Woo Hoo! 2004 Supercharged Goodness!

[MikesMerc]

Holy Cow!

Yep....those were the first words out of my mouth after the blower was installed....hehe, and I wasn't even to the end of the first block yet:D

After going for ride in Jerry's #1 and Dave's #2 Trilogy cars, then taking a spin in Lidio's 12.05 sec Trilogy beast a few weeks back, I was honestly expecting a little less punch with just the "basic" kit. Yeah...right :rolleyes: The car felt totally amazing and makes heaps of low end torque. It seems like Lidio had no issues at all getting everything to gel just right with the 2004 model MM and the Trilogy kit.

I opted to skip swapping the gears and left the 3.55s in there with an eye on all around capability and not just the fastest qtr mile time. I also left the tranny stock with only Lidio's basic shift reprogram on the chip tune. After the initial installation, with only a preliminary tune on the car, we took her for a short test spin. Man it felt great! Can you say Big Block? You just gotta love the low end punch in the back from a roots style blower. Nothing like it...and it's just what the high winding DOHC 4.6 needs to get moving.

Preliminary results are awesome. Everything still feels very tight and very OEMish. You cannot tell anything has been done to the car until you step hard on the loud pedal...than its wooooosh! I'll have more details and comments after I've had her for a few days. I'll be daily driving the beast as long as its clear weather, so I should have some good info for those wanting to know about reliability and practicality as well as just the awesome power.

It's also pretty neat to be the first 2004 Trilogy car. (I think its pretty cool anyway:) )

In the meantime, here's a few pics of how the kit looks on the 2004:

Looks very OEM which is what I prefer.
http://home.comcast.net/~mdzcpa/photos/mm/trilogy/full.jpg



http://home.comcast.net/~mdzcpa/photos/mm/trilogy/angle.jpg



http://home.comcast.net/~mdzcpa/photos/mm/trilogy/side.jpg



http://home.comcast.net/~mdzcpa/photos/mm/trilogy/top.jpg



Nice logo...hey, I gotta do a little pimpin:)
http://home.comcast.net/~mdzcpa/photos/mm/trilogy/logo.jpg



A super job on the intercooler reservoir. Very clean looking!
http://home.comcast.net/~mdzcpa/photos/mm/trilogy/res.jpg


I'll post more updates soon!

[MI2QWK4U]

Welcome aboard Mike! I just got mine back from Lidio....I left 18 RWHP richer. These cars are getting to the top of the game now. Lidio and Jerry Barnes have come up with one potent package, a great platform for better mods if you choose. Going to Milan saturday?

[stevengerard]

way cool!!!

That is a very interesting approach, while most folks on the list are either 1)stock, 2) inching their way up with mods, or 3) go all out, you have skipped what seems to be the initial steps and gone right to the S/C without the other major mods. Gives one a reason to pause and a whole new decision tree to contemplate. Hmm, supercharged torque with all the comforts of a stocker - that may be the answer. Did you do anything to the exhaust? keep us up to date, whats the gues on the 1/4 mile low 13s high 12s?

[studio460]

Awesome install, MikesMerc! Great photos! Raging jeolousy still won't prevent me from saying "congratulations!"

[MI2QWK4U]

way cool!!!

That is a very interesting approach, while most folks on the list are either 1)stock, 2) inching their way up with mods, or 3) go all out, you have skipped what seems to be the initial steps and gone right to the S/C without the other major mods. Gives one a reason to pause and a whole new decision tree to contemplate. Hmm, supercharged torque with all the comforts of a stocker - that may be the answer. Did you do anything to the exhaust? keep us up to date, whats the gues on the 1/4 mile low 13s high 12s?

Mike will be where i was last summer and ran 12.96 in the 1/4 mile. I don't know where I will end up with what I am running now. But the biggest things that will help this year are mods done since it was run last fall, including the widened rims w/Nitto 305's, smaller pulley, exhaust work, and the Pro-M MAF have put the car in a new ballpark for me. God im hoping for low 12's, but who knows.
The setup Mike has with some minor tweaking will do high 12's all day long, its a strong setup that is practically stock. Gives one a lot to think about...Its a good observation on your part steve.....

