Marauder owner, finally!!

[chief455]

Hi all!

35 years building cars, Fords and Pontiacs.
I've had a couple 98+ CVPI cars, but lusted after a Marauder. Being a gearhead, I did not want a low mile garage queen - or a tired trash can.
Finally found an 82,000 mile mildy modded car in great shape within budget.
I'll be reading up on best, low cost mods and probably a mild stall convertor and exhaust upgrade.
Interested to learn if most leave the air bags in back or convert to conventional springs...just for spirited street driving.
See you in the tech and classifieds!
chief455
PICS UPLOADED WITH ALBUM SLIDESHOW LINK
http://s73.photobucket.com/user/chief455/slideshow/Marauder

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i233/chief455/Marauder/MVC-403S_zps638f6bd6.jpg (http://s73.photobucket.com/user/chief455/media/Marauder/MVC-403S_zps638f6bd6.jpg.html)
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i233/chief455/Marauder/MVC-404S_zps32cfc591.jpg (http://s73.photobucket.com/user/chief455/media/Marauder/MVC-404S_zps32cfc591.jpg.html)
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i233/chief455/Marauder/MVC-393S_zpsb4a7f214.jpg (http://s73.photobucket.com/user/chief455/media/Marauder/MVC-393S_zpsb4a7f214.jpg.html)
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i233/chief455/Marauder/MVC-398S_zps543eb2ae.jpg (http://s73.photobucket.com/user/chief455/media/Marauder/MVC-398S_zps543eb2ae.jpg.html)

[lji372]

Welcome to the modness!!!

[maineiac]

Welcome lots of good info here and alot of great people just watch out for the mod bug.

[guspech750]

Hi sailor.

Sounds like a nice ride you found.

Post up pics man.

We are picture whores.


Sent from The White House on taxpayers dimes.

DTR + 4.10's + Eaton swap = Wreeeeeeeeeeeeeeedom

[License2Bill]

Welcome to the collective! Where in CT are you located?

[L.Mark]

Welcome to Marauder Island!!!!

[chief455]

Thanks all! Northwest Ct location. Any info on the car from previous owners appreciated
http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i233/chief455/Marauder/34307581027_358685162_IM1_06_5 65x421_A_562x421_zpsdbe7b951.j pg (http://s73.photobucket.com/user/chief455/media/Marauder/34307581027_358685162_IM1_06_5 65x421_A_562x421_zpsdbe7b951.j pg.html)

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i233/chief455/Marauder/34307581021_358685162_IM1_03_5 65x421_A_562x421_zps7aec8c9c.j pg (http://s73.photobucket.com/user/chief455/media/Marauder/34307581021_358685162_IM1_03_5 65x421_A_562x421_zps7aec8c9c.j pg.html)

[License2Bill]

Nice! I'm about 10 minutes from the casinos and I work at Mohegan for the time being. Short notice, but there's an end of season meet on the 17th. I can pm you some info if you're interested.

[Curless]

Welcome to the club! Resistance is futile, you will mod it more!

[chief455]

OK, I just drove the car home 2.5 hours, got all the systems set for my liking and drove it until dark. This car is AWESOME!!!
It is way better than my best CVPI and much meaner looking. People stared everywhere.
I'm used to my supercharged 600hp Trans Am that burns rubber at 65mph - but this tank makes me feel like it might too!
It handles and brakes just fine.
All the electronics work and are easy to do, just needs a good tune. It has one already because it shifts at ~6300 rpm, but the trans is in/out of gears and lock up and the engine is not fully crisp, so Lidio is on call. I guess it has 4.10 gears because in OD at 65mph it's almost at 3000 rpm.
It has the JLT intake too.
I lucked out to find this car the day it was advertised at the VW dealer, and priced it under $10k.
I may sell the T/A - this is a blast and can be driven much more often.
I can't get the fatory CD changer to eject when I push the button - might be shot, but every thing else works great for a 10 year old car. Someone loved this one, so do I.

[Ninoblack1]

congratulations.you sure are lucky i hope to be as lucky someday soon. WELCOME TO THE MODNESS lol

[MMcactusflower]

Congrats on your find...and good luck with all the changes that will probably be coming.
This site contains a wealth of information...and is a great source of anything MM.

