Newbie Questions about SHOs.

[GreenBird]

I am currently looking at two SHOs, one a 1990, the other a 92. Both are less than $2000. and over 150K miles.

Do SHOs run on 87, 89, or 93 pump gas?

I've heard the engines (if take care of) last well into the 250K-350K range. true?

Are there any signifigant changes between a 90 and 92 other than cosmetics?

How much would a 60K mile tune-up cost in parts, and how long for a average handy-man to do it?

I have heard conficlting stories about the auto transmission's rev limiter. I have head it is 4500, and that is is 5500. Also, I was told the engine redlines at 7000. Are 5-speeds much quicker than autos because they can use the entire rpm range?

What is the manual transmission? t-5? and is it a "notchy" transmission like an M5R2 (T-bird Super Coupe)?

I know the T-bird and taurus share bolt patterns, but does the taurus have enough room for a 16x7 wheel?

I have also heard that the SHO is plauged by electronic sensor failures, is this true?

If any of you are unmarried under 25, can you give me an idea on how much insurance is?

TIA,
Matt AKA "Greenbird"

<small>[ June 19, 2002, 07:38 PM: Message edited by: hasT-BIRDwantaSHO ]</small>

 

[wuzzzer]

"Premium fuel recommended" not required in a SHO. There's a lot of debate about using low-mid-premium gas. Try different octanes out yourself and see what works best for you.

The ATX rev limiter is actually around 6800 and can be raised higher with an LPM. If it's in Park you can't rev it past 4000rpm so that you don't damage the torque converter.

16x7 will work fine, just make sure the offset is correct. I have 17x7 on mine.

When I had my 93 ATX, full coverage insurance was about $120/month I think. I was 24-25 at the time.

 

[naval-avi8or]

I run the chepo gas in my 94 3.2L and have had no problems. I used to run the premo and had serious egr problems Ford said that the premo was part of the problem, so I quit. Many members will use nothing else and recommend nothing else but the SHO will run just fine with out it. BTW~ there is an actuall spout connector that can be removed for driving with less then premo. The connector retards the timing 3 deg to reduce the possibility of pre-detonation even though the PCM will do it automatically any way.

 

[RI-SHO]

In just parts the 60K tune-up can range anywhere from $400-$1000 depending on how extensive you want to get into it, how much damage is already down to the SHO your looking at, and how much you wanna replace or leave as it. A good place online with low prices is www.SHONutPerformance.com

I have 18x8 rims with 235mm tires so those 16x7 arent a problem as long you buy them with the right offset.

<small>[ June 19, 2002, 09:06 PM: Message edited by: RI-SHO ]</small>

 

[projectSHO89]

Do SHOs run on 87, 89, or 93 pump gas? Yes

I've heard the engines (if take care of) last well into the 250K-350K range. true? Yes

Are there any signifigant changes between a 90 and 92 other than cosmetics? Not many

How much would a 60K mile tune-up cost in parts, and how long for a average handy-man to do it? How much do you have and how much time? Seriously, do a search on sdpatt's post for the top and front 60K maint parts and prices.

What is the manual transmission? t-5? It's an MTX-IV

I have also heard that the SHO is plauged by electronic sensor failures, is this true? You would think so. Probably no worse than any other Ford of the same vintage. Fortunately, they're all replaceable and the symptoms are common enough that diagnosis is not difficult (usually).

Steve

 

[GreenBird]

oops, seems I left out a word or two. the 16x7's are stock 89-97 thunderbird wheels....

Thanks to those that replied.
Matt AKA "Greenbird"

<small>[ June 20, 2002, 07:34 AM: Message edited by: hasT-BIRDwantaSHO ]</small>

 

[pete c]

Matt,

The T-5 is a rear drive tranny, I think? It certainly wouldn't bolt up to the yamaha motor.Well, maybe it would bolt up, but, it would look awful silly hanging out the driver side wheel well.

