Performance Mods and real world gains

[Marauderer]

I was looking at ordering the Stage I kit (.410, plugs, thermo, and chip) from Dennis next week along with a K&N Filter and the pulley system he offers. Has anyone tested before and after with this same setup and have 0-60 times to share? Also is there any benefit to using an octane additive with the new chip (or can it be setup that way)?

[cyclone03]

Well I have a stock Marauder and lister Amedd here has a "stage 1" car, For weeks we have been trying to get our schedules lined up so we could run both my car and his on the track,same day,same time.Well we couldn't make it happen.Now I'm going on night shift so it may be awhile.That said I have driven his car and I can tell you from the first touch of the throttle his car felt "lighter" than mine.Every throttle setting,response was NOW.Even normal,non agressive driving the changes were noticable.

The mods feel they take 700-1000lbs off the car.
Zero to sixty times are hard to get at the track,but without a dought I'm sure a stage 1 will run the 1/4 @ 14.30-14.50 with ease.I ran,stock,15.37 with a long cool down.

[cyclone03]

Does anybody find it odd that the guy with no performance mods is the only one to post a reply?

[TAF]

Well, I haven't been to the track so I didn't have any actual 1/4 mile times to post. However, if he wants to see actual Dyno results of the improvements from stock....there are several threads for him to choose from. Like this one.
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2645&highlight=Atlanta+tuning

[89lxbill]

When my friend put his stage1 mods, he ran a 14.30 @ 99mph.
That was convertor, 4.10 gear, chip, stat, plugs, and pullies.

[RF Overlord]

Originally posted by cyclone03
Does anybody find it odd that the guy with no performance mods is the only one to post a reply?

I never checked the before-and-after so I can't give a meaningful answer... also, I don't race my car so I'm not concerned about ¼-mile or 0-60 times...I just know that it feels much better with Dennis's and FordChip's magic.

As far as using octane boosters with the chip, I thing Dennis is the best one to answer that question...I'd be a little leery of aftermarket octane "home remedies", as some of them leave deposits on the plugs and I'm sure on the intake valves and O2 sensors as well...

[Marauderer]

Couldn't find this on the net - Cyled Acoustics intake tube mod
Do you have any more info?

[RF Overlord]

Marauderer:

Check your PMs... :D

[03MERCMARAUDER]

I didnt know you could get pullies for the marauder, Do they make a signficant difference? andabout how uch are they, are there anyporblems with runing them? and last of all where can I get them?

[RF Overlord]

I don't have the pulleys (yet), but everyone who does says they DO make a difference...

www.reinhartautomotive.com is the answer to the rest of your questions... :D

[martyo]

My mods gained me about 30 rwhp. That's from chip, plugs, stat, pulleys, T/C. No track times to compare. But on the street, the before and after feels like getting a whole new car!

[SergntMac]

Just a few notes from my first MM.

Like a few other mods, the results are not always clearly visible, but you will feel the enging spin up quicker and feel much better throttle response. Underdrive pullies do not produce any horsepower, but they relieve taxing drag and that allows more power to be passed on through the drive train. The set Reinhart offers is from Steeda, they look very OEM, I doubt they would be noticed at first glance.

The K&N filter you mention has come up a number of times here, some swear by the , or do not. I don't mean to open this topic again, but I don't want to see you spend money ypou don't have to. Skip the K&N on the MM, it will produce nothing. I've said this before, and I've gotten a lot of flack from believers. This past Saturday at the Trilogy Open House, Lidio discussed the K&N.

He tested the OEM filter against the K&N on a dyno and observed no change. He also tested without any filter at all, and observed no change. I'd say take your 40 bucks and buy a case of the Motorcraft filter at 8 bucks a piece, and throw a clean filter in the MM at every oil change.

IMHO...

[schuvwj]

Well Sarge I'll second that!

Don't waste your money.

[RF Overlord]

Originally posted by SergntMac
I'd say take your 40 bucks and buy a case of the Motorcraft filter at 8 bucks a piece, and throw a clean filter in the MM at every oil change.