[chief455]

Congrats on your find...and good luck with all the changes that will probably be coming.
This site contains a wealth of information...and is a great source of anything MM.
Thank you!
I intend to keep it about as is. Just a good tune and ensure it has 4.10 gears. I could see suspension upgrades later - but a stall convertor would be my first wake up mofification ;)
I am reading and reading already.

[Mebot]

Welcome to the site. That's an interesting color combination. What's the backstory on it?

sent from Seattle

[chief455]

Welcome to the site. That's an interesting color combination. What's the backstory on it?

sent from Seattle

I'm trying to contact previous owners to gather information.

I guess this:

In 2004 Carfax listed an accident 'hit parked car'. Ever since then just usual events.
I believe it was very minor and maybe just the front bumer, because all the metal panels still have matching VIN decals faded the same amount, including the hood. No sign of bent or replaced metal anywhere, and the control arms are centered in the adjustment slots.
It appears the original Silver was left on top surfaces and the dark blue with metal flake was painted over the lower portion. It was done very well - clean tape line and inside the doors and jambs. They used a sort of pearl, flake white and then a blue painted pinstripe to divide the two tone. The stripes are clear coated over with the dark blue.
It is almost factory looking, but has 'like it or hate it' appeal.
People stare at it everywhere - it is different!
I figure the power mods were done by that same or the next owner - then just driven and maintained as records indicate. At 82,000 miles - the condition is of a garaged but driven car.
The pictures do not show the true colors - it is striking and except for the choice of pearl white in the stripe, very tasteful. I'd have used a dark grey and blue stripe as a break.
The wheels have zero rash, the interior near mint and tires, break pads etc are all nearly new. A loved car for sure.
I'm going o have the body buffed to make the shine deeper and reduce some age hazing, otherwise it needs nothing.
Always loved the MM, started looking at them the past years as I am out growing my street - race car days. I just want a powerful, reliable and easy to drive toy that looks mean.
I think I found it ;)

[Mebot]

Great story and it's definitely unique! You'll be able to pick your Marauder out in pictures when you come to Louisville or Marauderville!

sent from Seattle

[whitey]

Congrats! Keep the air suspension btw...

[1Marauder]

yes, keep the air... attach more photo's too! Looks COOL!

[1Marauder]

what a great find!

[Curless]

Congrats on the find, I would love to see the colors in person. I like the two tone look! If you scored her from under ten G's I think you did well. Plan on attending the Louisville meet in the spring...you will never be the same afterwards!

[chief455]

you guys are great - I've been a member of other forums for over 10 years, and never so much welcome :)

I'll work on larger quality pics when the rain stops.
I just fixed my cd changer - the harness plug was out!

I'm guessing they had everything apart when painted blue, looking it over just now their is zero overspray, it does have 4.10 gears, rear cats bypassed, new, smaller mufflers were welded in place, a new trans seal, poly rear sway bar bushings and end links just done and aluminum driveshaft (stock?).
I really scored a nice car for the money.
It will need the other rear suspension bushings next year, but the air ride and replaced Monroe shocks look fine.
Hmmm - are aftermarket upper/lower arms worth the $450?

It must have been tuned, but it is not optimum regrding transmission up/down shifts and lock up under part throttle. It does hit ~6300 under WOT upshifts, but searches for gears at times around cruising speeds. Plus I'm sure the dealer filled it with 87 octane, so can't judge performance just yet.
I've been in contact with Lidio, just needed to confirm rear gear ratio.

I just looked over the body/interior/electrical and driving condition at the dealer to decide the purchase was worth the price, but further findings of the car are great so far!!!
I need to find the 'how to' on a dead pedal install, and later do the Curless pedal fix.
I'm hooked on my Marauder :)

[WPG_Merc]

"Congrats"
Very Nice Ride, I also got mine from a VW dealer in 07
Watch out for the mod bug. :D

[rayjay]

Welcome to the collective. I have 4.10 gears too. 3K rpms at 65mph is not normal in OD. Are you sure its going into OD?

[Mr. Man]

Welcome to MM.net.

Hope to see you and your car at Carlilse,Pa (June) and New Hampshire (usually August) next year. Watch for the threads.

