Taurus SHO?

• edgar
• sigtauenus
• Tims65
• mustangstofear
• jims6t6
• ITLRUN
• classicdoug
• aslan
• tarafied1
• fordrule
• GTA6T7
• Heap64
• Kats66Pny
• Sacbill
• Opentracker
• turq66
• KBMWRS

[Dennis Harrelson]

My curiosity has been aroused by a few of these things for sale locally for less than $1,000 in what the sellers claim is running and drivable condition. Is there any use for them at all in our 'Stangs? Are there any rear drive transmissions that'll bolt to them? Does anyone know if they'll even fit between the shock towers? Both the V6 and V8 versions are said to be pretty sweet motors that love to rev, it seems a shame for them to not have a second life as something cool.

[John Del]

Years ago, I was also intriqued by the SHO transplant, and ran into many expensive speed bumps.  Getting the EFI to work is just one of them, the transmission was another.  IIRC, the Ranger that used the 3.0 from the Taurus (or was it the Aerostar?) may have a transmission that bolts up, but I can't be sure anymore (been a long time).  The nice thing about the V6 is that it's a 60 degree motor, which means even with overhead cams, it might fit in a stock shock towered Mustang.  The V8 might also be a 60 degree arrangement.

John

[garner67]

crustycurmudgeon (aka frank) has a taurus SHO.  he might has some good info for you.  he's at a car show in modesto this weekend, but i bet he'll chime in when he returns.  or you could send him a PM.

[lethal289]

Converting the v6 to rear wheel has been done.  Heres a link.  http://bullit.ditttos.com/sho/ford-taurus-sho-converted-to-rear-wheel-drive  I wonder how the weight difference is between our cars and a sho?

[Dennis Harrelson]

Converting the v6 to rear wheel has been done.  Heres a link.  http://bullit.ditttos.com/sho/ford-taurus-sho-converted-to-rear-wheel-drive  I wonder how the weight difference is between our cars and a sho?

Nice job, but not much useful info there. It does say he used a WC T-5.
Generally speaking, I think most newer cars outweigh ours, what with the safety requirements and creature comforts incorporated in them.

[lethal289]

Some reading here.  Supposedly a lincoln LS trans will bolt to a sho.

http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=174555

This sounds like an interesting swap to me.  It would be unique to say the least.

On another note, i know theres a bell housing adapter for just about any motor.  I can't find the link now, but theres a place that has about a hundred different varieties.

[tarafied1]

I used to own an 89 SHO 5-speed. I used to beat on that baby and it was great! It would wind and for a 4 door car it was quick. I briefly entertained the idea of a mid engine Stang using the V6 and trans-axle in the back...

[crustycurmudgeon]

crustycurmudgeon (aka frank) has a taurus SHO.  he might has some good info for you.  he's at a car show in modesto this weekend, but i bet he'll chime in when he returns.  or you could send him a PM.

I do own a '95 SHO, but I know nothing about swapping it into a Mustang other than it's possible and I believe I've seen it done.  The V6 from a MTX SHO is 3.0 liters and the version from the ATX is 3.2, so keep that in mind.  The V8 from the '96 to '99 is only 3.4 liters, making it the smallest Ford V8 ever (at the time at least, don't know about now) at about 207 cubic inches.  Not to mention the cam issue in the V8.  You'd be real lucky to find a V8 that's not destroyed by the slipped cam sprocket.

On the other hand, if you have the money to buy a nice one, the early SHOs, imho, have real potential for appreciation in the future.  Combine low production with fairly low survival rate, the excitement over the reintroduced SHO, they're well regarded by owners and other car people...

Frank

[turq66]

...The V8 from the '96 to '99 is only 3.4 liters, making it the smallest Ford V8 ever...

I thought they were actually Yamaha engines. Not saying that's a bad thing, just trying to get my facts straight.

[AzPete]

Ford actually used a smaller V8, 136 cu. in. in the 30's. Found this.....may not have been "produced" by Ford at the time but was a Ford engine as much as the next one at that time due to the usage.

From wikipedia........
A 136 cu in (2.2 L) V8-74[3] version was introduced in the United States in 1937. With 2.6 by 3.2 in (66 by 81 mm) bore and stroke[3] and 6.6:1 compression, the engine was rated 60 hp (45 kW) and 94 lb·ft (127 N·m).[3] The designation changed again in 1939, to V8-922A, but the specifications remained the same.[3] It was produced in Europe in 1935 and 1936, and was used in the many standard Ford vehicles based on the car platform of the era. It was not very popular with U.S. buyers who were used to the 85 horsepower (63 kW) cars. Redesignated V8-82A in 1938, V8-922A in 1939, and V8-022A in 1940, compression, power, and torque remained unchanged.[3] The engine was very popular as a powerplant for midget race cars after World War II. This engine is most commonly referred to as the "60 horse" flathead, or the V8-60. It was replaced by the 226 straight-6 in the 1941 Fords.

[Dennis Harrelson]

I thought they were actually Yamaha engines. Not saying that's a bad thing, just trying to get my facts straight.

Been reading a bit since starting this thread, and saw somewhere that only the heads were Yamaha. The V6s, though, were totally Yamaha.

[crustycurmudgeon]

Ford actually used a smaller V8, 136 cu. in. in the 30's

Wow, that's TINY.  Thanks for the correction.

Frank

[AzPete]

Wasn't trying to correct as I don't think Ford built it. But yea, it is a small V8. Maybe soup cans for pistons moving about 2 inches in travel. What power................

[Dennis Harrelson]

Wow, that's TINY.  Thanks for the correction.

Frank

I can't help myself...as long as we're:

Taurus SHO?

Here's the smallest V8 I'm aware of:
http://ozebook.com/wordpress/?p=1590

[AzPete]

Ya never know for sure...
Worlds Smallest Running Chevy V-8
Smallest V8 engine
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5321100141757542472#