Question about Marauder Police Interceptor

[Smokie]

By now most of us are aware that Marauders are starting to be used by some law enforcement agencies as interceptors. So this thought crossed my mind, of what use would an interceptor be that can only do 117 mph. The CrownVic interceptor offers a 130 mph top end.
So if the 117 mph limit is removed from the MM. interceptor, is the driveshaft the stock one we all have ? If not; then what driveshaft does the MM. interceptor has ?

Here are the options as I see then:

1-The car is identical to ours, 117 mph top end.

2-Speed limiter removed, same driveshaft; unsafe above 120 mph.

3-Speed limiter removed, different driveshaft, now you have a 140 mph top end.

4-Or the LEO'S don't figure they will ever need to go above 117 mph in pursuit and therefore no change necessary.

Any comments ?

[SHERIFF]

In every case I know of thus far, the Marauder is being used to curb "agressive drving", a/k/a "road rage". They needed (or wanted) a large rear wheel drive American sedan, one that didn't look like a "police cruiser". I think the Marauder was one of few vehicles that fit the bill, especially rear wheel drive, and the price became quite attractive if they get the vehicles on a "state bid" price schedule like they do the official POLICE INTERCEPTOR. law enforcement agencies can usually buy a POLICE INTERCEPTOR for 80% of the MSRP.

Contrary to popular belief, most chiefs of police, most sheriff's and most Directors of State Police or Highway Patrol do NOT want their men driving 140 mph to 160 mph on public roadways. Most would not care about the 117 governor.

Another interesting point is "resale value". A used worn out stinking Vomit Comet POLICE INTERCEPTOR brings very little at public auction. The Marauder will eventually bring twice as much, if not more. So they pay for themselves (price difference) in both revenue and resale.

[TAF]

First off..as one who visited with some of our Local finest using the Marauder...

I'm hooking them up with Dennis to get reflashed PCMs to remove speed limiters, swaybars, driveshafts etc. This comes after I threw the keys to the Captain and he took my car for a spin.
NOTE: I must admit...while riding with him...it was VERY cool to have a uniformed Captain say "Let's go over this way...where we can find a road to whip on this thing a little."

But, even though he didn't like the fact that my car was faster and handled better than his...he knows one thing...I CAN'T out-run Motorola...

[CRUZTAKER]

I'm thinking these purchasing agents, and LEO's have no clue as to the limitations on the stock marauders. That is until we tell them, as Tod has done.
Somebody better tell them before some euro car embarrasses them much like that SS did in that video....

BTW: I realize the fastest thing in their car is the radio....old cliche, but they need a reliable car when that rare situation occurs when they are far from the den, and there's nothing around but open road....

[MI2QWK4U]

I took an informal poll, no one I work with has had a Crown Vic faster than 116 mph, and trust me, sometimes they want a lot more out of it, but thats all there is. Unmarked scout cars have less resistance without a light bar, and they are the fastest. I never heard of a 130 mph limit on the police service interceptors, there really isnt a need for it on a stock interceptor. Most guys I know that were around in the late 90's for the last couple of years of the Chevy Caprice prefered it over any Crown Vic you offer them. With the LT1 package the Caprice was quicker from a dead stop, and had more top end, a LOT more top end. Its a shame they stop making them. We exclusively used the Chevys, and finally had to give in and buy the Vics. Most times you want the acceleration, not top end, the ability to overcome another vehicle.

[MM03MOK]

BTW: I realize the fastest thing in their car is the radio....I was just about to say that.....

[Smokie]

I took an informal poll, no one I work with has had a Crown Vic faster than 116 mph, .
I used the figure "130 mph" based on an article published by Car & Driver in the late 90's that the interceptor could do 123 mph with the light bar and 130 mph when removed. Perhaps the article was untrue. The 95' Crown Vic I own has an all digital dash, I have done 108 mph in 3rd gear with no sign of limiter kicking in and I ran out of road and backed off. I have verified the speed with GPS and speedo is accurate.

Anyway the CrownVic is not what my question is about, if the MM. should be used to give chase, can they do more than 117 mph and if so what about the infamous driveshaft ?

[SergntMac]

You guys ought to listen in to a police chase sometime. Beating the Motorola is a piece of cake. You need two things. 1) quick acceleration, keep the distance between the two cars as great as it can be, and 2) lots of turns. I mean lots of turns. Every time you change direction and street, the officer has to get that out on the radio. Keep him doing that and he's soon confused. Oh yeah, 3) get out of the car ASAP.

Don't try this at home, kiddies...

[Smokie]

You guys ought to listen in to a police chase sometime. Beating the Motorola is a piece of cake.
Don't try this at home, kiddies...
Hopefully the helicopter can keep up with the bad guy.:uzi:

[G-Man]

It might also help to remove the license plate.:coolman:

[muslhed]

You guys ought to listen in to a police chase sometime. Beating the Motorola is a piece of cake. You need two things. 1) quick acceleration, keep the distance between the two cars as great as it can be, and 2) lots of turns. I mean lots of turns. Every time you change direction and street, the officer has to get that out on the radio. Keep him doing that and he's soon confused. Oh yeah, 3) get out of the car ASAP.

Don't try this at home, kiddies...

Could you elaborate on #3 please?

