Performance on a budget

[runamuckr]

Hello to everyone. Love this site. Had some time to poke around yesterday. AWSOME stuff here.
I hope I'm posting in the right place.
Thanks for the hood squeek tips, I'll be trying them this weekend.
So I should let you all know that I own an '04 GM. Hope I haven't made any enimies. I'm a traveling sales man and the GM is perfect for the long road trips and taking customers out to lunch.
So, to my question:
Has anyone had any experience with the JET performance chips? I have on other vehicles but not the GM.
Also, I want the gains of a performance exhaust, but I'd like to keep the sound to a minimum, especialy INSIDE the car. Any help is greatly appreciated. I like what all you guys are doing with your Mercs, I'm kickin' myself for not gettin' the MM. But the budget wouldn't allow. So the long plan is to create one once the GM has served its purpose. :D

[TAF]

In my opinion...save the $ on the Jet chip. Either do Superchips or SCT.

If your GM has factory duals....have 2 Magnaflow 18" mufflers installed to your stock exhaust and that's it. I just had a guy swing back by the the shop last week...we did this ^^ on his '04 CV about 5 months ago...he carts around clients...LOVES the sound...and is getting 2-3 more MPG.


EDIT: Oh...and by the way...I don't care what anybody says...there is no such thing as "performance on a budget". It's like other things that just don't exist:

Short-sleeved "dress shirts"
Skinny eskimo women over the age of 21
A short post here by certain individuals

[MM2004]

Welcome to the site!

What TAF said. Go with the SCT Xcalibrator II. Very versatile, and can also read codes.

Most importantly, it will leave no evidence of being there when it comes to warranty issues. Assuming you are under warranty?

Mike.

[GA-Marauder]

EDIT: Oh...and by the way...I don't care what anybody says...there is no such thing as "performance on a budget". It's like other things that just don't exist:

Short-sleeved "dress shirts"
Skinny eskimo women over the age of 21
A short post here by certain individuals

Not true Todd, all it takes is a REALLY BIG BUDGET.:lol:

[LordVader]

TAF is our resident muffler professional (so he knows what he knows) and all-around sharer of what vehicles he is working on this week. When you "On the rack" as the thread starter be prepared to enjoy. No enemies here, just car guys. Welcome to the site.

[magindat]

a combination of contradictory or incongruous words.

Performance Budget

Bwaaaahhaaaaahaaaahaaaaaa! :laugh:

[magindat]

Use SCT XCal2

1) Loads thru OBD port - don't have to access ecm.

2) Reprogrammable for future upgrades.

3) Reads DTC's.

4) Certain parameters adjustable right from the XCal.

5) Can modify you own tune with Extreme Tune software from SCT site.

6) Excellent dealer support from vendors on this site.

[SID210SA]

Welcome!!!!!

[ckadiddle]

Use SCT XCal2

1) Loads thru OBD port - don't have to access ecm.

2) Reprogrammable for future upgrades.

3) Reads DTC's.

4) Certain parameters adjustable right from the XCal.

5) Can modify you own tune with Extreme Tune software from SCT site.

6) Excellent dealer support from vendors on this site.

3) Reads Diagnostic Trouble Codes from ALL later model Ford made vehicles, not just Marauders. This has already saved me a couple hundred bucks on the wife's stang. You can also CLEAR the DTCs to make that annoying light go out.

[ckadiddle]

a combination of contradictory or incongruous words.

Performance Budget

Bwaaaahhaaaaahaaaahaaaaaa! :laugh:
You keep crackin' me up!!!
I look at it this way...... I don't spend money on alcohol, cigarettes, gambling. That leaves all the "sin" money for me to spend on the Marauder.:D

[jgc61sr2002]

Welcome aboard.:D :welcome1:

[Dennis Reinhart]

