(Apologies) barrage of questions.

[Benwin]

Good day/evening folks.

I've been lurking around on the forums, and, I must say, I'm VERY impressed with this group of people. I am a fan of the big-bodied Grand Marquis (have owned, and subsequently totaled 2 of them - one being NOT my fault), and am going to be getting a *Black* Marauder in the next year or so...

With that said... this is what a 1992 Grand Marquis GS looks like AFTER a 71,000lb semi hits it: http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/4576/img0047d.jpg (Image too big to fit here) I was the driver, thankfully, still alive to type this.


I know the stock Marauder has 302hp, 318lb of torque, 4.6l DOHC Modular V8, air ride suspension, larger rear tires than front, and all kinds of extra goodies that changed from 2003-2004 model years.
I will be able to pour a considerable amount of money into the car, assuming a $13k price tag for the car, my questions are as follows. Please bear with me, and forgive my ignorance. :
1. Which of the 2 model years is best for tuning?
2. How much does the average supercharger kit/install run (I’m close to Trilogy Motorsports, considering my location is Northwestern Ohio)?
3. How much added HP will I gain from this addon?
4. How will the supercharger impact gas mileage?
5. Should I spring for an intercooler? Will this significantly increase HP? What are the pros/cons?
6. I’ve read posts about a 4100 stall converter – What are the pros/cons?
7. I’d like to get 4.10 gears put in the rear-end, to increase launch speeds (I want this to be a quick-off-the-start car)- how will this impact gas mileage?
8. X, H, pipes, long pipes – what are they, what do they do?
I want my car to have a nice, deep, throaty exhaust, but planned on putting an electric gate in between the catalytic converters and the mufflers so I can run “open headers” should I decide I want to show off at the local car shows.
9. How do these people get their Marauders to sub-11 seconds without NOS? Is this easy to do without practically replacing the engine?
And some semi-mechanical questions.
I will have an in-car computer complete with in-dash touch screen (replacing the Double-DIN head unit), Wi-Fi, GPS, Satellite Radio, bluetooth, and external storage connectors (USB ports are going to replace where the clock is) It will be a full computer, running Windows, etc…
10. I’ve seen people have laptops plugged into their cars to view/alter the engine’s performance on the fly, how difficult would this system be to integrate?
I am pretty sure I can get a kit that will allow the stock audio controls to function through an aftermarket unit, so that’s not a huge concern.
11. The gauges behind the gear selector, I have seen pictures of a boost gauge put in after the supercharger installs – Can the amount of boost being applied by the supercharger be increased/decreased on the fly (with the above mentioned computer)?
How much room is there in the compartment where the stock radio is? How deep (from faceplate to the nearest obstacle in the back) is that compartment?
The stock sound system is, from what I hear, pretty nice… But I want to replace all of the stock speakers with something more high-end – perhaps some nice JVC Arsenal series (Or whatever is top of the line when I get the car), and where the stock spare is, I plan on having a custom box built for that upper deck, and a pair of nice 10” subs going in.

And finally... With the performance modifications, connections/software for the computer... how much will this car cost, adding the $13,000 original assumed price tag?




Thanks in advance!




Don

[UncleLar]

You seem very concerned about gas mileage,the biggest factor controlling that is your right foot.Either way,you're not going to win any fuel mileage contests,you're starting with a 4200 pound sedan without any passengers or junk in the trunk and you want to hop it up with the intention of doing hard acceleration and high speed driving,so,if you're buying one to drive the wheels off of it you ain't gonna get Honda Accord gas mileage.
BTW,a lot of the good information here comes from former members who were either banned due to politics or left of their own accord due to the same.

[Benwin]

I'm not concerned about gas mileage, I just want to know how much of an impact it's going to have...

Also, will this car, after modifications, be a viable daily driver? (Gas mileage aside)... IE: Will the supercharger, rear-end, and whatnot cause a premature death of the car's drivetrain...

[FormulaMarauder]

OK, I'll bite.
1.Which of the 2 model years is best for tuning?
They are EXACTLY the same.

2.How much does the average supercharger kit/install run (I’m close to Trilogy Motorsports, considering my location is Northwestern Ohio)?
With everything, for a Trilogy you're looking around $6,000 or so. There are plenty of guys in your area to help you install it.

3.How much added HP will I gain from this addon?
Bolt on with no other mods other than a tune should get you in low 13's, high 12's with a good tune, smaller pulley=more boost=more power.

