S/C'd Question - Experience Based Opinions Needed

[HotRaud90]

I've been thinking of going with some type of FI for my Marauder ever since I purchased it. However, price and effort required to source all the parts for an Eaton or even just an entry level centri has been more than enough to make me back down from the thought, at least for now.

So, as another option, I've been considering selling my MM that I have now and just buying another that's already S/C'd and ready to go. However, I love the fact that I bought my Marauder with only 62k on the clock. A year later I've brought that number to 78k which is still great for me. I've seen a few supercharged options, particularly eatons, with ~100k that are in my price range. For some reason though, selling a car with ~80k for a car with a little over 100k makes me cringe a little. However, the trade off is that I get a S/C'd car, ready to go.

Opinions? Experiences? Things to look for? Any particular problems that need to be addressed with high(er) mileage Eaton swaps? I'm a novice when it comes to the intricacies.

Thanks in advance.

[justbob]

A 100,000 on a Marauder means it has only stretched its legs.


Builder Of Badassery

[loud2004marquis]

For some reason though, selling a car with ~80k for a car with a little over 100k makes me cringe a little.

I would cringe also.

When buying another car with FI it's most likely been beat on and the build is already done.

Build it yourself and have options. Do it YOUR way.

Forget the Eaton, look for a Twin Screw!

[HotRaud90]

I would cringe also.

When buying another car with FI it's most likely been beat on and the build is already done.

Build it yourself and have options. Do it YOUR way.

Forget the Eaton, look for a Twin Screw!

Unfortunately, throwin that much money at the car is not much of an option right now.

I'm goin to look at one today with an Eaton. Looks super clean. I'll try and post pics later. In the mean time, anyone with experience, feel free to expound!

[RubberCtyRauder]

I bought a marauder as a DD upgrade from a CV Sport..within 7 months, bought a new, uninstalled vortech kit from a member and had it installed half a year later. My car had no other mods except metco control arms and fresh refinished factory wheels, factory brakes, exhaust, etc..bought it at 71,000 miles. A year and half later a 45,000 mile Trilogy came up here for sale..CA car moved to MN with zero winter driving, wildwood brakes up front, kooks ceramic coated headers, widened rear wheels, tce brake lines, dynotech driveshaft, 4.10 gears, forged, pistons and rods..needed tires and updated tune to a sct handheld rather than the chip style. ended up needing rear end rebuild due to spider grears chewed up so went with 31 spline. So bought it based on pics and member had been around for a long time (although not active last few years) I always wanted a trilogy/eaton and missed out on not buying martyO's trilogy whom now CDUB has with a whipple so I wasn't going to miss another one. It was scary but happy I did it now..took about 2 or so months and sold my vortech one to a non member who was 71 years old on autorader ad. he flew out and drove it home.

It would have cost me prolly $5-6 k to upgrade my vortech car with the upgrades that the trilogy car already had plus mine had been thru winter before I bought it and it started to show, underhood etc. The purchase of trilogy car was pretty much an even deal for what i sold my vortech car for, but I did have to add transport costs and additional upgrades to the trilogy car above the purchase and sell price but I have a much nicer car now.

It can go both ways..buy it done or build it as you like.

[CoreyM75]

I've been tossing the same thoughts around in my head for a few months. At this point for me I am going to look at the kit that a dtr is developing. It seems like a better way for me to go as opposed to selling and finding a comparable boosted Marauder.

[Embassy]

My supercharged MM is for sale and has never been abused.