Hello to everyone. Love this site. Had some time to poke around yesterday. AWSOME stuff here.
I hope I'm posting in the right place.
Thanks for the hood squeek tips, I'll be trying them this weekend.
So I should let you all know that I own an '04 GM. Hope I haven't made any enimies. I'm a traveling sales man and the GM is perfect for the long road trips and taking customers out to lunch.
So, to my question:
Has anyone had any experience with the JET performance chips? I have on other vehicles but not the GM.
Also, I want the gains of a performance exhaust, but I'd like to keep the sound to a minimum, especialy INSIDE the car. Any help is greatly appreciated. I like what all you guys are doing with your Mercs, I'm kickin' myself for not gettin' the MM. But the budget wouldn't allow. So the long plan is to create one once the GM has served its purpose. :D

Don't waiste your money, go with a Xcal 2, I provide free upgrades as you add to the car its the bigest improvement you can make to the car for the $, call me any time if you have any questions.

[runamuckr]

I've discovered the budget thing isn't easy to stick to.
I'll look into the programer thing, I didn't realize all the extra features.
EXHAUST question: Since I've now upped my budget, and my stock exhaust is only one. what do you suggest for dules? Is it possible to run each header to its own cat, muffler, and tail pipe or do I need to tie them together and then re-split them. Are there any advantages to each header with its own exhaust?
I suppose I should state my intentions. That might better help you guys help me piece a syatem together. I'm looking for more power, though its pretty spunky as it is, my 281cc at 225 HP could use a bit less restriction. The plan is a new intake, programing/tuning and exhaust. My main intention is to unleash the power that is restricted from the factory. With out major money/overhauls/ect.
Thanks for all you help so far.

[TAF]

Your exhaust is "dual" through the CATs...then it "Ys" off to the passenger side. My opinion? Leave the exhaust alone. Your GM "is what it is"...it's never gonna be tearin' up the streets. It's a nice car...enjoy it.

[runamuckr]

Not looking to tear up the streets. Just want to unleash the full potential.

[JMan]

Run,
Welcome aboard! You might want to scan the classifieds for some MM exhaust pieces. I too have a non-Marauder and drive it daily under the same conditions you do. I believe there are a couple of members with their stock exhaust systems for sale there.

Best luck,

J

[Loco1234]

Ya a stock marauder exhaust would still be a good cheap upgrade...

The Xcal2 is biggest bang for you buck... and dennis will take care of you anytime you need to reprogram for new mods etc...

My dad had gotten my mom a 2001 GM LSE a few years back and Dennis took really good care of us... we upgrade our marauder to a supercharger and then took the no l=onger needed stock airr box on the Gm LSE... Big improvement...

If you buy the stock Marauder intake and exhaust stuff along with a an Xcal2 with a custom tune from dennis you will notice the difference...

Plus the new tune will adjust your tranny shift points and how quick and tight it will shift from gear to gear... you will be very happy...

Stock Maruder parts can be pruchased from any marauder owner whom has put a supercharge on their car or straight from Dennis...

[Dennis Reinhart]

Exhaust alone will do very little for the car, SCT tuning will immediately give you a + RWHP gain

[KillJoy]

SCT tuning will emediatly give you a 20+ RWHP gain


...and I am assuming Shift Points???

I know that when I was N/A, I noticed the MOST from the shifting. Amazing what just a few RPM's and Pressure can do to a car.

Also....doesn't the Grand Marquis have different Rear Gearing? Perhaps bumping up to a 3.55 or a 4.10 (E-GAD!) would be a HUGE improvement in acceleration.

Just my thoughts.....

KillJoy

[ckadiddle]

...and I am assuming Shift Points???

I know that when I was N/A, I noticed the MOST from the shifting. Amazing what just a few RPM's and Pressure can do to a car.

Also....doesn't the Grand Marquis have different Rear Gearing? Perhaps bumping up to a 3.55 or a 4.10 (E-GAD!) would be a HUGE improvement in acceleration.

Just my thoughts.....

KillJoy
Tune for sure.

And there are always used 3.55s laying around here from Marauder guys that have gone to 4.10s.

Haven't I read that CV owners can change over to the Marauder stock air intakes and make a small gain there also? Not sure about that.

