swapping Marauder motor into a Vic questions [Archive]

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LSCR351

11-10-2010, 11:43 PM

I have a Crown Vic and want to add more power. I am torn between: An aluminum block with 2v PI heads, C&L intake plenum with 70mm T/B. OR, a bone stock Marauder motor. When you ask Crown Vic owners they mostly advise to stay 2 valve.
What is the opinion here?

LANDY

11-11-2010, 12:19 AM

yes stay two valve. but if you really want to do a swap the 5.4 lightning motor with its s/c is a must. i have a buddy that did that swap and the car is a torque monster.

RF Overlord

11-11-2010, 02:04 AM

Depends on what you're looking for. The stock 2V has a better torque curve down low compared to a stock MM 4V. Your choice may be driven by whether you ever intend to go FI. There are more choices for the 4V...Trilogy, Vortech, ProCharger, or DIY Eaton.

babbage

11-11-2010, 05:45 AM

4v can be done, much easier to stay with 2v. Get a 5.0 2v block, and hi-tech cams. Later add on the new 2v SW headers or a supercharger.

massacre

11-11-2010, 06:20 AM

Well if your Vic is a '99, IIRC they didn't even have the PI motors yet.

I am doing this swap, and it's not a hard swap. In the case of my '93 NPI to 4V swap, I'll be gaining over 100HP. What really robbed a lot of time from my swap was:
setting the engine bay up for 5.4 DOHC
Having to restore a lot of rusty/crappy parts.

But with the new 2V Trick Flow heads, an aluminum block, Edelbrock Victor JR. intake manifold, long tubes, stall, etc. the 2Vs are putting out great power. As much, sometimes more than stock MM 4V.
Add to that a tork-tech blower, and now you're really pouring it on.
With a built bottom end, the sky's the limit.

Basically the 2V has caught up to the 4V in a lot of ways, the aftermarket being one of them.
I would say just keep it simple, stay 2V.
And that's from someone who believes the 4Vs are the superior motor. haha
But if you decide to tackle this, let me know....I'll help you as much as I can.

Good luck

SC Cheesehead

11-11-2010, 06:44 AM

PM John Kuhn, he did a 4V swap into his GM and can give you all the details.

LSCR351

11-11-2010, 07:31 AM

Yes my 99 is Non-PI right now. I have a complete PI motor to take the heads, intake and cams from. I also have a Mark-8 short block.

I was going to put Non-PI pistons in the Teksid block along with the PI top end which will give me 10.5 to 1 Compression ratio.

Then I started wondering if I would be pleased with that and wishing I had gone with a Marauder 4v.

Longtubes, Cams, or a Supercharger are NOT in the future for this car. It is either a 10.5-1 all aluminum 2v, or a Marauder 4v.

Cost and swap difficulty aside, what would truely be better? Please continue to help me decide. Thanks.

Pops

11-11-2010, 07:44 AM

The two valve is the easy way. The 4 valve will require a lot of changes. Buy the time you buy a 4 valve motor and go thru the changes you could build the 2 valve motor. Plus the ECM will be easier to work with for tuning. Many subtle things to overcome on the change.

massacre

11-11-2010, 10:33 PM

An aluminum block/2V heads is a great combo!
But what are your plans for the car?
Swapping in the NPI pistons seems like overkill to me.
You'll make decent c/r with markviii dish and PI chamber.

LSCR351

11-12-2010, 11:51 PM

So y'all don't think a 4v swap will be that impressive?

massacre

11-13-2010, 04:22 AM

So y'all don't think a 4v swap will be that impressive?

Yes it's impressive, but more involved.

I'm not telling you not to do the swap-
heck, I think everyone should swap a modular 4V into their car....lol.

Again- depending on your plans for the car-
you can make decent power either way.

Just my .02

Vortech347

11-13-2010, 03:55 PM

I don't think so. You can buy it that way...

