New sho, some Q's... Guys with systems and performance, help...

[extremesho]

Ok, I have had my SHO for about a week... I've driven it quite a bit and got a good amount of enjoyment from it. (I catch a few eyes with it, which is a suprise to me) This is going to be my daily driver/gas saver vehicle, and it's still a performer, which is a plus. I just have a few questions

Questions -

- A couple of days ago, I was going to let into my gas pretty good, and when I did the car felt almost as if it were going to go dead on the 1-2 shift, it's only done it that once, but I want to know what is the deal, and what's causing it.

- It runs pretty good, but still isn't quite where I want it to be. I know this is just a daily driver, but comon... lol (need for speed). I am thinking about getting exhaust and a chip, with a new air intake system. What is your opinions here.

- I've noted that some of you have used the stock system and still added aftermarket amps and things... I am an "audiophile" and I want a little more bass than the stock system has to offer... Can you tell me what I need to do to add a little bass to this system? I've got PLENTY of high quality subs.

- My air conditioner doesn't always work as it should... It cools for a while, and then it'll blow hot sometimes for a while, then go cool again. I know it's not low on freon, because we just added freon! Maybe there is something I don't understand about this automated climate control system. Do you guys have any ideas what this problem may be?

 

[Funmart6]

Welcome to "SHO World"! I have had my '97 for a few months now and I am still in Love with this car. The main issue these cars seem to have is all about the cams, the way they were put together, they seem to have a bad rep for coming apart, so you might want to read up about that issue. You can go to V8sho.com and learn a lot about the cam issue as well as read about modifications you can make to improve on the performance of this machine. I would recomend "Porterizing" the intake system.You can find out how to do that at the above mentioned web site. Use the search feature for "Porterization". It is an inexpensive way to gain more horses and really makes the engine howl!

As far as adding more bass to the stereo, I replaced my rear speakers with a set of 2way Infinity Reference series speakers and moved the original rear speakers to the front doors. This really improved the sound, now I am wanting to add a sub to the trunk as well but don't really know how to do it,I need color codes before I even attempt installing it,****, I may just take it to Radio Shack and see if they will install the thing for me. There is a cut out in the package tray that is for a 6x9 sub that was avaiable in '96, those SHO's had a JBL system with the sub and I hear they sounded great, from '97 on we have the "Mach" system which came without the 6x9 sub but the cut-out remained.
Hope any of this helps, and if you find what the color codes are for the speakers and install a sub in the trunk, please post a topic about what you did. thumb As always, Enjoy the Ride!

 

[MeeSHO]

As far as a system goes...I put two sony 12s mounted in a ported box in the trunk, run by a lightning audio 400 watt amp. The amp is a little under-powered for the subs, but it bumps pretty hard. You will need a simple line level converter to wire the amp (as long as your amp has crossover adjustments, which most do anyway). Since Ford neglected to put outputs on the head unit, or anywhere for that matter. I wired the crossover to the two back speakers, I removed the back deck so I could hide the wires, but you don't have to. I am assuming you know what you're doing, but its not that hard. You can do a search of this forum for more info if you need it, there is a lot on here that will help. The color codes for the rear speakers are as follows, which is really all you need to know to do it. Hope it helps

Rear Right + Orange/Red
Rear Right - Brown/Pink

Rear Left + Gray/Light Blue
Rear Left - Tan/Yellow

 

[DavidT]

what he said thumb v8 sho.com has all your answers.
As far as the ac goes... I got my 97 about 6 mos. ago w/74K. The ac would go in and out like you describe. One day it stopped blowing cold altogether. Took it back, still under warranty thank goodness. The bill would have been over $1000 eek! . I can check out the exact diagnosis if you like. If I remember correctly, it was the compressor/clutch assembly.

 

[venom]

See various replies inserted below:

extremesho:

Questions -

- A couple of days ago, I was going to let into my gas pretty good, and when I did the car felt almost as if it were going to go dead on the 1-2 shift, it's only done it that once, but I want to know what is the deal, and what's causing it.


Sometimes these cars will hit the rev limiter at the top of first gear, that is probably what you felt. On my car if I start it up (and even let it sit idling there after startup for even several minutes) and then hop in it and throw it in drive and run it hard, it may resist doing hte 1-2 shift and possibly hit the rev limiter for a second or so if you are being very hard into it. You will also notice that the cars first 1-2 after it has sat not driving for a bit willb e much more harsh than normal. They all do it as a rule.


- It runs pretty good, but still isn't quite where I want it to be. I know this is just a daily driver, but comon... lol (need for speed). I am thinking about getting exhaust and a chip, with a new air intake system. What is your opinions here.

Start with the porterization as others have said. No large preformance gains are to be had int he exhaust area, but you can make the car sound different.

- I've noted that some of you have used the stock system and still added aftermarket amps and things... I am an "audiophile" and I want a little more bass than the stock system has to offer... Can you tell me what I need to do to add a little bass to this system? I've got PLENTY of high quality subs.

I can't help much on the audio stuff, but plenty here can.

- My air conditioner doesn't always work as it should... It cools for a while, and then it'll blow hot sometimes for a while, then go cool again. I know it's not low on freon, because we just added freon! Maybe there is something I don't understand about this automated climate control system. Do you guys have any ideas what this problem may be?

Is it possible that you had your foot into the car? At full throttle (or even ehavy throttle) the A/C is temporarily shut down to give all the power from the engine to the tranny. If you are experienceing this cold - warm - cold problem with the cruise set on flat land then yes there is a problem, and we can go from there.

Scott Krietmeyer
99 TG
96 MG

 

[extremesho]

Thank you all, and I must say I wasn't expecting this big of a welcome, but I must say I am quite pleased with this site now.

I'd also like to thank you guys who gave me the info I needed on the stereo...

And I know about the cam deal, I research each car I look into deeply before I buy them.


And as for the air conditioner thing, I have kept my foot out of this car almost always (only getting on it on 2 or 3 occasions), and never at the same time as the air conditioning problem. It had me pretty baffled at the time, but after the recharge, it's only let me down once in (knock on wood) the past few days) I'd like to tell you guys that these are some nice cars... I lost my shot at a couple of Mustang Gt's and some Z28's to get where I am today, and suprisingly, not as in vein as I'd imagined.

 

[Funmart6]

Thanks MeeSHO for the color codes and the info. thumb beer

 

[VenomViper600]

Welcome to the SHO world. I've owned SHOs since I bought my first new MTX in 1993. They're not my usual musclecar monster torque fare, but they are great high-speed comfortable cruisers. Thus, I think I'll always own one (or more).

I've never posted on this forum, but a guy has to start sometime.

I need info on my 97 that I just picked up, for the sole reason of selling it. The cams have been welded, but it has other issues. Maybe I should start a new topic.

Anyway, hello from George, located in Chesapeake, VA.

 

[99V8SHO]

Do you really own 3 fuggin Vipers?!?!
You are my God if you do. I love the Viper.
hail Viper

 

[SCOTTDW]

If you live in a high crime area install a security system

Scott
98SF
(stolen)

 

[ArkanSHO]

extremesho:
I was going to let into my gas pretty good, and when I did the car felt almost as if it were going to go dead on the 1-2 shift, it's only done it that once, but I want to know what is the deal, and what's causing it.

- It runs pretty good, but still isn't quite where I want it to be. I know this is just a daily driver, but comon... lol (need for speed). I am thinking about getting exhaust and a chip, with a new air intake system. What is your opinions here.

- My air conditioner doesn't always work as it should... It cools for a while, and then it'll blow hot sometimes for a while, then go cool again. Do you guys have any ideas what this problem may be?

First off, depending on elevation, weather conditions (all related to the barometric pressure and the MAF) and load (weight and attitude) the car will run past the 7,200 rev limiter, when that happens, the car will feel like it is dying as the ignition starts cutting out.
Flowmaster 2 chamber 40's were my choice since we don't get salt down here, otherwise I would have opted for the SS Edelbrock muffs. Talk about some looks, drives both the rednecks and ricers crazy!
Sound system is a weak point, though many have made some improvements, that is not what I like to listen to when I am in the Whoosh (click on link below on LISTEN to the video and you will understand).
Intake issues, see previous line. boink
Air conditioning issues are usually traced back to low freon OR bad clutch spacing on the SHO. It is possible to get a replacement clutch if you want to tackle it yourself, but it might be cheaper if you rely on others to wrench to just get the compressor replaced.

<small>[ August 12, 2003, 09:35 PM: Message edited by: ArkanSHO ]</small>