Anybody make suspension upgrades besides the typical?

[REAL4WD]

I dont have a Marauder yet, but i have looked up suspension upgrades. so i know all about the addco swaybars, metco/sparta watts link, and the metco/sparta/heinous rear control arms

i was wondering if anybody made:

-strut tower brace / monte carlo bar?

-tubular front control arms?

-subframe connectors - I believe i read on CVN about kenny brown making subframe connectors for panthers, i dont think they are being made anymore though.

i used the search function and got hits from posts from 2004 but no luck.

Thanks in advance

[fastblackmerc]

I dont have a Marauder yet, but i have looked up suspension upgrades. so i know all about the addco swaybars, metco/sparta watts link, and the metco/sparta/heinous rear control arms

i was wondering if anybody made:

-strut tower brace / monte carlo bar?
No, there are no strut tower in a Marauder, therefore you don't need a brace.

-tubular front control arms?
If they are made it's all custom and would cost you an arm & leg.

-subframe connectors - I believe i read on CVN about kenny brown making subframe connectors for panthers, i dont think they are being made anymore though.
The Marauder has a full frame, therefore you don't need subframe connectors. There were never any panthers that were unibody.

i used the search function and got hits from posts from 2004 but no luck.

Thanks in advance

[SC Cheesehead]

I dont have a Marauder yet, but i have looked up suspension upgrades. so i know all about the addco swaybars, metco/sparta watts link, and the metco/sparta/heinous rear control arms

i was wondering if anybody made:

-strut tower brace / monte carlo bar?
No, there are no strut tower in a Marauder, therefore you don't need a brace.

-tubular front control arms?
If they are made it's all custom and would cost you an arm & leg.

-subframe connectors - I believe i read on CVN about kenny brown making subframe connectors for panthers, i dont think they are being made anymore though.
The Marauder has a full frame, therefore you don't need subframe connectors. There were never any panthers that were unibody.

i used the search function and got hits from posts from 2004 but no luck.

Thanks in advance[/QUOTE]

^^^^^ What he said. ^^^^^^

Also, you'll be pleasantly surprised what larger front and rear sway bars, aftermarket control arms and a Watts link will do for the handling on these cars.

I'd go that route first before trying to reinvent the wheel.

[MOTOWN]

Excellent advice from the first two posters! the marauder cam with a great suspension from the factory, some metco control arms, watts link, and addcos, and you wont recognize your marauder!

[SC Cheesehead]

Excellent advice from the first two posters! the marauder cam with a great suspension from the factory, some metco control arms, watts link, and addcos, and you wont recognize your marauder!

Yup, there have been a few Marauders thusly equipped that have surprised the heck out of folks on an autocross course.

[MM2004]

Yep!

I added the Anti-Sway bars first and really liked how it improved the MM's handling.

Then, I added the upper and lower Control Arms, and made a HUGE difference.

Add the above mods together,... A whole different handling car!

:D

Mike.

[MOTOWN]

Im looking forward to ordering my metco watts link next week cant wait!

[Smalldogg/03mm]

Yep!

I added the Anti-Sway bars first and really liked how it improved the MM's handling.

Then, I added the upper and lower Control Arms, and made a HUGE difference.

Add the above mods together,... A whole different handling car!

:D

Mike.

So, do the ball joints, upper and lower come with the upper and lower control arms.. The reason I ask is that I'm do for some lower ball joints.. Might as well replace them... Any help will help.. Thanks. Antoine

[MM2004]

So, do the ball joints, upper and lower come with the upper and lower control arms.. The reason I ask is that I'm do for some lower ball joints.. Might as well replace them... Any help will help.. Thanks. Antoine

The control arms are for the rear of the car.

I have not done any mods to the front suspension minus the front anti-sway bar.

;)

Mike.

[REAL4WD]

OH! lol. thanks.

i have a 2000 CVPI and i am fairly pleased with it.

i want to upgrade to a Marauder though and been looking up information in the mean time while looking for one.

[napolitano]

I thought I read somewhere that the watts link did little to improve handling. What exactly do they do?

[fastblackmerc]

I thought I read somewhere that the watts link did little to improve handling. What exactly do they do?

The Watts link keeps the rear end located properly.

The first handling mod I did was Addco sway bars front and rear. Big improvement in keeping the car level in the turns.

Next I installed Metco upper & lower rear control arms. Another big improvement in handling.

Last I added a Metco Watts link. I'm sure there is an improvement but it's was not as pronounced as was the sway bars & rear control arms. In other words I couldn't feel the difference.

I'd still replace the OEM Watts link just because it's made the same as the upper & lower rear control arms...... stamped steel. They look like they are made out of aluminum foil compared to the aftermarket components.

BTW... I think you get the most improvement when replacing the rear control arms when you upgrade the bushings, since I believe they do most of the work.

[Mr. Man]

Like FBM said the factory stamped CA's and Watt's links can twist under heavy load. The car is 4200lbs empty so heavy cornering and launch loads are not hard to imagine.

We have the Sparta CA's and Watt's link on the SB along with the Addco's F/R. The boxed design keeps everything where it's supposed to be and transfers energy to where it needs to go. You lose some of that capability with the factory stamped parts.

Highly recommend if you like twisty roads. Note though it will still not handle like a Ferrari but you will be able to enjoy the car more and you might even surprise a few ricers that you are hangin with them:)

[napolitano]

Thanks for the info guys. Another mod to the to do list.