A few questions

[tc4keith]

Im in the market for a Marauder. OK well, not a Marauder. I ve given it some thought and decided that maybe a GM/ CV might be the way to go. I want a car to play with, and I feel that should I get a marauder Ill end up the way I was with my TC( too nice) and my Mustang( to stock) I didnt "want" to mess with them.
Anyways from some of the searches Ive seen it looks like the 99 CV/GM and 04 CV/GM is the way to go? Am I right in this? Also HPP/ Sport models, any identifiers for them?
Thanks folks and should this be in the wrong spot please move.

[SC Cheesehead]

Have you tried a comparison drive between a Marauder and CV/GM?

If not, do so.

You're gonna want a Marauder.

[tc4keith]

Ive driven both. I realise theres quite a bit more to a marauder. However power and driveability can be built into a car. had planned a DOHC swap into a CV/GM and suspension work. cotst to cost is similiar and Im wont be bashing a classic.

[SC Cheesehead]

Ive driven both. I realise theres quite a bit more to a marauder. However power and driveability can be built into a car. had planned a DOHC swap into a CV/GM and suspension work. cotst to cost is similiar and Im wont be bashing a classic.

PM Pops (John Kuhn), he's done this swap and can give some info on cost and effort required.

[ctrlraven]

Crown Vic LX Sport, if not a Marauder.

[Pops]

The cost is high to do the swap and requires a expert tuner who also understands the wiring. It is cheaper to buy a Marauder than do the conversion! Thats what I should have done. Plenty of people have tried to do this but few have had success. It is not a cheap swap.

John

[TAKEDOWN]

Try out both and make you're decision, that's probably the best way.

[tc4keith]

Ive got a good shop, that "shouldnt" be an issue...lol
Im gonna look around a bit see what shows

[03calitejas]

I posted this in the "Big Body Modulars" on the ModularFords.com forums a couple weeks ago

"A clean black, silver or red stock (or slightly modded) NA Marauder can be had for around $8000. The blue ones are much rarer and seem to command a higher price. With only a CAI, tune (that you would need on either the 2V or the 4V motor) and 4:10 gears, the Marauder with street tires (I have Nitto 420's) will run mid 14's and will easily outhandle any stock GM or CV. Not to mention a more comfy interior and an awesome stereo. For a daily driver it will also hold its value better."

I got some interesting feedback from a 2V proponent there but I disagree with his assessment (retort)
"

Not to be contentious here :lol: but

1) I rather doubt you could find a decent/running MM for just "a couple grand extra" compared to a the P71 he's describing.

2) The 32 valve motor has great potential when paired with forced induction. There are at least two very popular "kits" for that vehicle/motor. However, it's not a very good NA platform given the weight of the car, the fact that you're - in essence - stuck with an auto tranny, and the powercurve of the 32v engine (which means you need high stall and 4+ in the rear to take advantage of the motor; and then drag radials, metco control arms, etc. to actually apply the power to the pavement). With the supercharger at least you don't need the radical stall or gears (but you'll still be unable to hook without the above-mentioned suspension/tire mods).

3) A built 2v motor (NA to NA) can outperform a bolt-on 32v in a Maurader. Take it from me. When I decided to build my motor, I contemplated buying an MM - however at the time (04) the price was pretty significant for the MM - I got the P71 AND a professionally built motor, tuning product, tranny, converter, etc. for under the price of the MM.

Also, MMs are not really that inconspicuous (to law enforcement or crooks) given the color choice, blackedout chrome, rolled chrome exhast tips, etc."

If you are going to go with the 32V motor, I think starting with the Marauder that was engineered for it is the way to go.

[tc4keith]

I posted this in the "Big Body Modulars" on the ModularFords.com forums a couple weeks ago

"A clean black, silver or red stock (or slightly modded) NA Marauder can be had for around $8000. The blue ones are much rarer and seem to command a higher price. With only a CAI, tune (that you would need on either the 2V or the 4V motor) and 4:10 gears, the Marauder with street tires (I have Nitto 420's) will run mid 14's and will easily outhandle any stock GM or CV. Not to mention a more comfy interior and an awesome stereo. For a daily driver it will also hold its value better."