[HotRaud90]

I bought a marauder as a DD upgrade from a CV Sport..within 7 months, bought a new, uninstalled vortech kit from a member and had it installed half a year later. My car had no other mods except metco control arms and fresh refinished factory wheels, factory brakes, exhaust, etc..bought it at 71,000 miles. A year and half later a 45,000 mile Trilogy came up here for sale..CA car moved to MN with zero winter driving, wildwood brakes up front, kooks ceramic coated headers, widened rear wheels, tce brake lines, dynotech driveshaft, 4.10 gears, forged, pistons and rods..needed tires and updated tune to a sct handheld rather than the chip style. ended up needing rear end rebuild due to spider grears chewed up so went with 31 spline. So bought it based on pics and member had been around for a long time (although not active last few years) I always wanted a trilogy/eaton and missed out on not buying martyO's trilogy whom now CDUB has with a whipple so I wasn't going to miss another one. It was scary but happy I did it now..took about 2 or so months and sold my vortech one to a non member who was 71 years old on autorader ad. he flew out and drove it home.

It would have cost me prolly $5-6 k to upgrade my vortech car with the upgrades that the trilogy car already had plus mine had been thru winter before I bought it and it started to show, underhood etc. The purchase of trilogy car was pretty much an even deal for what i sold my vortech car for, but I did have to add transport costs and additional upgrades to the trilogy car above the purchase and sell price but I have a much nicer car now.

It can go both ways..but it done or build it as you like.

That's what I've been weighing. Even if I went centri and got a brand new kit from adtr, I'm still lookin at around 7k out of pocket to buy and install it. It would probably be around the same to source all eaton parts with install, plus the time it takes to get everything.

Only thing is, the car I'm lookin into has 105k. Not sure about the eaton. Carfax came up clean. From a dealer, not a private transaction.


My supercharged MM is for sale and has never been abused.

And for a pretty penny too :rolleyes: My MM right now is a DD. I don't think I could ever daily drive Black Sunshine as pretty as she is. Hurts me to think about...GLWS though!

[RubberCtyRauder]

Eaton should be less, around $4k parts..around $1600ish install tune if not doing it yourself. ADTR ..pay it all upfront.. savings acct, credit card etc. eaton, buy as you have funds and can wait to install as well. I think I saw the one you are looking at thru the web..not sure if yours is paid for or not, but they will low ball you on a trade in or if you owe..you might be upside down on your loan. but it is a decent price for a sc one. So buy it and switch the parts to your lower miles one and make that one the factory one and resell it. still wont come out ahead but have your car with lower miles.

[HotRaud90]

Eaton should be less, around $4k parts..around $1600ish install tune if not doing it yourself. ADTR ..pay it all upfront.. savings acct, credit card etc. eaton, buy as you have funds and can wait to install as well. I think I saw the one you are looking at thru the web..not sure if yours is paid for or not, but they will low ball you on a trade in or if you owe..you might be upside down on your loan. but it is a decent price for a sc one. So buy it and switch the parts to your lower miles one and make that one the factory one and resell it. still wont come out ahead but have your car with lower miles.

Mine's paid for. Wouldn't be trading if anything. Would possibly buy second one as well, sell first. OR, like you said, buy second one, swap out parts, sell higher mileage one. We'll see.

I checked it out, paint not that great. Lots of little cosmetic imperfections on exterior. Still need to check interior and what not.

[sailsmen]

I would be very hesitant to buy a highly modified car, such as an S/C, that has not been down the 1/4 at least 6 times.

The 1/4 is controlled and documented that the car gets to go WOT for ~12 seconds.

Get one of these - you will get more attention and it will never allow you to abuse your Marauder;
http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/data/500/th.jpg (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/24336/title/th/cat/500)

[MOTOWN]

You can't build a S/C car for what you can buy one for already done, and there are some extremely nice S/C cars that have not been beat on , Ebassys is a perfect example! try building his car , and see what you spend??

[HotRaud90]

413294133141332

Here are a few pics. Testing them as attachments first.

Wiring honestly looks messy. Alternator in a weird spot. COT looks like it has been modded to extend past pulley hub (welded in sections?). Heat shield on wrong side :shake:
I told the guy who was selling it for someone else that it looks like whoever did the install just got it in there and functioning, not a very pretty or practical job...
Anything glaring to anyone here? Ehhh...

[Logizyme]

Its not yours unless you built it

But, buying it is cheaper..

