Yamaha engines: how good are they?

[DennisT]

New here, and it probably sounds like it. Son has a Yamaha equipped 1992 SHO, with5-speed. How good are the Yamaha engines? Did they only equip SHO's with them for a couple years? Then Mazda or did Ford ever build an engine for SHO's?

Parts interchangeability?

Thanks, Dennis

 

[Toolman]

From 89-95, the SHO's came with a Yamaha built V6. Lots of parts compatibility. It is a very robust engine, one that can last for many many miles if take care of properly.

 

[1993MTXSHO]

if take care of properly.

that is VERY key

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

that is VERY key

Uh, not really.

These motors are built STOUT. If kept relatively stock, they are damn near indestructible.

The only time they need particular attention is when they are being asked high demands. Like boost.

 

[1993MTXSHO]

Uh, not really.

These motors are built STOUT. If kept relatively stock, they are damn near indestructible.

The only time they need particular attention is when they are being asked high demands. Like boost.

my mtx sho engine blew up at 99k miles my atx at 156k. You have to change rod bearings in this engine to make it last usually (yeah some go w/o them but thats not a good idea) The seals also tend to leak, like valve cover gaskets and the front and rear mains on occasion, also the water pump starts to leak and then the crank sensor gets all screwed up. None of this happens on a maintained engine, but will on a non maintained engine most likely

I know no other car that spins rod bearings like this engine does, I am by no means an expert nor do I know all engines known to man so I could be wrong, but usually rod bearings don't need maintaince like this, so this engine does need to be maintained to be reliable

http://www.shoforum.com/showthread.php?t=85208

 

[jthod]

Good enough for people to take the time, effort, and money to swap them into other cars, trucks, boats, and sandrails.

Good enough to have over 300k and still run laps around Texas Speedway

So good **** quit putting them in the Taurus.

 

[93rev2sev]

The biggest potential weakspot in a Yamaha SHO is the owner.

Half the time they go to the yard because of a sensor...not because of engine "failure"

Too much money for a clutch job? Junk it.
Can't figure out why it stalls and won't start up for half an hour? Junk it.
Starts to run ****** and can't find anyone that knows how to clean a MAF? Junk it.

Too many people look at cars(SHOs included) the same way they look at hamburgers...Like they were made to be "consumed".

 

[firstgen89sho]

- without the stupid.....

 

[SeanMc]

- without the stupid.....

I'm with him, including the stupid :angelnot:

 

[93rev2sev]

I'm with him, including the stupid :angelnot:

:dork:

 

[SeanMc]

:dork:

 

[SuperHO]

I feel the love....


Yeah. My engine just gave up on me. I bought it 2002 in a 92 SHO...the engine was originally out of a 94 MTX. The previous owner beat the ever loving out of the car, and I was worse on it than he was. It's probably got about 150k on it, many of those miles spent well above 6000rpms. Funny thing is, even with a crushed rod bearing, it still runs hard.

 

[91 shonice]

I got my Gen1 6 years ago with 70k. Just with basic maint. it lasted till 285k. I finally had to put her down cause of rust. The engine was starting to loose compression and the tranny was still good. All stock. She would have gotten to 300k but she was suffering.

 

[yzstud]

New here, and it probably sounds like it. Son has a Yamaha equipped 1992 SHO, with5-speed. How good are the Yamaha engines? Did they only equip SHO's with them for a couple years? Then Mazda or did Ford ever build an engine for SHO's?

Parts interchangeability?

Thanks, Dennis

yeah those yamaha's are junk!
seriously, don't make ur son drive a yamaha!!!
Tell ya what, u seem like a nice guy, so I will return the favor.
If you pay for the gas mileage, I will take that crappy car off ur son's hands, o.k.?

 

[Brett]

New here, and it probably sounds like it. Son has a Yamaha equipped 1992 SHO, with5-speed. How good are the Yamaha engines? Did they only equip SHO's with them for a couple years? Then Mazda or did Ford ever build an engine for SHO's?

Parts interchangeability?

Thanks, Dennis

They're junk.

They weigh too much, and they put down power thats laughed at by modern v6 engines.