4.How will the supercharger impact gas mileage?
Recommended that you get a higher flow fuel pump and even Boost a pump on blown applications. I would say 1-2mpg less. The more you push the pedal down, the more she'll drink.

5.Should I spring for an intercooler? Will this significantly increase HP? What are the pros/cons?
Your preference. Interooler will cost more, will deplete some boost, but cool the intake charge. Again, swapping pulleys will bring that back.

6.I’ve read posts about a 4100 stall converter – What are the pros/cons?
4,100 is HELLA high. Slug in first gear, but higher RPM's she'll scream. Not a fan of anything remotely that high for street driving. Go 3,100 or so.

7.I’d like to get 4.10 gears put in the rear-end, to increase launch speeds (I want this to be a quick-off-the-start car)- how will this impact gas mileage?
4.10's is the way this car should have come from the factory. Gas mileage will suffer 1-2mpg.

8. X, H, pipes, long pipes – what are they, what do they do?
I want my car to have a nice, deep, throaty exhaust, but planned on putting an electric gate in between the catalytic converters and the mufflers so I can run “open headers” should I decide I want to show off at the local car shows.
X and H pipes are the intermediate pipe from the headers or manifolds to the cats and back. I don't think the difference is substantial in regards to power, but some believe the X is a little raspier and the H propvides a tad more torque.

9.How do these people get their Marauders to sub-11 seconds without NOS? Is this easy to do without practically replacing the engine?
Those cars run stock heads, stock blocks, stock cams, forged internals for the most part. The recipe isnt that hard actually. Throw as much boost into a built engine/tranny/rear combo, get a good tune, sticky tires, full exhaust, and a good launch. Get you there every time.

10.I’ve seen people have laptops plugged into their cars to view/alter the engine’s performance on the fly, how difficult would this system be to integrate?
Not gonna happen. More $$ than what it's worth. You seem to be pretty new to this stuff and it seems like you are getting in over your head. All you need is a SCT XCal 3 tuner which can hold several tunes. Most go with a street daily driving tune, race tune (race gas, aggresive tune, smaller rear tires, etc.) different pulley size (boost generation), and an emissions tune. Any SCT dealer with a dyno could do this for you no problem, just tell them what you want.

11.The gauges behind the gear selector, I have seen pictures of a boost gauge put in after the supercharger installs – Can the amount of boost being applied by the supercharger be increased/decreased on the fly (with the above mentioned computer)?
No. You need to change the pulley and belt. On a Trilogy its a bit quicker than on a Centrifigual, like a Vortech.

And finally... With the performance modifications, connections/software for the computer... how much will this car cost, adding the $13,000 original assumed price tag?

With all the stuff you want? Add another $10k or more, EASY. That doesn't even include the stereo mumbo jumbo you're talking about.
Sounds like you want an 11 second show car with a sick stereo system. Don't get in over your head, one thing at a time.

Good luck, and welcome.

[Benwin]

You, good sir, are awesome. Thanks for your answers. Like I said, I don't think that money will be an issue, I want a really sharp car that can be reasonably driven, and that will eat these little ***** and their Hondas and Toyotas alive here in Sandusky, but won't look it to the untrained eye until it's far too late.

[bobsawyer7]

:D Sounds like fun!

You, good sir, are awesome. Thanks for your answers. Like I said, I don't think that money will be an issue, I want a really sharp car that can be reasonably driven, and that will eat these little ***** and their Hondas and Toyotas alive here in Sandusky, but won't look it to the untrained eye until it's far too late.

[SC Cheesehead]

I know you're focused on going supercharged right off the bat, but IMO, work your way up to that.

4:10 gears, a good tune, CAI, and exhaust will really wake the car up and will keep the price tag down a bit as well. This will give you a very enjoyable daily driver that will still beat the pants off the majority of ricers on the road.

Keep in mind the more power you put out, the easier it is to break stuff, and THAT can get expensive. ;)

[Benwin]

Terms...
CAI?
NA?

Due to the accident wherein my grand marquis was destroyed (And I was severely injured, lost a vital organ [spleen], spinal injuries, pelvic fractures, sacrum fractured, nerve damage...), I'm looking to get 7-ish figures...

House, debt paid off, Marauder (maybe 2, one for driving, the other to show off), and school -- those are my priorities, and I'm going to invest the rest, and live comfortably... the Marauder will be my baby. I may get a nice Grand Marquis for my "Significant Other" because of the safety of these cars.

