SHO ford probe project

[probe_racer]

Purty!

This is inspirational. Reminds me why I've been willing to struggle thru so much to get mine running. Curious - what kind of paint did you use?

Keep at it.

Thanks :wave:

I used high temp engine primer and enamel from duplicolor for the engine and intake and then high temp clear from duplicolor as well, the color for the intake is just RED. and the one for the engine is NEW FORD GRAY.

 

[probe_racer]

hmmmm I just noticed i have not posted pics of engine bay modifications and engine in probe on this thread.

soooo

engine bay painted Ford gray




notched frame passenger side





drivers side engine bay not needed to be modified



engine in car (intake removed to avoid scratching the **** out of it) engine/mount can be seen modified a little... I might redo it so it looks more factory like. :angelnot:








pic of why notch was needed.



power steering pump will not fit... unless i find a smaller power steering pulley, im not worried about overdriving pump since the stock probe one was smaller but it was much wider..... maybe electric power steering from MR2?

comments always welcomed.

:thankyou:

 

[SHOmethewayhome]

it's a probe, do you really need power steering?

not being a smart ass, serious question.

 

[probe_racer]

it's a probe, do you really need power steering?

not being a smart ass, serious question.

no problem

Yes, i really do now.

First issue is I have wide sticky tires on the car, and i driven it without power steering, and man it was a pain in the ass to turn. The second and more relevant issue now is that I have a bad left shoulder, I had two rotator cuff surgeries and I have no full range of motion or strength on that arm.

 

[probe_racer]

here are some pics of engine mounted, the front mount on the transmission will be redone so that there is no gap.

the top transmission mount will have the slot where bolt goes filled with welds to limit movement.





this engine mount was totally new in order to have engine mount properly and give clearance for radiator hose.




the rear engine one next to driveshaft will be probably welded to frame instead of just bolted. I used a stock ford probe transmission mount (like the one i cut at front of transmission)



I had to modify the stock mounts in order to move everything about 1.5 inches in order for engine to fit and still be able to use the stock axles.

i used 7/16 inch and 1/2 inch steel in order to create custom brackets.

now i need to modify the downpipe at the front a little bit in order for it to clear the subframe on the passenger side and not to stick out way too low and be exposed to road debris.


BTW the starter is the stock one from the Probe.

will post more pics of progress soon.

 

[rubydist]

does anyone know the strength of the Probe tranny? Is it the same as the SHO but different housings, or is it lighter?

 

[probe_racer]

And here is the wiring harnesses such a huge headache....

engine harness had to be made longer, spliced, had to remove/add wires. replace ccrm with individual relays.... a huge pain in the ass. Notice ccrm connector is gone and has been replaced by a series of relays can be seen on top right of pic.



body/main harness had to add connectors, splice wires, etc...




oh probe transmission will hold up over 300 hp and 300lb of torque a few probe owners have run like this with no issues with the F2T and FE3 engine and this tranny.

 

[moobypets]

and the probe tranny fit the sho engine ?

 

[probe_racer]

and the probe tranny fit the sho engine ?

yes..... there is the need of making a small notch on the probe transmission to clear the rear main seal cover of the sho engine, that is the only modification so it bolts up to the sho engine.

 

[moobypets]

so im sure those damn probe tranny are way easier to find ?

 

[Shovert]

Nice job. Might want to put some tape over the intake passages. Sure would be a nightmare to drop something in the engine. Maurice

 

[probe_racer]

I use a big plastic trashbag to cover the intake ports on the heads and on top of that i put a big towel with a big piece of wood so nothing goes in. I wanted the engine to look "nice" for the pics.. but thanks for heads up.

The probe trannies should not be that hard to find, even mazda still sells replacement parts for them.

I will post more progress as soon as i get more additional stuff done.

:wave:

 

[Shovert]

Just concern. I have seen that simple mistake cause alot of problems. I use body shop green tape. Maurice

 

[probe_racer]

Just concern. I have seen that simple mistake cause alot of problems. I use body shop green tape. Maurice

no problem, i appreciate the feedback. Once i had i freaking mouse move in on an engine block and made its nest on the intake manifold that had no throttle body, engine was not covered but it was inside garage sooo annoying every since i use the big white trash bags to cover engines that are stored and use the towel method when working on exposed intakes.

 

[220ksho]

Looks great. Keep it going!

I just want to add that the front engine mount bracket (cast piece) will break without the a/c compressor attached, IME. The compressor housing is a structural component to the mounting bracket. Either fab up a reinforcement, or use the comp housing.

 

[220ksho]

Scratch that. I see now that you have the A/C back on there.

 

[probe_racer]

weekly update.. nothing done to car because another car (minivan) in the house broke and Im on the process of fixing it... hate minivans sooo much they are a pain in the butt to fix.

Did add a wire to run the extra oil pressure switch up to dashboard.

will post pics of redone front transmission mount and wiring by weekend or so..

 

[platoribs]

Great thread, who'd thunk way back in 05-12-2010, this would have reached this point?

Kudo's for sticking with it. Looking forward to seeing this beast finished!

 

[probe_racer]

and finally pics of updated/revised/modified mounts:

(I kinda screwed up the look of the weld at the end by putting extra weld on top of good welds, in a wild eye attempt to make it stronger) :laugh_ti:

Pics not to high quality since they came from phone.

On this mount i used two stock ford probe transmission mounts and welded them offset.



And this one I re-drilled and welded the bolt slots to compensate for powertrain being moved and to limit amount of movement too.



will be posting some updates more often I hope.

 

[cook93SLOSHO]

Cool project!