[Marauderman]

WOW! A perfect place and time for me to jump right in--Cause I just finished an 8 hour tour with my local LEO buddy riding his shift today--and we:

Did two radar set-ups and caught two -of course-- and each time my buddy said --we should be in your MM--His '02 P71 CV seemed to take forever to launch and finally get up to pulling the guy over--anyway--had lots of fun doing alot of things today--enjoy riding with him.

If you have the opportunity to do a ride-a-long program in your area I encourage you to do so--it is fun. and a learning experience for those who have never done so--me--I have been doing it for nine years now--- a whole new appreciation for LEO's --- all should do it regularly if possible--- time well spent...

But back to the subject--LEO's don't need to change the stock version as yet to achieve their goal as stated by Sheriff ..until then--the stock MM can do what it does best--launch quick and fast to pounce with same...something the CV cannot do...from first hand today....Tom

[G-Man]

:up: Sure. If your name is on the registration, then expect a visit in the near future. No one ever said that you had to get caught right then and there.

[SergntMac]

Hold on now, y'all, I was speaking of me driving against that Motorola thingy, not repercussions from other measures that may follow.

1) I don't believe many major areas use helicopters full time, other than those on the Left Coast. Around Chicagoland, you have to have a sustained and very high speed chase going on, where it's still on while the chopper pilot and observer run, load, and launch the aircraft. Not many chases last this long around here, eh?

2) Still, I believe that given this set of circumstances, I can beat a radio. However, I do not wish to pursue that claim anymore. Just know it can be done on a particular scale, and our MMs can do it, piece of cake.

Maybe this is why MMs are being chosen for LEO service?

[Skp369]

I thought I would chime in with a couple comments. I have been in countless pursuits since the mid 80's. Top End is only important on open stretchs of highway. Acceleration, handling, braking, and driver ability are the major factors in a chase. The 94-96 Caprice had excellent acceleration and braking but lacked a little bit in the handling department. The 92-97 Crown Vic had moderate acceleration and in my opinion poor braking (having lost all brakes in a high speed turn) but it had good handling. Ford has slowly improved the car. I have been driving an 03 for several weeks now and find it to be very good in all areas and almost a match for the 94-96 Caprice. The Marauder is in my biased opinion better than the Caprice and the CVPI in every way ( I wouldn't have bought one if it weren't better). The Marauder has the better handling and acceleration than the CVPI; blends in better; and from a maintainence standpoint is very similiar to cars in most fleets. Top end is not very high on the wish list of most departments. And judging from experience, very few pursuits last very long at high speeds (most people that run from the police are not good drivers in good cars). Example: I remember chasing a stolen Camaro with a 94 Caprice at high speeds. Within 30 seconds, he took his first turn, wiped out, hit a utility pole and disintergrated the whole car into little tiny pieces. Of course he didn't get a scratch and was just sitting there on the ground in his seat in shock!

[TAF]

I think the reason the boys down here are interested in removing the factory "governor" or "speed limiter" is....well...you need to come to Atlanta *back me up on this you local boys (& girls-MARAUDERCHICK). On the highways in Atlanta...it is not uncommon for the "natural flow of traffic" on I-285, I-75 & I-85 to be running at 85 MPH+. I kid you not! In fact, there will be several times in this area where you are cruising at 85 and getting your doors blown off by SEVERAL cars...it's unlike anyplace I've ever lived. For chases to go from 85 to 125 or 130 are not uncommon.

[Smokie]

I think the reason the boys down here are interested in removing the factory "governor" or "speed limiter" is....well...you need to come to Atlanta *back me up on this you local boys (& girls-MARAUDERCHICK). On the highways in Atlanta...it is not uncommon for the "natural flow of traffic" on I-285, I-75 & I-85 to be running at 85 MPH+. I kid you not! In fact, there will be several times in this area where you are cruising at 85 and getting your doors blown off by SEVERAL cars...it's unlike anyplace I've ever lived. For chases to go from 85 to 125 or 130 are not uncommon.
Todd, you stated the facts, as you well know my wife and I visited Atlanta for the SSHS3 and on the way back we were amazed the flow of traffic on I-85 in the middle of the day was exactly 85 mph, people talking on cell phones, eating fast food, grandmas in big Lincolns...everybody was doing 85 the whole time. So I guess all chases there would start at 85 mph.:burnout:

[lhbh2o]

[Per FHP website, http://www.fhp.state.fl.us (http://www.fhp.state.fl.us/)]
The Florida Highway Patrol is now using unmarked stealth vehicles to help crack down on the problem of aggressive driving in South Florida. Troopers have taken to the highways in high-performance Mercury Marauders and Ford Mustangs built for speed and equipped with front and rear radar, hidden lights and sirens, and video cameras--all to help catch aggressive drivers.
Using the new stealth cars, FHP Troopers will patrol I-595, I-95, and I-75 targeting speeders, tailgaters, traffic weavers, and lane-changers to keep aggressive drivers from causing traffic crashes and endangering other motorists. Major Miguel Guzman, Troop L Commander, said, "We're going to be vigilant. We're going to be very proactive and we're not going to accept any excuses for (motorists) coming out onto our highways and endangering people's lives

http://www.fhp.state.fl.us/PhotoGallery/PG011604.htm (http://www.fhp.state.fl.us/PhotoGallery/PG011604.htm)