[HotRaud90]

Few more pics

41333413344133541336

[justbob]

You can't build a S/C car for what you can buy one for already done, and there are some extremely nice S/C cars that have not been beat on , Ebassys is a perfect example! try building his car , and see what you spend??


Couldn't write it any better myself!


Mines definitely been driven as intentionally built! AND it's got 102,000 miles! PLUS, when it goes to the track I fully intend to find the next week link. It's called perfecting and although expensive, it's also fun?!

Sure, if it were a garage queen or worse yet, driven like all the Grand Marquis I pass, it would last forever and I could always brag about my 700rwhp car. BORING!

With that said, my 100,000 car has been more reliable than most stock ones on this site because I maintain it and replace/upgrade stuff if there is even a hint of an issue, or out of boredom. Not all S/C cars with a 100,000 are time bombs...


Builder Of Badassery

[crownvic97]

It's about building the car to me just as much as it is about driving it. I think buying someone else's project takes a lot of fun out of it, $ savings aside.

[babbage]

I'm no Trilogy/Eaton owner or expert but it looks a little frankenstienish to me.

Vaccume lines, factory PCV hose bent up and thrown on other side,cot rust, no headers, cai heat shield on wrong side, bypass coolant hose is kinked good (fat at bend) paint missing on valve covers. It doesn't appear who ever did that loved it..

Perhaps some of the eaton swap folks will chime in.

[HotRaud90]

I'm no Trilogy/Eaton owner or expert but it looks a little frankenstienish to me.

Vaccume lines, factory PCV hose bent up and thrown on other side,cot rust, no headers, cai heat shield on wrong side, bypass coolant hose is kinked good (fat at bend) paint missing on valve covers. It doesn't appear who ever did that loved it..

Perhaps some of the eaton swap folks will chime in.

These have begun to be my thoughts exactly. "Frankensteinish".....aptly put, sir. I had been lookin for somethin to describe how I felt when I looked it over, and that seems to fit the bill.

[Merc-O-matic]

Buy a TRILOGY CAR, you won't be sorry....looks stock and runs
like a "scalded dog"! No brainer.....

Gotta Love It!:bandit:

[solo5057]

looks like some one just threw it it together for a sale$$$ i would build your own. you can take your time and you'll know what you have! it doen't look like any eaton swaps i've ever seen!!!

[RubberCtyRauder]

That looks a little rough in the eaton swap department. They slapped it together and prolly rode it hard to try it out. I would steer clear of it. It's good to go look at it though, let's you know what has been planned out and assembled and what is not with lurking gremlins waiting to come out. I recommend keeping your car and building one up, unless a members car comes for sale that is in your $ range.

[camelgrundle]

Looks like they did not take care of it. If you can't even quickly clean the engine bay then changing the oil was probably a hassle for them. Leave it.

[sailsmen]

I wouldn't touch it. Looks like a drunk kinder-gardener worked on it.

[Marauderjack]

I wouldn't touch it. Looks like a drunk kinder-gardener worked on it.

I wish you'd quit "Sugar Coating" your replies Billy....just speak you mind son!!;)

[HotRaud90]

I wouldn't touch it. Looks like a drunk kinder-gardener worked on it.
Lolol I don't know what a kinder-gardener is, but sure....drunk kindergartener works [emoji6] In all seriousness though...

That looks a little rough in the eaton swap department. They slapped it together and prolly rode it hard to try it out. I would steer clear of it. It's good to go look at it though, let's you know what has been planned out and assembled and what is not with lurking gremlins waiting to come out. I recommend keeping your car and building one up, unless a members car comes for sale that is in your $ range.
Yeah, wanted to at least check it out since it was a mile from my house. Go figure. Definitely rough around the edges, looks like it was rode hard and put up wet a few times too many. Thanks for the input. Gonna hold out for the future.

[sailsmen]

Lolol I don't know what a kinder-gardener is, but sure....drunk kindergartener works [emoji6] In all seriousness though...

