier acceleration or WOT you encounter the rest of the issues above.

4.10s and a tune from one of the vendors here will make a huge difference, and there are quite a few relatively simple bolt-ons you can install to add even more.

[mtenderenda]

Doesn't the 4:10 gear setup whine on the highway? Won't you hear it?:confused:

[ckadiddle]

TUNE!!!! Order it now! I waited a year and still kick myself for waiting so long.

[BigGuyBigCar]

When I was shopping around I test drove two without a tune and one with a tune, but still with the stock (3.55) gearing. The tune alone made a huge difference!

[Blackmobile]

Doesn't the 4:10 gear setup whine on the highway? Won't you hear it?:confused:

Only if installed wrong. With a good install, it should be as smooth as glass.

[chader]

I spin my tires with my 04.
in Calgary??I have 4:10's and a tune(Lidio)and I don't "SPIN"

[fastblackmerc]

Doesn't the 4:10 gear setup whine on the highway? Won't you hear it?:confused:

Like Blackmobile said if they are installed correctly they are quiet. I've had mine for over 25K and there is no noise whatsoever.

[fastblackmerc]

If you have an '04 MM make sure you disable the traction control.

[SC Cheesehead]

Doesn't the 4:10 gear setup whine on the highway? Won't you hear it?:confused:

Not if they're installed correctly.

[SC Cheesehead]

in Calgary??I have 4:10's and a tune(Lidio)and I don't "SPIN"


Dry pavement or on ice?;)

SCCH

[Local Boy]

Got 4:10's and a tune...Silent...Wouldn't know they were there...if not for the acceleration...

ALOHA

[Blackened300a]

If I just stomp on the gas I get a little bog off the line even with the TC, 4.10's and a tune but definitly not as bad as it was stock.

[03blackvegas]

Some of you mentioned a "TUNE", to help my cars performance, can I hear some brands and specific ones to look into. I had my eye on the one from Alternative performance, called Xcalibrator, any feed back on this one, thanks.

[SamF]

Some of you mentioned a "TUNE", to help my cars performance, can I hear some brands and specific ones to look into. I had my eye on the one from Alternative performance, called Xcalibrator, any feed back on this one, thanks.

Thats the one you need...and 4.10's...and forced induction :D

[fastcar]

I have Lidio's tune from Alternative Auto Performance.
If he's not back in business, use Dennis Reinhart's. I believe there is one other vender, also, but his name eludes me... He has his own tune for these cars, also, and someone with a 13s N/A MM is using it.

Search for my threads 1-5 using the keywords 'progress report'. You will see the evolution of my car from a big off the line disappointment to a tire burner.

Please keep in mind that these are TINY little motors, with FOUR VALVES PER CYLINDER (really big heads) in 4200 lb sleds, with strict gas mileage controls in place. The motors are boggy to begin with, make them tiny and stick them in a tank = no go off the line, true.

But, it can be fixed, without going broke. For $1100 you can get 4.10s or 4.56s AND a tune, and the car will be like a BRAND NEW VEHICLE. Literally unrecognizeable.

For $2500, you can have a CAI (cold air intake) and 3500 RPM PI torque converter that will turn it into a quarter mile rocket, you should get very low 14s, even high 13s.

The cars are wonderful fun, like nothing else you could ever own, they do have issues, but just a small investment, and you will be really happy.

If you do little highway driving, I'd go for the 4.56s. The 4.10s are a great improvement, but the cars can even use more, honestly.

fastcar:burnout:

[VAmarauder03]

I have Lidio's tune from Alternative Auto Performance.
If he's not back in business, use Dennis Reinhart's. I believe there is one other vender, also, but his name eludes me... He has his own tune for these cars, also, and someone with a 13s N/A MM is using it.

Search for my threads 1-5 using the keywords 'progress report'. You will see the evolution of my car from a big off the line disappointment to a tire burner.

Please keep in mind that these are TINY little motors, with FOUR VALVES PER CYLINDER (really big heads) in 4200 lb sleds, with strict gas mileage controls in place. The motors are boggy to begin with, make them tiny and stick them in a tank = no go off the line, true.

But, it can be fixed, without going broke. For $1100 you can get 4.10s or 4.56s AND a tune, and the car will be like a BRAND NEW VEHICLE. Literally unrecognizeable.

For $2500, you can have a CAI (cold air intake) and 3500 RPM PI torque converter that will turn it into a quarter mile rocket, you should get very low 14s, even high 13s.

The cars are wonderful fun, like nothing else you could ever own, they do have issues, but just a small investment, and you will be really happy.

