Sure it's been posted but...Vortech for the V8 ?'s

[ALWyzBrknSHO]

I know ArkanSHO has a Vortech powered 3rd Gen, so I should probably ask him, but is there a direct kit or anyone who could install everything required? Also I know there are brake upgrades and suspension upgrades for the 89-95's, but does everything interchange with the 3rd Gen's as well? I've been awfully tempted to get a 3rd Gen but want to see how attainable some of these modifications would be....discuss.

 

[naval-avi8or]

I can help you with the brake issue. The brakes on my 94 (stock) were the identical parts as that which I used from a 97. Actuall since my rotors and brakes were almost brand new I used them on a 97 SHO hub assembly after noticing that the parts (#) were identical.

 

[nothingtoseehere]

V8SHO

 

[hoboprodigy-]

Personally I think the Gen3 doesn't need any suspension upgrades.

 

[ManySHOs]

I can help you with the brake issue. The brakes on my 94 (stock) were the identical parts as that which I used from a 97. Actuall since my rotors and brakes were almost brand new I used them on a 97 SHO hub assembly after noticing that the parts (#) were identical.

The rear brakes are the same (93-99). The front brakes are interchangeable (94-99) but not the same unless you already had the gen3 front brakes on your 94 (as a "96 upgrade")

Ian.

 

[Mr. SHO]

Personally I think the Gen3 doesn't need any suspension upgrades.

But it responds SO well to them!

I feel the same way about the brakes though. The stock setup is phenominal if you invest in high quality pads and the bias valve plugs.

Also, ArkanSHOs setup is impressive on a good day, but he will attest that it has been a constant struggle to keep it up and running. Calling it a bolt-on kit would be the understatement of the century.

Even if you could spend lots of time and money developing the perfect supercharger setup for the V8SHO, you'd still have to address the transmission.

 

[naval-avi8or]

The rear brakes are the same (93-99). The front brakes are interchangeable (94-99) but not the same unless you already had the gen3 front brakes on your 94 (as a "96 upgrade")

Ian.

My 94 SHO was 100% Stock. The 97 SHO that I compared front brake parts that I interchanged had the identical part #'s stamped on them. Haven't got to the rears yet.

 

[ManySHOs]

My 94 SHO was 100% Stock. The 97 SHO that I compared front brake parts that I interchanged had the identical part #'s stamped on them. Haven't got to the rears yet.

The calipers (front) are the same but the brackets and rotors are different.

Ian

 

[Mr. SHO]

Sounds like maybe your '97 has the wrong pads on it (which is extremely common).

 

[Wess]

Sounds like maybe your '97 has the wrong pads on it (which is extremely common).

I had the OEM Ford pads put on the front early last month and have been very happy with the so far. I never realized how much larger they are than aftermarket pads that I've tried before, Hawk in particular. I guess time will tell how well they hold up.

 

[ManySHOs]

I had the OEM Ford pads put on the front early last month and have been very happy with the so far. I never realized how much larger they are than aftermarket pads that I've tried before, Hawk in particular. I guess time will tell how well they hold up.

There are 2 pads that fit that caliper with the 11.6" rotor that the gen3's use. One is the smaller pad used in the 94-95's and the other is the larger in the gen3's. To be honest, I forget the p/n#'s. One is 598 and the other is something else..If you had the smaller pads, you had the 94-95 style pad that fits and works but is not as beneficial as the larger pad (assuming same pad compound). I hope that made sense.

Ian

 

[venom]

There are 2 pads that fit that caliper with the 11.6" rotor that the gen3's use. One is the smaller pad used in the 94-95's and the other is the larger in the gen3's. To be honest, I forget the p/n#'s. One is 598 and the other is something else..If you had the smaller pads, you had the 94-95 style pad that fits and works but is not as beneficial as the larger pad (assuming same pad compound). I hope that made sense.

Ian

598 is the correct part for 96+
601 IS THE WRONG P/N for SHO's (96+ SLO pad)

 

[SHOZ123]

Seeing as this thread is now a brake issue, I have track experience with OEM Ford equipment and am wanting to upgrade but yet keep the 16" wheels.

The OEM Ford pads, NOT Motorcraft, are good for 99% of any situation you will encounter. Not the cheapest, not the grippiest, no lifetime guarantees but I have 3 three track session on my current set of pads and until I go on the track again will keep these until they are gone.

So considering OEM Ford brake components and yearly fluid flushes the base, the best, first, cheapest GEN 3 brake mod to do is the rear brake plugs. The rear brakes are the same as any other Taurus from '93 on with rear disk brakes.

But the front. There is the Cobra dual piston caliper upgrade that takes some minor machining to do to make it work. Or better bolt in components of equal or better performance for 50% more money than the Cobra calipers on 16" rims.

Which reminds me, a certain Vendor from out east has promised me a set of the Cobras made up for quite a while now........

But as for the suspension there is a lot you can do. All relatively cheap and worth every dollar. Again OEM struts in good condition (<50k) is the starting point with good tires. First off is new TPR bushings (everywhere but the front lower arm) , HD sway bar ends links, 26mm rear sway bar, 24 mm front sway bar (with lateral movement limiting collars like OEM), Solid front subframe bushings, and rear subframe connectors. You can also compromise in the front on the subframe bushings by using the OEM rear two piece subframe bushing in the front of the subframe also. And don't forget the front strut tower brace.

There are also the Eibach lowering springs. I have them with new SARC struts and the SARC struts disabled but with the VAPs functional. Can be very harsh. Handles like a go cart. Others have used the Eibachs with the KYB GR2s and are happy. There is also the Ford '99 SHO strut.

If I were to do all of these mods again it would be in this order by performance.

1) FSTB
2) Rear subframe connectors
3) Solid front subframe bushings
4) 26mm and 24 mm sway bars.
5) Adjustable rear arms
6) Springs when you get tired of the wheel gap.


Again this is assuming the struts are good and that the suspension bushings and end links are changed in the process.

 

[Mr. SHO]

:withstupid:

And if you are cheap and don't want to get lower springs, you can do the free "knuckle drop" mod to drop the front about an inch. You just remove the strut from the knuckle, hack off the locator tab, and slide the strut back into the knuckle lower than the factory position.