Seriously though they're tough, they rev to the moon and make great noise. Its not the motor you should be asking about but the transmissions, which are complete shit. They keep alot of people from building SHOs, they also tend to make people want to throw this motor in a different platform and X out the transmission. Dont let me spook you because they're not glass, they just dont like to be pounded on be nice to the trans and it will be nice to you. Burn outs are unacceptable.

I know alot of these guys say maintenance is key, and it is if you want the motor to be as healthy as it can be. but when i got my 200k+ mile atx that thing had the original plug wires it rolled off of the show room floor with. plug wells were oil pools, etc, you could tell it had been sitting for a good long time and had been neglected when it came to proper maintenance. now its on its second tranny (that i know off), plugs, and plug wires and shes still runs strong as ****. Original rod bearings as far as i know of too.

What makes me stick with a car that has a crap tranny, is heavy, has little aftermarket (crazy priced aftermarket at that), and lastly its a taurus.

Because its unique. People always shut up once they see that intake and are always in awe when they see its a manual. I could buy a fox body and be like everyone else but theres no fun in that. My cousin smoked a 2000+ v6 eclipse GT in my old ATX. We ended up seeing the kid at a function and my cousin asked "did you ever race a taurus?" He just looked all down and said "I didnt think id ever have to tell anyone about that."

Bottom line in stock form with the proper maintenance these cars are close to bullet proof, they're comfortable yet sporty, very good car if you want something right in the middle of sporty and practicality.

 

[SHO GoDz 89]

my mtx sho engine blew up at 99k miles my atx at 156k. You have to change rod bearings in this engine to make it last usually (yeah some go w/o them but thats not a good idea) The seals also tend to leak, like valve cover gaskets and the front and rear mains on occasion, also the water pump starts to leak and then the crank sensor gets all screwed up. None of this happens on a maintained engine, but will on a non maintained engine most likely

I know no other car that spins rod bearings like this engine does, I am by no means an expert nor do I know all engines known to man so I could be wrong, but usually rod bearings don't need maintaince like this, so this engine does need to be maintained to be reliable

http://www.shoforum.com/showthread.php?t=85208

Thank god my '89 with 135k is virtually perfect

I got ******* lucky with my SHO. The engine still doesn't need a 60k tune up... original water pump and everything.

$1300 for a mechanically perfect Yamaha V6, nothing needed...don't know why.

 

[DennisT]

thank you

I appreciate everyone's commentary on these engines. It is all new to me and I now find it very, very interesting. In fact, I want to see Jason's car put into good shape because I want to experience it for myself.

He has to leave the Coast tomorrow to return here for an appointment. So the SHO will sit at his brother's until we return together to rescue it. Meanwhile, he will have time to read all these things you all have written. Jason is age 35, does his own maintenance on other vehicles he has owned and is probably quite capable of handling this too once he, (we), learn about SHO's. Maybe taking a mandatory break in all this now will be better for the car in the long run.

If needed, I'll take my truck and trailer it back here. But we will begin now to collect a few of the critical spare parts so we can return prepared.

Thanks again, and I will stay tuned to this forum.

Dennis
Odessa/Ritzville, WA

 

[BrentinKC]

Thank god my '89 with 135k is virtually perfect

I got ******* lucky with my SHO. The engine still doesn't need a 60k tune up... original water pump and everything.

$1300 for a mechanically perfect Yamaha V6, nothing needed...don't know why.

1300's not bad....but I picked my '90 up at auction for $650. Excellent motor, brand new clutch. I drove it 90 miles home that day.

 

[SHO_DOODmorrris]

mine is still going at 295 000 KM's, still turns over in -40*C and dosent overheat in +35*C. been thorugh thick and thin. she had a 60k service done and will need rod bearings by 300k but still runs STRONG. very well built engine by yamaha with the typical F*** shit for a transmission. im buying my second SHO on monday (2 days woot) and im only 16 lol. cool engine and we can all agree that it has the best looking intake ever manufactured.

-M

 

[jthod]

cool engine and we can all agree that it has the best looking intake ever manufactured.

-M

X2

If only it ran north and south and had a T-56 behind it, from the factory