Introducing Black Sunshine.

[Embassy]

As some of you might now know, I am the proud owner of a 2003 300A Marauder. However, this is not just any Marauder, but instead F.I.T's #3 ProCharger Marauder.


Black Sunshine

Powertrain modifications
Supercharger system- FIT ProCharger Kit #3, consists of:
- P1SC ProCharger centrifugal supercharger, polished, with a 3.7" pulley spooling up 10 psi of boost at ~6000 rpm
- Two-core air-to-air ProCharger intercooler, lower-grill mounted w/ custom scoop
- ProCharger ProFlo surge valve
- Diablo Motorsports Predator handheld tuner / datalogger with custom tune from Injected Racing in Springfield, MO
- Motorcraft AGSF-22C sparkplugs @ 0.032" gap
- Motorcraft 39lb injectors
- 255 lph Walboro fuel pump
- 90mm MAF
- K&N conical filter pn: RF-1015
- Modified coolant transfer tube
- Relocated IAT to throttle body intake transition
- All brackets, hoses, clamps, nuts, bolts, etc. to install
Ingition system- Granatelli COP connectors
Cooling system- 180 Deg F T'stat, DR head cooling mod
PCV system- Motorcraft EV-153 reverse PCV flow mod
Exhaust system- DR Cobra Exhaust kit w/ Magnaflow (pn 14356) mufflers and x-pipe delete (custom h-pipe)
Transmission- Precision Industries 3000 rpm stall torque converter
Rearend- SVO 4.30 gears, Moser 31-spline axles, Detroit TrueTrac torsen differential, FMS axle girdle & stud kit
Traction- Widened rear OEM wheels and 295/45/18 Nitto NT 555 street radials. 255/45/18 Nitto NT 555 street radials on the front.

Dyno Sheet (http://www.supermotors.net/vehicles/registry/media/620097)

The best 1/4 mile timeslip so far of 12.226 seconds at 111.73 mph with a 1.821 sec 60 footer was achieved at the Kansas City International Raceway on Nitto 555R 305/45/18 drag radials and 4.10 gears. The temperature was in the high-40's.

Timslip. (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/files/1/5/9/4/hwycruiserslip.JPG)
No timeslips with the 4.30 gears yet. On the highway she is getting around 17-20 mpg depending on the prevailing speed.

Suspension modifications- Addco front and rear anti-sway bars
- Zack & Mac improved rear control arms
- 1-coil cut front coils, front end alignment to carfixer's specs
- Rear lowered via air suspension
Braking system modifications

- TCE Wilwood Front Street Sport brake kit w/ BP10 pads

Appearance modifications- CAR Motorsports front and rear, and steering wheeld Godshead emblems
- Safety Yellow powdercoated cam covers
- Lower grill mod
- Colex Custom cap covers
- Silver coated turn signal bulbs
- ProCharger rear licence plate frame... Caution: Contents Under Pressure

Stereo modifications
- Rockford Fosgate RFC3268 6" x 8" two-ways
- Rockford Fosgate 201S amp hooked to RFP4406 6 3/4" sub (mid, whatever) woofer installed in ported OEM sub enclosure

Other modifications
- Dynojet Wideband Commander O2 datalogger & gauge
- Metco drive shaft loop
- Autometer Ultra Lite II Boost, Oil Pressure, & Volt gauges
- "Pro-Gard" rear fascia wind deflector
- Rostra Obstical Sensing System

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/623768/fullsize/frt-ang.jpg (http://www.supermotors.net/vehicles/registry/18556/63345)

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/623781/fullsize/wildwoods1.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/623783/fullsize/engine-bay1.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/623788/fullsize/engine-bay-d.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/623792/fullsize/int-d-side.jpg


http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/623859/fullsize/engine-bay.jpg (http://www.supermotors.net/vehicles/registry/18556/63604)
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/623900/fullsize/img_2754.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/623922/fullsize/img_2772.jpg
http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/623956/fullsize/img_2534.jpg (http://www.supermotors.net/vehicles/registry/18556/63344)

Yes, this was HwyCruiser's Marauder. I am amazed at the craftmanship and level of care the Beast received under his watch. Quite frankly, there is little for me to modify on this Merc as it has just about everything I ever wanted.

Furthermore, HwyCruiser is a top-notch guy and has been patient with my frequent emails as I learn more about this remarkable machine.

Thanks for looking and hope to see you all at more meets soon.

[oldekid]

Congrats, that's an awesome car. Welcome!

[quota]

Beautiful cars with very nice mods.
Congrats and welcome !

JP

[Raudermaster]

Excellent looking car, congrats on the purchase.

[ctrlraven]

That's awesome man, congrats!

[Merc220A]

Beautiful!!!!!!!!!

[Mike]

Beautiful!!!! Congrats from F.I.T. #26 :burnout:

[RF Overlord]

Steve, it was great to see you again and to see your new ride at the Buffalo Trace tour. I hope you have many years of fun with it. :up:

[DOOM]

The car is beautiful inside and out. Thanks again for the ride steve. Looking forward to more meets.

[CRUZTAKER]

Jessica and I are very happy for you!

Very deserving.;)

[MarauderMark]

Congrats Totaly nice ride:up:

[KillJoy]

Congrats Steve!

So..... when you gonna wash it :dunno:

:D

KillJoy

[offroadkarter]

Snap!

