Ex-Honda guy looking to learn more about the suspension on these things.

[thenext]

http://oi40.tinypic.com/jshdn8.jpg
http://oi44.tinypic.com/2ewyv15.jpg
First off, here she is. I got an 03 Grand Marquis with a few hundred miles short of 100,000 for $5,000. I am to understand they are pretty much the same as a Marauder and with a few changes, it can even be turned into one. Now, I used to be big into the Honda scene and I know all about coilovers and 4cylinder engines but this vehicle is a little alien to me. I have had it for a week and I already love it! I have been looking into replacing the air for springs before the bags go out. What can you guys tell me about the differences between the front and rear suspension? I am pretty excited to have this car, hope to learn more about it. So experts, school me in how the suspension is set up in these thing!

[MOTOWN]

Sure a GM can be turned into a MM, just head to a dealership with a MM and trade in your GM!

[thenext]

I have been told the only real difference is the front and rear end, 60 more horse, a stiffer suspension, and a different gear ratio. Still looking for some info on the suspension though. At least it isn't a civic.

[MOTOWN]

Honestly there two totally different cars built on the same panther platform, with different engines, suspensions, interiors, hell pretty much everything.

[Joe Walsh]

Welcome aboard!
Glad to hear that you ditched the Civic for a Mercury.
I wouldn't worry about the air bags going out....they'll last a long time.
Best to spend your money on something that will really improve your car.
Get a tune and a set of gears first.
Maybe get a locking differential if you don't have one now.

[MrBluGruv]

The power part is a little over-simplified. In essence, yes there is 60 peak HP difference. However, your GM has a SOHC engine, whereas a Marauder has a DOHC engine, and thus with that and a few other factors, the powerband characteristics are a fair bit different.

If you put in a DOHC 4.6 Ford engine in your GM (speced at least close to the 302HP mark and 318TQ mark) along with an 8.8" Ford trak-lok rear differential running a 3.55 rear gear ratio and a good coilover front suspension with a good rear shock matched to your rear air spring suspension, you'd probably be awful close performance feeling wise.

That's a lot easier typed out than actually completed though (but that's not to say it is extraordinarily difficult...)

As for a good suspension, your plan shouldn't be much different than any other car, other than maybe that this car is pretty damn heavy.

[thenext]

Honestly there two totally different cars built on the same panther platform, with different engines, suspensions, interiors, hell pretty much everything.

When it comes to where everything mounts up and everything, it should be the some though considering they are on the same platform. I understand the Marauder is packed with all the high performance goodies, I just want to learn about the suspension. I don't need to get into all the nitty gritty, I'm just trying to get to the basics. Do these cars have air in the front and back or is it just in the back?

[capt512]

Just in the back

[thenext]

Welcome aboard!
Glad to hear that you ditched the Civic for a Mercury.
I wouldn't worry about the air bags going out....they'll last a long time.
Best to spend your money on something that will really improve your car.
Get a tune and a set of gears first.
Maybe get a locking differential if you don't have one now.

:2thumbs: I have been hearing a lot about the locking diff, I definitely want to do something to that rear end, it can really go but the acceleration is a little too conservative. I set up a few diffs in school, but that was school. Now a tune on these, do you have to chip the ECU or can I just have my uncle plug his laptop in and change the maps?


The power part is a little over-simplified. In essence, yes there is 60 peak HP difference. However, your GM has a SOHC engine, whereas a Marauder has a DOHC engine, and thus with that and a few other factors, the powerband characteristics are a fair bit different.

If you put in a DOHC 4.6 Ford engine in your GM (speced at least close to the 302HP mark and 318TQ mark) along with an 8.8" Ford trak-lok rear differential running a 3.55 rear gear ratio and a good coilover front suspension with a good rear shock matched to your rear air spring suspension, you'd probably be awful close performance feeling wise.

That's a lot easier typed out than actually completed though (but that's not to say it is extraordinarily difficult...)

As for a good suspension, your plan shouldn't be much different than any other car, other than maybe that this car is pretty damn heavy.

I am pretty happy with the motor how it is now. Those heads seem a little out of my price range considering this is a daily driver. I'll probably keep it SOHC even though Ford REALLY made it easy to find the timing marks, something that is a headache with Honda engines. I am really impressed with the engineering on this 20 year old motor design. I will do the exhaust and the intake in good time. Working on getting some whitewalls first.

Anyone hear anything about the Strut Masters conversion kit? I really like the feel of a stiff suspension over air. It's pretty much the only thing on that car I don't like.

[MrBluGruv]

When I owned a Marauder, I went to Suncore industries and got the rear coil-spring swap. Made the car feel a little stiffer, but I also started with factory Marauder suspension rather than grand marquis suspension. It was REALLY cheap too. I'd look into it if I was you if that's the path you want to take.

Oh, and about power, simply given how heavy the car is, if you like 240HP at the crank, you'll love 300. ;) Couple that with a 4.10 or 4.30 rear gear, and oh my....

[burtreynolds]

+1 on the 4.30 gears. Best gear for the Marauder, very highway friendly.

[Bluerauder]

I am to understand they are pretty much the same as a Marauder and with a few changes ....

Just a few ... barely enough to mention. :rolleyes:

[dohc324ci]

Welcome to the site. I would check in at cv.net as that is the best source for what you are trying to accomplish.

[thenext]

Just a few ... barely enough to mention. :rolleyes:

Hey I'm not trying to turn my Marquis into one! I would like some more power and better handling, but what car guy doesn't? This is my first V8, I figure the two vehicles are about the same to work on. Just like a Civic, Accord, and Prelude are all different but very very similar to work on.

[Joe Walsh]

Don't go with too 'deep' a rear gear, the SOHCs don't like to rev as much as the DOHCs.
3.55s or 3.73s depending on how much highway driving you do...maybe even 4.10s if you put on larger wheels/tires.

[thenext]

Just in the back

Thanks by the way! That means I will be able to go with the just the back package and not have to worry about touching the front struts. Still, the price on parts for these vehicles are pretty fair. This sort of car, you could afford to buy parts for and even have enough left over to have a girlfriend!


Don't go with too 'deep' a rear gear, the SOHCs don't like to rev as much as the DOHCs.
3.55s or 3.73s depending on how much highway driving you do...maybe even 4.10s if you put on larger wheels/tires.

I'll keep that in mind, I like the look on the stock wheels and plan on staying with 16's. They would look waaay too good with some whitewalls! I don't really get on the highway much, it's usually quicker to go around town.

[cj7chris]

The most common upgrades are bigger sway bars, control arms and watts links. Some do coliovers in the rear instead of the air bags. I believe there are moog front end parts available.

They are never going to be nimble.

[blackwater1311]

Honestly there two totally different cars built on the same panther platform, with different engines, suspensions, interiors, hell pretty much everything.

A Marauder is A Marauder...That's what we're all about.
I want them to buried me in my Black Marauder ;)) :beer: