What's the next best mod for me? Suggestions

[JBeezy]

I just finished with the Zack Big brake mod and love it. I'm wondering what's the next best mod that will not break the bank? I thought about control arms, but not sure what I'd really gain there with this being a street car only. Opinions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance

[camelgrundle]

Control arms def made a difference for me! Torque converter ftw if you don't already have aftermarket.

[RubberCtyRauder]

control arms & watts link too will be noticed for straight line acceleration and taking curves/off ramps etc. keeps the car planted nicely

[fastblackmerc]

Control arms, front & rear sway bars.

[Bad_S55]

Control arms, front & rear sway bars.

Second that.

[SergntMac]

I spent considerable time in development of upper and lower rear control arms for the Marauder. This development was not a light task, and it included many hours of testing prototypes, as Zack may confirm. Thus, the control arms are proven to be a definite and "sure thing" mod, with payback much greater than investment. You will benefit regardless of how, or where you drive. 4 pieces, easy bolt on/in mod, hand tools and a jack, about 1 hour each side.

The Mac and Zack line is out of production. "Take-offs" are worth the effort. Unless damaged by collision, used is as good as new, you pick the bushing of choice if refreshment is in order. Those companies who followed our engineering are good selections too, i.e. Metco, and others.

Y'all be safe.

PS: IMHO, I consider a torque convertor, or ring and pinion change, to be an "internal" mod and better left until another internal mod along the same path is planned. This saves install time and money, and at times, complexity.

[loud2004marquis]

Control arms, front & rear sway bars.

(3)

^^^What he said^^^

[Fastbob]

Air freshener. Cheap, easy install and notice it every time you get into car.

[justbob]

Air freshener. Cheap, easy install and notice it every time you get into car.


Good call and totally true.


Builder Of Badassery

[JBeezy]

I'm up to date on air freshener. That's a must. Not going to swap the converter until I have to pull the tranny for some reason.

I'm going to look into control arms then. I'm guessing around $300 or so complete?

[cer0413]

Appearance mods?

[Logizyme]

Control arms, front & rear sway bars.

+4

Car will feel so much more like a sports car.

[MOTOWN]

Metco control arms , and Watts link are a must! Never enough auto on Ebay has the best deal.

[lifespeed]

PS: IMHO, I consider a torque convertor, or ring and pinion change, to be an "internal" mod and better left until another internal mod along the same path is planned. This saves install time and money, and at times, complexity.

An excellent point. Our axle shafts and other rear end parts don't last much beyond 100K miles, so an axle rebuild is appropriate most times when new gears are being installed.

Our automatic transmissions, on the other hand, live a long life when properly serviced so I could see the torque converter being replaced on an older transmission.

[lifespeed]

I just finished with the Zack Big brake mod and love it. I'm wondering what's the next best mod that will not break the bank? I thought about control arms, but not sure what I'd really gain there with this being a street car only. Opinions will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance

If you haven't rebuilt and upgraded your suspension that is very rewarding. If your car has lots of miles you'll want to rebuild the front end as well as the rear. I like the Metco control arms, Addco tubular sway bars, energy suspension end links in the rear and Ford for all the components in the front.

[RubberCtyRauder]

Control arms. $350ish watts is $380 ish from metco sources on eBay

[JBeezy]

Car has 56k miles now. At what mileage for the front end? And it will take some time to say up that type of cash for rear componenets

[lifespeed]

The Watts link is key to controlling tail wag, wouldn't leave that out.

[SergntMac]

Pine Tree air fresher was my very first mod, and I was the first to add one to a Marauder. I didn't cut any coils from it, ran it hard pure stock. Lots of imitators and posers followed in my tracks, but none could match my performance. It was something to see...

Just setting the record straight, carry on Gents.

[lifespeed]

Car has 56k miles now. At what mileage for the front end? And it will take some time to say up that type of cash for rear componenets

Obviously every car has had different use, but 56K is not bad assuming reasonable use. Tie rods are usually the first to go and are cheap (always change all 4 as a set). You can feel tie rods as slop in the steering, or the car changing direction slightly under braking. Upper control arms are often not far behind the tie rods, and are inexpensive and easy as well. The lower control arms are big bucks, but should last 80K to 100K barring unforeseen accidents. If you are an observant driver you can notice when it is not as good as new anymore.

As a point of reference my suspension was completely shot at 95K miles. Under braking it would dive for the ditch, and the steering was vague. I have very little tolerance for sloppy suspension, but it was quite bad.

[JBeezy]

Yes I'm very observant. I notice any little thing. Right now all is tight as it was at 30k when I got it. I appreciate the info

[justbob]

All my front steering and suspension (minus shocks) is still original at 100,000 and as tight as could be. It's more where and how you drive and what maintenance has been done or overdone in my case that has a lot to do with how long these items hold up than mileage does. Same could be said for age considering climate, garaged and what not.


