Modifying the Taurus SHO
From V6SHO
Why modify?
"Speed costs money. How fast can you afford to go?"
If you're a true gearhead, you already know the answer to this, BUT for rhetorical purposes... :-)
Most SHO owners will be perfectly satisfied with the level of performance they get "out of the box". Like other cars, though, the SHO isn't so good that it can't be made better. Maybe you have a '89-'91 car and would like a better shifter or 16-inch wheels; or perhaps you want that little extra bit of firepower to surprise unsuspecting Camarobirds; or you might like to try a sportier suspension. While there aren't as many parts available for the SHO as for, say, a Mustang, a wide variety of options exist to let you tailor your car to your exact tastes. This section will try to help you get started. Be advised that lots of stuff listed here "in California may legally be used only on a racing vehicle which will never be operated on public roads."
Once you've modified your SHO, the best way to test the performance difference is Dyno Testing.
Exhaust
Exhaust Systems
Exhaust Design Notes
Y-Pipe Installation (MTX w/ pics)
Intake
Removing silencer cone
Poor Man's Ram Air
Poor Man's Ram Air Mark II
College Student's Ram Air
MAF Sensors
Throttle Body
Forced Induction
Extrude Hone
Head Porting
Port Matching Heads to an EH Intake
Engine
Aftermarket EPROMS
Camshafts and sprockets
Underdrive Pulleys
Engine Swaps?
When do aftermarket fuel injectors become necessary?
Increasing fuel pressure on the SHO
Transmission
Clutch and Release Bearing
Aftermarket clutches throwout bearings
Rod Shifter Conversion
Limited Slip Differential
Synthetic Fluids
Bypassing the clutch interlock
SHO Transaxle Drain Plug Installation
The Quaife Limited-Slip Differential (link to BaySHO site)
Using other transmissions with the SHO engine (in kits/conversions, not a SHO!)
Suspension and Steering
Camber Adjustment Kits
Wheel Offset
Custom Wheels
Springs and Struts
Lowering Discussion
Suspension Bushings
Solid/Police Subframe Bushings
Strut Tower Braces
Anti-Sway Bars
Sub Frame Connectors
Adjusting the VAPS (Variable Assist Power Steering)
Federal Mogul/TRW Catalog page on Steering.
Federal Mogul/TRW Catalog page on Suspension.
Brakes
General brake upgrade information
Brake upgrade packages
'96 Upgrade Procedure for '89 - '93 SHOs
'96 Upgrade Procedure for '94 - '95 SHOs
Steel braided brake lines
Gary Morrell's Brake Series
Leigh Smith Brake Survey
Exterior
Headlamps
Fog lamp replacement
Daytime Running Lights
Adding lights to the "fish tanks"
Rear Spoiler
Police Grill
Car Covers
Trailer Hitches
Bike and Ski Racks
Filled body lettering
Interior
Steering Wheel
Aftermarket Pedals
Additional Gauges
Disabling Autolock
Enabling Autolock
Express-Down Passenger Window
Adding Remote Keyless Entry
Changing the factory keyless entry code
Modification of the Fog Lamp switch
White faced gauges
Seat Covers
Audio System
Stock JBL audio systems
Upgrading the Audio System
Interior Frequency Response
Volume and Tone Controls
A note on Speaker Placement
General
Other Diagnostic Tools Weight Loss Driving School How much is too much?
"Super SHOs" (heavily modified SHOs)
Doug Lewis - 1989 with NOS Tom Guagliardo - 1989 Supercharged Jeremy Prine - 1990 Turbocharged Nick Chrimes - 1990 Supercharged
Don Donelson - 1991 Supercharged John Mears - 1992 Supercharged Lee Miller - Ninja Turtle SHO (Leonardo) Mark Nunnally - 1989 lightened, with NOS (offsite link)
SHOguns
The SHOgun is a custom built car using the Ford Festiva chassis, and the SHO v6 engine.
FordFestiva.com's SHOgun writeup (offsite link) Special Editions SHOgun #001 - Ron Gallo Special Editions SHOgun #002 - location unknown Special Editions SHOgun #003 - Jay Leno Special Editions SHOgun #004 - Rob Cook (coming soon) Special Editions SHOgun #005 - KJ Byrnes Special Editions SHOgun #006 - location unknown Special Editions SHOgun #007 - location unknown
SHO Engine in other Applications
SHO Powered Cobra Kit car SHO Powered Lotus Esprit (offsite link) SHO Powered Taurus Wagon (offsite link) SHO Powered Ford Probe (offsite link) SHO Powered Ford Ranger (offsite link) SHO Powered Mercury Topaz (offsite link)
