New girl with a SHO

[Livernois Motorsports]

Everything is installed! First let me just say - I am using the 87 octane tune just for now, until I have made it through two whole tanks of 93 octane, then I will switch and stay with the 93. So with that said, I am sure there is untapped potential (TQ&HP) yet to even experience!

Driving impressions. WOW. As others have stated, and just as with my Mustang... It's a totally different car with the package from Livernois Motorsports. Anyone on the fence... quit hemming and hawing, be like Nike, and just do it. You will not be disappointed. I am sure it is much more involved then my explanation... but I would describe it as the following. The turbo feel like you have doubled the boost (or at least 1.5x's!) and the transmission feels twice as strong (much better and firmer shifts). I did not install the CAI, as I don't have plans to further upgrade the exhaust. So I added a drop in higher flow filter (again, thanks to LME recommendation) which is non-oiled. I went with the plugs, t-stat and 3-bar MAP along with the mycal tuner and AEM filter. On a nice weekend, I plan to upload some videos... I will show the improved transmission, no more lag in the acceleration... removed "gear hunting".

Here is a side question - probably to others with the Livernois tune, or Jaimie - with the tune installed, is there any difference to driving with the gear shifter in "D" vs "S"? Not sure what the "S" stands for... sport? I would guess the car drives the same and I can just select normal "D" all the time?

Sidenote, after installing the tune, I began to have some minor issues with the myFord touch system (sync?). Mainly causing issues with the radio/sources/volume not responding. I am guessing that it was a result of touching the software of the car, but I don't think it was related to the tune at all. I ended up checking for updates from the Ford Owner website, and found that my sync was wwwwway out of date. After installing the update, it has been working flawless again. The only reason I think it was related to updating the car software was, prior to updating I experienced zero touch screen issues. But I could accept that it was blind coincidence due to how out of date the system was.

Now with the throttle response so much better and that "lag" removed... some serious v8 muscle cars better lookout. Seriously.

Thanks Jaimie and Livernois! One happy customer here!

Good to know that you are loving the tune! Yes, the S is for Sport mode...but like many have found out over the years, drive is actually quicker. I drive around in sport mode because you typically will see better MPG VS drive. The throttle mapping is much more smooth, and there is no constant in and out of OD. Hence why the better MPGs.

Looking forward to your review!

PS
Good thing you are more patient than I! I have had many occasions where I have wanted to put my fist through the screen due to SYNC and SYNC 2 countless times!

 

[OmaHahn]

This thread just keeps going and going and.... I wonder what would happen if a thread started with a title of, "sexy single girl with new SHO." ?! What?

 

[Charlie Blanko]

Just got my SHO yesterday. First off, I want to say I'm in love. I bought it used, so it has some little doo-da's the dealer and I have to sort out, but my first impression of the car is "WOW! I can't wait to throw the livernois tune on this." I used to have an impala ss 2007... And this towers in comparison engine and compartment wise. I was very happy, but the car overheated on the way home. The temperature gauge was going wacky when on idle and it smoked up a bit and wouldn't continue when getting it off the freeway. Got it towed back to the dealership immediately and they gave me a loaner and a promise to "get'er done quickly."

 

[BoatSHO]

Oh no! What happened...any news on why it overheated?

 

[Charlie Blanko]

Oh no! What happened...any news on why it overheated?

They said it's just a corroded hose. I'm less of a car guy than you, after reading up on the forums, but I thought it could've been the thermostat? The car sat for about a month before I got to it.

 

[SHOdded]

Interesting. First time I've heard of that particular issue with these cars. Do you know which hose it might have been? Possibly turbo-related?

 

[Charlie Blanko]

Well, when I popped the hood, the smoke was coming from the left side of the engine right by the anti-freeze.

 

[sperold]

Usually, corroded and hose do not occur in the same sentence.
Keep an eye on this overheating issue as nothing kills a car quicker.
If the car overheated to the point that it quit, get a leakdown test on the cooling system and look for coolant in the oil and more white smoke in the exhaust.
I have never gotten away with overheating a car, but lots of people have, and you may be OK, but at least do these checks, as it will be hard to connect the dots if a lot of time passes when a problem materializes.

 

[Charlie Blanko]

Usually, corroded and hose do not occur in the same sentence.
Keep an eye on this overheating issue as nothing kills a car quicker.
If the car overheated to the point that it quit, get a leakdown test on the cooling system and look for coolant in the oil and more white smoke in the exhaust.
I have never gotten away with overheating a car, but lots of people have, and you may be OK, but at least do these checks, as it will be hard to connect the dots if a lot of time passes when a problem materializes.

