Is this V8 a possible choice?

[jacklipke]

Hi there, first time poster:

My name is Jack from Echelon Motors, my small custom chassis fab group.

The current project I am building is a midengine space-frame based sports car. Frame wise, it resembles a mix of the A8, a fiero, and the center support of an F1 style car. It is mostly aluminum, with some composite here and there (cf).

I am currently trying to budget out my power plant, and have come across these aluminum V8 SHO motors. I am a WWU student, so I get some-but not much help (money wise) for this ambitious project, needless to say I'm on a tight budget.

I am looking long and hard for an affordable V8 that is ALSO aluminum, this has proven to be tough. Do you find lads think the SHO V8 would be a good choice? At my mech shop where I work summers at, I fell in love with the yam v6 SHO so will I like the V8 just as much? I am looking for around 500 ponies through any means (NOS, Super/Turbo/Twin) etc and I want to know if this is possible. If not, have any ideas for a non V8 SHO Aluminum block that I could afford (aka, not a GT40 block).

Thanks so much for any feedback.

Jack Lipke IV
Echelon Motors

 

[Silvapain]

The cams are a weak point and will have to be welded. Visit V8SHO.com for more info on why and the welding procedure. The trannies can barely handle the 235BHp the engine puts out stock; however, there are two V8 SHOs that have successfully adapted manual transmissions to the engine. The engine's compression ratio is too high to support major boost (10:1), but the engines themselves are very stout.

If you want 500BHp, I suggest custom low compression pistons and turbo. V6 SHOs have put down mid 400's to the wheels with new pistons and a turbo.

 

[roland]

I think someone did a Northstar MR2, and a northstar Fiero swap, I know a lot of guys do 350's into those cars too.

the downside with those engines is i think they are only aluminum heads, still iron blocks (same with toyota UR engine). I think the LS1 is an aluminum block though...

The cams are a weak point and will have to be welded. Visit V8SHO.com for more info on why and the welding procedure. The trannies can barely handle the 235BHp the engine puts out stock; however, there are two V8 SHOs that have successfully adapted manual transmissions to the engine. The engine's compression ratio is too high to support major boost (10:1), but the engines themselves are very stout.

The transmission for a Ford Mondeo/Contour should bolt up well, thats the MTX 75. That was used along with the Duratec V6 (which the SHO V8 is based on) in the Noble M12. That was a twin turbo charged mid-engine version. I think an MTX 75 + SHO V8 would be awesome in a Fiero or any other Mid Engined car, afterall I think that's what the SHO was originally supposed to be.

 

[kason]

4.6L 4V V8 in the 96+ cobra mustangs were all aluminum.