[chief455]

Welcome to the collective. I have 4.10 gears too. 3K rpms at 65mph is not normal in OD. Are you sure its going into OD?
I was off in my statement - it is more like ~2400 at 65

Welcome to MM.net.

Hope to see you and your car at Carlilse,Pa (June) and New Hampshire (usually August) next year. Watch for the threads.

I will! I'm not much for car meets, I like to just joy ride. But this seems worthy of meeting the group :)

[chief455]

So I reached the previous owner tonight.
He got the car from 2nd owner all stock at 66k miles over a year ago.
A tech at Ford dealership, he performed the mods himself.
JLT intake
98 Cobra camshafts
all new gaskets, coils and plugs
oil and Motorcraft filter every 3,000 until traded last month
new driver exhaust manifold and 02 sensors
new 4.10 gears and axles
fully rebuilt trans with Kevlar band and HD clutches, new convertor
Magnaflow knock off mufflers and rear cat delete
new poly rear bushings
lowered front springs 1"
new Hankook Evo tires
After motorcycle handlebar scratched the lower body, he had a friend do the two tone:
Water based black base coat with House Of Colors purple and silver metal flake sprayed over, Cadillac color stripe and blue pinstripe hand painted, then fully clear coated.
Local tune just to change shift points and gear ratio
Very decent guy, knew his stuff. Traded toward a newer modified Mustang the VW dealer had.
Man, did I hit the Marauder lottery :D

[TP Derrick D]

I saw it on Cars.com or Auto trader a few weeks ago and wondered how the two-toned looked in person. The best colors by the way..:bows:

[chief455]

I saw it on Cars.com or Auto trader a few weeks ago and wondered how the two-toned looked in person. The best colors by the way..:bows:
Thanks!
It was on Autotrade for one day - Nov 1st - They pulled the ad after my deposit. My lucky day to be browsing MM within 200 miles of home = only 2 cars at the time :beatnik:

I have to get some quality pics up - in the sun today it was metal flake crazy like midnight blue, at night or under clouds it looks black - with the silver top surfaces, it is impossible NOT to look :)

[Mr. Man]

I will! I'm not much for car meets, I like to just joy ride. But this seems worthy of meeting the group :)Marauder meets are more of an experience than ordinary Sat, Sun car shows.
:)

[lji372]

Marauder meets are more of an experience than ordinary Sat, Sun car shows.
:)

I'd say more life altering:beer:

[Guittard22]

Don't look at it has a meet but a family cook -out with amazing cars :)

[chief455]

Pictures added to original post. Hoping to show the black with blue & silver flake paint better.
Slideshow:
http://s73.photobucket.com/user/chief455/slideshow/Marauder

[Mebot]

Sweet! I'm really digging that two tone combo!

[chief455]

Sweet! I'm really digging that two tone combo!
Thanks! I like it too, single colors are sexy, but common. This is the girl that wears a low cut dress and jewelry to McDonalds.
You either love her or hate her, but you had to look!!
;)

[Ricrownvicman]

Nice find!

[RF Overlord]

Interested to learn if most leave the air bags in back or convert to conventional springs...just for spirited street driving.I think most here frown on converting to poverty coils. The RAS is an excellent system, although the compressor tends to give out after about 10 years. Fortunately, they're easy to replace and not expensive.

[chief455]

I think most here frown on converting to poverty coils. The RAS is an excellent system, although the compressor tends to give out after about 10 years. Fortunately, they're easy to replace and not expensive.
After putting some miles on the car, I have no reason to change anything but shocks and larger sway bars.
Thanks!

[pandemicz]

congrats and welcome to the forums

[RichardP]

Congrats!!!! You've already dealt with the mod bug it seems lol. Good luck with any future endeavors.

[crownvic97]

Beautiful car Chief! Like I told you I met the previous owner at Epping, younger guy but seemed knowledgeable about MMs.

Hope my Addco bar is serving you well :beer:

[JBeezy]

Nice car and mods. Welcome to the community. A bunch of good knowledgable guys here.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[wickedmerc]

I'm guessing they had everything apart when painted blue, looking it over just now their is zero overspray....

Your 2-tone was originally a DPB (blue)?!? I hope the "Blues Bros" don't find out.

Cool car, congrats! Best of luck with it!