Suspension questions

[Leadfoot281]

I'm about to take the plunge and upgrade the suspension on my Marauder. I'm thinking about the sway bars, control arms, watts link and possibly shocks.

Does any one have any hard data on the improvements (ie skid pad numbers)? What does the Marauder pull on the skid pad in stock form? And, most importantly, will these mods keep my spare sunglasses from sliding across the dash in corners?:)

I live in "hill country" and flattening my Marauders cornering is at the top of my list for improvements.

I can deal with polyurethane bushing squeaks too. (if it REALLY helps the car). If the urethane bushings help marginally, I'd be less inclined to go for them. Thanks!

[Leadfoot281]

No one here has used a G-Tech Pro performance meter?

There isn't any published before/after performance figures for these mods?

Nobodys actually tested to see what increase in performance these mods made?

I certainly believe sway bars, etc will improve the car, but I don't know by how much. Or which mods are most effective. I'd love to know before buying any parts.

[BK_GrandMarquis]

No one here has used a G-Tech Pro performance meter?

There isn't any published before/after performance figures for these mods?

Nobodys actually tested to see what increase in performance these mods made?


No offence but are you kidding??? :D

I have a G-Tech but I never bothered with testing. Not exactly a lot of places where you can drive around in circles without bring attention to yourself where I live.;)

Your only going to get people's opinions and experiences. There is no hard data on this stuff.:dunno:

[BK_GrandMarquis]

And, most importantly, will these mods keep my spare sunglasses from sliding across the dash in corners?:)


Actually that doesn't make sense. When the car handles better and can pull more G's, your more likely to have objects slide across your dash. Even if it is laterally more level/stable.

[shakes_26]

No I didn't consider the G-tech, I just knew it had to be better, then I wnet and did the mods.

I'd say as an order of improvement per dollar, the swaybars are the best bang for buck. I did rear first, it helped turn it dramatically, but left the car feeling a touch squirrely. So the front bar went in, it balanced the car back out and kept roll to a fraction of OEM.

The other factor is the control arms (rear) the Metcos made an improvement as well, but I feel for the $$ and the amount they helped, there a better follow on handling modification.

Now, I had no Gtech to test with, but I was able to drive an unmodified MM on the same course, back to back, same speed/direction. Whereas my car went through the S turns smoothly and providing confidence, the OEM equiped car, scared me. Yes, scared me. The body roll was significant and the car definitely wasn't holding the line I wanted it to.

My on track experience (as currently setup), the car was pushing (understeer), but stable and very little body roll which helped me stay in control. I'd imagine for autocross the sweet setup is OEM front swaybar, addco rear, the car would really rotate well and let the weight transfer, but better tires would be needed for sure.

Sorry no hard numbers, I'd also say there is a bunch more in the chassis to find with better tires.

just my experiences, I am by no means an expert in the above subject matter.

Also check with BK Grandmarquis, he may have done some testing like what you mentioned with his GM. Oops he beat me to the post! I knew he was fast :)



No one here has used a G-Tech Pro performance meter?

There isn't any published before/after performance figures for these mods?

Nobodys actually tested to see what increase in performance these mods made?

I certainly believe sway bars, etc will improve the car, but I don't know by how much. Or which mods are most effective. I'd love to know before buying any parts.

[BK_GrandMarquis]

Actually, this LI meet we might have in June might be a good time for me to do a skidpad test. I won't have any before numbers but I can give you an idea of what my car can do now.

Well, maybe. I have no idea how to perform a skidpad test correctly. I can only see how fast I can go and how many G's I'm pulling without losing complete control. I'm guessing that's how it's done. :lol:

[Leadfoot281]

Thanks for the replys. It's probably pretty obvious I don't know a whole lot about handeling.That's why I made this post. I was certain some one out here could offer me some help and point me in the right direction.

Some of the funnest cars I've owned weren't the fastest, but were fun in the twistys. I think my Marauder would be quicker (where I drive at least) with a lot less body roll, and a more precise suspension.

With the Marauders 55/45 weight bias it should be a canyon carver if set-up properly. The actual mass of the car will undoubtedly keep it out of the Ford GT's territory, but hey, why not try?

I feel that a well sorted, ideally tuned, optimized suspension should have the same effect as an extra 70 HP on these roads. Thanks for the info. I'll be looking into making my car run hard through the twistys. At that point I'll be ready for more power.

[jimlam56]

Thanks for the replys. It's probably pretty obvious I don't know a whole lot about handeling.That's why I made this post. I was certain some one out here could offer me some help and point me in the right direction.

Some of the funnest cars I've owned weren't the fastest, but were fun in the twistys. I think my Marauder would be quicker (where I drive at least) with a lot less body roll, and a more precise suspension.

With the Marauders 55/45 weight bias it should be a canyon carver if set-up properly. The actual mass of the car will undoubtedly keep it out of the Ford GT's territory, but hey, why not try?

I feel that a well sorted, ideally tuned, optimized suspension should have the same effect as an extra 70 HP on these roads. Thanks for the info. I'll be looking into making my car run hard through the twistys. At that point I'll be ready for more power.

Don't forget Brakes...:D

[fastblackmerc]

No hard numbers but I've upgraded my MM with Addco's front & rear, Metco's (upper & lower trailing arms and Watts link). SOP testing, I think the Addco's gave me the best bang for the buck, followed by the trailing arms. Still not sure about the Watts link. I can now take on / off ramps 20 - 30 mph more than the posted speed, some even faster!

[BK_GrandMarquis]

With the Marauders 55/45 weight bias it should be a canyon carver if set-up properly. The actual mass of the car will undoubtedly keep it out of the Ford GT's territory, but hey, why not try?


Funny you mention that. The Marauder probably won't handle like a Ford GT but a few guys here with aftermarket supercharger kits beat a Ford GT last year at a drag strip.:D On a road course, that is a whole different ball game. Although I'd really like to see someone try it. ;)

[sweetair]

Actually that doesn't make sense. When the car handles better and can pull more G's, your more likely to have objects slide across your dash. Even if it is laterally more level/stable.That is what I was going to say.

[Leadfoot281]

Funny you mention that. The Marauder probably won't handle like a Ford GT but a few guys here with aftermarket supercharger kits beat a Ford GT last year at a drag strip.:D On a road course, that is a whole different ball game. Although I'd really like to see someone try it. ;)

I've seen Pintos run faster than a GT. I'm deffinately going to be looking up more info on suspension tech. It'd take a full road race suspension to beat a GT with a Marauder, and I agree it would be fun to watch, that's not my ultimate goal. If I could get close though, that'd be one heck of an improvement. Right now I just want to get my sunglasses to slide across the dash faster than before.:)

And yes, when my stock brakes go, they'll be upgraded.

I just think that if you folks drove the same roads I do, you'd probably stop looking for more power, and start looking for better handeling.

[jimlam56]

"I just think that if you folks drove the same roads I do, you'd probably stop looking for more power, and start looking for better handeling."

Where exactly do you live? Just curious.

[Leadfoot281]

I'm way, waaay out in "'the sticks" (extreme south-eastern Minnesota). Just minutes from Iowa and Wisconsin. It's basically the only section of Minnesota that didn't get leveled flat by the receeding glaciers. Very scenic BTW. Maybe you can find pics of La Crosse Wisconsin on the 'net. Very similar topography.

I need to drive 30 miles to see an intersection controlled by a stop light.

There isn't 100 feet of strait road within 15 miles of me (Interstate 90).