Builder Of Badassery

[JBeezy]

My car is always street driven and babies mainly. Well I did lock up with a Ford Lightning last night. Oh yea, it's garage kept

[chief455]

Control arms, front & rear sway bars.
X 25 and I felt more improvement with the control arms than with the sway bar. I scoured the site and scored nice used Zack & Mac arms, I like the design and far lower cost.

Pine Tree air fresher was my very first mod, and I was the first to add one to a Marauder. I didn't cut any coils from it, ran it hard pure stock. Lots of imitators and posers followed in my tracks, but none could match my performance. It was something to see...

Just setting the record straight, carry on Gents.

I wrapped mine with tinsel for a festive feeling ;)

[SergntMac]

I wrapped mine with tinsel for a festive feeling ;)
Quite popular. As you may expect from him, Zack added lights.

"Nothing like the smell of pine in the morning. It smells like victory"

I conclude...y'all be safe.

[JBeezy]

What's the details on the Zack and Mac arms? Me and my buddy are no strangers to fabrication. Nothing too major, but if it can be done with some angle iron or some type of metal and a welder we can make that happen. Mainly him. I just help here and there, plus supervise.

[Logizyme]

With only 50k I would not expect to see anything worn on your suspension, but I would not be surprised if I did find some items worn.

Lower ball joints always seem to get loose first, mine are starting to get their myself, besides those a leaking shock would be most common for your age/mileage.

As I mentioned I wouldn't expect to find anything loose or worn, but certainly give it a once over.

Metco's are going to be the highest quality and best customer service for your control arm's, and one of the two that make matching watts links, Sparta being the other. There are a few options there.

Certainly control arm upgrades are more beneficial than the watts link, personally I would put Addco sway bars as a higher priority than the watts link, but all together those mods will allow your car to handle amazingly well. I often surprise my import friends with a sporty whip around a corner.

[chief455]

What's the details on the Zack and Mac arms? Me and my buddy are no strangers to fabrication. Nothing too major, but if it can be done with some angle iron or some type of metal and a welder we can make that happen. Mainly him. I just help here and there, plus supervise.

I had to Google and read pages of year 2002 - 2003ish archived threads.
They were extensively developed and fabricated from tubular steel, with slight alteration in length for pinion angle change. I'll stop there. They work awesome for me.

[RF Overlord]

Zack & Mac control arms on The Blackbird and on Phoebe. They make the Marauders feel lighter than my Grand Marquis.

Since they are long out of production, these (https://id144237.webhosting.optonline. net/spartaperformance.com/merchantmanager/product_info.php?cPath=32_61&products_id=173) would be the next best thing.

[1stMerc]

This is what Z & M arms look like if you've never seen them. Initially you swapped the bushings from the stockers.

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/3/ZackCAs.JPG?7733

[SergntMac]

We did a good job, eh?

Now we got the Bob Mathis RCAs too!

Y'all be safe.

[chief455]

We did a good job, eh?

Now we got the Bob Mathis RCAs too!

Y'all be safe.
you did an awesome job.
Funny how some of the best upgrade products die from lack of sales support to the little guys that created them. I read pages of debate on the design and naysayers helped steer lesser knowing buyers away.
I personally chose these over Sparta and Metco. Then waited for a set.
I also learned that Zack has been in this since day one and pretty darn creative. Love or hate 'em, these guys contribute!
Mac - it is great to finally read posts in real time - wondered where you went!

[RubberCtyRauder]

a MO's t-shirt is considered and upgrade

[chief455]

a MO's t-shirt is considered and upgrade
LOL - than I'm wearing my upgrade today on a snow ride in the Tahoe ;)

[JBeezy]

you did an awesome job.
Funny how some of the best upgrade products die from lack of sales support to the little guys that created them. I read pages of debate on the design and naysayers helped steer lesser knowing buyers away.
I personally chose these over Sparta and Metco. Then waited for a set.
I also learned that Zack has been in this since day one and pretty darn creative. Love or hate 'em, these guys contribute!
Mac - it is great to finally read posts in real time - wondered where you went!
Personally I think they should do another run of control arms. I got dibs on the first set. Any other takers????

[lji372]

They've been there done that, probably wouldn't do another fun.
After the rush of doing it the first time it gets harder to do again.
Just loses it's luster somehow.....

[lifespeed]

All my front steering and suspension (minus shocks) is still original at 100,000 and as tight as could be. It's more where and how you drive and what maintenance has been done or overdone in my case that has a lot to do with how long these items hold up than mileage does. Same could be said for age considering climate, garaged and what not.

I have never seen a 100K mile car that didn't need at least some suspension work. Not saying it can't happen, but it would be the exception. Or maybe California roads are really that bad. :(

I suspect if you were to put a new front end under the car the difference would be noticeable.

[justbob]

Upper A arm bushings are starting to dry up, other than that it's all been taken apart a few times for various other reasons and never once found a justifiable reason to replace anything. Nothing wore, nothing loose, except for the aging bushings mentioned within the last year. Still tight, just starting to show her age visually. I was a mechanic for years before chasing the money into Plumbing so I know what to look for.


Builder Of Badassery