Best performance upgrades besides a supercharger??? Give me some advice =)

[biodole]

Hey guys...

after I get the Marauder back from the shop...I was wondering what were the best performance upgrades for the money (not counting the supecharger)?

I was looking for performance upgrades that would be relatively cheap, but provide good bang for the buck as well.

In addition, I was interested in making my existing stock marauder exhaust sound more throaty and robust (similar to a mustang cobra)...I understand that the H-Pipe is the correct layout for that sound...but what kind/type do I need?

So anyway, here are some ideas I've had...tell me if these are good or if I need to go in a different direct (if so what?)

1. Magnaflow H-Pipe with high-flow cats (Or no cats???) (i want it to sound like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8EOPTgkVzQ&feature=related )
2. Tuner (Xcalibrator? Diablo? Superchip? Other? Which is the best?)
3. Set of 4.10 Gears
4. K&N Cold Air Intake
5. Set of Ultra Lite Black Rims (not really performance, but they look sweet...what kind is proper for the marauder??)
6. Anything else???


Thanks a lot in advance guys....also what kind of 1/4 mile time decrease am I looking at for each part?

Stock marauder is about 15.6 @ 75 degrees (I think)

THANKS!:beer:

[DOOM]

What do you already have??? Or are you bone stock?

[biodole]

What do you already have??? Or are you bone stock?

Only thing I have right now is a K&N Air Filter (can hardly call this an upgrade). Besides that, bone stock 2004 marauder with 71K miles. Just getting it fully serviced and all issues resolved. Also in addition to the upgrades I mentioned...would you guys reccomend the tune to include higher RPM idle? (750-800 idle and 900-950 with a/c on) ?

[DOOM]

Tune should be the FIRST thing you should do & intake.

[biodole]

Tune should be the FIRST thing you should do & intake.

Ok sounds good - but I'm not very well versed on brands, types, etc.

Can you guys point me in the right direction as to WHICH intake and WHICH Tune I should be using? Details are appreciated. Thank you.

[DOOM]

Lidio & Reinhart BOTH have great tunes. You cant go wrong with either one. :up:
I have a K&N intake and love it. Thats what the majority use.

[Local Boy]

Definitely...get the tune first...I like the X-cal 3 the best...

Then 4:10's...then a high stall converter (@3,500 stall) with a J-mod...

and you'll be flying down the road...

Raising the idle is only needed when running under drive pulleys or a high stall converter...

Keep your cats...you'll loose alot of low end grunt if you remove them...

H-pipes is the way to go...

Best of luck...

ALOHA

[Marauderjack]

Definitely...get the tune first...I like the X-cal 3 the best...

Then 4:10's...then a high stall converter (@3,500 stall) with a J-mod...

and you'll be flying down the road...

Raising the idle is only needed when running under drive pulleys or a high stall converter...

Keep your cats...you'll loose alot of low end grunt if you remove them...

H-pipes is the way to go...

Best of luck...

ALOHA


^^^ Good advice all the way around!!:beer:

[DTRMiguel]

Zack tune and JLT FTMFW :burnout:

[ctrlraven]

For starters you already have the intake, now you need a tune and 4.10 gears. Those will get you going pretty good, if you want more than will come aftermarket high stall converter, exhaust and some other stuff before a S/C.

[biodole]

Ok thanks so far guys, now heres my updated questions:

1. Which tuner is the absolute best bang for the buck?

2. Where can I buy the 4.10 gears as cheap as possible (online) ?

3. Which air intake is better...the JLT or K&N ?

4. Which H-Pipe exhaust system should I get for optimal power and sound? ( i want it to sound like this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8EOP...eature=related (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8EOPTgkVzQ&feature=related) )

5. Where can I buy the high stall torque converter for cheap (online) ?

6. Where can I get the best black rims for the marauder also for cheap?


Thanks so much guys, you all are the best.

[Blackened300a]

Ok thanks so far guys, now heres my updated questions:

1. Which tuner is the absolute best bang for the buck? LIDIO

2. Where can I buy the 4.10 gears as cheap as possible (online) ? Try summit racing, Reinhart, or shop around for a 8.8 4.10 ring and pinion.

3. Which air intake is better...the JLT or K&N ? They are about the same as far as performance but the JLT is cheaper.

4. Which H-Pipe exhaust system should I get for optimal power and sound? ( i want it to sound like this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8EOP...eature=related (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8EOPTgkVzQ&feature=related) ) I just changed my mufflers and tips for res-delete tips and I gained a nice sound from the exhaust. Otherwise you can check out kooks, Reinhart, or stainless works for exhaust options.

5. Where can I buy the high stall torque converter for cheap (online) ?
Go with the PI the Reinhart sells or shop around for the PI 3000 or 3500 stall convertor.

6. Where can I get the best black rims for the marauder also for cheap?
Why would you? :D


Thanks so much guys, you all are the best.

Thats why we are here. :beer:

[Blk Mamba]

Nothing for our cars is cheap, you will find out, and everyone has their own idea of which parts are best, kind of like experimenting with a bag full of money.

[Fahad_H]

I went with the mods in my sig for a start, I think they will give the best value.