Yeah, wanted to at least check it out since it was a mile from my house. Go figure. Definitely rough around the edges, looks like it was rode hard and put up wet a few times too many. Thanks for the input. Gonna hold out for the future.

Like I said he was drunk and his work on the S/C is reflective of his spelling, not very good.

[Spectragod]

Forget the Eaton, look for a Twin Screw!

I know where one of those is......:rolleyes:

[HotRaud90]

Like I said he was drunk and his work on the S/C is reflective of his spelling, not very good.

Nice save. I approve of the point made here :rolleyes:

[sflrainmaker01]

Funny this car came up!:P I saw it on Craigslist yesterday and was like "holy crap!!" I have to go see this! So, I asked the seller to send me some pictures of the motor and undercarriage (since its 2 hours from me) and he said no problem (still have yet to receive pics :rolleyes:). I asked who did the install and he said it was a shop in Clearwater. I believe it was the same shop I spoke to over the phone that had a "complete eaton swap kit" for sale installed for some rediculously low price. They said they normally notch the frame and install the alternator like a Cobra. I guess this is the car it got installed in? :confused: It sounded as if there are NO supporting mods for the eaton swap (gears, exhaust, etc). :(
I might have to get serious and just accept the fact that maybe the best course of action is to just start piecing my own eaton swap together and take it month by month until its all there and put it together and do it right rather than take a chance on a second rate install/swap.:burn:

[HotRaud90]

Funny this car came up!:P I saw it on Craigslist yesterday and was like "holy crap!!" I have to go see this! So, I asked the seller to send me some pictures of the motor and undercarriage (since its 2 hours from me) and he said no problem (still have yet to receive pics :rolleyes:). I asked who did the install and he said it was a shop in Clearwater. I believe it was the same shop I spoke to over the phone that had a "complete eaton swap kit" for sale installed for some rediculously low price. They said they normally notch the frame and install the alternator like a Cobra. I guess this is the car it got installed in? :confused: It sounded as if there are NO supporting mods for the eaton swap (gears, exhaust, etc). :(
I might have to get serious and just accept the fact that maybe the best course of action is to just start piecing my own eaton swap together and take it month by month until its all there and put it together and do it right rather than take a chance on a second rate install/swap.:burn:

Welp, that makes two of us then. The guy (Matt) who runs the small dealership where it's at is a really nice guy. Runs the business with his wife. Came down for a special appt to let me look at it. We talked hot rods and what not for a while (he's an experienced enthusiast, but not with MMs), but I just became kind of disinterested when I saw the overall condition of the car. He had nothin to do with the swap. He is selling it 3rd party for a guy who had the work done at that "shop" in Clearwater.

Anyways, from someone who has taken a look at the car themselves, over and under, it didn't really strike me as a gem. Pretty rough in a few areas, notably the engine bay. Little to no supporting mods.

Where are you in FL? I'm considering starting the Eaton swap journey myself.

[sflrainmaker01]

Welp, that makes two of us then. The guy (Matt) who runs the small dealership where it's at is a really nice guy. Runs the business with his wife. Came down for a special appt to let me look at it. We talked hot rods and what not for a while (he's an experienced enthusiast, but not with MMs), but I just became kind of disinterested when I saw the overall condition of the car. He had nothin to do with the swap. He is selling it 3rd party for a guy who had the work done at that "shop" in Clearwater.

Anyways, from someone who has taken a look at the car themselves, over and under, it didn't really strike me as a gem. Pretty rough in a few areas, notably the engine bay. Little to no supporting mods.

Where are you in FL? I'm considering starting the Eaton swap journey myself.

