More Performance Upgrades

[423REED]

After i've been planning and waiting for almost two years to add a Trilogy S/C, i've given up on that plan. The wife and i just can't get together on this one. But she's cool about the less expensive performance modifications. As an alternative plan, i'm now planning to add the following:
*
1) 4.10:1 ring & pinion gears.
2) Cast aluminum axle girdle.
3) The K&N cold air intake system.
4) An alternative auto tune.
*
These upgrades will produce about 25 hp more (327 hp total), and they should'nt cause any driveability or dealer warranty problem (I think). My real question is, will these relatively minor upgrades really be noticeable when i'm driving my 2004 MM? Will i feel them in the seat of my pants? You guys have all made a lot of these upgrades. How did they feel in you Marauders? My Maruader is otherwise stock.
Jim
______________________________ _______________
2004 MERCURY MARAUDER 300A - DTR BORN 04/19/04
1994 FORD TAURUS SHO - GREEN

[DarthMarauder]

When I had Lidio retune my chip the 2 things he said will totally wake up the MM are the 4.10s and the tune. So I think those 2 items will give you the biggest wow out of the 4. I only have the tune and it definite feels like a different car not sure how much the 4.10s would be cause I drive way to much highway for me to go that route.

[SergntMac]

If you're adding the 4:10s and girdle, add the Dana 60 bearing cap stud kit too. Ford Racing #M-4034-A, 37.95, page 141 of the '06 catalogue.

IMHO, you will do a lot better than 25 RWHP gains with a dyno tune.

Other less expensive mods that have a performance pay off are underdrive pulleys and Granatelli COP spark plug boots and connectors.

Maybe you could glide a PI Stallion torque converter under wifey's radar?

[Blackened300a]

As Mac said, Go with a set of pullies.
As for tune gains, I managed to pull 27 RWHP out of a tune alone.
The 4.10's are a nice touch and hopefully in the near future I can rant and rave about how much a Torque Convertor helped Motovate my Marauder.

BTW, I happen to be selling a brand new set of Pullies in the classifieds

[hitchhiker]

After i've been planning and waiting for almost two years to add a Trilogy S/C, i've given up on that plan. The wife and i just can't get together on this one. But she's cool about the less expensive performance modifications. As an alternative plan, i'm now planning to add the following:
*
1) 4.10:1 ring & pinion gears.
2) Cast aluminum axle girdle.
3) The K&N cold air intake system.
4) An alternative auto tune.
*
These upgrades will produce about 25 hp more (327 hp total), and they should'nt cause any driveability or dealer warranty problem (I think). My real question is, will these relatively minor upgrades really be noticeable when i'm driving my 2004 MM? Will i feel them in the seat of my pants? You guys have all made a lot of these upgrades. How did they feel in you Marauders? My Maruader is otherwise stock.
Jim
______________________________ _______________
2004 MERCURY MARAUDER 300A - DTR BORN 04/19/04
1994 FORD TAURUS SHO - GREEN

I hope you severely limit the number of pairs of shoes that she may buy!

:D

[RF Overlord]

and they should'nt cause any driveability or dealer warranty problem (I think).Actually, ALL of those mods *can* cause a warranty problem, if your dealer decides to be a hard-ass. Depends on what goes wrong, and how many times he's been audited before. In reality, all of your chosen mods are very common, well-established, and practically foolproof, and unlikely to be the CAUSE of any problems in the first place.
My real question is, will these relatively minor upgrades really be noticeable when i'm driving my 2004 MM? Yes. Absolutely. Without question. :banana2:

As others mentioned, the gears and tune will make the biggest difference. Underdrive pulleys are also a good bang for the buck...

[Smokie]

After i've been planning and waiting for almost two years to add a Trilogy S/C, i've given up on that plan. The wife and i just can't get together on this one. But she's cool about the less expensive performance modifications. As an alternative plan, i'm now planning to add the following:
*
1) 4.10:1 ring & pinion gears.
2) Cast aluminum axle girdle.
3) The K&N cold air intake system.
4) An alternative auto tune.
*
These upgrades will produce about 25 hp more (327 hp total), and they should'nt cause any driveability or dealer warranty problem (I think). My real question is, will these relatively minor upgrades really be noticeable when i'm driving my 2004 MM? Will i feel them in the seat of my pants? You guys have all made a lot of these upgrades. How did they feel in you Marauders? My Maruader is otherwise stock.
Jim
______________________________ _______________
2004 MERCURY MARAUDER 300A - DTR BORN 04/19/04
1994 FORD TAURUS SHO - GREEN

Yes, you will notice the difference.