I got some interesting feedback from a 2V proponent there but I disagree with his assessment (retort)
"

Not to be contentious here :lol: but

1) I rather doubt you could find a decent/running MM for just "a couple grand extra" compared to a the P71 he's describing.

2) The 32 valve motor has great potential when paired with forced induction. There are at least two very popular "kits" for that vehicle/motor. However, it's not a very good NA platform given the weight of the car, the fact that you're - in essence - stuck with an auto tranny, and the powercurve of the 32v engine (which means you need high stall and 4+ in the rear to take advantage of the motor; and then drag radials, metco control arms, etc. to actually apply the power to the pavement). With the supercharger at least you don't need the radical stall or gears (but you'll still be unable to hook without the above-mentioned suspension/tire mods).

3) A built 2v motor (NA to NA) can outperform a bolt-on 32v in a Maurader. Take it from me. When I decided to build my motor, I contemplated buying an MM - however at the time (04) the price was pretty significant for the MM - I got the P71 AND a professionally built motor, tuning product, tranny, converter, etc. for under the price of the MM.

Also, MMs are not really that inconspicuous (to law enforcement or crooks) given the color choice, blackedout chrome, rolled chrome exhast tips, etc."

If you are going to go with the 32V motor, I think starting with the Marauder that was engineered for it is the way to go.
OK some of that was a little confusing..lol :help:

[03calitejas]

Sorry- I shouldve broken that up better...The last statement that starting with the Marauder was mine...if you read the whole thread on ModularFords.com it makes sense. One of their folks was looking at getting a Crown Vic or Gran Marquis to build up and I offered up that a Marauder can be found for around 8K and could be a better route to go.

[tc4keith]

ok lol...makes sense

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

If you want to be one of the elite, the few, the proud, get a Marauder. If you want to be one of the rest, get any other panther.

But seriously, you can find quite a few well loved MM's that still have fairly low mileage, that won't have such perfect paint that you'd be afraid to scratch them

Why not get the better car to start out with instead of trying to re-create it from a regular panther?

Also the Marauder will always have a following and better resale, than a hopped up grampamobile.

The Marauder is not just about the engine. It's about the whole package. You won't have that with a hopped up police auction special.

^^ I seem to be spouting unusually wise gospel today. I am going to give myself an Amen here.

[RF Overlord]

Also HPP/ Sport models, any identifiers for them?
HPP will have dual exhaust, a bigger rear sway bar, air-bag rear suspension and 17" wheels. Will also have 3.27 gears as opposed to 2.73 for the base models. If you want to build a performance car, this would be the one to start with...

[CoreyM75]

I have been on both sides of this, I owned (for sale) a 00 CVPI and a recently bought 03 SB MM. I have owned a 98 MGM HPP that was as close to a Marauder that I could afford at the time. The Marauder is the best Panther based car that I have ever driven. I have owned Panthers from 1985, 1993, 1995, 1998, 2000 and now a Marauder. The Marauder is better handling, comfort, performance and looks. I really thought hard about getting a CV Sport, but the Marauder had more that I was looking for.

To answer some of your questions, you are right that 99 is a good year. But 99 has the outdated front suspension. When comapring my 00 CVPI and my 03 MM, the suspension makes a lot of difference in terms of handling and road feel. The Marauder feels more controlled in the corners and under stress.

The Sport package is the only CV/Gm that I would get after 03-04. They made them from 02-08 and the wheels are the easiest way to tell if they are Sports. Some colors have the monotone trim, but others like brown (02 only I think) look the same as regular CV's except for the wheels. The Sports have almost the same interior as a Marauder, except that the leather feels cheaper, there is not a guage pod under the HVAC controls and a few other things.

I would stay away from the 98-02 CV/GM's, just based on the suspension upgrades for 03. The HPP package has lacy spoke wheels, 3.27 RAR, dual exhausts, etc. The ride is much better than a standard CV/GM, but the car does lack a lot of the Sport items.

[LIGHTNIN1]

I have had both the Marauder now and previously 3 cv's including an 03 cv sport. You will spend a lot more money, and effort, trying to create a MM from a CV and it will still be worth zilch than to just buy a MM to begin with. Use Carfax and research the cars. If you're trying to save money there are some MM's with higher mileage that have been taken care of.