After two weeks of ownership some feedback

[JimP]

Ok, I've had the car for two weeks now, it's an 03 Blue with about 70,000 miles on it. Things I like and dislike.

The ride is great, the mileage is fine, I get about 300 miles, or 500 kilometers on a full tank of mostly city 60/40 driving with some spirited driving thrown in for good measure. The car gets some nice complements and stares, power is adequate but I i'll be looking to improve a bit.

I find that the transmission shifts into the high gears way too quickly, lock up in third occurs at approximately 30 miles per hour, by 40 I am in fourth with the converter locked. I have added added a CAI, and will add a tune and prob some 4.10's as I have a set which I was going to install in a Mustang I used to own.

As for the tune I have yet to decide on which one, if others can chime in that would be great. I think most delay lock up, firm up and delay and shift points which should really change the way the car feels.

On a cold start after sitting over night, I get the slightest puff of what looks like blueish smoke, it clears up in a matter of seconds and I don't smell oil. No leaks from what I can see. Overall the car seems to have held up very well.

Tires.... they seem hard to find, but I'm doing my homework. With my GN it's easy Mickey Thompson E/T streets on the rear, it was the same for the stang (now sold to cousin).

It's too bad the snow is going to fly here and I have to put it away until the spring. At least that will give me some time to stock up on some goodies so I can make this Marauder even better. Tune, Tune-up, all fluid and filter changes and a good detail job in the spring, then I'll take some better pics.

Am I missing anything that I should consider doing?

[BigCars4Ever]

Welcome! The first thing I did was install a tune because of the 30mph shift. Lots of good tunes out there but wait till the 4:10's are in.

[Ms. Denmark]

I'd have to agree! ^^^^^^^^:)

[LANDY]

if ou ent comfortable withthe way the trans shift get a scal2 and holler @ zack. he's got the goods on that portion.
i have had Lidio's and DR's and was about to get Zacks trans tune for the car before i wrecked it, but my next one will have it.

[JimP]

should I be concerned about the small puff of blue smoke on initial start up after sitting over night?

It only last for a few seconds, less than 3-5 and it's gone, I don't smell oil. Is this common / uncommon? The engine doesn't make any noise what so ever, starts right up and purrs. Forgive the newbie type question, have never owned a DOHC 32 valve engine before. All my muscle cars have been older Detroit iron.

[LANDY]

should I be concerned about the small puff of blue smoke on initial start up after sitting over night?

It only last for a few seconds, less than 3-5 and it's gone, I don't smell oil. Is this common / uncommon? The engine doesn't make any noise what so ever, starts right up and purrs. Forgive the newbie type question, have never owned a DOHC 32 valve engine before. All my muscle cars have been older Detroit iron.
my car always did it on cold starts. nothing to worry about.
thats wha i think.
please correct me if im wrong

[babbage]

The puff on start usually are dirty valve seals - they leak and the oil drips into the cylinders. Try some Auto-RX treatment to clean and recondition the seals.

Nice GN! Welcome to the site.

[UncleLar]

J Mod while you have the trans pan dropped.

[Bluerauder]

As for the tune I have yet to decide on which one, if others can chime in that would be great. I think most delay lock up, firm up and delay and shift points which should really change the way the car feels.

I have the SCT Live Wire with the Reinhart tune. Am quite happy with it. Shifts are firm and the premature lock up is delayed until 50 mph or so. Much, much better than the OEM tune. Car doesn't hunt between 2-3-2-3 anymore at slower speeds. Lidio (Alternative Automotive) and Zack also offer tunes.


should I be concerned about the small puff of blue smoke on initial start up after sitting over night?

This has been a common issue here since the beginning. Some cars have been doing it for 6-7 years with no real problems. Seems to be more prevalent with the '03 300A early build cars. My Blue MM has done it only on occasion and usually after a cold start and a quick shut down (like moving it out of the driveway and then back in). I wouldn't worry too much about a small puff of blue smoke unless it gets noticeably worse or even more frequent.

[justbob]

I bought mine 100% stock with 13,000 miles and less than a year old. It has "puffed" since the very first day as like most. It's just a warning of a 32V getting ready to pound on the competition.

[JimP]

I bought mine 100% stock with 13,000 miles and less than a year old. It has "puffed" since the very first day as like most. It's just a warning of a 32V getting ready to pound on the competition.


LOL, oh thanks for the feedback guys, I am a perfectionist and even the little things can bother me a lot if they are not perfect. I'll try not to worry about this, I'll also pick up some Auto Rx. Been reading up on the JMod too seems pretty straight forward. I guess I should throw in a 3,500 stall converter while I am under there, seems logical, no!

Just need to convince my wife that this is normal maintenance. She puts up with my spending but you never know.

[justbob]

FYI, You don't need to remove the trans for a Jmod. It is a 2-3 hour deal that costs $3.50 for two gaskets and new oil/filter.

[UncleLar]

LOL, oh thanks for the feedback guys, I am a perfectionist and even the little things can bother me a lot if they are not perfect. I'll try not to worry about this, I'll also pick up some Auto Rx. Been reading up on the JMod too seems pretty straight forward. I guess I should throw in a 3,500 stall converter while I am under there, seems logical, no!

Just need to convince my wife that this is normal maintenance. She puts up with my spending but you never know.

If you're planning on supercharging it in the future you may want to hold off the new convertor and 4.10 gears until you see what the many "boosted" guys have to say about them.

