Touring Marauder

[bob35222]

Hi Everybody,

I'm awaiting delivery of a silver '04 Marauder scheduled to arrive first week in Nov. The car will be used primarily for long distance trips, above 600 miles one way. Maybe twice a year it will make the AL-CA-AL run for visits with the daughter and granddaughter.

Having read with interest the information on many performance modifications I would like to know what installing the 4:10 rear end does to engine rpm at highway speeds. I might do headers, chip and swaybar but would want to keep rpm down on these long trips. Thanks for any information.
Bob

[2003_MM_FYRE49]

Hi Bob and welcome to our MM site. A lot of the guys here have installed the 4:10's and are reporting that they are getting about 22 to 23 MPG at 75 MPH. I'm not sure what RPM they are running but if you do a search I know Logan posted the RPM differances between the 3:55's and the 4:10's. I personnaly opted to keep the 3:55 ratio and couldn't be happier. I recently made a trip to Colorado and I got 24.1 MPG @ 80 MPH. At 80 MPH my engine is turning about 2250 RPM's. My worst fuel milage on the trip was 22.7 MPG driving through the Rocky Mountains. Hope this helps you.

Tim :fire: 49

P.S. Make sure you also install the sway bar that Dennis sells, you won't regret the purchase if you are going to be doing a lot of highway driving.

[Smokie]

I'm awaiting delivery of a silver '04 Marauder scheduled to arrive first week in Nov. The car will be used primarily for long distance trips, above 600 miles one way. Maybe twice a year it will make the AL-CA-AL run for visits with the daughter and granddaughter.

The primary and perhaps the only reason to change gears is to improve the launch from a dead start and lower your ET"s at a track. There are mods that will improve the launch quite a bit without gears, so it's a matter of driving style and preference. Not knowing at what speeds you "cruise" at; if you choose gears I recommend you also get the MMD Matrix driveshaft because gears will increase the "possibility" of a drive line vibration. I have modest mods and I'm very happy with performance results without gears, 24 mpg at 80 mph. Cruises smooth as silk up to 100 mph. I wish you the very best on your new purchase.:D

[Ross]

Welcome to the club. There have been a number of past posts on this subject. The general numbers I've seen posted are that the 4.10's will make you run about 300 RPM higher at 70 mph. Guys who have posted say that you really don't notice the difference on the highway in terms of engine speed or "feel" of the ride. If you don't drive aggressively, and you don't want a quick launch, gears might not be the mod for you, IMHO.

[amerikan]

If you want to keep the RPMS down and also the MPG down, stick with the stock 3.55 gears. RPMs went up around 300 and my MPG went down 4..ehhkk. Great car, you wont be sorry.

[RoyLPita]

Welcome aboard Bob. I'm looking into a silver MM for myself. One day I will have one.

[bob35222]

Thanks for the comments. I'll wait for the car (soon now) and maybe add a few mods but keep the stock rear end. Bob