I'm in SW Florida...the Ft Myers/Cape Coral area. I'm glad I saw this thread before I got any more excited about this car! I've been kinda hoping to find a Trilogy setup, but I am starting to believe that in unrealistic. So, I think I am just going to start buying the swap piece by piece. Then, once complete, decide whether to tackle it myself or have Martyo install it. I currently have all the supporting mods. I think it would be an amazing upgrade! :burnout::burnout:

[sflrainmaker01]

Oh, and I am alot like you in that my car only has 85k on it, too! Trade it or sell it for a 100+k mile car with a second rate SC install......nah.....:down:

Do the 4.10 gears and that high will get you by until you accumulate the Eaton swap parts, lol!

[HotRaud90]

Well, you're way ahead of the game compared to me. I am about to have gears done and then I think headers needs to be next on my plate. THEN I can start thinkin about the swap, or some other type of FI. I want to build up the base car first. Then tackle the heavy duty firepower. We should start collectin at the same time and hold each other to it so we don't crap out and give up on the long process lol :rolleyes: :beer: :burnout:

[sflrainmaker01]

Well, you're way ahead of the game compared to me. I am about to have gears done and then I think headers needs to be next on my plate. THEN I can start thinkin about the swap, or some other type of FI. I want to build up the base car first. Then tackle the heavy duty firepower. We should start collectin at the same time and hold each other to it so we don't crap out and give up on the long process lol :rolleyes: :beer: :burnout:

Yeah, moral support goes along way! LOL! :beer: To be honest, I can't imagine driving this car with an Eaton on top! Every time I drive this car, now, it's amazing! I can't imagine what it would be like with an Eaton! When I rode in a member's Trilogy car, it was unbelievable! Literally. With an Eaton swap done, it would be cool. After doing an Eaton swap , I picture going up the on ramp to I-75 from work with the tires smoking all the way up lol!!!! :burnout::burnout::burn:

[lji372]

I would swap then add headers later, just my opinion.

Roots= wonderful torque curve :drool:

[HotRaud90]

Yeah, moral support goes along way! LOL! :beer: To be honest, I can't imagine driving this car with an Eaton on top! Every time I drive this car, now, it's amazing! I can't imagine what it would be like with an Eaton! When I rode in a member's Trilogy car, it was unbelievable! Literally. With an Eaton swap done, it would be cool. After doing an Eaton swap , I picture going up the on ramp to I-75 from work with the tires smoking all the way up lol!!!! :burnout::burnout::burn:

I can't wait to get my gears done + a couple other power adders. I need moar powa! Seriously though...seeing an Eaton swap in person made doin it myself more of a reality. I need to get up to the group meetin at Ruby Tuesday's with a bunch of the other Cen. FL guys so I can get a ride in a trilogy car (think one of them has one). Too bad I work later and they're over an hour away...


I would swap then add headers later, just my opinion.

Roots= wonderful torque curve :drool:

Why's that? OEM manifolds create better back pressure, different torque curve vs. more free flowing headers? I'm not particularly versed in FI in's and out's.

[lji372]

I just wouldn't have the patience.
My trilogy car was only supercharged without headers and I was quite happy. I addd the headers after I blew the motor.
I was truly just as happy with the 345rwhp s/c only car as I am with the 413rwhp car after headers cat delete and magnaflows. Except it sounds better. I do kind of miss ninja car though lol

[stevengerard]

There is nothing wrong with buying a car that is already done, The cheapest way to get into a nice car is to buy someone else's finished project be it a restored muscle car or a race car. Yes I know, many people enjoy doing the work themselves, but some buy them finished, some pay to have them completed to their liking. I don't think any way is the wrong way, just different.

The last thing I'd be worried about is the mileage difference in a 78k ten year old car and a 110k mile car. There really isn't much of a difference. If you were talking a 10k car vs 100k, I can see that. Then the issue becomes — do you really want to drive that 10k much because every mile you put on it lowers the value. I respect low mileage cars as well but I own my cars to drive them not look at them sit idle.

I've been in many supercharged Marauders, they are all a blast - if you drive enough of them you can tell the difference but I guarantee that a 350 RWHP MM will be enough to make you smile. Also not all SC cars are beat and some are only beat occasionally.

