Rear wheel drive SHO set up

[Racer14B]

I am intending on building a sand rail using the engine from an 89 SHO. I am thinking of using an IRS differential from an 89 thunderbird or something of that sort. (I need the longer axle shafts to achieve the suspension travel that I am looking for.) Does anyone know if there are any RWD manual transmissions that will bolt up to the SHO engine directly? I own a machine shop can custom make adapters or whatever I may need, but am trying to keep it simple if possible.

 

[Tachyon]

As I understand it, you need a bellhousing from an old Windstar van to bolt up to a T5. Also: http://www.specclutch.com/conversion_combos/view/27

 

[LOUDSHO92]

Any transmission that bolts up to the 3.0 Vulcan will work.

 

[mrecoolgar]

Calling offroadsho.
He can hekp you the best.

 

[Racer14B]

Thanks for the info!

 

[rubydist]

or use the cididit adapter, which will allow any small block Ford transmission to be bolted up to the SHO motor.

 

[Shovert]

Ranger 3.0 trans will bolt up. Maurice

 

[93markVIII]

I am thinking of using an IRS differential from an 89 thunderbird or something of that sort.

i want to see someone try this one a SHO. i want to try, but i want someone else to try first!

 

[intimdatr]

i want to see someone try this one a SHO. i want to try, but i want someone else to try first!

Lol. This! Im still thinking about the plans for this. Its going to happen some day.

 

[platoribs]

Wonder if the M5R2 out of a Supercoupe will bolt up?

It would certainly hold up to the output of the Yamahammer...

 

[3d914]

Racer,

You could always hook the Porsche 901 tranny up - like I'm doing for a mid-engine 914. Its a 5-speed, good for 300 Ft. Lbs., lots of options on drive shafts, and not too expensive to replace or repair.

 

[Off Road SHO]

The J code mazda tranny in the 4x4's only bolt up to the 4.0 liter Ford Engines. The M code version bolts up the 3.0 Vulcan / SHO (with a little grinding to clear the SHO's crankcase vent cover plate/rear main seal holder).

I think the best way to go is the CIDIDIT adaptor from Canfield industries that Nick and I talked into making for us.

Tom

 

[rubydist]

Wonder if the M5R2 out of a Supercoupe will bolt up?

It would certainly hold up to the output of the Yamahammer...

The M5R2 from a Supercoupe has the standard sbf pattern, therefore it bolts right up with the Canfield (cididit) adapter. I have a M5R2 bolted up to the SHO motor that is in my RX7 right now. I have a Mustang flywheel drilled for the SHO motor, and a standard Mustang 5.0 clutch in there. The Mazda trans uses a hydraulic release clutch, not a cable release, which has its pro's and con's but it certainly fits.

The M5R2 is getting hard to find because they didn't make a lot of them, and the blocking rings are unobtainium, so if you grab one, make sure that the 2nd gear synchros are okay. The good news is they are usually not expensive. It holds more torque than the T5, so it will hold up fine.

 

[rubydist]

no, you can use it with no spacer on the flywheel. on the M5R2, if needed, you can space the slave cylinder forward, but I did not need to do that. on the T5, it will just be a matter of properly adjusting the clutch cable, I would expect.

on second thought, I may have bought a standard SuperCoupe clutch kit, rather than Mustang - I don't recall for sure. Just make sure the clutch disc has the proper spine count for the trans you are using.