[Bigdogjim]

Congrats! Looks real good!!

Enjopy it:)

[MikesMerc]

Going to Milan saturday?

Unfortunately I am not. I have to work with no way out. But, that's okay, I'm saving up my time off for the other events like Norwalk, Indy, as well as the local stuff.


way cool!!!

That is a very interesting approach, while most folks on the list are either 1)stock, 2) inching their way up with mods, or 3) go all out, you have skipped what seems to be the initial steps and gone right to the S/C without the other major mods. Gives one a reason to pause and a whole new decision tree to contemplate. Hmm, supercharged torque with all the comforts of a stocker - that may be the answer.

Exactly! By the time you add up the cost of all the other bolt on stuff, jumping to the Trilogy isn't much more expensive. Not to mention you end up with more performance right from the start. Most importantly is you retain the original MM feel.

Over the years, I've had a good handful of 5.0 Mustangs which I modded to various stages...some NA and some blown. In the end, in order to get the cars to the top of their game for street duty, plenty of comfort, driveability, and smoothness was sacrificed. The cars were fast indeed, but I actually felt "tired" after cruising for a long evening. Those days were fun, but I'm really over that now.

So, for this MM, what I wanted was a very fast, yet very refined, OEM feel MM experience. I swore that I would not cut up this car...and I don't plan on starting. I *might* consider some gears, and wider rims, but that's it. No suspension mods, huge stall converters, overly loud exhuast, or anything else that detracts from the original intended driving expereince of the MM.

I am certainly not knocking any of the other approaches. For those who want to go a bit more "xtreme" and are willing to sacrfice more of the original MM driving experience, I say go for it. I'm sure its plenty of fun. Its just not for me. So, my best route was the Trilogy kit which provides all the power without any significant degradation of the original experience. The roots blower is exactly what the dohc 4.6 needs to. The stop light drags are rarely run in the high rpm bands, and down low is where you need it...for a true street car anyway.

For times, I think Dave is about spot on. I'd assume high 12s with good air as it sits. The smaller pulley will provide me with extra boost over the stock kit, and the firmer trans shifts (via Lidio's chip) will help a bit too.

I'll definitely get some numbers as soon as possible.

[bigslim]

Mike, I was at Lidio's today to have my chip and 410 installed and saw your car there. All I can say is congrat's on your Trilogy purchase. I have always been a fan of the package. It is good to see Dave have some company.

[jgc61sr2002]

Mike - That install sure looks great. :up: Now the fun really begins. :D

[hitchhiker]

Unfortunately I am not. I have to work with no way out. But, that's okay, I'm saving up my time off for the other events like Norwalk, Indy, as well as the local stuff.



Exactly! By the time you add up the cost of all the other bolt on stuff, jumping to the Trilogy isn't much more expensive. Not to mention you end up with more performance right from the start. Most importantly is you retain the original MM feel.

Over the years, I've had a good handful of 5.0 Mustangs which I modded to various stages...some NA and some blown. In the end, in order to get the cars to the top of their game for street duty, plenty of comfort, driveability, and smoothness was sacrificed. The cars were fast indeed, but I actually felt "tired" after cruising for a long evening. Those days were fun, but I'm really over that now.

So, for this MM, what I wanted was a very fast, yet very refined, OEM feel MM experience. I swore that I would not cut up this car...and I don't plan on starting. I *might* consider some gears, and wider rims, but that's it. No suspension mods, huge stall converters, overly loud exhuast, or anything else that detracts from the original intended driving expereince of the MM.

I am certainly not knocking any of the other approaches. For those who want to go a bit more "xtreme" and are willing to sacrfice more of the original MM driving experience, I say go for it. I'm sure its plenty of fun. Its just not for me. So, my best route was the Trilogy kit which provides all the power without any significant degradation of the original experience. The roots blower is exactly what the dohc 4.6 needs to. The stop light drags are rarely run in the high rpm bands, and down low is where you need it...for a true street car anyway.