If any of you are willing to... my AIM is WhorfWoW (Yeah, used to play WoW...) -- I'd LOVE to hear from you guys...

[CBT]

If any of you are willing to... my AIM is WhorfWoW (Yeah, used to play WoW...) -- I'd LOVE to hear from you guys...

Uhhh....not sure what those mean but if you are looking for a male "friend" Phrog gunner is into that behavior.

[Benwin]

haha, no, I mean I'd love to talk to you Marauder folks in a more immediate method - AIM being AOL Instant Messenger. I mean, if preferred, I can ask questions/learn/lurk here, but I'd like to talk to you folks about what you've done to your cars, the pros/cons, etc...

[CBT]

haha, no, I mean I'd love to talk to you Marauder folks in a more immediate method - AIM being AOL Instant Messenger. I mean, if preferred, I can ask questions/learn/lurk here, but I'd like to talk to you folks about what you've done to your cars, the pros/cons, etc...

Ahhhh, I see. I don't know about all that stuff, I can barely keep up on here much less AIM or AOL. I think there might be some Twitter'ers on here tho.

[SC Cheesehead]

Terms...
CAI?
NA?

...

CAI = Cold Air Intake, JLT, K&N, PHP all have offerings for the Marauder.

NA = Naturally Aspirated vs. SC = Supercharged

[Sully008]

Good day/evening folks.

I've been lurking around on the forums, and, I must say, I'm VERY impressed with this group of people. I am a fan of the big-bodied Grand Marquis (have owned, and subsequently totaled 2 of them - one being NOT my fault), and am going to be getting a *Black* Marauder in the next year or so...

With that said... this is what a 1992 Grand Marquis GS looks like AFTER a 71,000lb semi hits it: http://img505.imageshack.us/img505/4576/img0047d.jpg (Image too big to fit here) I was the driver, thankfully, still alive to type this.

Welcome to the site!

I know the stock Marauder has 302hp, 318lb of torque, 4.6l DOHC Modular V8, air ride suspension, larger rear tires than front, and all kinds of extra goodies that changed from 2003-2004 model years.
I will be able to pour a considerable amount of money into the car, assuming a $13k price tag for the car, my questions are as follows. Please bear with me, and forgive my ignorance. :
1.Which of the 2 model years is best for tuning?

Either car can be tuned equally well. Note that the '04s had a different transmission/torque convertor (4R75W and slightly higher stall speed).

2.How much does the average supercharger kit/install run (I’m close to Trilogy Motorsports, considering my location is Northwestern Ohio)?

Price depends on which kit you get. Install depends on who does it. It can be free if you do it yourself to whatever your local speed shop will charge you.


3.How much added HP will I gain from this addon?

Most kits will add ~150 rwhp and up depending on tuning.

4.How will the supercharger impact gas mileage?

Depends on how heavy your right foot is. :D My car with the Trilogy has lost some mileage, but I didn't buy the car to be a gas sipper.

5.Should I spring for an intercooler? Will this significantly increase HP? What are the pros/cons?

The Trilogy comes with a water to air intercooling system. Other systems can come with an air to air or water to air system, or none at all.

6.I’ve read posts about a 4100 stall converter – What are the pros/cons?

4100 is too high for a street application. Most members have either a 3000 or 3500 stall converter. I have a 3000rpm.

7.I’d like to get 4.10 gears put in the rear-end, to increase launch speeds (I want this to be a quick-off-the-start car)- how will this impact gas mileage?

Typically you loose ~1-2 mpg with 4.10s installed.

8.X, H, pipes, long pipes – what are they, what do they do?
I want my car to have a nice, deep, throaty exhaust, but planned on putting an electric gate in between the catalytic converters and the mufflers so I can run “open headers” should I decide I want to show off at the local car shows.

What they are/do has been stated above. Sound is subjective. I have a 2.5" X-pipe w/Magnaflow 18" mufflers and I love the sound of it.

9.How do these people get their Marauders to sub-11 seconds without NOS? Is this easy to do without practically replacing the engine?

There are quite a few Marauders running 11s without breaking into the engine. Most run a S/C with higher boost, 4.10s, torque converter, headers (either shorty or long tube), and most importantly, drag radials.