[Spectragod]

Why's that? OEM manifolds create better back pressure, different torque curve vs. more free flowing headers? I'm not particularly versed in FI in's and out's.

Headers and a tune = 50rwhp minimum. Add a forged rotating assembly and more boost = even more power!!!

[stevengerard]

Why's that? OEM manifolds create better back pressure, different torque curve vs. more free flowing headers? I'm not particularly versed in FI in's and out's.

What he means is that a roots type blower provides low rpm torque, it makes enough of a difference that you do not need to add headers right away - or even 4.10 gears as many on this site would attest to.

Of course some folks never have enough power - that's ok to, thus they add the headers on right away.

[vkirkend]

I would recommend you buy a already built car as opposed to building yourself. Even if you end up having to rebuild the engine later you will be in the same position cost wise if you had found the parts and did the build yourself.

[lji372]

What he means is that a roots type blower provides low rpm torque, it makes enough of a difference that you do not need to add headers right away - or even 4.10 gears as many on this site would attest to.

Of course some folks never have enough power - that's ok to, thus they add the headers on right away.

This^^^^^

Boost first for a little more money than gears, headers etc.

I'm still at 3:55 in the rear and personally see no need for the 4:10's with a roots blower. Many others will disagree so again it's just my opinion.

[HotRaud90]

What he means is that a roots type blower provides low rpm torque, it makes enough of a difference that you do not need to add headers right away - or even 4.10 gears as many on this site would attest to.

Of course some folks never have enough power - that's ok to, thus they add the headers on right away.

Yeah, I understand. When he stated his opinion about headers later, I thought he might've been referrin to a technical aspect related reason. That's why I asked what he meant by his statement. But assuredly, the blower will def provide a bunch of low end power :burnout:


This^^^^^

Boost first for a little more money than gears, headers etc.

I'm still at 3:55 in the rear and personally see no need for the 4:10's with a roots blower. Many others will disagree so again it's just my opinion.

10-4 on that.

[tbone]

Nothing beats the warm fuzzy feeling of satisfaction of building your own car vs. buying it all finished and wrapped in a bow.

I was a little scared when I started my Eaton project, but it all turned out just fine and the bow I earned was with my hands (and of course the help and advice of fellow MM's) not some strangers.

[sflrainmaker01]

Nothing beats the warm fuzzy feeling of satisfaction of building your own car vs. buying it all finished and wrapped in a bow.

I was a little scared when I started my Eaton project, but it all turned out just fine and the bow I earned was with my hands (and of course the help and advice of fellow MM's) not some strangers.

I hear you on that! The only thing I am afraid of is doing it and then getting stuck at some point along the way and then not being able to get back to it and finish for one reason or another. OR, like my Father always said, if it ain't broke, don't fix it....that statement seems to always haunt me.....:pumpkin::witch::bat:

[lji372]

I hear you on that! The only thing I am afraid of is doing it and then getting stuck at some point along the way and then not being able to get back to it and finish for one reason or another. OR, like my Father always said, if it ain't broke, don't fix it....that statement seems to always haunt me.....:pumpkin::witch::bat:

And yet you quit riding your bicycle :lol: :P

[tbone]

I hear you on that! The only thing I am afraid of is doing it and then getting stuck at some point along the way and then not being able to get back to it and finish for one reason or another. OR, like my Father always said, if it ain't broke, don't fix it....that statement seems to always haunt me.....

There is plenty of expertise on this forum and elsewhere to get you through any issues.

Take out an equity loan on the car and get going. ;)

[sflrainmaker01]

And yet you quit riding your bicycle :lol: :P

Not sure I understand that comment. :confused:
BTW, how'd you know my bicycle was broken? ;)

[sflrainmaker01]

There is plenty of expertise on this forum and elsewhere to get you through any issues.

Take out an equity loan on the car and get going. ;)

I hear ya bro! I 'm working on it! Not sure what to buy first, lol!:P