If you do little highway driving, I'd go for the 4.56s. The 4.10s are a great improvement, but the cars can even use more, honestly.

fastcar:burnout:


gears and a tune for $1100?!?!?!? 4.56's? thats a pretty steep gear no? what about 4.30's? and and extra $1400 for a converter and a coldair? these prices sounds steep am i missing somethin?

[Aren Jay]

My tires are getting close to needing to be replaced. I haveabout 3mm of tread above the replace bar tread thingys left and I constantly keep getting the traction control kicking in while on dry roads. 0-80 from idle. I get a little chirp and traction control kicks on and then I accelerate.

I have no idea what tune or rear end this Marauder has though so I really don't know.

Haven't tried to rev up to torque converter levels yet.

[beauimpala]

I'm going through the process of buying these bolt ons and I think Fastcar is in the neighborhood with the price.
Tuner $399
Quote from the tranny shop for gears and install is around $600-700 range
Tourqe converter $650
Installed $250

With shipping and sales tax here in Washington that adds up to over
$2000.


Just my 2 cents worth

Beau

[Blackened300a]

I'm going through the process of buying these bolt ons and I think Fastcar is in the neighborhood with the price.
Tuner $399
Quote from the tranny shop for gears and install is around $600-700 range
Tourqe converter $650
Installed $250

With shipping and sales tax here in Washington that adds up to over
$2000.


Just my 2 cents worth

Beau

If you are on the cheap, Once and a while a marauder tune will come up for sale at a very reasonable price. The quote for the gears and install is way too high. You can get a set of gears on ebay for under $200 and its possible to find a good place to install them for just over $200. You'll need a tune after the install so locating one should be on top of your list before the gears.

[fastcar]

gears and a tune for $1100?!?!?!? 4.56's? thats a pretty steep gear no? what about 4.30's? and and extra $1400 for a converter and a coldair? these prices sounds steep am i missing somethin?

What prices are you getting? My SCT xcallibre tune cost $400, my brand new FMS gears and rebuild kit (including clutches for trac-lok) cost about $400 (I did the complete kit plus axle bearings), and $300 to install = $1100.

4.56 gears ARE NOT TOO STEEP. I can't emphasize this enough. Someone else on the board is also running these gears, and loves them.

When you install 4.10s, and see the improvement, and that it does NOT run out of breath in 1st gear too quickly, you quickly discover that more of a good thing, is a good thing.

If, however, you spend a lot of time on the highway, and you don't want to completely destroy gas mileage, or don't like spinning 3400 RPM at 90, you may choose to stick with the 4.10s

4.30s are what everyone is running on their 3600 lb mustangs. Now, if a Mustang likes more gear than the 4.10s everyone is putting in their MMs, that tells you something about putting 4.56s in the MMs, IMHO.

fastcar:burnout:

If you want to scrounge around for used stuff, you could save some money. I've tried that approach myself. I found it's not worth the time, because you may not get what you are bidding on - I got burnt on some gears. I found the best possible prices on the internet on brand new parts, and bought them. My price is realistic. If you save $1100, you probably will get the job done without running out of money. If you save $700, and go and give it a try, you may be disappointed.

PI converters are about $750 shipped, $300-$400 installed in my area. Add it all together, and do the math I think you should plan on saving about $2500

[Bobmiddle]

From what I have heard the tune and the 4.10s are the key to your problem.
I only have a CAI from K&N it helps but I am saving for the tune. Just a little heads up from another Vegas resident. DO NOT USE SIGNATURE LINCOLN MERCURY THEY WILL OVER CHARGE YOU. LIKE $420 FOR A $200 ALTERNATOR

[VAmarauder03]

What prices are you getting? My SCT xcallibre tune cost $400, my brand new FMS gears and rebuild kit (including clutches for trac-lok) cost about $400 (I did the complete kit plus axle bearings), and $300 to install = $1100.


i didnt realize that you werent doing gears and TC yourself, sorry...Gears and the rebuild kit cost me somewhere in the range of 250$

[ckadiddle]

Xcalibrator2 with a custom tune is what I mean when I say "tune". Sorry. We have two supporting vendors who can provide you with it.

You will need to get the little engine code off the driver's door jamb before you call to order. It's on a little white sticker, about one inch square. Usually four characters alphanumeric..like BMD0, CRD3 etc. If the sticker is not there with that code, then they will need to know your build date. If you send a PM to site member "RoyLPita" (Brian) with your VIN, he will run a query on Ford's computer network and tell you the build date and other interesting info.

[dreydin]

damn i want to tweak my car so bad =(

i cant budget or save worth crap though

[cyclopsram]

Whiners need to take all the dead weight out.. Like the radio and speakers and floor mats and insulation and heated seats and all the other stuff.. Ya wanna go fast you gotta get rid of the weight...consoles, spare tires trunk liners, fog lights and all gotta go...