Hello all! New to board and have some questions.

[kartherma]

Hello!
I am brand new to the board and I must tell everyone that I am totally impressed with this community! I am so pleased to be able to find such and enthusiastic and informed group associated with the MM.

I was at the dealer a week ago looking at the F250's. What I thought was a grand marquis kept catching my eye. That was my first introduction. One question to the dealer and a test drive later....I am the proud new owner of an '04 silver MM. In one week I have grown to LOVE this car.

I have only managed to tint the windows so far, but I have an appointment next week to SLAM the audio system. It will be a Clarion deck (with sirius, mp3, and get this, 80 songs worth of recording...it will record from my cd's directly into memory- no need for a cd changer!) It will feature Focal speakers throughout, and if I play my cards right, it will be sound competition ready.

Next is the SS inserts for the bumper and the full gods head treatment, although I am curious about the badgeless grill- it looks HOT.

After the break-in, I am looking at the Reinhart chip and maybe some other items. I cannot stomach the 4.10's as I drive regularly from San Diego Ca to Yuma Az (at least weekly) and will be doing ALOT of highway miles.

As for this car...WOW!!! it is a dream come true!!

So, here is the question.
Looking at the chip set up, how far should I take that? Money really, in the long run, is not an issue for me (newly single and make loads...so this is my new baby!) That mod seems to go along with new plugs and maybe a few other things...

Also, how does that Willwood brake system settle with those of you who have added it?

Ok, So I am a bit fascinated with this car...possibly obsessed. But who cares? I LOVE THIS CAR!
Thanks, Curt

[BillyGman]

Welcome aboard Curt, and congrats on your new 04 Marauder!!! These cars look so cool, uh? To answer your question, you don't need to change the plugs nor the thermostat, nor anything else when you opt for a chip. You might get conflicting opinions on this, but consider this......many companies sell chips for many different cars as well as for the Marauder also, and they don't even sell sparkplugs, or thermostats, nor claim that you need different ones either. If you want to buy the plugs and stat, then that choice is entirely up to you, and isn't neccessarily wrong. It's optional. Some people like them, and some don't. I've had the different plugs, and decided that I didn't need them, and removed them. And I had them before my Marauder was supercharged. That was simply my choice. I think the standard $22 sparkplugs are just fine.


BTW, as far as the 4.10 gears go......just keep in mind that replacing the stock 3.55 gears with 4.10's will only increase the engine RPM at 70 MPH while in Overdrive by 350 RPM's. Remember that our Marauders have 18" wheels with 28" tall tires, and that bigger circumference makes a difference. So if you ever did decide to go with the 4.10's your car will still be fine on the highway, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. I once had 4.10 gears on my Marauder and the decrease in gas mileage was only 2 MPG. But if you do decide on a gear change, then you have to use either a chip or the handheld tuner, and you MUST tell the vendor that you purchase it from what your new gear ratio is (or will be). ;)

[CRUZTAKER]

Hello and :welcome:

You are one of the few that come out and say "money is not a problem"

Mmmm, ok...you drive long distances....agreed the taller gears add up for fuel if you do this kind of long haul regularly....you want to be faster I assume....

Get blown!

Seriously, coming from a non-blown car owner, get a Trilogy blower and be "all you can be" and avoid the growing pains many of us have had to deal with.

Otherwise, you may not be totally satisfied with a chip/tuner being N/A and NOT doing a gear change. This is a heavy car to push about with a 281. Think about it moneybags!:P

If the warranty is what you fear, get a tuner.....but either way you go, that California GAS is always gonna be a thorn in your side.

Good luck, and prepare to enjoy life just a tad more than before. :up:

[Patrick]

Welcome!!!!!!!!! Another Happy owner!!!!

[MainEngDwarf]

:welcome: And good luck with your mods, must be nice not to worry about the dollars :2thumbs: ( I wish I had that Problem). I like the handheld programmer personally because you can go back to the stock program before any warrentee work. Good Luck in whatever you do and have fun :burnout:

[Smokie]

Welcome aboard, You will get many different suggestions, so I will give you my take:

I recommend the SCT 9100 tuner so you can save your stock programming in case you are concerned with warranty issues. The programming that Dennis Reinhart offers added about 24 hp/ 26 tq to my car (dyno verified).

About the stat and cooler plugs, my opinion is they don't make the car faster; however I believe they reduce the chance of detonation, specially with that 91 octane CA. gas and the trips to AZ. The motorcraft AWSFA12C are about $25-30, the stat about $12, the Denso's IT20 about $80-100.

I did not change any gears and I am very happy with that decision 23-25 mpg I like it.

I suggest a complete exhaust change from the manifolds to before the chrome tips, in my car the exhaust added a tremendous amount of low end torque plus It sounds GREAT. I would recommend changing the stock airbox to a CAI, about 3 choices available, they all work.

What I suggested will put your stock MM. around 290hp/305tq (all documented) and in the very low 14's, possibly the high 13's in good air.

