Top End Limiter

[jabird56]

Yep!, the limiter does work on my 2003 Marauder 300A, 120MPH has been achieved. Is there a way to plug in a computer and turn the limiter off or set it higher? Or do I need to replace the chip?

[bigslim]

Car handles 120 pretty good. Mine is real stable at that speed.

[Mongoose]

turn the limiter off or set it higher?

jabird56, welcome to the best MM site

Before you try to go any faster you might want to research why the limit is set where it is, specifically the drive shaft limitation. Do a search on the metal matrix drive shaft. IMHO the easiest way to remove the limiter is to go with a chip. You'll get more bang for your buck

[greyghost]

Jabird, Get ahold of Dennis Reinhart, on of our sponsors and get your chip modified by him. And as Mongoose said you really should spring for a new drive shaft as the stock one is why the car is limited to 120 MPH.

[CRUZTAKER]

Yes sir, there is a reason for that limiter. The wheels, tires and suspension can handle more, but the stock drive shaft is not rated for much more that continuous 117mph. It will resonate the rear end something fierce, and in the long term cause gear damage.

A chip or EEC reflash will dump the limiter, that the only way to get around it. Find MMX comp. PI driveshaft while their are still some left. We posted recently a list of locations that still have them, and they are as low as $180.

Good luck and Welcome!

-B

[jfclancy]

only 120?
Where you guys driving anyway?

Joe Clancy

[jgc61sr2002]

jabird56 - Welcome aboard. Where are you driving 120 MPH? Keep that up and your new name will be jailbird. Driving a that speed is dangerous to yourself and other motorists. IMHO.

[Ross]

Welcome, jabird. There are a number of people on this site who have gone to an aftermarket driveshaft for the reasons stated above. I have gone to 130 and the car felt very smooth, no vibration. I don't argue with the physics explained by people who are smarter than I am on the issue, just reporting my own experiences. Either way, a chip will give you a better driving experience for other reasons, even if you never hit 120 again.

[greyghost]

jgc61sr2002

Jeez just what I need someone telling me I am going to hurt myself or others. When they put the rapists and the baby killers in jail I'll quit speeding. Max I have gone on a public road was 165 MPH on the NJ Turnpike. So sue me!!!

[Pantherman]

Most production Marauder driveshafts will stand considerably more than 120 mph. Because of small variances (and not just balance) from driveshaft to driveshaft, however, some few will have a problem at 120.9999 mph. The onset of resonance can occur with little warning. If you bypass the limiter without going to a MMX driveshaft, and your shaft plus part of your transmission suddenly drop to the pavement at 140 mph, you will immediately understand why Ford chose the top speed they did.

[greyghost]

That would be awesome. Maybe even pole vault with the driveshaft it the front lets go. Street cars are not required to have a drive shaft loop like race cars. Wow, what an idea.

[Hemlock]

DENNIS CAN SUPPLY A CORRECT DRIVESHAFT(HE SOLD ME MINE ) YOU WILL BE GLAD YOU DID . HAVE 40,000+ MILES , AND NO VIBES . CHEERS!!

[SergntMac]

Okay okay, let's get a handle on the wise-azz stuff. J-Bird is from Nebraska, and I've been to Nebraska. Y'all could drive at 140 MPH until you need fuel, which is all the more reason J-Bird should get the right 411 before we start chewing on each other? Omaha has a rush hour too, I suppose, so what if it's probably more like 15 minutes when compared to some midwest and eastern locales...

J-Bird...Most of the 411 offered here is meant in good will. There is a complication with the OEM drive train that causes LM to set a 120 MPH limitation. After all, the car is sold nationwide, no telling where it will end up winding up, eh? The speed limitation is probably a good thing in this wider scope, if you don't mind L/M being your mommy.

When the OEM drive shaft exceeds 6000 RPM, it will distort and "whip" off center. This causes a vibration you cannot ignore, objects in your mirrors will make you believe you're still on that 3-day bender from your college days. This "out of round" is very hard on tail shaft/pinion bearings and seals. Driving 120 time after time without addressing this will result in seriious disappointment, and the drive shaft could possibly give up, though no reports of that have been posted here. I've read about a few replaced bearings and seals, but no one I can remember has reported loosing the drive shaft.

Nonetheless, this vibration is upsetting and worrisome, and it doesn't have to be so. If you are watching your tach, the only time our drive shaft nears this danger zone is in 3rd gear, OD off. If you are driving at 120 MPH with the green OD light showing on your dash, you are pushing your luck.

If you upgrade the rear end gears to something taller than the OEM 3:55 ratio, this vibration will occur at likewise RPM, but lower MPH. If this is your plan, it's best to include the MMC (metal matrix composite) drive shaft in your upgrade plan. The MMC has it's own "whip" limitations, but they are well above our access, and need to worry about.