And some semi-mechanical questions.
I will have an in-car computer complete with in-dash touch screen (replacing the Double-DIN head unit), Wi-Fi, GPS, Satellite Radio, bluetooth, and external storage connectors (USB ports are going to replace where the clock is) It will be a full computer, running Windows, etc…
10.I’ve seen people have laptops plugged into their cars to view/alter the engine’s performance on the fly, how difficult would this system be to integrate?
I am pretty sure I can get a kit that will allow the stock audio controls to function through an aftermarket unit, so that’s not a huge concern.

Can't comment on the tuning aspect, but if you want to check out mp3car.com, they do a lot of in-car computers.

11.The gauges behind the gear selector, I have seen pictures of a boost gauge put in after the supercharger installs – Can the amount of boost being applied by the supercharger be increased/decreased on the fly (with the above mentioned computer)?

Again, as stated above, increasing boost on a S/C requires a pulley change and depending on how small a pulley, a belt change.

How much room is there in the compartment where the stock radio is? How deep (from faceplate to the nearest obstacle in the back) is that compartment?
The stock sound system is, from what I hear, pretty nice… But I want to replace all of the stock speakers with something more high-end – perhaps some nice JVC Arsenal series (Or whatever is top of the line when I get the car), and where the stock spare is, I plan on having a custom box built for that upper deck, and a pair of nice 10” subs going in.

There is enough depth in the dash to fit a double DIN radio. The stock system is not that good. Here is a link to my system: http://mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=30834&highlight=my+stereo+system

Also check out BAD MERC, as he has a wicked install as well.

And finally... With the performance modifications, connections/software for the computer... how much will this car cost, adding the $13,000 original assumed price tag?

To do everything that I did to my car using generic pricing, probably would cost ~$15,000 not including the car. Thankfully, I did most of the work myself.


Thanks in advance!




Don


See replies in RED.

[Benwin]

Welcome to the site!

Thank you!

Either car can be tuned equally well. Note that the '04s had a different transmission/torque convertor (4R75W and slightly higher stall speed). - 4100 is too high for a street application. Most members have either a 3000 or 3500 stall converter. I have a 3000rpm. -

Sorry, but can you explain what this means? I'm still very confused... what exactly does the torque converter do? I've read up on it some, but, still... O.o (I'm a computer/car audio person myself)

Price depends on which kit you get. Install depends on who does it. It can be free if you do it yourself to whatever your local speed shop will charge you.

I have the technical expertise of a 10-year-old kid under the hood... I can do mundane things like spark plugs/wires, air filter, oil changes, topping fluids off, etc... I will be paying someone to install the kit. Also, which kit do you recommend? Please note, I am closer to Trilogy Motorsports than any of the other S/C retailers that I've seen. If they're not the best performance/price, who is?

Most kits will add ~150 rwhp and up depending on tuning.

Hot... I'd like to get ~500 rwhp out of the car, if possible. My goal is to have a mean Marauder, through and through, but still be relatively drivable day-to-day.

Depends on how heavy your right foot is. :D My car with the Trilogy has lost some mileage, but I didn't buy the car to be a gas sipper.

26 years old, driving for 10 years, three speeding tickets, one not my fault (Did you know that the speed limit drops 10mph in Texas at night...?). Not overly heavy, but I've never had a car that warranted a heavy foot. I'm not TOO concerned with gas mileage, but I don't want a car that measures mileage in gallons to the mile.

The Trilogy comes with a water to air intercooling system. Other systems can come with an air to air or water to air system, or none at all.

Now, I understand that the intercooler cools the air going into the intake, so it's more dense, and that improves combustion... right? Is there a DOWNSIDE to an intercooled system?

What they are/do has been stated above. Sound is subjective. I have a 2.5" X-pipe w/Magnaflow 18" mufflers and I love the sound of it.

I want it to be loud, but not so loud that people look at it and go "He's got something under that hood..." I want it to be rumbly, not rattly, I don't want a car that sounds like these little ricers with their card-in-spokes exhausts, but with bigger balls...

There are quite a few Marauders running 11s without breaking into the engine. Most run a S/C with higher boost, 4.10s, torque converter, headers (either shorty or long tube), and most importantly, drag radials.

When doing some research on the torque converters, I saw something about replacing the cam with a "hot" cam? What? I'm going for quick-off-the-line... I know the car will still beat the little ricers in top-end, but I DEFINITELY want to beat them off the line...

