Questions on First Mods

[Hotwheels]

I love my Marauder but would like more power, more rumble and better brakes without breaking the bank. The car is a stock 300a with 77K miles on it and besides the infamous occasional blue smoke at start up, the car is in great condition. After reading several posts regarding mods, I'm considering the following but have a few questions:

Tune-based on what i've read, this seems to be the most recommeded performance mod for the money. However, throughout the posts on tunes, there was some concern
1) is there the potential to damage my stock engine after a tune?
2) there were some posts regarding transmission damage after a tune. is this something to be worried about?
3) i live in the Seattle area so i would "mail order" a tune from one of the suppliers recommeded on this web site. Any concerns with a "mail order" tune versus going to the tuners shop?

Gears-seems as though 4:10s are the way to go. I prefer to stay with Ford products if possible, so i will probably buy Ford Racing gears and have them installed at my local Ford dealership.
1) any concerns with the Ford Racing gears?
2) will the dealership make the necessary adjustments to the speedo and tranny shift points or is this something that i'll need a tune to handle?
3) is there anything else that i should have the dealership do while the gears are installed?

Mufflers-i like the stock sound it's just not loud enough.
1) what muffler would retain the factory rumble but be louder?
2) based on some of the posts, i'm thinking going with Aero Turbine 2525
thoughts on this muffler?

Brakes -when the road gives me the opportunity, i like to go fast and stop as late as possible. The stock set up doesnt quite have the stopping power i would like. I want to upgrade braking performance and looks.
1) i like the looks of the TCE Wilwood front brake kit and i'm sure they perform great. is it worth the price?
2) if i didnt go with the big front brake kit, i would retain the stock calipers, upgrade pads and go with slotted rotors. Any recommendations?


Enough rambling. Any advice would be appreciated. thanks! :D

[Paul T. Casey]

Tune: Any of the reputable mail order tunes are good, but nothing will beat a custom dyno tune. Do this after your other mods.

Gears: Professionally installed FRPP gears are great. If installed correctly, you should never have an issue with them. While the installer is in there, have him check the condition of the LS clutches and replace as needed. Your tuner or mail order tune will correct your speedo.

Mufflers: MagnaFlows sound great and have a liftime warranty. Mine lasted about 180K miles. It may be a bit more than you want to spend, but why not do the entire exhaust. There's plenty of info here on shortys and long tubes, so I won't go there. I myself reccomend the entire Kooks kit.

Brakes: I never worried about using them much, so I can offer no help there.

[ntd]

I love my Marauder but would like more power, more rumble and better brakes without breaking the bank. The car is a stock 300a with 77K miles on it and besides the infamous occasional blue smoke at start up, the car is in great condition. After reading several posts regarding mods, I'm considering the following but have a few questions:

Tune-based on what i've read, this seems to be the most recommeded performance mod for the money. However, throughout the posts on tunes, there was some concern
1) is there the potential to damage my stock engine after a tune?as with any modification yes but not likely if tuned properly
2) there were some posts regarding transmission damage after a tune. is this something to be worried about?most will increase service life depending on your driving style and maintenance
3) i live in the Seattle area so i would "mail order" a tune from one of the suppliers recommeded on this web site. Any concerns with a "mail order" tune versus going to the tuners shop?with basic modifications one of our vendors mail order tune's would be all you would need

Gears-seems as though 4:10s are the way to go. I prefer to stay with Ford products if possible, so i will probably buy Ford Racing gears and have them installed at my local Ford dealership.
1) any concerns with the Ford Racing gears?All I've ever used with no problems
2) will the dealership make the necessary adjustments to the speedo and tranny shift points or is this something that i'll need a tune to handle?Your tune will make the corrections
3) is there anything else that i should have the dealership do while the gears are installed?I would install new clutch packs

Mufflers-i like the stock sound it's just not loud enough.
1) what muffler would retain the factory rumble but be louder?Magniflow 18 inch and 2nd cats removed
2) based on some of the posts, i'm thinking going with Aero Turbine 2525
thoughts on this muffler? They are loud but to each there own

Brakes -when the road gives me the opportunity, i like to go fast and stop as late as possible. The stock set up doesnt quite have the stopping power i would like. I want to upgrade braking performance and looks.
1) i like the looks of the TCE Wilwood front brake kit and i'm sure they perform great. is it worth the price? while the best option I did #2
2) if i didnt go with the big front brake kit, i would retain the stock calipers, upgrade pads and go with slotted rotors. Any recommendations? paint the calipers, hawk pads and power slot rotors


Enough rambling. Any advice would be appreciated. thanks! :D
See above in red

[Hotwheels]

thanks for the feedback.

[babbage]

Auto-rx cures blue smoke on start.