[ctrlraven]

Ok thanks so far guys, now heres my updated questions:

1. Which tuner is the absolute best bang for the buck?
Lidio (tunes pre-loaded to tuner you purchase from him) or Zack (You'll have to buy your own tuner [can find cheap ones on ebay that might have to be erased and unlocked to work but no biggie] and then upload his tunes)
2. Where can I buy the 4.10 gears as cheap as possible (online) ?
BlueOval off eBay, I got mine there cheaper than any other place including shipping charges. Their store http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Blue-Oval-Industries__W0QQ_armrsZ1
3. Which air intake is better...the JLT or K&N ?
Either are good, I'd say the JLT since it's like half the cost of K&N
4. Which H-Pipe exhaust system should I get for optimal power and sound? ( i want it to sound like this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8EOP...eature=related (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8EOPTgkVzQ&feature=related) )
Remove 2nd set of cats, get a custom H-pipe made, mufflers of your choice, custom tailpipes and Meg's res-delete tips. Now if you want a lot of performance and sound go with some long tube headers (Kooks or StainlessWorks) both offer cats, mid-pipe and SW has mufflers included on some kits.
5. Where can I buy the high stall torque converter for cheap (online) ?
Call them to find out a price http://www.circledspecialties.com OR http://www.reinhartperformance.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=12345&Product_Code=MM-PISC&Category_Code=9
6. Where can I get the best black rims for the marauder also for cheap?
American Muscle has a wide range of rims for cheap OR get your stock wheels powder coated black.

Thanks so much guys, you all are the best.
Questions answered.

[Vortech347]

JLT, 4.10's, intake spacer, and tune. Cheap, easy. Summit racing's UDP's are a great deal and excellent quality as well.

Also driver mod is very important. Track time is epic in reducing your times.

[TAKEDOWN]

Headers next, not very cheap, but not as much as S/C!

[RR|Suki]

SuperCharger :hide:

[biodole]

Ok guys - thanks.

Here is what I have so far now -

1. Are these the RIGHT 4.10 gears to buy?? Also are these a good price?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ford-Racing-M-4209-G410A-8-8-4-10-Ring-Pinion-Gears_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkpa rmsZQ7c301Q3a0Q7c293Q3a1Q7c294 Q3a30QQ_trksidZp4634Q2ec0Q2em1 4Q2el1262QQhashZitem3eedc1c32d QQitemZ270276870957QQptZMotors Q5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAcces sories

2. This is the tune I should get, right?

http://www.alternativeauto.com/prodserv/marauder_tune.html

3. This is the air intake I should buy right?

http://jlttruecoldair.com/zencart/index.php?main_page=product_in fo&cPath=1_11&products_id=65

4.

Where to get custom H-Pipe (also what kind), Mufflers (also what kind), and which one of these do I get? http://www.innovativeinterceptors.com/exdress.html Also - anyone here got a good south florida mechanic to install of this exhaust stuff?

5.

Where would I get my stock rims powder coated black??

6. Also looks like headers, and High stall torque converters are in the $750-$1,500 range...and I don't think I can afford that just yet. I think I will be sticking with the other things first....are there any other upgrades besides the above that I should consider for the $500 price range?


Ok that covers it for now, let me know! Thanks again!!

[SC Cheesehead]

Steeda underdrive pulleys.

[Vortech347]

Get the Summit ones. They are a better piece. I have steeda's on my MM and Summits kit on our 01' cobra. The Summit kit has a larger dampner and looks awesome, and its 40$ cheaper!

[biodole]

Err...can someone link me to the underdrive pulley that I need? In addition, can you guys please help me with my post #19 above? thanks

[Blackened300a]

1. Are these the RIGHT 4.10 gears to buy?? Also are these a good price?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Ford-Racing-M-4209-G410A-8-8-4-10-Ring-Pinion-Gears_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkpa rmsZQ7c301Q3a0Q7c293Q3a1Q7c294 Q3a30QQ_trksidZp4634Q2ec0Q2em1 4Q2el1262QQhashZitem3eedc1c32d QQitemZ270276870957QQptZMotors Q5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAcces sories

Yes those are them and thats a very good price.

2. This is the tune I should get, right?

http://www.alternativeauto.com/prodserv/marauder_tune.html

Yep, Lidio is the man.

3. This is the air intake I should buy right?

http://jlttruecoldair.com/zencart/index.php?main_page=product_in fo&cPath=1_11&products_id=65

Indeed.

4.

Where to get custom H-Pipe (also what kind), Mufflers (also what kind), and which one of these do I get? http://www.innovativeinterceptors.com/exdress.html Also - anyone here got a good south florida mechanic to install of this exhaust stuff?

The mufflers come down to sound preference, You'll receive all kinds of different opinions.
Maybe someone from FL will chime in with who could install. Those are the res-delete tips. You'll notice a difference in sound with them installed.

5.

Where would I get my stock rims powder coated black??

Couldnt tell ya and I wouldnt do it.

6. Also looks like headers, and High stall torque converters are in the $750-$1,500 range...and I don't think I can afford that just yet. I think I will be sticking with the other things first....are there any other upgrades besides the above that I should consider for the $500 price range?

Steeda underdrive pulleys. Quick and easy HP. You can also go with the intake spacer and EMP waterpump. Do a search and you'll find info on all these items.

[biodole]

thank you very much for the comprehensive answer!!!

[Aren Jay]

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