[Marauderman]

First Stage to give it a good kick:

1. 4:10 Gears--they are 8.8
2. Colders plugs--NGK-s are good
3. Colder therm--to 180 degrees
4. Tune for this with firm shifts , with first quick and hard, then stretch out those shift points a bit like those tune mentioned.

Next stage:

* headers, brakes up front upgrade, rear sway bar to 31 spline and upgrade those rear control arms both upper and lower, the girdle kit.

* Next, drive shaft to MMDX or able to take it over 120MPH for a while.

* Exhaust--complete min of clear 2 &1/2 back to the 3 " tails , remove two cats and use Magnaflows 18 " Mufflers- some prefer other exhaust--

* Get it re tuned again and dynoed by this point for sure.

* Now get bigger tires--we can talk sizes later--and wheels maybe extended --keeping same ones you have--

That should get you started........have fun-Tom

[Spectragod]

First Stage to give it a good kick:

1. 4:10 Gears--they are 8.8
2. Colders plugs--NGK-s are good
3. Colder therm--to 180 degrees
4. Tune for this with firm shifts , with first quick and hard, then stretch out those shift points a bit like those tune mentioned.

Next stage:

* headers, brakes up front upgrade, rear sway bar to 31 spline and upgrade those rear control arms both upper and lower, the girdle kit.

* Next, drive shaft to MMDX or able to take it over 120MPH for a while.

* Exhaust--complete min of clear 2 &1/2 back to the 3 " tails , remove two cats and use Magnaflows 18 " Mufflers- some prefer other exhaust--

* Get it re tuned again and dynoed by this point for sure.

* Now get bigger tires--we can talk sizes later--and wheels maybe extended --keeping same ones you have--

That should get you started........have fun-Tom

Uhhh Ohhh, I did it wrong, got the twin screw first, then figured out what the car needed.... which was, headers & cats, brakes F&R, control arms, performance transmission, glad I'm done with the expensive stuff....

Nice pictures, your kinda short for being in your 30's. :D

[RF Overlord]

Welcome to the club, JimP

The slight puff is "normal"...meaning that many cars have never done it, many have always done it, and the rest are in between like my Phoebe...she does it once in a while for no discernible reason. The general consensus is that it's nothing to worry about unless it gets markedly or suddenly worse.

[DOOM]

:welcome: to the site.

:congrats: on the car.

[blackhueys]

dont forget the basics as well when ever I get a new car i always change the oil and other fluids, check the plugs. clean or change airfilter change fuel filter clean the MAF and throttle body as well. then I take it out in to the country at night with a can of seafoam and run that through. do a full detail inside and out with a good wax job. detail the engine up( a clean engine is nice to look at but it also helps run cooler and can show you where leaks may be sooner as well) Check tires and psi including spare. make sure that all of the stuff to change the flat is in the car and where it is supposed to be(dont ask just trust me). check all lights inside and out. make sure everything works like it should. check coolant to make sure it is good for whatever area I live in and or may travel too. get charging system checked including battery. Make sure wipers are good and work correctly. clean outside of radiator of bugs and stuff. this is just some of what I do when I get a new to me car. Hope you like your new ride and welcome to the site dont be afraid to ask questions we are here to help I know I have learned alot here and at the other site.

[CWright]

:burnout:
First Stage to give it a good kick:

1. 4:10 Gears--they are 8.8
2. Colders plugs--NGK-s are good
3. Colder therm--to 180 degrees
4. Tune for this with firm shifts , with first quick and hard, then stretch out those shift points a bit like those tune mentioned.

Next stage:

* headers, brakes up front upgrade, rear sway bar to 31 spline and upgrade those rear control arms both upper and lower, the girdle kit.

* Next, drive shaft to MMDX or able to take it over 120MPH for a while.

* Exhaust--complete min of clear 2 &1/2 back to the 3 " tails , remove two cats and use Magnaflows 18 " Mufflers- some prefer other exhaust--

* Get it re tuned again and dynoed by this point for sure.

* Now get bigger tires--we can talk sizes later--and wheels maybe extended --keeping same ones you have--

That should get you started........have fun-Tom

I am most of the way there on all these. Fun money is out for this year. I will be posting my latest change a little later on. Marauderman is aware of the changes. Should be ready soon. Good luck with your car. I started with Dennis Reinhart sct tune in summer of 08'. Really liked and it pepped up the car along with changing the shifting points. I then added what is in my signature a few months ago. BIG DIFFERENCE!!!!:burnout: It's alot of fun. You'll enjoy. Welcome!:beer:

[Marauderman]

Uhhh Ohhh, I did it wrong, got the twin screw first, then figured out what the car needed.... which was, headers & cats, brakes F&R, control arms, performance transmission, glad I'm done with the expensive stuff....

Sometimes all horse and no cart tend to shred the cart before it catches up.....can be an unfortunate mishandling which causes some real bad situations if not careful...hope you have proportion it all out by now...........

[WPG_Merc]

Congrats Another Canadian MM owner.:welcome1:
Save for the Kooks headers/Magnaflo system,Mine is a beast. :beer:

[Big Black Beast]

I usually drive w/ the overdrive off in the city, otherwise it's a constant festival of alternating lugging and down shifting.

[LIGHTNIN1]

The tune will be the best money spent. I have the SCT with the Dennis Reinhart tune which made the world of difference, but as others said the other people are satisfied with other tunes.My car is an early 300A with 26K miles and has started the smoke on startup on occasion you mentioned. Hope you enjoy the car.

[MADRODER]

Welcome, nice to see another member from Ontario............if you don't mind the drive go see Lidio at Alternative Automotive for your tune he's always giving 1st class service and is extremely personable.