After reading another thread in this Forum comparing test drives of SHO with Performance Package against 402A I decided to do some research. I was dissapointed-Initially-with the description of the Performance Package in the Product Brochere which did not mention any differences in the suspension but only the Final Drive Ratio, Stability control program, Steering program, and Tires/Wheels plus ceramic brake pads. This conflicts with the following interview in 3rd quarter 2009:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/wayoflife/05/08/aa.ford.taurus.sho/index.html
Ms. Rodriguez states"the step up from the SHO to the SHO with the Performance Pack tightens everything even further (more chilies), including another 20-percent on the dampers (those would be struts and shock absorbers to non-engineers), then 9-percent stiffer rear springs, and a thicker rear anti-roll bar."
I decided to compare the part #'s on my SHO with 402A package with a SHO that has performance package. Guess what? All the part numbers listed on the barcode stickers attached to springs and anti-roll bars are the same!!
So this means the brochure is correct and Ford must have changed their minds about having SHO's with differant suspension parts. Maybe this was to streamline Production and reduce parts inventory .. who knows.
I did notice that the front brake pads have a differant part number.
I would bet that a different ECU flash program would close the gap between the models even further.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/wayoflife/05/08/aa.ford.taurus.sho/index.html
Ms. Rodriguez states"the step up from the SHO to the SHO with the Performance Pack tightens everything even further (more chilies), including another 20-percent on the dampers (those would be struts and shock absorbers to non-engineers), then 9-percent stiffer rear springs, and a thicker rear anti-roll bar."
I decided to compare the part #'s on my SHO with 402A package with a SHO that has performance package. Guess what? All the part numbers listed on the barcode stickers attached to springs and anti-roll bars are the same!!
So this means the brochure is correct and Ford must have changed their minds about having SHO's with differant suspension parts. Maybe this was to streamline Production and reduce parts inventory .. who knows.
I did notice that the front brake pads have a differant part number.
I would bet that a different ECU flash program would close the gap between the models even further.
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