I looked in the oil right when it occurred... and the oil looked good. But, the coolant, like you sort of suggested, was sort of splashed across the left side of the engine. The car still started and still worked, but I turned it off once the motor wasn't giving me good feedback. The smoke came from the left side of the engine only (When facing the engine outside of the car). I purchased a brand new warranty, so whatever it is... It will be fixed. I just don't know if the used car dealership mechanic is the kind of guy that should be working on this car. Like you said...A corroded hose? The hoses looked brand spanking new. Could this have been the thermostat?

 

[RAYJAY]

I looked in the oil right when it occurred... and the oil looked good. But, the coolant, like you sort of suggested, was sort of splashed across the left side of the engine. The car still started and still worked, but I turned it off once the motor wasn't giving me good feedback. The smoke came from the left side of the engine only (When facing the engine outside of the car). I purchased a brand new warranty, so whatever it is... It will be fixed. I just don't know if the used car dealership mechanic is the kind of guy that should be working on this car. Like you said...A corroded hose? The hoses looked brand spanking new. Could this have been the thermostat?

what year ???

 

[Charlie Blanko]

what year ???

2010. I think it's a PP. I didn't check all the traction control thingies or the trunk for a spare. But, it has the memory pedals and 20 inch wheels and what looks to be big brakes. [402A]

 

[BoatSHO]

Any news yet Charlie?

 

[Charlie Blanko]

Any news yet Charlie?

Got "SHOffie" home. She's all I ever wanted in a car, pretty much. They said it was just a "radiator hose" and showed me the receipt from Ford.

I have a couple of things I want to address on the car.

#1: A good cleaning. Can anyone tell me exactly what to use to get my car looking new and take out the little bitty scratches from sitting in a dirty lot?

#2: New front tires. They are 20' all season.

#3: The exhaust. My left side muffler is tucked underneath that bumper more than the right. I asked the car dealership to look at it because it WAS tucked all the way in... It looks like he just pulled it a little so it's not behind the bumper anymore, but it's still not even with the right side.

4: I need an oil change.


5: New brakes.


The rest is exterior and interior mods.

Oh, yeah... I also got the "reading hard drive disk" thingie when trying to use my phone with the sync-sony radio. I read I need to take it to the dealership. Is that covered under warranty? I purchased an extra 2 year "bumper to bumper," but used car salesman are just that... USED CAR SALESMAN, so I don't know what I can do. If it's not under warranty, anyone know what that may run to get figured out at the Ford Dealership? Also, would the muffler being pushed into the bumper be covered in a warranty? I plan on waiting 30 days before going up to the dealership.

 

[SHOdded]

1. How much time/money do you want to invest on cleaning up the exterior? If this will become routine for you, you should get some equipment like a good soap, a good wax, clay bar, random orbital polisher (e.g. Porter Cable 7424xp), Meguiar's polishes (compounding 105, finishing 205), etc. You can look up tutorials on autogeek, autopia, detailersworld, any number of sites. If you prefer, find a detailer closeby that is certified for Optiguard or CQuartz installations. These are products that protect the finish longterm, longer than wax for sure, including the wheels. Makes the ongoing effort to maintain the look SO much easier. The detailer will, in the process, remove the imperfections from the finish while minimizing reduction in clearcoat thickness.

2. Allseasons: Continental DWS or DWS/06, General GMax, Pirelli P7 Cinturato are at the top of the list. The reviews/ratings at tirerack.com are very helpful also.

3. Are you sure the Carfax was clean? Sounds like the SHO was in an accident, maybe a fenderbender at some point. I would inspect the underbody carefully on a lift, at a trusted mechanic's or a body shop. If there IS damage, you may have a case to have the selling dealership properly repair the SHO. Otherwise I am not sure what recourse you'd have other than outofpocket. Normally, you have to include the repair as a condition of delivery (basically agree in writing before the sale).

4. Avoid quicklube places for oil change. Know what they are putting into your vehicle. Take it to a trusted mechanic if not doing the work yourself. Make sure they don't lose the fasteners for the bellypan. Use the weight specified on the oil filler cap (either 5W20 or 5W30 depending on MY), and a quality oil, Motorcraft Synblend or better. Stick with the Motorcraft replacement filter (FL50os, IIRC).

5. Brakes can be substantially improved by installing an EBC rotor/pad kit (or the more budgetfriendly Powerstop kit). At least new OEM rotors + aftermarket pads. If a 2010-12, additional improvement can be had by installing upgrades from the 2013+ brake system.

