Looking for a SHO...

[SHOgun_it]

Well, I just recently sold my jeep, and now I'm in the market for a SHO. So, I have a few questions...

What should I look for when considering a SHO(V8)?
Do they too need the 60k like the earlier gen?
How long do the transmissions last?
Anything else... ellaborate.

Thanks.

 

[dantheman68]

Not owning a V8 i might not be the best person to talk, however...

Cam welding is almost nessicary, the cams are known to seperate from the cam sprocket these are interference engines (meaning the valves are open and the piston is at TDC they will hit, benidng the valves and/or causing severe engine damage) so there isnt really a 60k, but just average maintenence like replacing the timing belt and other maintenence (which again, not owning one i know little about)


from what i understand a welded gen 3 is a reliable car with some power also if its welded the owner knows what theyre doing, ford denies any problem with the cams and wont do anything about it... so its pretty much up to the owners, if they do it, they know about the problem and are taking care of their car and fixing it...

 

[naval-avi8or]

Well, I just recently sold my jeep, and now I'm in the market for a SHO. So, I have a few questions...

What should I look for when considering a SHO(V8)?
Do they too need the 60k like the earlier gen?
How long do the transmissions last?
Anything else... ellaborate.

Thanks.

A seller that can provide good maint records is a start.

Welded/pinned CAMS (if not knock off about $1000 if it runs good with know indication of initial cam failure)

The late GEN II's and GEN III's have a 100K vice the 60K (rarely will it be any more than checking the valve shim clearance)

GEN III's are nice in the fact that the Crank and Cam sensors can be replaced with out tearing into the front of the motor. The water pump is also located at the upper rear of the motor not requiring major maint to change.

The ATX in the GEN III's still has issues but are much better than their predecessor in the GEN II's.

 

[naval-avi8or]

GEN III's don't have a timing belt thay have a timing chain.

 

[luigisho]

Weak points include:

My MTX SHO was alot more fun and this one is a little more reliable.

The tranny is still a weak point and after 100-125k anything can happen. I'm at 130k with my fingers crossed.

The coil on plug ignition design (no traditional spark plug wires) can be a pain since they tend to fail more often on the rear bank, which is not convenient to access. Each coil is around $80 to replace plus all the work to rip the intake and other crap out of the way.

The cams are a problem.
The factory radio is integrated with the electronic climate control which makes aftermarket head unit use more difficult. I would refer you to the v8sho.com site to look at any other potential issues.

 

[RonPorter]

The ATX in the GEN III's still has issues but are much better than their predecessor in the GEN II's.

Ahhh...NO

The Gen 3 ATXs have been proven to be FAR WORSE than the Gen 2 ATX. Primary reason is that something changed with the torque converter, and they love to eat TCs regularly.

There is also the cooling issue. Gen 3 engine/tranny combos are far more tightly packaged, and heat is a far greater issue.

 

[naval-avi8or]

Ahhh...NO

The Gen 3 ATXs have been proven to be FAR WORSE than the Gen 2 ATX. Primary reason is that something changed with the torque converter, and they love to eat TCs regularly.

There is also the cooling issue. Gen 3 engine/tranny combos are far more tightly packaged, and heat is a far greater issue.

A better (one period) external tranny cooler can help with the heat.

As far as the tranny overall I would much rather replace the TC vice all internals after the planetary gears eat themselves as they do in the GEN II's do to the much worse shift problem.

Also how durable the tranny is is very much relevant to the driving style of each owner.

TOO much motor (not HP) in small space = not enough for a durable tranny.

 

[RonPorter]

The Gen 2 AX4S and the Gen 3 AX4N are basically the same trannies. Experience has shown that the Gen 2s have had longer life.

When the TC goes, it feels like the tranny has gone, and for most folks, the labor & parts cost of R&R is pretty damn close to a tranny job. Plus a blown TC fills the tranny with a bunch of tiny pieces.

If you want a dependable tranny, get an MTX. Despite all of the whining that folks do, it's one of the better MTX trannies ever put into any FWD car.

 

[Motoman991]

i got a v8 sho and the tranny just went out, it has 110k on it

 

[avocadoman1]

my tranny was rebuilt at 78K. TC was failing.
added a cooler and the shift kit. will last indefinitely now.

also, added a cowl hood which reduced underhood temps.

personally, i prefer the Gen3.

 

[bigred56k]

my tranny was rebuilt at 78K. TC was failing.
added a cooler and the shift kit. will last indefinitely now.

also, added a cowl hood which reduced underhood temps.

personally, i prefer the Gen3.

What did that run you for a tranny job with shift kit and cooler? Just curious!

Tony

 

[nothingtoseehere]

The shift kit and tranny cooler will prolong the liufe of the tranny but by no means does it make it perfect. Ask Chop.

 

[RonPorter]

Get with Paul Nimz (SHOZ123). He has found that the cooling lines from the tranny are tiny, and has gone with bigger lines, which seem to be a very good solution.

Overall, everyne talks about the cam welding, but once that's done the tranny issues will be a bigger ongoing maintenance cost, as well as the coils.

 

[avocadoman1]

What did that run you for a tranny job with shift kit and cooler? Just curious! Tony

I had a guy in my town who does alot of Tauri' do the rebuild that included the shift kit (rebuilt valve body), new torque converter, and other necessary items to get it done right.
it was $2200.
I had someone else do the cooler. Parts were $50-75.
I added a Dual Gauge Pod with oil pressure and tranny temp.
my tranny temp rarely gets above 180 now.

with the trans-go shift kit and the XCal 1, i "gotsta" believe (knock on wood) that the tranny is the least of my problems.

 

[SHOgun_it]

I had a guy in my town who does alot of Tauri' do the rebuild that included the shift kit (rebuilt valve body), new torque converter, and other necessary items to get it done right.
it was $2200.
I had someone else do the cooler. Parts were $50-75.
I added a Dual Gauge Pod with oil pressure and tranny temp.
my tranny temp rarely gets above 180 now.

with the trans-go shift kit and the XCal 1, i "gotsta" believe (knock on wood) that the tranny is the least of my problems.

Interesting, where do I go to find the trans-go shift kit and this XCAl 1 that you talk of? If you have a link could you please post it up. Thanks man.

 

[luigisho]

Try Doug at http://www.fordspecialists.com/

 

[Motoman991]

around how long did it take you to install the trans cooler?

 

[SHOgun_it]

around how long did it take you to install the trans cooler?

Yeah, I would like to know as well. Also, how difficult/pricey is it to install a shift kit?

 

[Porkchop]

trans cooler is an afternoon job to do it right, shift kit ... especially the transgo is not for the home mechanic due to the work that needs to be done. Shift kits are NOT a cure for a weak tranny, only when you get a rebuild get one

 

[Porkchop]

The shift kit and tranny cooler will prolong the liufe of the tranny but by no means does it make it perfect. Ask Chop.

I have a bit more work done (ok a lot) to my tranny then most of the guys on here ... and make sure to get a new high flow pump shaft ... mine snapped.