Get a Blower for it and be done. It'll be your best $ for $ hp wise and ease of install.

jdenning002

11-13-2010, 04:23 PM

Dennis Reinhart did a 4v swap on my 04 CV Sport.

It was no big deal. I have since done another swap myself on another 04 CV.

I would agree that for just power a blower on a 2v is a great option too. I would just buy a vortec kit from Dennis for the 2v motor, unless you have to replave the motor anyway for some reason.

Good luck!

ntd

11-13-2010, 06:42 PM

Why not stay 2 valve with the TrickFlow heads the flow numbers are slightly better than the stock 4 valve heads. TrickFlow heads and a blower should make some good power. How far do you want to go HP and TQ wise

Pops

11-13-2010, 08:15 PM

So y'all don't think a 4v swap will be that impressive? My Grand Marquis ran 13.51 with the swap. Made a great sleeper. If I had it to do over again I would have built the 2 Valve motor. It would have been less expensive plus the headache value would have gone down. Just buy a Marauder if you want a 4 valve.

LANDY

11-13-2010, 08:22 PM

like i said before. find a lightning longblock with the s/c and it will be cheaper for the power you will get. the only thing is you will need to change the hood, but you will have the torque you woulnt have on a 4v for less than 10k

massacre

11-14-2010, 08:48 AM

Some people don't want to change hoods.......I know I don't.

LSCR351

11-14-2010, 11:03 AM

I don't want to do any mod that would involve altering the hood. Really I am only considering 2 options. It will either be:
Aluminum block 4.6 with NPI pistons, 2v PI top end (heads, cams, and intake) and a C&L plenum with 70mm T/B.

Or

Stock Marauder motor.

No; longtubes, aftermarket cams, or supercharger on either.

I wouldn't say this car is a daily-driver, I have 7 vehichles tagged and insured I drive, but this is the one I drive the most.
I would buy a Marauder if the right situation ever came along, but y'all wouldn't like what I would do to it. I would convert it to grey CLOTH BENCH seats with COLOM-shift. And if it were silver I would change the color to Mineral Gray.

djv5150

11-15-2010, 11:07 AM

massacre

11-15-2010, 12:16 PM

Link says it has to be used with 2003 Cobra harness......?

Pops

11-15-2010, 12:32 PM

Thats the problem I ran into on the 95 Grand Marquis. Nothing interchanged with it. A discussion like this one would have saved a lot of money. I would have built a 2 valve motor instead knowing what I know now.

Vortech347

11-15-2010, 01:52 PM

As stated from someone that did it, just sell it and get an MM.

Chevyguy

11-15-2010, 02:19 PM

I don't want to do any mod that would involve altering the hood. Really I am only considering 2 options. It will either be:
Aluminum block 4.6 with NPI pistons, 2v PI top end (heads, cams, and intake) and a C&L plenum with 70mm T/B.

You described a 02-05 Explorer Engine (Except for the NPI pistons). Those came with the same WAP block the Marauder did. Plenum and TB will add a piddly HP gain though!!

LSCR351

11-15-2010, 07:01 PM

Well it looks like the guy with the Marauder swap is to wishy-washy for me to deal with, so I will likely go with the aluminum 2v. I already have ALL of it except fot the gaskets.

Pops

11-15-2010, 07:26 PM

If that is me you are refering to you are making a mistake. Nothing wish-washy about me or my car. The car has evolved into a 10 second S/C car. All I can do is guide you and tell you if you want Marauder power be prepared to pay as it is not an easy or cheap swap. It is less expensive to just buy a Marauder and to be able to buy performance upgrades rather than make one of a kind parts. Do as you please but do not call me names as you have no idea what you are getting into! I will post a link to my car so you can swallow those wishy- washy words of yours! Here is a thread of my car.Use the search button for more about it. http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=67012

LSCR351

11-15-2010, 10:33 PM

I am not sure how you misundrstood, but I was refuring to a person I know localy that I would like to buy a Marauder motor, brackets, hoses, lines, and exhaust from. I was not calling anyone here wishy-washy. Not unless you are the guy from Miami I tried to trade a CRX for a stripped MM motor.

dohc324ci

11-15-2010, 10:53 PM

As stated from someone that did it, just sell it and get an MM.