 

[Charlie Blanko]

1. How much time/money do you want to invest on cleaning up the exterior? If this will become routine for you, you should get some equipment like a good soap, a good wax, clay bar, random orbital polisher (e.g. Porter Cable 7424xp), Meguiar's polishes (compounding 105, finishing 205), etc. You can look up tutorials on autogeek, autopia, detailersworld, any number of sites. If you prefer, find a detailer closeby that is certified for Optiguard or CQuartz installations. These are products that protect the finish longterm, longer than wax for sure, including the wheels. Makes the ongoing effort to maintain the look SO much easier. The detailer will, in the process, remove the imperfections from the finish while minimizing reduction in clearcoat thickness.

2. Allseasons: Continental DWS or DWS/06, General GMax, Pirelli P7 Cinturato are at the top of the list. The reviews/ratings at tirerack.com are very helpful also.

3. Are you sure the Carfax was clean? Sounds like the SHO was in an accident, maybe a fenderbender at some point. I would inspect the underbody carefully on a lift, at a trusted mechanic's or a body shop. If there IS damage, you may have a case to have the selling dealership properly repair the SHO. Otherwise I am not sure what recourse you'd have other than outofpocket. Normally, you have to include the repair as a condition of delivery (basically agree in writing before the sale).

4. Avoid quicklube places for oil change. Know what they are putting into your vehicle. Take it to a trusted mechanic if not doing the work yourself. Make sure they don't lose the fasteners for the bellypan. Use the weight specified on the oil filler cap (either 5W20 or 5W30 depending on MY), and a quality oil, Motorcraft Synblend or better. Stick with the Motorcraft replacement filter (FL50os, IIRC).

5. Brakes can be substantially improved by installing an EBC rotor/pad kit (or the more budgetfriendly Powerstop kit). At least new OEM rotors + aftermarket pads. If a 2010-12, additional improvement can be had by installing upgrades from the 2013+ brake system.

Thank you!! I will take everything you said and utilize it.


It's as cold as a witches crotch out here, but I would like to keep my car looking clean and spend time on making sure it looks nice. I don't have the money for a detailer, so I will care for my car myself.

The carfax was "pretty clean." I will say this much... It hit something, but it wasn't a car or structure... take a guess? I'm starting to think the pers... never mind.

 

[BoatSHO]

The carfax was "pretty clean." I will say this much... It hit something, but it wasn't a car or structure... take a guess? I'm starting to think the pers... never mind.

I am trying to think of what the person could have backed into to rearrange your exhaust or tailpipe. I am not sure a dog would do that... like maybe they backed into a curb...but that would have to be a very high curb. Interesting.

 

[Charlie Blanko]

I am trying to think of what the person could have backed into to rearrange your exhaust or tailpipe. I am not sure a dog would do that... like maybe they backed into a curb...but that would have to be a very high curb. Interesting.

Can I unbolt the exhaust and readjust myself? I'm gonna put it on a jack Saturday to take a really good look. I'm wondering why the used car dealership didn't do it... Wait, no I'm not. I just plasti dipped the wheels and the grill tonight... Can't even give it a good wash yet, but she's plasti'd! LOL

 

[2011TAURUSSEL]

Shodded: +2 on the Porter Cable and Meguiars polishing/buffing products. I believe I got a sample package at WalMart it was small bottles I believe 2oz. The kit contained polish, buffing, scratch/swirl remover and one more but I don't remember which product. Claybar kit should include a bottle of detail spray. Make sure if this is the first claybar that you keep the area wet. I believe the kit from Meguiars contained bottle of detail spray, claybar X2 claybar case and Microfiber towel.

Google the following......................Chemical Guys they have several videos on various topics, buffing, detailing, clay bar, scratch/swirl remover, polishing, how to use the buffer effectively, without damaging the vehicle,

The Porter Cable 7424XP is a excellent choice and pretty easy to operate especially for beginners. Light pressure and let the buffer do the work.

Also Mothers is another very good choice for detailing equipment. Meguiars and Mothers are two of the better more commonly available detailing items. Chemical guys in addition to the excellent videos they sell detailing supplies.

 

[BoatSHO]

Hi everyone! Miss me?
I have been absent the last few weeks on the board...and probably for another little while. I have been traveling non-stop to Detroit, and I am in the process of being relocated back to Michigan - can't say I'm thrilled to deal with the roads (*** holes), salt, and winters that go on forever. But on the plus side, I will be close to Livernois Motorsports! YAY! I will be in and out for a few weeks as the move will be happening pretty fast...like less than 3 weeks. The SHO will be garaged with my Mustang for 6 months of the year now.........keep the rust down!

 

[rubydist]

of course we missed you Angela. Best wishes on your new gig in MI and remember, don't drink the water!!