Soon to be a SHO owner ;)

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SHOReferee

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Hello All- I’m new here but certainly not new to car forums. I am happy to announce that I will soon be a SHO owner. I’ve owned some great performance cars (2003 SVT Cobra was favorite) and will be shopping for a SHO now.
My question is - are there any production years that I should stay away from? I’ve been researching about the PP option and I was wandering what is the exact option # it is?
Anyway- any help regarding the best or better years would be helpful. I think I will be buying a 2015 -19 car. My budget is around 18k-22k - depending on the car and the deal made. It will obviously be a daily driver but I do like the idea of the PP option and I enjoy spirited driving.
Thanks and I’m grateful for any info provided.
 

802SHO

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Yes get a PP version. I don't have a PP but I have its trans cooler. What you'll also get is a PTU cooler which I don't have. You get better suspension/brakes and steering wheel IIRC. Narrow down your favorite color and look for lowest mileage you can find in your price range. Don't be afraid to drive a few hours one way to get it.
 

SHOdded

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Welcome, and best of luck with your search! Always pore through the TSBs and FSAs issued by Ford to get an idea of what you may be getting into if you are a DIY'r. Otherwise seriously consider a Ford Premiumcare level warranty.
 

krewat

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Look for axle code 2A on the door sticker, and the Alcantara wrapped steering wheel. Not to mention the full-black grill with chrome surround. Of course, the steering wheel and grill can be swapped out, but it's a good indicator as you walk up to the car ;)
 

SHOReferee

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Update — found a ‘15 super clean, black non PP car.
I’m probably gonna go with it because it has 33k miles and is like new. I am realizing that finding one this clean in my price range is tough and finding a PP car is even tougher in my price range. I’m gonna sleep on it tonight.
 

luigisho

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Update — found a ‘15 super clean, black non PP car.
I’m probably gonna go with it because it has 33k miles and is like new. I am realizing that finding one this clean in my price range is tough and finding a PP car is even tougher in my price range. I’m gonna sleep on it tonight.
I think you might be right. Give it a good looking over
 

SHOReferee

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Purchased the car — it’s a tuxedo black, immaculate clean 2015 non PP car- 1 owner with 33k miles.
I’m really enjoying it. Of course I’m gonna do some mods. I’ve been reading on here - but so much info to take in. I’m gonna do a tune and exhaust but trying to decide which to do first and should I do full exhaust with turn down pipe and cats - or just an axle back system.
Anyway, glad to finally be a SHO owner.
 

SM105K

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Purchased the car — it’s a tuxedo black, immaculate clean 2015 non PP car- 1 owner with 33k miles.
I’m really enjoying it. Of course I’m gonna do some mods. I’ve been reading on here - but so much info to take in. I’m gonna do a tune and exhaust but trying to decide which to do first and should I do full exhaust with turn down pipe and cats - or just an axle back system.
Anyway, glad to finally be a SHO owner.

Honestly exhaust really isn't a big upgrade and most catbacks sound like trash. I would do a K&N in drop, a tune package (3 bar map sensor, t-stat, plugs, with your choice of SCT tuning device) from a vetted tuner (AJPTurbo, Gearhead, Ortiz) to start. Just that will completely change the whole car and driving experiance. Avoid LMS and SSI like the plague.

Further down the road you can look at PPE Downpipes, Gearhead Intercooler, EPP Dual Intake, and numerous other modifications.

Also since your car is now 5 years old, I would also start replacing fluids. Starting with the Engine Oil and PTU fluid first. The link below has a plethora of knowledge that will probably give you some other answers as well.
 

Joshw0000

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Agree with all of this. You might also consider a catch can.

What about Unleashed tuning? Are they no longer recommended? That's who I'm using.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
 

SM105K

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Agree with all of this. You might also consider a catch can.

What about Unleashed tuning? Are they no longer recommended? That's who I'm using.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

You are correct a Catch Can is a must with the SHO.

Torrie at Unleashed really doesnt have a foot print here, so personally I don't add them to the group that I normally say. AJP, GH, and Ortiz has been proven to be very good and there are threads backing that info up.
 

Joshw0000

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You are correct a Catch Can is a must with the SHO.

Torrie at Unleashed really doesnt have a foot print here, so personally I don't add them to the group that I normally say. AJP, GH, and Ortiz has been proven to be very good and there are threads backing that info up.
Ah ok. I was supposed to get 2 free tunes with my tuner from Torrie. I installed the first one he sent and I haven't had a reason yet to go back for the 2nd one.

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SHOReferee

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Thanks fellas— grateful for the information.
I’m glad to hear about the exhaust because it’s so pricy and I like the mild stock tone- I do not want this car to be much louder.
Drop in filter and tune is in the near future - and yes, I will be looking into the PTU fluid change.
Do these reputable tuners provide the device or is this something I need to purchase ?
 

SM105K

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Thanks fellas— grateful for the information.
I’m glad to hear about the exhaust because it’s so pricy and I like the mild stock tone- I do not want this car to be much louder.
Drop in filter and tune is in the near future - and yes, I will be looking into the PTU fluid change.
Do these reputable tuners provide the device or is this something I need to purchase ?

You have to buy the device and then custom tunes are not that expensive. I am partial to AJP (Brad) because he literally has done everything I have asked, but there is datalogging, full throttle pulls, ect...

If you want to be involved in the tuning all three are good. If you don't and want more plug and play, then Gearhead's (Matt) Auto Octane tune would be your best bet IMO.
 

Joshw0000

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Thanks fellas— grateful for the information.
I’m glad to hear about the exhaust because it’s so pricy and I like the mild stock tone- I do not want this car to be much louder.
Drop in filter and tune is in the near future - and yes, I will be looking into the PTU fluid change.
Do these reputable tuners provide the device or is this something I need to purchase ?
I thought the same thing about the exhaust but I'm now wanting a little growl from time to time. I'll be buying an electric cutout to bypass the mufflers soon. You can get out for just a few hundred bucks and go back to stock sound at the push of a button.

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SM105K

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I thought the same thing about the exhaust but I'm now wanting a little growl from time to time. I'll be buying an electric cutout to bypass the mufflers soon. You can get out for just a few hundred bucks and go back to stock sound at the push of a button.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

Honestly, the best thing for your exhaust tone inside the cabin is....the AD Gen 2 Torque Mounts. They change the complete sound of the car inside the cabin.
 

Joshw0000

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Sometimes I feel spunky and others don't know I want to play. The exhaust cut-out idea is more of a "hey I'm not a cop" sign.

How would torque mounts change the sound?

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SM105K

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Sometimes I feel spunky and others don't know I want to play. The exhaust cut-out idea is more of a "hey I'm not a cop" sign.

How would torque mounts change the sound?

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

It changes the whole harmonics of the engine. It is hard to explain, but my car sounds amazing in the cab. If others with the TQ mounts see this, I am sure they will chime in.
 
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