For times, I think Dave is about spot on. I'd assume high 12s with good air as it sits. The smaller pulley will provide me with extra boost over the stock kit, and the firmer trans shifts (via Lidio's chip) will help a bit too.

I'll definitely get some numbers as soon as possible.

Congrats on your Trilogy install!

Best looking S/C setup I've seen on an MM yet!

Love the roots type blower!

May I ask what this whole package cost installed?

I may just do one this summer.

Thanks,

David

[stevengerard]

Thanks guys for the input, as mentioned it gives me something to think about. I really did my SHO up 8 years ago but I too am done with harsh rides. The really neat thing is that this MM just seems so fast in pure stock form, I guess because its a new toy, but it feels fast and sounds great, but what impresses me the most is its handling - I can see better brakes and a lower front stance. starting out with the triology set up is sounding good. What's something like that cost around?

[junehhan]

Mike, congradulations! I plan on having Lidio do some stuff this summer, but you've done something I probably won't do anytime soon. There is nothing that feels as good as an Eaton Roots type blower, especially from a torque standpoint at lower rpms. If I eventually do get a supercharger, it will definately be the Trilogy setup. I'm honestly jealous :)

[MARAUDER S/C]

Congrats and enjoy the best Marauder mod !!!!!!!!!!

[MikesMerc]

Thanks for the kudos guys!

The clean install is courtesy of Lidio at Alternative Auto. He did a nice job on all the small details. He is putting the finishing touches on things right now, so I hope to have the car back by today or tomorrow. I should have some dyno sheets then to. One of the nice things about Lidio's Trilogy installation is that its very complete. After everything is mechanically ironed out, there is plenty of road test and a custom dyno tune specific to your application. He's also very mindful of concerns regarding day to day driveability which was priority for me.

I'm looking forward to putting the car through its paces in the next few days. As I mentioned, I'll definitely post additional info and experiences.

Edit- BTW, for those asking about the cost of this project, here's some general info. The kit itself comes 100% complete from Trilogy. It includes everything you need (blower, manifold, fuel injectors, complete intercooler system, boost a pump, coolant line reroute assemblies, tuner chip, etc, etc) Nothing is left out down to the last bolt. When Jerry dropped off the kit at Lidio's it came in about 4 boxes! The cost of the kit is approx $5900. That might sound like a lot to some, but considering the OEM type install, the intercooler system, and everything else needed to make the kit 100% turn key, its not a bad price at all. With the kit installed, its like the MM that should have come from the factory.

Installation with Lidio at Alternative Auto runs about $1800. That includes about 20 hours of installation labor, initial tune and road resting, custom final dyno tune (with before and after dyno sheets), and final road testing. When you pick up the car, you just put your key in it. Considering how Lidio stands behind his work, and how he was doing the kit development right along with Jerry at Trilogy, I think its worth every dollar. He knows the Trilogy kit better than anyone out there without exception.

Well, here's hoping my car is done today!

[Marauder]

WOW!!! Very clean install...looks very factory.

Ok....with that said, does anyone want to make a donation to the "Danny wants a Super Charger" fund? With your donation, you will get a free ride in my car, a heart felt hand shake, and 1000 thank yous!!!

Ok seriously... Who's gonna be the pioneer to make a donation??? :D

[Ross]

I am soooooo jealous! Great work! :banana2:

[junehhan]

$5900 + $1800 in labor actually isn't bad at all. Hmmm............


Must........resist............ .temptation.................

[ADE 1000]

That is a beautiful setup to say the least. I was waiting for someone to throw a supercharger on a bone stock car. Unless you are trying to split hairs and get the best 1/4 mile time possible, this seems like the way to go.

Time to start saving my pennies.

[Lidio]

Mike

Thanks for letting us keep the car a little longer to fully iron out all the drivability and every day-ability the kit will prove to offer.