I just bought a new filter...was $20 and change (ouch) at the dealer, as FRAM doesn't make one yet, at least not that my jobber could find...I still wouldn't buy a K&N...

[Marauder57]

I never really bought into the whole K&N filter is good for 10hp bit.....but I paid $40 for mine and it is the only one I will ever need. I cleaned and oiled the one on my F150 and it worked great.....and I always know I have a decent filter on the car no the special of the week at the Oil Change place.....more a piece of mind thing I guess.... Besides you get cool stickers....:D

[jgc61sr2002]

RF - Bought the motorcraft filter in an auto parts for about $5.00 and a case of 5W20 Motorcraft oil from the dealer for about $30.00. Shop around.

[CRUZTAKER]

Originally posted by Marauder57
.....but I paid $40 for mine and it is the only one I will ever need.


....until the K&N cold air intake KIT becomes available later this summer....I think I'll spend the $40 on some good scotch and a cohiba, and wait for the ENTIRE kit.

[Marauder57]

Originally posted by CRUZTAKER
....until the K&N cold air intake KIT becomes available later this summer....I think I'll spend the $40 on some good scotch and a cohiba, and wait for the ENTIRE kit.

Well I will drink my MadDog 20/20 and smoke my KOOL's and wait for the entire kit to arrive an your house and then borrow it... ;)

[frdwrnch]

I'm probably beating the dead horse here but you risk fouling your mass air sensor by over oiling the K&N. If there is no appreciable gain then why risk it?

[prchrman]

^^ditto^^ ...that horse is still kicking...bang for buck is the name of the game...

[Marauder57]

Originally posted by frdwrnch
I'm probably beating the dead horse here but you risk fouling your mass air sensor by over oiling the K&N. If there is no appreciable gain then why risk it?

The only thing left of the horse is the blood and guts on your shoes.... ;)

At worst out of the box the K&N is good for 50,000 miles. I oiled the one I had in my truck fine....just follow directions....It is not brain surgery....it says something like spray with the oil until the filter turns pink...well the fileter after it is cleaned is white...the spray is pink.....spray until pink.....not until dripping oil like a stuck pig......

If you don't like K&N don't use it......no one is forcing anyone.....I am not advocating K&N...I like it and it keeps crap out of my air box.....works for me.

Its all good.....:D

[FordNut]

'57,
My thoughts exactly. I buy one and never have to buy another, clean every 50k. Anybody that can't follow the simple instructions should stick to paper ones. I've been to the dyno and seen the same results, zero hp difference but that's not what I bought it for. I wanted a lifetime filter.

Some of the same folks that rant about the problems caused by the oiled K&N filters turn around and recommend a FIPK. It uses the same type (oiled cotton) filter.

Bottom line, use what you like and ignore the flames.

[Marauder57]

Originally posted by FordNut
'57,
My thoughts exactly. I buy one and never have to buy another, clean every 50k. Anybody that can't follow the simple instructions should stick to paper ones. I've been to the dyno and seen the same results, zero hp difference but that's not what I bought it for. I wanted a lifetime filter.

Some of the same folks that rant about the problems caused by the oiled K&N filters turn around and recommend a FIPK. It uses the same type (oiled cotton) filter.

Bottom line, use what you like and ignore the flames.

Nut,

Words to live by.....I think for the most part a good car enthusiast of any kind is 1) supersitious or 2) Anal Retentive or 3)Both.

We all swear by whatever items we use with our cars whether it be oil, filters, tires etc.....even how we wash and drive our cars....new info is always welcome....good to learn new things.....but ultimately if we have proof of the success of something personally (Whatever it may be) we will continue to use that until there is something that happens to make us do otherwise...just human nature...IMHO.

To each his own....I have seen plenty of MODS or changes on this site...that well...I would never dream or desire to do....but I see the happiness and pride it brings the owner.....that is what counts....we can all share in the love of the Marauder and our quirks together..... :D

Kum-By-Yah, Kum-By-Yah

[SergntMac]

Originally posted by Marauder57
Kum-By-Yah, Kum-By-Yah

Dude, pass that extra heavy Malaga this way...Got a half brick of Richard's here, gimme your Dixie cup...