5000 Rpm's

[Smokie]

Does anyone know if our car, stock except for programming that removes speed limiter can do 5000 rpm's in 4th gear ? If the answer is no, what part of the car is unable to do so ?

[Logan]

5000rpm's in 4th on a stock car? You're hitting the speed limiter in the PCM... Can be removed via a chip or via a Superchips Microtuner.

[Smokie]

After the chip, no speed limiter. Can the car actually do 5000 rpms in 4th gear ? Thats 171 mph.

[Logan]

Don't know anyone crazy enough to try. The aerodynamics on the car aren't up to it. Plus the motor may need more power than it has to push that much air around with significant aerodynamics help.

[Smokie]

Logan, In your opinion; what is a realistic top end for this car ? I'm talking about on a track not on a highway.

[Logan]

Without modification, It starts getting floaty around 125 and gets worse from there. I personally would never go above 140 in this thing... It'd be inviting disaster. Hit a bump the wrong way and shazam, you're done.

[Smokie]

I read years ago an article on Road & Track about the Crown/Vic PI having a top end of 130 mph without the light rack, it did not mention stability problems at that speed, I guess I thought our car was a little better than the PI as far as suspension and stability.

[MI2QWK4U]

I can tell you for a fact that a 2003 Police Interceptor without a lightbar on it wont do much more than 115-120 mph, someone correct me if I am wrong, but I think the PI motor is a single cam 2 valve which kills its performance. A Marauder with a supercharger on a straight test track with 3 guys in it did a little better than 140 mph, the speedo was buried and we carried on a little more before backing off since we couldnt tell how fast it was anyway. But at 140 the car handled well, and was smoother than I would have expected.

[Smokie]

MI2QWK4U, Was your suspension modified ? Did it behave in a way that made you feel that you were on the edge of loosing it or did you feel stable ?

PS: I'm glad the info provided came from a test track and I'm not interested in anyone responding to my questions by going out on the highway to check it out. Info either published or from the test track is what I'm looking for.

[Ross]

Why don't I ever get invited to track rides like that?:alone:

[dwasson]

Car and Driver did a project car a few years ago that was the spiritual ancestor of the MM. It was a Crown Vic they called the Lounge Lizard. They found a driveshaft vibration about 120MPH if I recall correctly. Is our driveshaft any different from the stock CV or MM unit?

[RCSignals]

Originally posted by MI2QWK4U
I can tell you for a fact that a 2003 Police Interceptor without a lightbar on it wont do much more than 115-120 mph, someone correct me if I am wrong, but I think the PI motor is a single cam 2 valve which kills its performance.

that top speed sounds more like a regular CV. The CVPI, as i understand, has a speed limiter set at 130 mph.
Yes it is a SOHC engine. It is tuned completely differently in the PCM though. Drives, accelerates, and shifts quite different from a regular CV

[03MERCMARAUDER]

What is the top speed of our marauders?

[Smokie]

That's exactly what I was hoping to find out, what the stock car is capable of, once you remove electronic barrier (speed limiter)

[SergntMac]

My "opinion" doesn't hold much value here anymore, but I'll offer it anyway. You decide?

I've been driving high speed since 1977, been in a hundred "chases" or more, where the speed gets "upchuck" like wild, and uncontrolled, by any standard, for sure. Vehicle dynamics and driver talent, are known indexes among us chasers, K?

I've been "forced" to drive FMC stuff since '83, and I'm not complaining. The safety and "sure-ness" of any Panther platform car is unquestionable above regulated speed, and customary expectations, IMHO. You name the road, the Panther platform car will perform.

But, that's the problem with your question, Smokie, where are the roads that will set us free? Not around here, that's for sure.

That said, I am comfortable at 120 MPH, I could cruise "allday" at 120MPH, if everyone could just stay out of my way...

[SergntMac]

BTW...Seeing 5000 RPM on an MM tach while in 4th gear (overdrive)...Ummm...Isn't really possible.

That's really stupid fast stuff, K?

But, thanks for asking...

[ik04]

At least once a week, I get my Marauder up to 125 on an almost straight road- NOT a public highway.

Yes, it gets a little "floaty", lots of wind noise and maybe some driveline vibration... I can't think of anything bad about that!

Speed gooood!

Kevin

[Smokie]

There are many vehicles that have documented top speeds, sometimes it is done by the manufacturer, other times it is documented by the various car magazines that rate and review cars, I know that many of our members to different degrees have attempted to find out what our car can do at the upper end and my question was/is if anyone is aware of any testing or data of our car under controlled conditions that document the upper end capabilities of our car.

PS: Sarge you have provided both opinions and facts that have provided a wealth of valuable and helpful information and I feel that you have a lot to contribute, there has been times when I felt you were rough and others when you were treated unfairly. Still this forum is the best on the Web. Keep posting.

[Petrograde]

I'm not exactly sure how high my tach has been,.... when the needle is that far over I'm skeered to look away fro the road!!!:D

[Smokie]

Specifications:

Price Range: $47,140 - $47,340 ($33,770 - $36,000 US)
Body Type: 4-door sedan
Layout: front engine, RWD
Engine: 302 hp, 318 lb-ft of torque, 4.6-L (281 cu in), DOHC, 32-valve V8
Transmission: 4-spd auto
Brakes (front/rear): disc/disc, ABS
Curb Weight: 1,903 kg (4,195 lb)
Acceleration (0 - 100 km/h): 7.1 seconds
Top Speed: 220 km/h (137 mph)
Cargo Volume (trunk): 583 L (20.6 cu ft)
Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 14.0 / 9.3 L/100 km (17 / 23 mpg)
Warranty (mo/km): 36/60,000 km (36/36,000 mile) comprehensive - 60/100,000 powertrain
Direct Competitors: Cadillac Seville STS, Ford Crown Victoria, Lincoln LS, Lincoln Town Car, Mercury Marquis
Web Site: www.ford.ca

Source: July 26, 2003
2004 Mercury Marauder Overview
by Rob Rothwell , Canadian Auto Press

Notice top speed.

[jgc61sr2002]

Sarge - I second Smokies opinion. I always fine you posts very knowledgeable and interesting. Keep up the good work. Thanks.:D