Some final questions and thanks!

[Svashtar]

Well, in the last week alone I have learned one hell of a lot, with special thanks to Valleyman for filling in a huge number of gaps. I think I'm on the right track for a much better performing car, but probably without doing many of the mods some of you guys do regularly to shave another 1/2 second off of the quarter mile!

Here's what I plan on doing for my "phase 1" after I spend a few weeks driving it stock just to check it out:

Reinhart Stage 1 kit: Denso plugs, 180 thermostat, 4:10 gears and tuner.

Rear sway bar from Reinhart (not sure of the brand name.)

Going to hold off on the control arms and watts link for now, as I'm not doing any racing and am not yet convinced they are 100% needed for "regular" driving.

My "phase II" will probably include the Reinhart (is it called Level 2?) tranny kit, engine head cooling modification, and as long as the tranny is out a torque converter and larger tranny pan.

The rest of the stuff I've listed is cosmetic: tinted glass, inserts, etc., etc., and I have all you guys to thank for that as you have given me great ideas.

Finally, there are just a few remaining items I have questions on, and I'll try not to bug you anymore!

1) Are these Sylvania 9007ST lamps I see mentioned hi-intensity lamps? Are they that much brighter than the OEM units, or do they just look cooler or something?

2) Is the optional full sized spare a front or rear tire?

3) Is remote start a doable aftermarket option? Would the dealer do that?

4) When you take your car in for servicing, do you have to put back in the original chip, or retune the chip so they don't give you crap about your warranty?

5) G-timer? Got me there!

6) Megs delete tips? Those are for?

7) The Godshead badge for the steering wheel. Is that just glued on? Does it replace anything, and where do you get it?

I really appreciate your taking the time to help me out with these last questions. I have spent several days researching everything else in the archives and so these are just the ones I wasn't able to answer or got conflicting info on.

Best regards, and feel free to jump in if you think any of my priorities are ass-backwards or just plain wrong!

Thanks very much as usual.

Norm

[FiveO]

Well, in the last week alone I have learned one hell of a lot, with special thanks to Valleyman for filling in a huge number of gaps. I think I'm on the right track for a much better performing car, but probably without doing many of the mods some of you guys do regularly to shave another 1/2 second off of the quarter mile!

Here's what I plan on doing for my "phase 1" after I spend a few weeks driving it stock just to check it out:

Reinhart Stage 1 kit: Denso plugs, 180 thermostat, 4:10 gears and tuner.

Rear sway bar from Reinhart (not sure of the brand name.)

Going to hold off on the control arms and watts link for now, as I'm not doing any racing and am not yet convinced they are 100% needed for "regular" driving.

My "phase II" will probably include the Reinhart (is it called Level 2?) tranny kit, engine head cooling modification, and as long as the tranny is out a torque converter and larger tranny pan.

The rest of the stuff I've listed is cosmetic: tinted glass, inserts, etc., etc., and I have all you guys to thank for that as you have given me great ideas.

Finally, there are just a few remaining items I have questions on, and I'll try not to bug you anymore!

1) Are these Sylvania 9007ST lamps I see mentioned hi-intensity lamps? Are they that much brighter than the OEM units, or do they just look cooler or something?

2) Is the optional full sized spare a front or rear tire?

3) Is remote start a doable aftermarket option? Would the dealer do that?

4) When you take your car in for servicing, do you have to put back in the original chip, or retune the chip so they don't give you crap about your warranty?

5) G-timer? Got me there!

6) Megs delete tips? Those are for?

7) The Godshead badge for the steering wheel. Is that just glued on? Does it replace anything, and where do you get it?

I really appreciate your taking the time to help me out with these last questions. I have spent several days researching everything else in the archives and so these are just the ones I wasn't able to answer or got conflicting info on.

Best regards, and feel free to jump in if you think any of my priorities are ass-backwards or just plain wrong!

Thanks very much as usual.

Norm


I can answer a few of your questions Norm:

A remote start is a very viable option. I have a Clifford Alarm in mine and am getting a Clifford autostart added in the next couple of weeks. With the alarm already installed the autostart is costing me $400 from a very reputable shop in the Twin Cities. I would NOT have a dealer do it. Find a good Electronics shop.

Megs delete tips are nothing more than stock MM tips with the inside resonator deleted...or not there. Our stock Megs Marauder tips have a baffle inside. The resonator "deleted" tips are a bit louder. Our stock tips are made by Megs....check the top of the tailpipe at the end.

A G-Timer is a neat little gadget from Passport. It is an accelerometer in that you can hit a button, punch the gas, and after a couple of spirited runs, get your 0-60mph times among other things.

Links:

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=10664&highlight=Passport

Info: Pics and Purchasing: http://www.escortstore.com/gtimer.htm

All of the godshead badge conversions are done by a little ingenuity and our wheel center caps.

Get ahold of a couple new center caps and some adhesive and a Dremel tool....take your time and you can convert the grill badge, rear badge and steering wheel badge to the center cap godshead.

Link to the outside badge conversions:

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=9179


Hope that helps!


Mark...

[FiveO]

Oh...and theres no such things "final questions"...

Thats what we're all here for as a community.

Ask away...when I'm doing more and more mods...I'll have 'em too!


And in a few weeks you'll be a seasoned expert and be able to answer others questions :D

[2003 MIB]

1) Are these Sylvania 9007ST lamps I see mentioned hi-intensity lamps? Are they that much brighter than the OEM units, or do they just look cooler or something? They are brighter- no doubt about it.

2) Is the optional full sized spare a front or rear tire? It is a front. I don't know if it was ever an option- Fullsize spare in 300As(early 2003)- spacesaver spare in 300Bs (everything else).

3) Is remote start a doable aftermarket option? Would the dealer do that? Yes, they can or a good car audio places usually have kits too.

4) When you take your car in for servicing, do you have to put back in the original chip, or retune the chip so they don't give you crap about your warranty? It really depends on your dealer. The chips are piggyback units so you don't actually remove the OEM chip. If you think the dealer might hassle you- Before you go in for service- disconnect the battery- remove the chip- reconnect the battery- drive to dealer. Easy enough- my dealer is "mod. friendly" so I don't have to do that. Some dealers are not.

5) G-timer? Got me there!
See above 5-0 is correct.

6) Megs delete tips? Those are for?
See above 5-0 is correct.

7) The Godshead badge for the steering wheel. Is that just glued on? Does it replace anything, and where do you get it? It has an adhesive back and goes on over the "waterfall" on the steering wheel. Do a search on "godshead" and you'll find the memeber who sells them- high quality items and not expensive. Logan may have a few left over from the store.

I really appreciate your taking the time to help me out with these last questions. Hey Norm, we live for stuff like this!!...I'm certainly no expert- I know the answers to these questions simply based on hanging out here for a little over a year. It's fun!
Best regards, and feel free to jump in if you think any of my priorities are ass-backwards or just plain wrong! In my opinion, you're on a great modification path- it's addictive and you'll end up wanting everything that you see but I think it's cool that you're planning your mods in stages.

Enjoy your ride,
Dan

[Svashtar]

Excellent! Thanks for all the great info. I like the idea of the modified megs tips and the brighter headlights for sure. The godhead badges are pretty cool too.

I talked to Reinharts and am getting the tuner with the gears. Hopefully it will have the capability to save and download the default settings and I'll just reset the chip before I take it in for any servicing, or maybe just have a talk with the shop first and see if they are cool with my changes.

This place is a gold mine of info, and I appreciate you guys taking the time to share it!

Regards,

Norm