Of course as pointed out above..if money is no object...get a blower...Welcome to our club.:D

[Bluerauder]

Ok, So I am a bit fascinated with this car...possibly obsessed. But who cares? I LOVE THIS CAR!
Thanks, Curt
Well all righty then !!! Looks like you have come to the right place. Most of us have this same affliction. :rofl: Welcome to the MM.Net :welcome: and Happy Maraudering. Enjoy the :D

[Bradley G]

I thought the same way you describe, about the 4:10 gears.It sounded radical at first.But If $$ is not an issue niether will 1-2 gallons per tank!The go factor is well worth it.The only advantage I see for a chip instead of a hand held tuner is ;It takes a little longer to reprogram the car with a hand held tuner.and the chips I have seen offered have 4 positions for various settings race fuel or lower octane fuel ect.While the hand held tuner has three positions.There is a new handheld tuner called excalibrater It is offered by a Moderator here.His name is Lideo Iacobelli @ Alternative Auto,he helped me out to reprogram my hand held SCT 9100 for a gear swap to 4:10's.he has a fantstic tune and transmission schedule. There is also a new software available for the SCT9100 to make your own corrections to the program.If you want more info,PM me for details.Welcome to the Board! and Happy Maraudering!

Bradley G

[Cobra25]

Welcome to the Site Curt ! :beer:

[kartherma]

Wow!
Thanks for all the fast and great replies. This is truly a dream site for a guy like me.
Who can I talk to about going badgeless on the grill? Any of you have a good contact for the parts?
Also, after thinking about it on a few beers last night I have decided that the 4.10's will be a mod that I will get into. if it only gives me another 350rpm at 80mph, well heck...the seat in the chair feeling will be well worth the extra $ in gas milage.:coolman:

I am not exactly happy that I have money now. That is due to a divorce...one that the wife wanted since she now has a new boyfriend who is 10 years younger than she is....ewww it hurts...no need to talk about that any more.:o

so now it is off to watch football, drink a few and survey the world from a new view. and off to the races!

thanks folks!

[UAW 588]

Wow!
.
Who can I talk to about going badgeless on the grill? Any of you have a good contact for the parts?



Welcome to wonderful world of Marauder. Hang on, because this aint no ordinary ride. As for your badgeless grille; talk to Zack on this site. I don't know if he's doing any now, but can fill you in on it. :burnout:

[jgc61sr2002]

Curt - Welcome aboard. Enjoy your new ride. You definitely came to the right place lots of good information and nice folks. :D

[PJR]

Welcome. Another member from the Southwest! My Dad runs a hotel in Yuma. That 'hill' between Yuma and San Diego would be a blast. Have not driven that route since I purchased my MM. Good Luck!

[Mike Poore]

Hello! ... Thanks, Curt
:welcome: Hey Curt! I agree with you about this site, and the ride. We're a fairly diverse group, with a few things in common, mostly the Marauder, but a few others. I'm 6'4 and go 270; and that's not big in this crowd. Big guys = big cars. Another thing you'll notice is flames ...not! No harsh words, no badmouthing, no arguing, except occasionally when someone gets called a neener neener boogerhead. But you'll see generosity and love, beyond anything you'd expect from a group of folks who have just met within the last two years. An amazing concept. I attribute the success of the site and decorum to Logan, the administrator, who will not tolerate bad behavior. The bad guys? They go away. Enjoy the car, and your new family.;)

PS: Use the search tab, it will serve you well 'cause there's threads about most everything ......mostly oil:rofl:

BTW, in case you didn't know, you have a very cool leather jacket comming from Mercury. :D

:burn:

[teamrope]

Welcome to the site!

You will have to get together with Navchap. He is stationed in San Diego, and has about the wildest paint out there. (Not to mention he's S/Ced!)

[maraudernkc]

Welcome aboard! If money is not a problem just put one of the three diffrent choces of blowes and you will have over 400 ponies to the rear wheel and that's on 91 octane. If you don't wand a blower than I would the the tunner and the 4:10 gears. Like BillyGman said it only chages your RPM's at 70MPH by 350 to 400RPM higher.


Have fun with your new toy!

[Marauderman]

Being your a new Marauderman--:lol:-- I of course had to welcome you aboard!!!!....Tom

[stevengerard]

welcome and fill us in with the radio details, I miss XM now that my wife drives the Suburban and I'd like to have a few alternatives to choose from for the MM

[Bigdogjim]

I am not exactly happy that I have money now. That is due to a divorce...one that the wife wanted since she now has a new boyfriend who is 10 years younger than she is....ewww it hurts...no need to talk about that any more.:o
Living well is the best revenge:)
Welcome to our world :rolleyes:
Best move you have made yet :cool:
This car is very at"home" on the open road........

[Two Hawks]

:welcome: and congratulations :toast: on your new MM.

Had mine for almost nine months and still can’t wipe the :D off my face.

:hmmm: This car should be good therapy for your current situation :(. Helps relieve pent up :mad: and takes your mind off everything but MARAUDING. :burnout: :D

[BillyGman]

:welcome: and congratulations :toast: on your new MM.

Had mine for almost nine months and still can’t wipe the :D off my face.

:hmmm: This car should be good therapy for your current situation :(. Helps relieve pent up :mad: and takes your mind off everything but MARAUDING. :burnout: :D
very well put! :banana2: :up:

[seans]

Welcome, I've only had mine for a few weeks So I know how you are feeling!:banana2: :banana: