SHO Handling?

[Caish]

I have a 93 SHO ATX.
I use to have a 96 BMW 328Is it was the best handling car I've ever driven, I liked better than my cousins 06 Vette.

Now the question:
Is it possible to make an SHO ATX handle as well if not better than 3 series Beemer?
It handles pretty good now, very neutral feel, no under or oversteer that I have found, but its not as confidence inspiring as the 3 was.

I'm in the beginning stages of this project and the car is 100% stock right now and with 227k miles, I know I'm going to be looking at struts and such.
I've done a little searching on this but its been less than conclusive.

 

[LOUDSHO92]

Yes it is possible: SHO Source

For a daily driver I would go with Intrax springs and Monore struts. I would also get the subframe connectors and strut tower braces. Also replacing the bushings will help a lot.

If you plan to race we have coilovers.

 

[yamahaSHO]

Mod for mod... No.

 

[tommyturbo]

I think my Taurus's handle great, I've had several over the years. I had an 02, and for as big and softly sprung as the gen 4 is that car could really take a mountain road really well. It always felt so good, even with a little understeer. It had the non variable assist power steering. My 89 SHO with the firmer feeling non variable assist also feels pretty good too.

But both my 95's with the VAPS, are such a challenge for those kind of roads. They change assist levels at the most inappropiate times, they stick well, but it's no fun when the steering fights you.

However on the fwy (when the cops aren't around) they are a blast to drive fast, because they get to the firm setting and stay there.

 

[Caish]

No plans for a track, just a DD.
After all its fairly mild compared to todays factory hotrods.
So just a fun DD is my goal without busting the bank on a cheap old Ford.
Maybe in the spring (tax time) I'm thinking of finding a low mileage MTX for more of
toy.
Thanks.

 

[turbosho]

aluminum subframe bushings are the first and best suspension mod you can do to an early sho

 

[kevinspann]

You can make it handle well, but as well as a 3 series? Maybe. It'll still be FWD vs. RWD, with a less than ideal F/R weight ratio.

 

[K-Dawg]

You'll be able to get it to handle as good (be as fast through the turns), but it won't have the nice driving characteristics and ride quality at the same time.

 

[jayro]

Replace all the bushings with new ones. Install ASFB, subframe connectors and adjust your sway bars to fit what you like (20/26 is what I use). Some Intrax springs with some koni's will make a big difference too.

These mods along with a brake upgrade drastically improves the fun factor of the car.

 

[yamahaSHO]

Didn't know breaking was an upgrade!

 

[Toolman]

Didn't know breaking was an upgrade!

If so, then I have upgraded my trans 10 times!

 

[Toolman]

To the OP, if by good handling you mean a similar feel to you Beemer, then the only way to make a SHO handle good is to upgrade to a gen III sf, along with all the other mods mentioned, preferably with the coilovers coming out, staying with a softer spring rate. It still will not feel quite as nice as your old beemer, but it will feel much better than stock.

IMO, save your money and wait to put these itms on your mtx SHO, so as not to install them twice, and, afaik the genIII sf will not work on an atx.

 

[jon93]

To the OP, if by good handling you mean a similar feel to you Beemer, then the only way to make a SHO handle good is to upgrade to a gen III sf, along with all the other mods mentioned, preferably with the coilovers coming out, staying with a softer spring rate. It still will not feel quite as nice as your old beemer, but it will feel much better than stock.

IMO, save your money and wait to put these itms on your mtx SHO, so as not to install them twice, and, afaik the genIII sf will not work on an atx.

Whiteguy3 has an ATX Gen 3 subframe installed in at least one Gen 2 ATX.

 

[rubydist]

gen3 subframe is a cakewalk w/ atx

 

[Toolman]

Excellent, I was unaware.

 

[somedude_001]

I have a 93 SHO ATX.
I use to have a 96 BMW 328Is it was the best handling car I've ever driven, I liked better than my cousins 06 Vette.

Now the question:
Is it possible to make an SHO ATX handle as well if not better than 3 series Beemer?
It handles pretty good now, very neutral feel, no under or oversteer that I have found, but its not as confidence inspiring as the 3 was.

I'm in the beginning stages of this project and the car is 100% stock right now and with 227k miles, I know I'm going to be looking at struts and such.
I've done a little searching on this but its been less than conclusive.

Drive harder you will find it. I strongly discourage you from running no front sway bar if you decide to increase oversteer. It gets pretty hairy. The SHO can handle great and have a huge fun to drive factor but you are comparing a car that is a completely different league.

 

[Toolman]

The best handling SHO I have ever been in has no front sway bar.

Granted, it weighs 2600lbs and has 600kb springs.

Very confidence inspiring. Would I do it on a stock weight atx? Heck no!

 

[SHOspazz92]

The best handling SHO I have ever been in has no front sway bar.

Granted, it weighs 2600lbs and has 600kb springs.

Very confidence inspiring. Would I do it on a stock weight atx? Heck no!

I still want confirmation on that weight!

 

[SeanMc]

My car is fun to drive, but its no BMW, and I went overboard with, well, everything. So much so, that I really don't like driving it daily anymore.

Anyway, a good set of struts and springs, along with subframe connectors will dramatically transform the car. Also just replacing old and worn bushings always helps. Oh, and replace that skinny rear sway bar with a 26mm.

 

[somedude_001]

My car is fun to drive, but its no BMW, and I went overboard with, well, everything. So much so, that I really don't like driving it daily anymore.

Anyway, a good set of struts and springs, along with subframe connectors will dramatically transform the car. Also just replacing old and worn bushings always helps. Oh, and replace that skinny rear sway bar with a 26mm.

I can also say that my SHO is not that good of a daily because of the poor ride quality, vibration. It handles like a champ but it did loose some of its charm I think.

I installed a rear strut bar on my car and now it has a excessive amount of oversteer on the track. I didn't think it would have made that much of a difference but It did. I will give it another shot in the spring on the road course but I will likely be taking it out. I spun 3 times at nelson ledges last time out and I have not had a spin at the last 6 track days I have attended. The only thing that changes was the addition of a strut bar and colder temps. I still hold the possibility of the rear tires not being able to come up to temp because of the colder temps though so I will give it another shot in the spring and see what happens.