Scott Long
12-18-2006, 06:18 PM
Well I figured this site would be the best source for information.
I am going to be joining the Air Force very soon. Once I get through basic and tech school and get my station assignment I'm going to be in the market for a new car. I have liked the Marauder since they came out in 2003. I was contemplating an 03 Cobra black on black, but they are a bit pricey, and me being younger the insurance would be outrageous. So how bout a four door cobra?
I currently own 3 Thunderbird SC's with some upgrades, so big fast Ford's are nothing new to me. However this would be my first modular powered vehicle.
I have been browsing the forums here and I see some cars listed as 300A and 300B. What does that refer to?
Also is the 2004 worth the extra money over a 2003 or if I can find a good deal on an '03 should I just snatch it up. I am definately getting a black Marauder because, well to me that is the only color. I like silver, but the Marauder I think looks better in black. (It'd look really cool with a front mount intercooler behind the black grille and with some sort of forced induction under the hood)
What are the main differences between 2003 and 2004 Marauders? I recall hearing they changed the torque convertor in 04. Can anyone fill me in on the stall speeds for the torque convertors in 03 and 04? Any other differences?
I am looking for a comfortable daily driver with power, something good to travel in, I will be attempting to make WFC every year assuming I'm not stationed over seas, as well as any other Marauder events I can. I am currently a member of SCCoA and I attend all the SC events that I can. I am looking to put the SC's up for a while and go through the engine in one of them, and I need a car to drive to work everyday. I know how big the trunks are in these cars which will be good for going grocery shopping and I will probably put a stereo system in the car as well as a nitrous bottle. I also like to golf so I need to be able to put my clubs in the trunk. I think the Marauder better fits the bill than the cobra.
My other question is about the engine. I know the 4.6L DOHC is similar to the non SC Cobra's, Lincoln Mark VIII, and Mustang Mach 1. But that means it doesn't have the forged crank, rods, or pistons correct? How much boost and or nitrous do you think the engine can handle with a proper tune? I am not one to leave a car stock, so the Marauder will be modified.
I plan to do a baseline dyno pull and a test and tune night at the track when I get it bone stock to see how much power it puts down and how quick I can get it to run. Then the mods will begin and I will occassionally take it back to the track. I like to drag race, but I'm not the kind of guy who is running the hell out of his car every friday night at the track. I just want to know what it can do, and when I upgrade something I'll run it again. I will also run it at some track events if I can attend and maybe in the NMRA bracket class if it comes to a track near me.
I have always liked the Marauders, but the day I was at the NMRA Michigan race and saw Lidio running in the 11's with his Marauder, I knew then that I would have one in the near future.
I don't know if I will be buying a trilogy kit as they are pricey, but I do want to go some route of forced induction once I get the car paid down a bit. Maybe at first I'll do the bolt ons and nitrous and a tune and see what it nets me. I'm very interested in the new big bore Kenne Bell blowers that just came on the market, and I would like to someday put a twin screw on my car. However I think I'd either rebuild or replace the short block with a forged crank, rods, and pistons first so I wouldn't worry about when it's gonna ventilate the block.
What size slicks or drag radials can fit on the stock wheels? I see Alternative can widen the rears for 305/30/18 Nitto's but what if I want to keep the stock width wheels?
Also from my experience with Modular DOHC motors, they are kind of weak below 4000 rpm so I can imagine in a heavy marauder that gears would really wake it up. What would be best for a car that will be a street driver but see some track duty from time to time? 3.73, 4.10, 4.30, 4.56?
One last question, whats a typical Marauder weigh with say a full tank of gas, and no driver, no extra luggage?
Thanks for taking the time to read this, I know I had a lot of questions, but I'm trying to learn all I can so I can make informed decisions on buying the car and which parts to upgrade. Thanks to all and happy holidays.
I am going to be joining the Air Force very soon. Once I get through basic and tech school and get my station assignment I'm going to be in the market for a new car. I have liked the Marauder since they came out in 2003. I was contemplating an 03 Cobra black on black, but they are a bit pricey, and me being younger the insurance would be outrageous. So how bout a four door cobra?
I currently own 3 Thunderbird SC's with some upgrades, so big fast Ford's are nothing new to me. However this would be my first modular powered vehicle.
I have been browsing the forums here and I see some cars listed as 300A and 300B. What does that refer to?
Also is the 2004 worth the extra money over a 2003 or if I can find a good deal on an '03 should I just snatch it up. I am definately getting a black Marauder because, well to me that is the only color. I like silver, but the Marauder I think looks better in black. (It'd look really cool with a front mount intercooler behind the black grille and with some sort of forced induction under the hood)
What are the main differences between 2003 and 2004 Marauders? I recall hearing they changed the torque convertor in 04. Can anyone fill me in on the stall speeds for the torque convertors in 03 and 04? Any other differences?
I am looking for a comfortable daily driver with power, something good to travel in, I will be attempting to make WFC every year assuming I'm not stationed over seas, as well as any other Marauder events I can. I am currently a member of SCCoA and I attend all the SC events that I can. I am looking to put the SC's up for a while and go through the engine in one of them, and I need a car to drive to work everyday. I know how big the trunks are in these cars which will be good for going grocery shopping and I will probably put a stereo system in the car as well as a nitrous bottle. I also like to golf so I need to be able to put my clubs in the trunk. I think the Marauder better fits the bill than the cobra.
My other question is about the engine. I know the 4.6L DOHC is similar to the non SC Cobra's, Lincoln Mark VIII, and Mustang Mach 1. But that means it doesn't have the forged crank, rods, or pistons correct? How much boost and or nitrous do you think the engine can handle with a proper tune? I am not one to leave a car stock, so the Marauder will be modified.
I plan to do a baseline dyno pull and a test and tune night at the track when I get it bone stock to see how much power it puts down and how quick I can get it to run. Then the mods will begin and I will occassionally take it back to the track. I like to drag race, but I'm not the kind of guy who is running the hell out of his car every friday night at the track. I just want to know what it can do, and when I upgrade something I'll run it again. I will also run it at some track events if I can attend and maybe in the NMRA bracket class if it comes to a track near me.
I have always liked the Marauders, but the day I was at the NMRA Michigan race and saw Lidio running in the 11's with his Marauder, I knew then that I would have one in the near future.
I don't know if I will be buying a trilogy kit as they are pricey, but I do want to go some route of forced induction once I get the car paid down a bit. Maybe at first I'll do the bolt ons and nitrous and a tune and see what it nets me. I'm very interested in the new big bore Kenne Bell blowers that just came on the market, and I would like to someday put a twin screw on my car. However I think I'd either rebuild or replace the short block with a forged crank, rods, and pistons first so I wouldn't worry about when it's gonna ventilate the block.
What size slicks or drag radials can fit on the stock wheels? I see Alternative can widen the rears for 305/30/18 Nitto's but what if I want to keep the stock width wheels?
Also from my experience with Modular DOHC motors, they are kind of weak below 4000 rpm so I can imagine in a heavy marauder that gears would really wake it up. What would be best for a car that will be a street driver but see some track duty from time to time? 3.73, 4.10, 4.30, 4.56?
One last question, whats a typical Marauder weigh with say a full tank of gas, and no driver, no extra luggage?
Thanks for taking the time to read this, I know I had a lot of questions, but I'm trying to learn all I can so I can make informed decisions on buying the car and which parts to upgrade. Thanks to all and happy holidays.