Debating??

[Patrick]

Just been thinking (Let it go Todd, Paul and the Rest of you) :nono: . Just looking for sum input.

First MM cant stay under warranty for ever. Now we have SuperCharger available for this Beast! Along with the 4:10 gears and all that. Just debating what to do with mine. Just like to hear your thoughts and ideas and what you have dun to yours. I know most of you have posted the things you have dun in your signature, But just want to hear opinions. Yeah, Neah or what ever. :beer:

[SergntMac]

Anytime you mod an automobile, you upset the OEM balance. Some things will work better, become more reliable and less likely to malfunction. Others will not. The only example of this, is the 4R70W tranny, which seems likely to fail anyway, modding just accelerates that ahead of schedule. It's been mentioned by some here, that "Ford experts" proclaim the 4R70W durable through 75K miles, and for a bone stock car, I find that reasonable. Mod the car with a Stage I kit, and that failure is sure to show itself earlier, and not only because you increase the power going into the tranny, but how your driving habits change and you come to drive it harder too. This also affects other "consumable" things, like tire, brake and suspension wear.

In other cases, when you fine tune the engine, make some appropriate cooling mods and get more intimate with add-ons like a supercharger, You are extending the life of the engine by removing the risks of pushing a bone stock engine too hard. It's more efficient, runs better and goes faster. Again, as a driver, you will too, and the life expectancy may be reduced.

To mod or not to mod, is the question, and from where I sit, my MM is going to wear out anyway, may as well enjoy the ride...IMHO.

[FordNut]

My advise would be to drive it stock about 5000-6000 miles before doing any mods. Then you will appreciate the performance increase even more. During this "break-in" time, try to find a mod-friendly dealer in your area. Pay them to do your oil changes and maybe even get them to do part of the mods to build up a good working relationship. If you are having some work done and paying cash they can be more flexible on warranty repairs if you need them in the future. But for most mods, especially more extensive ones, drive on down to Marietta to see Team Ford. So far this has been a logistics issue, so now let's talk about mods.

Performance mods:
1) For sure do are underdrive pulleys. 10 easy horses, pretty cheap, no apparent downside.
2) Chip it (or get a SCT so you can re-program your PCM). Greatly improved tranny shifting, some hp increase, a little more pricey than the pulleys, required if the gear ratio is being changed.
3) If you're not going to supercharge, go for 4.10 gears (some say even lower but I love my 4.10s). Great takeoffs, moderate price range.
4) MMX driveshaft. When you chip it and remove the speed limiter and/or change gears, the stock driveshaft will most likely vibrate. Moderate price range.
5) Rear sway bar upgrade. Cheap and you won't believe the handling difference.
6) Lots of us have done the following but we don't have dyno results to prove the value: Colder plugs (Denso Iridium IT20), colder thermostat (180 degree), K&N replacement air filter (dyno results say no improvement but it has longer service intervals than OEM, with some risk to MAF sensor damage if over-oiled).
7) Exhaust system upgrade. I like my Kooks headers but everybody has their preferences. If I had it to do over again I would get the Kooks system instead of piecing together my own, but at the time I purchased they didn't have the "all stainless steel" system. But many have gone with the Reinhart system and love it. All the exhaust upgrades are expensive and all have similar performance gains and sound improvement.
8) Tranny upgrade including torque converter. Haven't done this yet, but expect it to cost about the same as the exhaust system.
9) Supercharge it. Don't plan to myself but everybody that has done it loves it.
10) Brake upgrade. Choose from 4 available systems from Baer, Reinhart, KVM, or Sean Hyland.
11) Change front springs to Eibach. I won't do this because I don't want to lower mine. But I would like to improve the suspension if I could get some progressive springs in stock height or maybe 1/2" drop.


Appearance mods:
1) Tint windows.
2) Upgrade headlights to Silverstars.
3) Niteshades tint taillights (and backup lights).
4) Add inserts to letters on rear bumper.

[Smokie]

But just want to hear opinions. Yeah, Neah or what ever. :beer:
You ask for opinions, so this is what I would do; if I could.

Everything that Dennis offers:
Driveshaft, swaybar, complete tranny upgrade, engine cooling kit, shorty headers with exhaust, brake upgrade.

I do not want gears, that is were my thinking varies from the majority. I want a roots blower because I like the way it looks.

[TAF]

Patrick,

Come on down for breakfast on February 21st...there will be lots of Marauders to drive with various mods. Good folks, good food...good time. :up:

[MarauderMark]

I got a question..Does a supercharger have to be installed with lom miles on the vehical or can it be added at say 30 or 40 thousand miles..reason i ask is that saving up money for one will probely have that kind of mileage when i get it togtherand wanted to know if this would be just a waste of time to try to save the money..


Sorry did'nt mean go to off the subject...

[woaface]

About upgrading to Silverstars. If you really wanna get into it like you might with the rest of the car, I've found (but cannot find again) a set of HID's for about $380-400. Whole kit, real xenon. I'd buy it (but won't be) just for the fun of installing it.

[Patrick]

No you are not off topic here!! Thats why I started this thread. Some have dun mods, sum are debating (Like) me! I am car geek. Thats why i am looking for info and advice. Sum first time MM owners might find some info here!