The ’04 Marauder with the Trilogy package looks more at home then ever.
With the unpainted ’04 valve covers and the satin finished Trilogy pieces to top it all off… It would be easy to go some where, open the hood, and have on lookers who might not be to familiar with the MM and think the blower was stock!!
Truly the most fitting and upgradeable power adder for the Marauder.

As I’ve said before… I’m still very proud to be behind the Trilogy blower and continuing development of the MM in general. I don’t want to tempt any one here but you’re only a gear, MAF, 2.8” blower pulley and blower porting away from low 12’s in the quarter mile!! And uncompromised Marauder drivability.

I’ve heard that the ’04 Marauder torque converter is slightly looser then the ‘03’s. This is defiantly noticeable with Mike’s ’04 MM. I’ve been able to drive it around locally to ensure every thing is right and from a dead stop and even rolling it does appear to stall higher and feel much more responsive then any ‘03s we’ve installed Trilogy’s onto, at the stock boost level, with the stock 3.55’s in the axle.
I would have to say that the stock ’04 torque converter with a little boost upgrade to the Trilogy, 4.10’s and decent tires could make for quite a “launcher” of a car.

By the end of this week or early next week, Trilogy will have fully done chips to supply in his kits for their ‘04 MM customers.

Thanks

[MI2QWK4U]

That is a beautiful setup to say the least. I was waiting for someone to throw a supercharger on a bone stock car. Unless you are trying to split hairs and get the best 1/4 mile time possible, this seems like the way to go.

Time to start saving my pennies.


Mine was bone stock when I added the Trilogy blower. Stock tires, stock trans, etc. I think I had the Eibach springs then, but that didnt do anything at the strip. Best with bone stock and the Trilogy was 12.96. Mike is in for a treat!!

[MikesMerc]

Lidio,

No problem at all having the car for a few extra days. Not only will this allow you to get everything "just right" for my car, but it will allow you to develop a great base program for my 04 MM brethren:D

Also, although I haven't decided to move up the ladder with those other goodies you mentioned just yet, I am hoping to get a little extra kick over the standard kit by using that interim size pulley. Any idea on how much more power the pulley change might make?

In the end, I'll be surprised if I don't go with at least a gear change and the MAF after a while. I also like the Apten porting idea. But, I gotta leave something to do next spring (or maybe this fall....or maybe late summer...or :D )

Anyways, I'll post back with the full 411 after its all tweaked and I've had a chance to bully some of the unsuspecting Woodward cruisers:)

[bigslim]

Mike, take it easy on Woodward. Looking forward to seeing you later on.

[jkarp]

Mike,

I have been waiting for LIdio to finish your install on a 2004. Called Jerry a couple of weeks ago for a supercharger for my 2004. Jerry called last week and said they were ready to go. Recieved mine yesterday and will install it next weekend. It is quite an impressive kit, it took my son and I about an hour to unpack it and make sure all the parts were there. We are looking foward to doing the installation ourselves.

Jimmy

[MARAUDER S/C]

That is a beautiful setup to say the least. I was waiting for someone to throw a supercharger on a bone stock car. Unless you are trying to split hairs and get the best 1/4 mile time possible, this seems like the way to go.

Time to start saving my pennies.

My car was bone stock when I had the kit installed last Sept. and it still is. You don't need anything else except bigger drag radials for improved traction. You are right about this kit.......It is the way to go. :burnout: :banana2:

[MikesMerc]

Mike,

I have been waiting for LIdio to finish your install on a 2004. Called Jerry a couple of weeks ago for a supercharger for my 2004. Jerry called last week and said they were ready to go. Recieved mine yesterday and will install it next weekend. It is quite an impressive kit, it took my son and I about an hour to unpack it and make sure all the parts were there. We are looking foward to doing the installation ourselves.

Jimmy


Cool! In fact, I'd like to know how you get along installing the kit yourself. Although I did not have a chance to look at the installation instructions from my kit, I have heard that they are very complete.

I can't wait to hear about your first test drive once everything is ironed out....it'll leave you with a permanent grin:) Keep us posted on your progress!