Congrats :)

[rayjay]

Sweet ride, I'm envious. Congrats!

[NATEHAWK]

Great ride man you gotta a good one there. I see you are in the commonwealth is that VA? If so lets running at the track together:banana2:.. lol

[Eric91Z]

Congrats on a beautiful car and knowing how you take care of your cars I know it will stay that way. Enjoy it!

[ckadiddle]

Very nice! We all know you will take excellent care of it!

[MarauderTJA]

You got a great car for JD:up:. I met JD and saw his car at Greg's house when I was in KC last year. He spent a lot of time, research and money into his car to your benefit. Nothing like getting a complete SC Marauder. Congratualtions from F.I.T.#2.

[dreydin]

i am jealous

[jgc61sr2002]

Congrats and Good Luck.:D

[Black Dynamite]

"She's a beaut, Clark"

[knine]

Sweet. Nice job keepin' her quiet until KY.

[Bigdogjim]

Great ride man you gotta a good one there. I see you are in the commonwealth is that VA? If so lets running at the track together:banana2:.. lol

That would be Ky. There are 4 Commonweath's in the US. :)

Va., Ky., Pa., & Ct. ( If I remember) :)

[PRCARGUY]

:congrats: and enjoy your ride. :banana2:

[Embassy]

Thanks again, everyone. It's hard to believe she is mine.

You don't know how hard it has been to keep the Beast under wraps for the past month. What a relief it was to finally show her off among friends this past weekend at the meet.

As with my other Panthers, she'll be kept in showroom condition. The bugs get removed, the wheels get dusted, and the exterior gets a pass with the California Car duster after each drive before she goes in the garage. A car cover is on order. ;)

JD did just about everything possible there is to this Marauder. So, I am left with little enhancements or ways to make her my own. Stay tuned.

http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/623916/fullsize/mm2004s-pics-embassy.jpg

[HwyCruiser]

I stopped in to see what was going on and posted over in the FIT roll call thread before I saw this one, but let me just repeat that I can't think of anyone better to pass on a passion of a vehicle to. Steve's well known for keeping cars in pristine condition, so I take a lot of condolence with the fact that the Marauder went to a great home.

Steve, enjoy her and be safe my friend.

[Embassy]

I stopped in to see what was going on and posted over in the FIT roll call thread before I saw this one, but let me just repeat that I can't think of anyone better to pass on a passion of a vehicle to. Steve's well known for keeping cars in pristine condition, so I take a lot of condolence with the fact that the Marauder went to a great home.

Steve, enjoy her and be safe my friend.

I'll reiterate what I typed in that other thread by thanking you for the kind words and assistance with my technical questions.

Everytime I am around her, I notice more and more details, and my admiration grows towards everything you put into this vehicle. There is no doubt that no expense was spared by you to build a top-notch machine.

Sometimes I open the garage door and stare at her in disbelief that she is in my garage. It's surreal.

Yes, rest assured she's in good hands and thanks again for everything.

[HwyCruiser]

Steve, great pictures. I saw that you squatted her down in the back - I like it. Did you put a 3.70 pulley back on it? Boy oh boy, get some drag radials and go get that 11.xx sec timeslip that I never got to see with her. :D

[Embassy]

Steve, great pictures. I saw that you squatted her down in the back - I like it. Did you put a 3.70 pulley back on it? Boy oh boy, get some drag radials and go get that 11.xx sec timeslip that I never got to see with her. :D

Thanks for the compliments. I am lining up some semi-pro photographers in the area and, if I play my cards right, some models too for a photoshoot.

Yes, I did adjust the air suspension a tad, first marking it's original setting with a permanent marker. My inspiration was the KB Marauder's stances.

While making the adjustments, I spent some time just admiring the craftsmanship and mods while under the Beast.

I did, like a madman, install the 3.70 pulley. You weren't kidding about the 295s not liking it one bit. :burnout:

Sometimes, part throttle is a bit much for them. Ask, MM2004. He witnessed her break loose right in front of him on the way to Buffalo Trace this past weekend.

The car is a hit around here with the Mustang crowd, by the way.

Once the transmission is serviced, gets a deeper pan, and an auxillary cooler, I plan to run that "race tune" you have in the tuner along with race gas, and radials,....and then go hunting for 11 second timeslips.

Stay tuned. ;)

[dohc324ci]

Congrats! Love that engine bay.......if only I didnt live in CALI.

[01 Interceptor]

The People are very pleased Comrade.

[Bluerauder]

Very nice and VERY clean. :2thumbs: Now I know why you kept "Black Sunshine" under wraps until Saturday. Was great to meet you, Steve. Thanks for the escort back to the hotel on Friday in your "Flying Snow" CVPI.

[Bradley G]

Hey That's the Marauder that kicked my but at Marauderville III.
That is a Sweeeet Ride! Enjoy!

[SC Cheesehead]

Sweet ride, you're gonna love it!

SCCH

[BUCKWHEAT]

Steve, my car was running in the lane next to JD when he took your car to 12.22. That's mighty close to 11's, and your car is most impressive. Congrats.


Steve, great pictures. I saw that you squatted her down in the back - I like it. Did you put a 3.70 pulley back on it? Boy oh boy, get some drag radials and go get that 11.xx sec timeslip that I never got to see with her. :D