Now, as far as the stereo goes... I will be buying all of my components/wires/amps/speakers/subs through a wholesaler, as I am a reseller of car audio equipment. It will all be professionally installed, however. Thanks for the link to www.mp3car.com!

[CRUZTAKER]

I'm not concerned about gas mileage, I just want to know how much of an impact it's going to have......

Modified nicely, it will still get 21-24 on the highway.
Around town...all bets are off.
If you enjoy driving in general, you will never take your foot out it lol. :D

Welcome new Buckeye ! :welcome:

[Green96]

I agree with the others, 4100 stall is way too high in my opinion for a daily driver. In addition, the high stall converter it intended to get you to the motor's power band as quickly as possible off the line. If you do supercharge it, you will have a lot low RPM power and a high stall converter might actually slow you down. Some have said that the stock stall speed is just about perfect for a car with a supercharger, but I do not know from experience. I am a little lacking in the boost department.

[Sully008]

Sorry, but can you explain what this means? I'm still very confused... what exactly does the torque converter do? I've read up on it some, but, still... O.o (I'm a computer/car audio person myself)

Check out the FAQs section here: http://converter.com/ It will answer all your questions.

I have the technical expertise of a 10-year-old kid under the hood... I can do mundane things like spark plugs/wires, air filter, oil changes, topping fluids off, etc... I will be paying someone to install the kit. Also, which kit do you recommend? Please note, I am closer to Trilogy Motorsports than any of the other S/C retailers that I've seen. If they're not the best performance/price, who is?

S/Cs used to be a hotly debated topic here, do a search, determine exactly what you want your car to do, and go from there. I waited 4 years before I could afford my Trilogy, and I'm extremely happy with it. Others are extremely happy with a Vortec, Procharger or Paxton. You really can't go wrong with any of them.

Hot... I'd like to get ~500 rwhp out of the car, if possible. My goal is to have a mean Marauder, through and through, but still be relatively drivable day-to-day.

Majority of members state ~450 rwhp is the "safe" max for a car that has stock internals/transmission. There are several over that mark, but usually you're on borrowed time before something blows up.


Now, I understand that the intercooler cools the air going into the intake, so it's more dense, and that improves combustion... right? Is there a DOWNSIDE to an intercooled system?

You are correct. One potential downside is a slight loss of boost (~2-4psi), that usually is made up with increased timing.

I want it to be loud, but not so loud that people look at it and go "He's got something under that hood..." I want it to be rumbly, not rattly, I don't want a car that sounds like these little ricers with their card-in-spokes exhausts, but with bigger balls...

My car is fairly quiet on the inside until I hit the go pedal. No drone at highway speeds. I have a clip somewhere comparing the stock exhaust to my modified one. I'll see if I can find it.

When doing some research on the torque converters, I saw something about replacing the cam with a "hot" cam? What? I'm going for quick-off-the-line... I know the car will still beat the little ricers in top-end, but I DEFINITELY want to beat them off the line...

Not too many people have switched cams. The cost/hp is not there. One of the few members that has done it is "Master", but he also converted to a six speed manual transmission and has gone supercharged.





See above.:D

[Benwin]

You are correct. One potential downside is a slight loss of boost (~2-4psi), that usually is made up with increased timing.

Loss of boost = increased timing?
Sorry for my ignorance... I want to learn as much as possible, and reading through forums is only so useful... when I ask a direct question and get a direct answer, it helps more than just reading "this is what I did" threads.

[Sully008]

Because the air temperature is cooled by the intercooler, it is more dense. It may allow for a little more timing to compensate.


You are correct. One potential downside is a slight loss of boost (~2-4psi), that usually is made up with increased timing.

Loss of boost = increased timing?
Sorry for my ignorance... I want to learn as much as possible, and reading through forums is only so useful... when I ask a direct question and get a direct answer, it helps more than just reading "this is what I did" threads.

[Mr. Man]

You should make an attempt to come to Marauderville in Indy this year(see threads for more info). There will be many members there w/ the gamut of mods. If Sherm or Mongoose show they have some outrageous mods and super quick cars. Lots of guys come that have S/C's and we all like to talk about our cars, especially Doom, he'll be there in his S/C pending no rain and there is a canopy at the hotel. One guy and his wife showed up at the Kentucky meet w/ steelies and snow tires and they were the buzz the whole meet as everyone else was so jealous that they weren't worried about leaving with threatening snow showers coming.