Is it notchy? Not bad for a front driver. In my very limited experience, about 300 miles in my "new" 93, I have found the 4-5 upshift to be a bit annoying. I've never driven the bird, but, I did drive one GT mustang with the 5 speed and it seemed kinda notchy to me. Want smoove? Get a bimmer. I remember driving them back in the early 80s when I worked as a valet car racer... errrrr I mean parker.

Hey aviator,

Nice viking pics. I was on the JFK from 85-90. I was a black shoe, ET2, worked on air search radar and ACLS. Were you the ******** who always parked his bird right over my elevation boom? There were days I wanted to saw the tail off that damn thing just so I could do my daily ***.

 

[stevetatro]

The SHO will run great on low-octane gas. Some people experience pinging and solve that problem by spending $0.20/gallon more for the Premium.

Some engines do last more than 250k miles. It may already be too late for yours, depending on how it's been taken care of. At the mileage you're looking at, the first thing to do to ensure a healthy engine is replace the rod bearings (possibly the mains while you're in there, but definitely the rods).

There's at least one person who posts regularly on this forum who has T-Bird SC 16x7 wheels on his Gen2 SHO.

Good luck! The 60k will be fun!

 

[93nighthawk]

Looks like all of your questions were answered, but before buying I would sift through www.shotimes.com , they have a section called What Should I look for in a Used SHO This will give you some idea's and hopefully help you from getting a lemon. Any other questions, feel free to ask us.

Eric

 

[KYSHO]

I have been very happy with my SHO and I agree with what these guys are saying. I bought my SHO with 121,000 and I haven't had any big problems in the last 15,000 miles. Remeber to check the spark plug wells for oil (if its there the saler might drop the price some). I replaced the spark plug well seals in mine and all has been well expecpt a loose connection in the starter which was a easy fix with a new starter.

I have started using 87 octane with no problem but I have noticed that if I get gas at Murphy USA the Wal-Mart gas stations the mileage drops by about 2 miles per gallon no matter what grade I use. Does anyone else have problems with their gas?

 

[projectSHO89]

KYSHO

Check and see if the station is selling an ethanol blend. Ethanol will deliver lower fuel economy due to a lower latent energy in it. That will explain a lower fuel mileage with that blend of gas.

Steve

 

[pete c]

I have been wondering the same thing about mileage differences with various octanes. It makes sense that the higher octane will get better mileage because it will run the timing more advanced which increases efficiency.

So, I have 2 questions. Is the mileage improvement great enough to cancel out the 15% (approx) difference in price? Is engine longevity affected by prolonged use of either type of fuel?

 

[drivinhard]

"I have found the 4-5 upshift to be a bit annoying."

Pete the SHO tranny's (starting sometime in '90) changed synchro blocking rings from all brass "ridged" type on 1-5 gears, to a fiber lined variety on 1-4. The "fiber" rings shift better than the older brass, and last longer (and hold up better under drag duty). However, they still used a brass 5th gear blocking ring in the later tranny's (as well as replacement parts), thus the difference in the 4-5 shift over the 1-4. The fiber rings work much better.

As for fuel mileage, I have noticed no difference with different grades of gas. FWIW I run 87 in my 92. Might get a little part throttle ping on a hot summer day pulling a up a load in 5th gear, but nothing the EEC won't take care of.

Ran a 14.70 1/4 mile pass a week or 2 ago with cheap 87 in the tank wink

I run sunoco 94 in my track 89, and NOS octane boost (6-8 pts) when running the bottle. Never had a problem with that combo either.

 

[pete c]

drivin hard,

what I find annoying is the fact that I have to make a deliberate right turn with the shifter when I hit neutral between gears. It is not that the tranny is resisting or grinding when going into fifth. A well designed shifter does not require this manuever, just a little bit of sideward pressure as you push the shifter forward. Since this is only on the upshift between 4th and 5th, it is not a major concern. If it was between 2nd and 3rd, where one might be doing some quick shifting as he pulls away from a v-tec, it would be different.