Do a pandrop and change the fluid on your trans before tune/gears. Frpp are very good quality.

[SpartaPerformance]

There are a few reputable email tuners on this forum, their tunes will adjust the speedo once you've installed the 4.10 gears. An install pack for those gears would be recommended too. Ford Racing gears are the best quality.

[RF Overlord]

1) is there the potential to damage my stock engine after a tune? highly unlikely if the tune was purchased through one of the vendors here. (unless you drive like a moron)
2) there were some posts regarding transmission damage after a tune. Is this something to be worried about? no. If your transmission experiences any issues, it would have done so without the tune. (unless you drive like a moron)
3) i live in the seattle area so i would "mail order" a tune from one of the suppliers recommeded on this web site. Any concerns with a "mail order" tune versus going to the tuners shop? see my answer to #1, although getting the car tuned on a dyno is usually the "best"

gears-seems as though 4:10s are the way to go. I prefer to stay with ford products if possible, so i will probably buy ford racing gears and have them installed at my local ford dealership.
1) any concerns with the ford racing gears? no.
2) will the dealership make the necessary adjustments to the speedo and tranny shift points or is this something that i'll need a tune to handle? unless your dealer is also an svt shop, they won't have the right equipment to do this, but if you're installing 4.10s you'll need a tune anyway.
3) is there anything else that i should have the dealership do while the gears are installed? since you have a 300a, have them check for axle wear where the bearings ride, especially on the passenger side. Common problem. Now is also a good time for a transmission fluid change.

as far as muffler/exhaust changes, they are so subjective i hesitate to comment...one man's music is another man's noise.

brakes
1) i like the looks of the tce wilwood front brake kit and i'm sure they perform great. Is it worth the price? imho yes.
2) if i didnt go with the big front brake kit, i would retain the stock calipers, upgrade pads and go with slotted rotors. Any recommendations? there are plenty of choices from baer, ebc, powerslot, etc.



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[Hotwheels]

Great info all! I'll get the gears done at the local Ford dealership and have them check the axles while it's torn down. There is a local performance and restoration shop called "The Mustang Shop" that has a dyno. I'm sure they work on the 4.6 dohc all the time and may be able to put a nice tune on the Marauder. On the other hand, maybe i go with a tuner from one of the vendors on this site, load it and get it on the dyno for any minor tweeking unique to my car. As far as brakes, i really like the Wilwood set up if i can afford it. If not Wilwood, i'm thinking Power Slot Rotors, Hawk pads and TCE brake lines. As far as mufflers, from what i can hear on Marauders on YOU TUBE, I'm thinking i like the Flowmaster Super 40,44 or Delta 40. I was thinking the original 40s but i get the impression that they are really loud.

[RF Overlord]

On the other hand, maybe i go with a tuner from one of the vendors on this site, load it and get it on the dyno for any minor tweeking unique to my car.Bingo!
As far as mufflers...i like the Flowmaster Super 40,44 or Delta 40. I was thinking the original 40s but i get the impression that they are really loud.I have original 40's on The Blackbird and while not "really" loud, they are a bit aggressive. I put 50's on Phoebe thinking they'd be quieter and I don't like them...strangely, they're louder than the 40's, but the biggest issue is a drone. Whichever mufflers you go with, make sure to re-use the dampers from the stock mufflers. I think that may be the issue with Phoebe (previous owner didn't keep the dampers). As soon as weather permits (it's damned cold here) I have factory dampers to install and hopefully this cures the drone.

[FormulaMarauder]

Install the gears, THEN get the tune reflective of the new gearing.

[Hotwheels]

looks like i'm moving forward with all the mods i listed. Still haven't decided on:
- mufflers (swaying towards flowmaster delta 40's - louder than stock but not too loud?)
- brakes (i want wilwoods but they are big $$. may go with power slots/hawk pads)

[EMAS]

For the gear install I'd recommend Randy's ring and pinnion in Everett he carries the FRPP gears and usually has the best price around. If you want to get them installed at the dealer go to Scarff in Auburn, not Bowen Scarff in Kent.

Order your tuner and bring it with you when you pickup the car from the gear swap and install it in the parking lot. If you're not far from the shop you could drive it home gently and install the tune there.

[musclemerc]

Addresse the blue smoke issue first... Then mod the Merc.

[Hotwheels]

For the gear install I'd recommend Randy's ring and pinnion in Everett he carries the FRPP gears and usually has the best price around. If you want to get them installed at the dealer go to Scarff in Auburn, not Bowen Scarff in Kent.

Order your tuner and bring it with you when you pickup the car from the gear swap and install it in the parking lot. If you're not far from the shop you could drive it home gently and install the tune there.


any particular reason why Scarff in Auburn as opposed to Bowen Scarff in Kent?