[rayjay]

If you're adding the 4:10s and girdle, add the Dana 60 bearing cap stud kit too. Ford Racing #M-4034-A, 37.95, page 141 of the '06 catalogue.

IMHO, you will do a lot better than 25 RWHP gains with a dyno tune.

Other less expensive mods that have a performance pay off are underdrive pulleys and Granatelli COP spark plug boots and connectors.

Maybe you could glide a PI Stallion torque converter under wifey's radar?

I agree with MAC. Once you have the tuner/chip get the car to a dyno with a tech that knows what he is doing. I picked up 30+hp and 50+ Tq in the midrange where it really helped. Before my last set of upgrades my engine was at 273 RWHP, 295 RWTQ with just a modified intake and chip. I have not been retuned since I added the Accufab TB, DR Cobra Exhaust, GCOP and cooler plugs. I suspect I'm knocking on the 300 RWHP door if I retune.

[fastblackmerc]

These upgrades will produce about 25 hp more (327 hp total),

I hope you get 327 total HP but I doubt it. The 302HP listed is at the flywheel not at the rear wheels. I have 281HP at the rear wheels. See my sig for my mods.


and they should'nt cause any driveability or dealer warranty problem (I think).

Actually your driveability will much better than stock. You'll be amazed at the difference. As for dealer problems it all depends on your dealer.


My real question is, will these relatively minor upgrades really be noticeable when i'm driving my 2004 MM? Will i feel them in the seat of my pants? You guys have all made a lot of these upgrades. How did they feel in you Marauders?

You'll definately notice it SOP. Just a tune alone makes a BIG difference. Your Maruader will run like it's supposed to. I wouldn't change mine back for anything.

I suggest you also install under drive pulleys, colder plugs, colder thermostat, the rear end stud kit and look at upgrading the exhaust.

[LVMarauder]

If you want some serious bang for the buck, something easily removable as well look at nitrous.

[Marauder.45]

LVMarauder has it right on both accounts.

If I had know what the Stallion TC was going to do for me in the beginning, it would have been first. It is the most dramatic change.

Do the gears, TC, CAI, and Tune accordingly. You'll be in the 13s and have the "Oh ****, hold on SOP" experience you want.

Then go for the nitrous. You'll be in the 12s.

I just finished my Nitrous install, but that is another thread entirely.:D

[Brutus]

+1 for the Stallion :2thumbs:

[DEFYANT]

:blah:









Just Trilogize it. If I could get my wife on board - anyone can!

[Pat]

423Reed;

Your question "will I notice a difference". Heck Yea.
I snarl at any car that pulls up beside me. Only two cars have outrun me and that's a souped up Corvette and a S/C'd Marauder.

Go for it dude.

[supa_carrot]

Just curious, but if I decided to add those same performance parts, how much would it cost me?? At 16 years old I can't quite afford a supercharger either, but I might can swing a few hundred dollars over the summer.

[fastblackmerc]

Just curious, but if I decided to add those same performance parts, how much would it cost me?? At 16 years old I can't quite afford a supercharger either, but I might can swing a few hundred dollars over the summer.

Your looking at:

1) 4.10:1 ring & pinion gears. @ $500 - $600 (parts & labor)
2) Cast aluminum axle girdle. @ $150 - $180 (part) installed when you do the gears
3) The K&N cold air intake system. @ $250 - $280 (parts) + labor
3a) JLT cold air intake @ 155 (parts) + labor
4) An alternative auto tune. ?
5) Underdrive pulleys @ $180 (parts) + labor
6) Colder plugs & thermostat @ $60.00 (parts) + labor

Of course you'll save alot if you do your own wrenching.

Note: prices above are guesstimates the actual prices you get may vary...

[Marauder.45]

TC $700ish for parts, $300ish for labor.