Agreed. Sell the Crown Vic and find yourself a nice Marauder.

Pops

11-16-2010, 06:51 AM

Not the guy! Your statement looked like it was aimed at me. Buy a Marauder or do the two valve.

massacre

11-16-2010, 08:03 AM

Some people don't like cheap & easy......

People like me...hahahahahaha

Then again, I have the means to make one-off parts as I need them. I have tons of tools/equipment @ my disposal, and I don't mind doing all my own work.
I like the 4V swap idea, but it's not for everyone.

FordNut

11-16-2010, 08:14 AM

Personally... and no disrespect intended for y'all with an older CV/GM, but I wouldn't mess with anything older than a '03. The suspension, steering, handling is much improved over the older version.

Chevyguy

11-16-2010, 08:21 AM

After assembling and swapping a 04 2V into my 96 Town car all I can say is DAYUM if you want to go anymore custom than that what a MAJOR PAIN....

Spent HOURS and HOURS tearing everything down, cleaning checking reassembling, removing stuff since "This has to go in first" etc... This really muted my ambition for more extensive wrenching on my newer cars. I could have pulled, rebuilt, installed my Laguna 400 small block at least twice in the time it took.

massacre

11-16-2010, 09:13 AM

Personally... and no disrespect intended for y'all with an older CV/GM, but I wouldn't mess with anything older than a '03. The suspension, steering, handling is much improved over the older version.

Well, I do see your point, but IMHO it depends on how you look @ it.

The front swaybar/upper/lower control arms/shocks/springs setup is a time-proven design. The triangulated 4-link/springs/shocks/swaybar in the rear is also a time-proven design. While it may not be the most advanced suspension setup ever, it definitely is simple, reliable and pretty cheap.

I'm not seriously drag racing this car, nor am I auto-X ing the car, but I did upgrade all of the bushings to ENS poly bushings, which tightened up the car A TON. I have the big swaybars which also helped immensely.

I've driven Marauders, and they definitely do handle better than my old heap, with the rack & pinion steering and air suspension.

But don't act like a Marauder handles like a Ferrari, that obviously is not the case. They are the same exact car basically. Same wheelbase, etc, etc. They are both land yachts, and in fact the '92-'94 Panthers are the most aerodynamic, and also the lightest Panthers ever made.

So there's pros and cons, that glass is still 1/2 full in my eyes.

The sucky part is finding decent parts. For instance:
I need a silver metallic '93 MGM driver's fender. 10 years ago I could walk into any junkyard and probably find one in the color I need without too much trouble.....then I wouldn't even have to paint it.

Now, most of those cars have long been crushed, or are just giant rust piles. Even finding a fender of any color, I have not had success. I used to see so many aero Panthers in junkyards, now they are rare. I know someone will say to swap a late-model fender, but it won't match, since the new cars adopted the CV-style blinkers/corners.
I would have to swap both fenders, then lights, etc. seems like a PITA when I won't like the finished look.

I truly like my car, I like the look of the aero Mercs. I like the fact that the license plate is BELOW the bumper, not on the trunk. I like the small grille, I like the taillights so much better than the late model tails, etc., etc.

I guess if you love your car, you don't mind the blood, sweat, and tears, and money........????;)

LSCR351

11-17-2010, 12:26 AM

[QUOTE=

So there's pros and cons, that glass is still 1/2 full in my eyes.

I truly like my car,
I guess if you love your car, you don't mind the blood, sweat, and tears, and money........;)[/QUOTE]

Well said!

massacre

11-17-2010, 07:28 AM

^^^ So when are doing the 4V swap?

LOL.....J/K