Some here have had some luck with drive shafts from the 1999-2000 Crown Vic Police Interceptor drive shaft, you may want to ask about that. But, this alternative has a snag, which is better explained as "you get what you pay for."

I've been in your shoes, J-Bird, I've had to decide what to do, if anything at all. I argued with many here about the need to just chuck the OEM shaft and automatically buy the mandated fix preached here. I held out as long as I could, but found myself in favor of the MMC for another reason, drive line torque and drive line strength. I suggest that you do the same, hold out.

If you're driving above 120 MPH on a regular basis, drop me a line at SergntMac@aol.com for more advice. Until your "seat-of-the-pants" tells you otherwise, watch your mirrors and drive on.

Hell ain't half full yet, right?

[deerejoe]

A radar gun would have to verify my top end speed; as the indicated speed is no where near 120 when the limiter kicks in!!

Maybe that Camaro driver could have told me if I could have kept up with him!!

[deerejoe]

As for vibration...the road has to be real rough for me to feel anything like that at my top end...this car is smooth as butter, quiet as a grave yard and conservative as a drunk out on bail!!

[Jack McKenzie]

I'm getting the DIABLO chip, K & N filter and TORNADO airflow system for mine when I get my tax return. This should give my car a little more omfff! I'll decide later on whether I'll get the MMX driveshaft...

[junehhan]

Jack, please don't tell me you really believe that Tornado thing will work? That's is literally one of the biggest scams to hit the automotive market...........

[jfclancy]

Well all three of my speeding tickets indicate my speedometer is pretty close, there is actually a road in Nevada where once a year
you can go as fast as you want. My personal top speed was at 183 in a Porche in Germany long long ago. From other threads on this site it is recommened you "girdle up" for high speeds But what the hell Hemlock said his has run 141 and is smooth at that speed.
Joe Clancy

[woaface]

Originally posted by greyghost
jgc61sr2002

Jeez just what I need someone telling me I am going to hurt myself or others. When they put the rapists and the baby killers in jail I'll quit speeding. Max I have gone on a public road was 165 MPH on the NJ Turnpike. So sue me!!!

DAMN! Ya sound like my navy brother! He was just honorably discharged from the Navy because of his health. He was a nuke ET on board the U.S.S Kentucky! He loved his job, but now he'll be looking elsewheres. He's "stationed" in Washington state right now, before that he was in Kings Bay.

[greyghost]

Woaface,

Wow, I understand as I was in the USN for 30 yrs and all but 3 yrs was in the Nuc Sub Community. Was a Nuc Mechanic for 20 yrs, and then went forward and was a Chief of the Watch and Diving Officer among other things. Never got on one of the Ohio Class Boomers but had a lot of fun on one of the Los Angeles Class Fast Attacks. Nucs always get good jobs in the civilian community because they have so much to offer. I remember Kings Bay when it still belonged to the Army and was on one of the first Boomers to operate out of there. Wouldn’t know what it looked like now after billions of dollars spent developing the place.

[SergntMac]

Voice over commentator:

"This Hallmark moment was brought to you by the MercuryMarauder dot net. Please drive safely over the upcoming holiday weekends, and arrive alive. Please do not drink and drive, being a designated driver is an honor among friends. Prices may vary, check your local distributor."

[Richy63]

Buck 65, nukes Oh My God. Okay I did the great basin highway in Nevada at a buck 30, ran it 110 from Kingman AZ to Boulder Damn. (Yes I got the programmer) No vibrations, however my 99 CV Police Intercepter was recalled for the drive shaft and it looked suspisciously like the Marauder shaft, the reason for the recall was vibration at high speeds. If I was going to constantly run 140 I would get the other shaft, or if I start feeling vibrations I will get the better shaft. But traveling in excess of 200 feet per second on a public road, I think the driveshaft comming off is the least of my worries.

[woaface]

Originally posted by Richy63
But traveling in excess of 200 feet per second on a public road, I think the driveshaft comming off is the least of my worries.

Unless that begins to cause troubles;)

I finally put to rest what the top speed of the Marquis was...I can't get it past 110...and I won't be chipping it or putting a MMDS on it anytime in the near future...so I won't be worring about driveshaft vibrations.

[woaface]

I hear Kings Bay is quite hot and humid during the summer. The brother said the center caps on the rims of his Jetta fell off after the heat softened the glue. I don't think anyones had a problem like that with their Maruader's eh!? Stupid VW...

[jabird56]

To All, Thanks for the comments. I'll go off and ponder... As for the Nukes, I was 20 yrs Navy. With my job here in the Heartland at USSTRATCOM I've been able to go out on a OHIO class boomer out of Bangor, Washington. WHAT A TRIP! :-)