[jgc61sr2002]

Patrick - If you want to MOD your Marauder the Sarge and Fordnut give excellent advice. :up:

[MarauderMark]

James::
I think i saw a thread in here about someone having trouble with hid's and something about a costly lesson .might wanna check it b4 you decide..

[FordNut]

Patrick,

Come on down for breakfast on February 21st...there will be lots of Marauders to drive with various mods. Good folks, good food...good time. :up:

Yeah, you ought to come on down for breakfast. I live just outside Knoxville, work in Macon and Norcross. Drive right by you at least a couple of times a week. It's about 2 or 2-1/2 hours from Cleveland to Marietta.

[woaface]

James::
I think i saw a thread in here about someone having trouble with hid's and something about a costly lesson .might wanna check it b4 you decide..I vaguely remember that myself, but if I recall correctly...it was about a specific brand. But I guess $400 sounds a little iffy for HID's, meaning I might should look around for some $800-1000 pairs from a reputable name. Sylvania (who makes the silverstars) makes HID's for the aftermarket called Xenarc...but I don't think it has a wide avalibility...just a couple of cars.

[TAF]

$380-$450 "HIDs"

Is like thinkin you can get a Supercharger for $500....

You get what you pay for...just throw in the Silverstars for <$40...it's all you'll need.

[FordNut]

HIDs have been discussed in several threads, search for details. A brief summary is that most aftermarket HIDs are not dual filament type. An option that has not been tried but has been discussed is using the OEM HIDs and wiring from a Town Car Cartier Edition.

[Patrick]

To Todd and FordNut, You guys are the greast!!!!!!!!!!!!

But not finishing work till 3 or 4. am. Breakfast is almost impossible.

Yes I could call in but thats not ME!!!!!! Nor would I start this trend! Sorry Todd Again!!!!!!!! And agian!!! When we hook
up the drinks on me!!!!!!

To ford nut, Do you stop at the Krystals Athens?????????

Just someone at coke has mentiontiojn a MM siting!

Later Patrick

[TAF]

To ford nut, Do you stop at the Krystals Athens?????????

Just someone at coke has mentiontiojn a MM siting!

Later Patrick
He's a Krystal Kritter :lol:

Patrick...you STILL need to come...NO EXCUSES!!!!

[Patrick]

I am lucky to do Lucky Charms before 12!!!! I will do steaks on the grill (T-bone) Come on up when the weather changes!!!!!!!

[FordNut]

I have stopped at Krystal in Athens before, but I don't stop at any particular place on a regular basis. So it may have been me. I could plan a stop on one of my pass-throughs sometime if you want to get together for lunch or something.

If you work over a little, til about 4:30 or 5:00, then drive on down to Marietta, you'll be there at about the right time. No more excuses now!

[Dr Caleb]

You ask for opinions, so this is what I would do; if I could.

Everything that Dennis offers:
Driveshaft, swaybar, complete tranny upgrade, engine cooling kit, shorty headers with exhaust, brake upgrade.

I do not want gears, that is were my thinking varies from the majority. I want a roots blower because I like the way it looks.

Like always, the "two Nuts" (Ford and Sarge :) give excellent advice to you, Patrick.

Your ideas don't differ from my own Smokie. I want to keep my 3.55's, because I'm not looking for a 1/4 mile racer. I want a good highway car that will stay with a Vette if nessecary. Plus, if I did go to the track, I want to keep it over 11.99.

But I would add to that list for me, Kooks headers + cats + 16" Flowmaster 50's, and wider rear wheels and Nitto tires. And you forgot Dennis' chip, if you upgrade before a roots blower (Trilogy's kit comes with it's own chip)

Dennis' roll cage in that Lincon looks sweet too, but the ricers probabally would see it before you had a chance to go for pink slips :)

[Paul T. Casey]

Big decals seem to add about 10 hp each, one of those triple wings, under-carrige lighting, and that big fox window sticker 9leave some bubbles in it. :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Dr Caleb]

Paul, you forgot an electric puke green paint job for the bling bling factor!

[Paul T. Casey]

On a serious note, upgrade the wipers.

[Patrick]

Well things were going well til Todd started his usual fun!!! :shot: Kidding!!!!

But thanks to all. Alot a of good info, and yes a few more things to think about!! I belive it SergntMac said wait until 5000 or 6000 miles before making any mods, since I just broke 4000 I have sum time!

But since I start a new job at the Coke plant this monday time off will be at premuin. 60 to 70 hrs a week!!! Money will be good so just put it away then start the mods.

We will start by going to breakfast with you guys (if not scheduled to work sat!!!)

And on a sunday either I drive to Knoxville for lunch or come down to Cleveland for lunch. Let me know. 339-2452.

Thanks again all!!!!!

[Patrick]

Hey Paul what wipers did you upgrade too?????

[Patrick]

What about 3:73 gears instead of 4:10"s??????

[FordNut]

What about 3:73 gears instead of 4:10"s??????
The only person I know of who has tried them was Logan, with his first MM. He took them out and put in 4.10s. Said the 3.73 was a waste of time. Now I wonder, with a supercharger how would they do? Most of the supercharged cars are going back to 3.55s because the 4.10s are so low they just light 'em up instead of launching.