New Marauder Power Numbers

[Smokie]

I know we have discussed to death what is considered a modified MM. from a dealers point of view and I think that we can all agree that if you changed the color of your floormats the dealer "could" void your warranty if he felt like it. So this post reflects only my thinking on what modified means, after reading the results of the Chicago Dyno-Tune session I believe the average results to an otherwise bonestock MM. is about 260rwhp and 295rwtq. take those numbers and reverse the equation to power and torque at the crank and you have about 325hp and 370ft/lbs torque. Now I believe these are the true numbers that Ford could advertise if only they were to "choose" to optimize the car to a higher potential. I do not consider a modification any part of the car that is not intended to last the life of the car, such as spark plugs, oil, oil filter. air filter, belts, hoses, battery or even the thermostat which is located between 2 hoses. My point is optimizing the software is not a physical alteration of any existing part and it basically produces a substantially higher performing engine (325hp--370ft/lbs torque) than what Ford chose to release and advertise. I was bored guys, so what do you think ? :alone:

[MERCMAN]

I am witchoo on that!!

[TripleTransAm]

Nowadays, the software is pretty much a critical part of the engine... removing the PCM and trying to run the engine pretty much confirms this. So altering it is pretty much the same as swapping out a carburetor or ignition components... changes the engine completely.

It does make one wonder what exactly was the reasoning behind releasing the Marauder with what appears to be a sub-standard PCM s/w. Sure, I believe that it's a matter of keeping a margin of safety for warranty and durability reasons, but with THAT much a difference? For fuel mileage (CAFE) concerns, perhaps... I understand some folks have experienced improved MPG with tuning but, yes, I agree some of the CAFE tests are so unrealistic, car makers have to sometimes sacrifice streetability for test success purposes.

Just hoping we don't end up hearing a rash of failures due to modified tuning as these cars approach their second year of duty.... got my fingers crossed.

[RCSignals]

According to the reports from that meeting with Steve Babcock, they were at a fine line of going into CAFE penalty territory, even with the tune, gears, etc, the car has stock.

[Smokie]

Without a doubt optimizing the software is a substantial change in what all existing parts will behave like and if the optimized software was to force the physical components to perform beyond their safety limits it will spell trouble. We as a group don't have enough combined miles and time elapsed yet to fully asses the possible harm of the optimized s/w and only the s/w; I am not talking about our members who have changed physical components of the engine/drivetrain. I believe that optimized s/w based on existing data is not going to destroy prematurely our engines/drivetrain unless the driver abuses the car and that can happen to any car optimized or not. The tuning shows that the potential for our car was much greater than as released and I think most owners of "tuned cars only" are very, very happy with what the MM. can be without a single part being changed, In regards to the longevity of the tuned cars like anything else...time wil tell. ;) ;)