[DEFYANT]

Just go get blown, you'll be happier in the long run and save money too.

:D

[KillJoy]

Haven't I read that CV owners can change over to the Marauder stock air intakes and make a small gain there also? Not sure about that.

Yes....

I sold my complete MM Intake, including MAF to a member here w/ a GM/CV. So yes....it IS an upgrade for those models. And.... there should be several floating around...if you know where to look ;)

KillJoy

[KillJoy]

Another thing.... I have my stock takeoff Front and Rear Sway Bars. Pay shipping, and they are yours ;)

KillJoy

[Dennis Reinhart]

I do the Marauder air box and PI zip tube all the time but you have to use tuning as well to adjust the af for the new maf I may have a used box around give me a call I will do you a deal

[SergntMac]

Oh...and by the way...I don't care what anybody says...there is no such thing as "performance on a budget". It's like other things that just don't exist:

Short-sleeved "dress shirts"
Skinny eskimo women over the age of 21
A short post here by certain individualsROTFLMAO!

I love it, thanks for the many chuckles my friend.

BTW, a long post reads a lot faster than drumming your fingers on the desktop waiting for imbedded pics to load up.

But, sweet pics they are too, for the folks here fond of old stuff, funny looking boats, and experiments that look like they'll never fly. I'm a big fan too.

Carry on my friend, I love all of your "On the Rack Today" updates. Maybe the new administration can find a special forum just for your contributions? I know everyone loves them as I do.

I think everyone can view them in your Gallery, yes?

http://www.mercurymarauder.net/showcase/browseimages.php?do=searchresu lts&searchid=985

Happy Motoring y'all!

[MERCMAN]

Just go get blown, you'll be happier in the long run and save money too.

:D

Is Zack posting under your name??? :rofl:

[SergntMac]

Just go get blown, you'll be happier in the long run and save money too.

:DIndeed. Agreed.

You can do a lot of stuff that makes your car faster is small ways, or, reach for the top shelf first, and supercharge. Lot's of neat things you can do with a 2V 4.6L GM, but none of them will add up to that.

Budget...You said budget...ROTFLMAO again, eyes tearing up this time...

[MERCMAN]

Indeed. Agreed.

You can do a lot of stuff that makes your car faster is small ways, or, reach for the top shelf first, and supercharge. Lot's of neat things you can do with a 2V 4.6L GM, but none of them will add up to that.

Perhaps someone could provide a link for the KB CV that preceded his marauder makeover?

Here it is!!

http://www.mpt.org/motorweek/reviews/rt2111a.shtml

[SergntMac]

Perhaps someone could provide a link for the KB CV that preceded his marauder makeover?Yep...That's the Kenny Brown project car (and subsequent builds) known as the "Lounge Lizzard". Check that phrase in a Car and Driver google search too?

Meanwhile, Kenny Brown Performance has closed it's doors, we hope just for a while as he mends from a personal illness. Until he does, many others have followed in his shoes, supercharging and road tuning suspensions on CVs and GMs with 2V 4.6L engines under the hood.

If you are interested in such a mod, or, conversion, try calling one of our supporting vendors here, Dennis Reinhart, at 904.276.5003? He's already doing CV/GM make-overs, some with a conversion to a 4V 4.6L Marauder engine.

If it's done right, lot's of fun can be had, and safely too.

[CRUZTAKER]

Your GM "is what it is"...it's never gonna be tearin' up the streets. It's a nice car...enjoy it.

But then there was that member of ours at MV-1 with that beautiful dark red Marquis with the roots blower that ran 13's and made me look silly.:P

Who was that dude?

[Bigdogjim]

I think his name was Alan?

[Bradley G]

Yeah, Allen engineering. AED
I think his name was Alan?

[Bigdogjim]

Well you look around for a used S/C marauder for sale?

One does come along now and then..And it a bargin! (at any price)

[MM03MOK]

But then there was that member of ours at MV-1 with that beautiful dark red Marquis with the roots blower that ran 13's and made me look silly.:P

Who was that dude?
JohnE http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/member.php?u=380