MM... Too good to be true?

[gpfarrell]

I'm a newbie... well, actually I started driving a '78 Marquis with a big-block when I was 16, so I've been crazy about Mercs for a long, long time.

Until a few nights ago, my knowledge about MMs was skewed by the Car & Liar article. I did test drive one last spring, but it only had 50 miles on it and hadn't learn to really run yet.

I've had a couple wonderful 5-speed SHOs, but my current '95 has over a 100k on it and is 9 years old... I'm getting the itch.

This website is awesome! What a great communtiy. Looking at MMs... seems like Reinhart has unlocked a holy grail. Is it safe to say that a stock MM should run 14.7 or so, and one blessed by Reinhart with 4.10s and a chip could be high 13s?

If that's not too good to be true, I want one! My wife calls my '85 Mustang GT obnoxious and it just dips into the 13s... if I could have the luxury of the SHO with even more go, maybe I'd finally buy an automatic....

So, am I missing something or do the Marauders really scream with just a bit of help?

I hope I don't sound skeptical... I'm dumbfounded!

Thanks!
Greg

[Bigdogjim]

Good job reading about the Marauder on this site.

You have done you homework!

Now go get one quick......................... .........:):):)

[TripleTransAm]

This website is awesome! What a great communtiy. Looking at MMs... seems like Reinhart has unlocked a holy grail. Is it safe to say that a stock MM should run 14.7 or so, and one blessed by Reinhart with 4.10s and a chip could be high 13s?

The stock 2003 Marauder has been known to run 14.56 in cool weather.
I imagine the cold air must help reduce the need for spark retard at low RPMs.

Otherwise, I am confident that high 14s or 15 flat should be obtainable in hot weather.

The 2004s *should* be quicker.

The rest is icing on the scrumptuous cake that is this fine automobile. Choose your flavor...

[gpfarrell]

Choose your flavor...

Oh, it would be Blueberry... saw one at the Pittsburgh Auto Show last year and that's what tempted me into the test drive.

Doesn't seem like that will be easy to find though!

[Silver_04]

I got rid of an '02 5-speed Mustang GT for one of these beasts. This car is so much more fun to drive.

Where abouts are ya'?

[gpfarrell]

Where abouts are ya'?

I'm in Pittsburgh. Mustangs are fun, but our first-born is due next week, and I can't figure out how to fit the child seat around the rollbar.

Besides, everyone expects a GT to be quick. My favorite high school races were running the Marquis against SS Monte Carlos... from 30 mph to 115 I'd be right next to them... with fender skirts and a vinyl roof. Big cars can really surprise people... I'm amazed at how good the MMs seem to run... bet they can surprise lots of people.

[LVMarauder]

I totally agree with silver 04 this car is just fun to drive. I just came home from the gym and had some linkin park on and did some "spirited" driving, The acceleration above 30 , the braking from 90 ( oops) and the handling on a roundabout at 35 all make me gigle :lol: with a few Grand you can really unlock whats there. I would buy another in a heart beat.

[sailsmen]

Most MM require exhaust and torque convertor mods to get into the 13.50 1/4 range.

See my signature, I ran 14.27 with less than $1,500 in installed mods.

She ran real strong that nite, catching rubber on the 1-2 and 2-3 shifts. With a better launch the 14.27 can be improved.

It was my 2nd time and my 6th run with the MM at the track that I got this time.

My MM ran stronger @5K mi than new and even stronger @10k mi.

I previously owned 3 SHO's, a '99 was what I traded in to get the MM. MM is a lot more fun to own than the SHO.

[LCpl Retired]

from 30 mph to 115 I'd be right next to them... with fender skirts and a vinyl roof. Big cars can really surprise people... I'm amazed at how good the MMs seem to run... bet they can surprise lots of people.


Thats good stuff...hope you kept the whitewalls too...

[the fat bastid]

note the sig and kneel! kneel before the 2nd FASTEST STOCK MARAUDER EVER!!! where is my blinking text!??!

/zod

just a little humor there. welcome.

anyways, as a side note when i first got my car i went to the track with about 1500 miles on it. it was 80 degrees and humdity so thick i thought i was swimming in it. on that day i got a 16.2 for my first ever pull. yikes.

now, normally, i can run a 14.9-15.0x all day long.
i'm itching to get her re-dynoed (still stock) and see any difference.

[2003 MIB]

Sailsman is dead on. Consider this post to be independent confirmation of his findings. 14.243 with almost the same setup.

[Heavy351]

I am from Pittsburgh and bought mine at South Hills L/M and could not be more pleased with my service from them. I know there have been others sold around but I have never seen one.

Go for it and enjoy the attention you would never get from your mustang.:banana:

[SHugo]

What altitude are all you running at? I am at sea level, right on the west coast, and I'll be getting a MM in Sept on my birthday. Just want to know what to REALLY expect.

-Steve

[sailsmen]

Below sea level! :cool:

Like most cars the MM runs better when the temp is cool!

[woaface]

They do great burnouts from what I've seen too:beer: .
Hey, I used to live in Sharon county, north of Pittsburg, haven't been back in a couple years, but I wouldn't ever come back to stay! Hope you'd have yours in a Garage!