Swap Issues

[sperold]

I have a complete 89 SHO that unfortunately is finished from the body perspective. But like most, mechanically, it is still very good.
If I were to look for another body to transplant everything, what is the difference between the next 2 scenarios:
1.) Get another SHO, say a 2nd gen MTX model (which are somewhat more available).
2.) Get a Taurus from the same period, 92 to 95.
With the Taurus option, I would change everything including the dash to make sure everything went well.
If I used a Gen2 MTX, would that still be the best thing to do to avoid wiring compatibility issues? Or do you simply change the motor into the new chassis. And would the 89 wiring harness follow the motor into the new chassis.
I am not sure, but I am thinking that because it is an 89, there may be more complications. Am I wrong?

 

[boat]

I'd say go for option 1 and use the engine harness from the gen 2 MTX you would get, not the 89. If you use the 89 engine harness, it may have some different plugs and wires and cause you some other issues, I'd say avoid using the 89 wiring if you go into a gen 2 MTX.

I wanted to fix idling issue on my 90, it came down to the EEC harness. I had one from the 93 I was parting, but told on here by rubydist, that I really should use one from another 90. Which I did, and it fixed my problem.

 

[rubydist]

The wiring harness for both the engine compartment and the body change from year to year, so you really want to use the same year for your transplant, unless you want to do a bunch of rewiring.

I put a 94 SHO atx into a 93 Sable wagon, (including the dash) and I had to do re-wiring of connectors in the driver's A pillar area, on the ABS system, and in the engine compartment at the very rear passenger side.

The changes from 89 to 90 are even greater than that, as are the changes from 91 to 92 and 92 to 93. The changes from 94 to 95 are very minor, iirc.

Unless you love wiring and have a factory service manual with the factory wiring diagrams, your odds of figuring it out are slim at best.

 

[sperold]

I am a little slow these days.... but what I think I am hearing is.... get a Gen 2 SHO MTX and simply put the "motor - tranny" in place. Use the Gen2 engine harness that comes in the Gen2 car, and leave the Gen2 alone as far as wiring goes. I think that means using the Gen2 CCRM (or whatever that black box is called under the rad support at the top).
Thanks for the advice.

 

[rubydist]

yup, that would work - use all the wiring from the Gen2 when you put in the 89 motor/trans.