Just bought a SHO, now what?

[SaraH]

Hey everyone, I just picked up a '98 SHO with 103k for $2000. I used to be into little import cars, and had a '95 Eclipse but I decided it was too cutesy and I wanted something a little more badass but less flashy. I met this guy once who had a SHO and decided I wanted one.

I finally traded up for it but I don't know what to do now to improve upon it. Where do I start?

 

[jthod]

Find out if the cams have been welded, if they havn't, they should be done ASAP.

 

[Rubix]

Welcome to the forum Have the cams welded if they aren't already (they probably aren't), change the oil, drive the **** out of it and enjoy

 

[DaSho97]

Welcome to the forum. Def check if your cams are welded.

 

[aarmel732]

1) Weld cams
2) Buy a tuner.

 

[Brett]

Cams welded, maybe a bigger tranny cooler, they're cheap insurance, where in mn?

 

[Eric VerValin]

I like this chick's attitude when it comes to cars. Welcome!


If chick offends you. Feel free to replace it with young lady..

 

[bottonic]

Welcome to the forum! First thing you should do is trade it for a gen I or gen II!
But seriously, weld the cams, drive it, enjoy it!

 

[Funmart6]

Cheap mods, "porterize" the intake and gut the 3rd cat.

 

[stephen newberg]

A most have mentioned, the first thing to do is find out of the cam sprockets have been welded to the cams. This is a requirement and there is a good deal about it available here and at v8sho.com.

Past that, the car only has normal problems.

At your mileage, unless you have records about what was done for the transmission at 100K, you need to do that. The pan will have to be dropped to change the filter and the fluid changed.

As per modifications, some form of 'Porterization' is a good first step. This tosses away the air intake mess and draws cold air from the inner wheel well. It is a modification that you can do yourself or have done for you quickly, easily, and cheaply. I did mine for the cost of some truck rad hose and a few screws. Again, there should be info on this at v8sho.com

From there, most mods are dependent on what you are after. For handling you can do a good deal, though the starting point is already good, by adding a front strut tower brace, hardening up the subframe mounts, messsing about with the sway bars and wheel/tire combinations, etc. For sound you can play with the mufflers, cats, resonators, etc.

So, welcome.

pax, smn

 

[Pro*banshee]

You guys'd better not let Ma Beth find out there's another woman you've been talking to!

 

[roland]

i was very close to getting a 99 GSX, but the crank walk scared me off to a 99 SHO. I really like the looks of late 2nd gen Eclipses and Talons.

Importance, in this order:

1: Camweld
2: Tune
3: Transmission Cooler
4: Check rear cylinder bank, make sure they're in good condition and replace any that arent, get good spark plugs
5: mufflers (if you like loud V8s)


Like the others said, Camshafts being welded is a big first do. Other weak points on the car are the transmission and alternator. The transmission can be helped with a cooler and tune. I'd also suggest checking the rear cylinder bank when you get a chance to make sure they all have new spark plugs and coil packs. Coil packs can be very expensive and the rear ones are a pain to get to, if you can replace the whole rear section at once with all new plugs and packs you'll be in good shape.

 

[bubba]

Give it to me... There fun in there own right! just like everybody said.. and welcome to the forum

 

[three50one]

i was very close to getting a 99 GSX, but the crank walk scared me off to a 99 SHO. I really like the looks of late 2nd gen Eclipses and Talons.

Importance, in this order:

1: Camweld
2: Tune
3: Transmission Cooler
4: Check rear cylinder bank, make sure they're in good condition and replace any that arent, get good spark plugs
5: mufflers (if you like loud V8s)


Like the others said, Camshafts being welded is a big first do. Other weak points on the car are the transmission and alternator. The transmission can be helped with a cooler and tune. I'd also suggest checking the rear cylinder bank when you get a chance to make sure they all have new spark plugs and coil packs. Coil packs can be very expensive and the rear ones are a pain to get to, if you can replace the whole rear section at once with all new plugs and packs you'll be in good shape.

Crankwalk was fixed for the 99s my friend.

I just replaced 8 coils. I junked two cars to get the funds to do it too.

Though I'm not satisfied with just mufflers being loud enough for me I agree with you. My has exactly what was listed and I'm very satisfied with it power wise.

Though I have suspension and that brought the fun factor up a lot.

 

[fdogg96]

Check out SHOSource.com for some parts.

You can get headers, port/polish your intakes, oil cooler, tranny cooler, CAI, force induction, battery location, upgrading your electrical etc, bigger breaks, suspension upgrades like lowering kit, bigger rims too.

I would however do the maintenance first and check out if all fluids are the right colors, examine plugs and wires etc.

 

[fdogg96]

i was very close to getting a 99 GSX, but the crank walk scared me off to a 99 SHO. I really like the looks of late 2nd gen Eclipses and Talons.

Importance, in this order:

1: Camweld
2: Tune
3: Transmission Cooler
4: Check rear cylinder bank, make sure they're in good condition and replace any that arent, get good spark plugs
5: mufflers (if you like loud V8s)


Like the others said, Camshafts being welded is a big first do. Other weak points on the car are the transmission and alternator. The transmission can be helped with a cooler and tune. I'd also suggest checking the rear cylinder bank when you get a chance to make sure they all have new spark plugs and coil packs. Coil packs can be very expensive and the rear ones are a pain to get to, if you can replace the whole rear section at once with all new plugs and packs you'll be in good shape.

Tune a stock car?

 

[three50one]

There is a lot left on the table with the stock programming.

Trust me it's a world of difference.

 

[Funmart6]

Lots of good advice here, and always remember, the search feature is your friend . Welcome to the forum BTW.

 

[DaSho97]

No ones said it yet?

 

[roland]

Crankwalk was fixed for the 99s my friend.

yeah i didn't find that out until later.