Autocrossing a STOCK SHO

[Clarence Worley]

Hey guys-

Just picked up my first SHO and I want to take it to a autocross because, well, it's my only car right now...

My question is, will my car be ok? I hear all sorts of things about the transmission blowing because of the open diff...is this a concern? As I stated, it's my only mode of transportation so I can't be blowing transmissions.

:thankyou:

 

[1993MTXSHO]

Sounds to me that you are very concerned about breaking this car, racing and generally beating on any STREET (read: vehicle built for mild to moderate driving) car, can and will break something. Not to mention an older car in which parts are worn and weathered. I personally wouldn't race any vehicle if it was my only mode of transportation, even race cars break and those are built for a lot of abuse.

That being said, yes the open diff is an issue because what happens in a hard turn is, it lifts up the inside tire and with an open diff when you nail the throttle, it spins the inside tire much faster then the outside. What happens when you do this, is you spin the diff really fast and it throws all the fluid to the outside walls. This in turn rides the diff roll pins on the diff pins themselves without any fluid to lubricate. This can cause the roll pins to snap in half and fall out which in turn allows the diff pins themselves to eject causing a catastrophic explosion of the transmission. As long as you don't do any burnouts or inside tire spinning the trans should last a long long time. Oh and fresh fluid can't hurt either

But if I were you the transmission is not the only thing I would be worried about; you can do all sorts of things auto crossing. For very basic starters you can destroy your brakes quite easily, and the stock brakes on the sho can barely handle regular street driving never mind an auto x event. I would also be worried about breaking the subframe where the front tension strut rods goes in. This can happen from a lot of stress and or lots of rust on the car. Anyway I'll stop my long post here, but basically you are stressing every component of a street vehicle when you run an event like this, so plan on breaking something and then you will be ok and not upset in the end of the day if somethign did happen. But if you go in worried about breaking the car, I don't think you'll have a lot of fun to begin with.

Oh yeah btw welcome to the forum, you will now be addicted to these cars like crack:wave:

 

[Clarence Worley]

Thank you for your response. I probably should have stated this in my first post that while this is a entirely new bull for me, it's not my first rodeo. I have done quite a few autocrosses in the years past but always in Mustangs. I recently acquired a very nice, well maintained, 1992 MTX with 98k miles on it in a partial trade for a 86 SVO I owned. I do understand the normal risk that one takes taking any car out to autocross.

While I don't have much experience with FWD, it seems like inside wheel spin is almost inevitable on a tight autocross course and the way you are talking (typing) the transmission staying in one piece is a toss up. With that being said, I am 1 month away from Graduating college, have very little money and am without a garage to put a new transmission in my Daily (SHO).

Thanks.
By the way, I really enjoy the car for what it is and this is a very informative site.

 

[SASHO91]

Don't have much to add, aside from the fact that I wouldn't autocross the car on a stock (i.e from the factory- i.e 17yr old suspension) suspension. It could be interesting, but not in a good way.

Also, you traded an SVO for a SHO? That's even more stupid then trying to autocross a stock SHO, IMHO. I would have held onto that SVO, but that's me.

Don't forget though, there are many suspension upgrades for the SHO as well. Good luck!

 

[zak]

It should be fine, just short shift to 2nd and feather the throttle on corner exit, no downshifting to first. I autox'ed on an open diff MTX for about 40 runs or so before getting a Quiafe.

If you have the time, grab a 20.6 mm front bar and bushings from a SLO, this will decrease the "one wheel peel" on corner exit as well as improve ride quality around town. Upgrading your 23 mm rear bar to a 25 or 26 bar is also very doable (will help quite a bit on the one whel peel thing as well as increase cornering limits).

zak

 

[93rev2sev]

Chances of something happening in a SHO are about the same as any other car but if something does happen, the chances of it being a big pain in the azz are pretty good in a SHO.

All three of these failures are fairly common and would put an end to your activities, costing a bunch of money and time to repair. Everything else is fairly stout or easily replaced.

Diff pin
Rod bearing
Clutch/TOB

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

Having 98k miles, the suspension is probably REAL soggy.

Have fun tossing that thing around :wave:

 

[Clarence Worley]

I got cash with the SHO for the SVO. I needed money. Trust me, I too preferred the SVO but the SHO isn't all bad.

The SHO suspension has been gone through but only with stock parts. I was never thinking this car would be competitive, I just hate to miss the first few of the season. Oh well, there could be worse things.

 

[shobote]

I would say go for it; you are an experienced driver, so just don't pop the clutch on starts or between shifts and you'll be fine. I doubt you'll ever get one front wheel off the ground with a stock suspension; have see modified SHO's do this, but that is a stiffened chassis; i'e'. with full length subfarme connectors welded on, strut tower braces, Aluminum Subrame bushings, and upgraded struts and springs. Biggest worry would be the stock clutch, assuming that is what is in it, so just treat it right and don;t beat on it or that can set you back a lot of time and $.

 

[somedude_001]

I raced my 94 ATX when it was totally stock and I had a blast. I was always at the top of G stock.

 

[shomesomesho]

i recently acquired a very nice, well maintained, 1992 mtx with 98k miles on it in a partial trade for a 86 svo i owned.

whatttt????!!!!! You traded a SVO for a . . . . . . SHO????
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
j/k

I say do it (autocross it). You probably won't break anything the first time out, especially if you're on street tires. It should be fun, but don't expect to win any trophies in a stock SHO unless nobody else shows up. You'll be in G Stock against all the mini coopers. I know, I know, life isn't fair.

BTW, check out the SHO autocross vid in my sig.

 

[bobreimer]

I auto crossed my '89 with no problems. Eventually I started to upgrade everything to go faster, but the stock SHO was fine. You have to use some restraint with the gas pedal in tight turns. Its a heavy car, but it is fun. Work on being smooth.

 

[jayro]

If you are carefull about inside wheel spin when exiting the corners I don't think anything huge will go wrong. You stated that your SHO had been well maintained, so that goes a long was. If you change your sway bar set up it should help with the wheel spin too. I say go for it....but then my sho isn't my dd.

Jeremy

 

[94BCSHO]

Ya I was wondering about this to because mine is also my dd. Ive got one question though my SHO is 94 ATX. Would that make any diffrence becuase i heard the ATX have more problems transaxle and diff wise than MTX , so am I at more risk than clarence?
PS my car has a K&N drop-in filter and a Dynomax catback on it would that increase my risk of breakage?

 

[shomesomesho]

Ya I was wondering about this to because mine is also my dd. Ive got one question though my SHO is 94 ATX. Would that make any diffrence becuase i heard the ATX have more problems transaxle and diff wise than MTX , so am I at more risk than clarence?
PS my car has a K&N drop-in filter and a Dynomax catback on it would that increase my risk of breakage?

My first SHO was a '94 ATX. I was just getting into autocross back then. I took it to a friend's private lot (in Mexico) to do a few maneuvers. That's when it blew the tranny.

 

[94BCSHO]

ok then maybe ill hold off until I upgrade the car so i dont blow the diff