Trade(or sell?) my running, driving SHO for a 3.5/3.7 Duratec?

[Dannyboy]

Just testing the waters.
I recently picked up a 1992 Taurus SHO, Red with Black leather, 5 speed (MXT?). I was planning a RWD engine swap i to another car but as I do my research I'm leaning twords possibley changing to a Duratec instead. If someone has an engine to trade or is interested in purchasing this SHO please hit me up.
Thank you.

 

[shomethe$$$]

What is your location? You know where I stand on it. Best thing I ever did was get rid of all my SHO stuff. I only have a complete 3.0L engine/wiring/dash left, some 3.2L engine parts, all in the listing I posted. Those will go in the trash in a year or two.

One other option might be do the swap knowing that you might upgrade for the future, maybe leaving more/less space in the engine bay and for the exhaust, not cutting or grinding the engine so you can sell it later, once your setup is fine and you are hungry for more, then upgrade just the engine. I know for me, I want to spend a lot more time on suspension setup and roll cage building. Not spending 6-9 months just to fit an engine and supercharger.

 

[Dannyboy]

@shomethe$$$
I'm in Nor-Cal. I'm not sure man, this thread may be a little premature. I haven't actually put a $ amount on it yet. I think I would rather barter then sell. If I could find as close to a complete Duratec engine as possible, I would probably trade straight across.
This would be a perfect start for a guy that wanted a good stock example of a first gen SHO.

 

[shomethe$$$]

Don't waste time trying to find that kind of trade, just sell it and go to www.car-parts.com and pickup whatever engine you want that is close to you. It may not get you all your funds but it will be close and worth it in the end.

 

[kevinspann]

Seems easier to get a Mustang 3.7 drivetrain as it's already got a transmission bolted to it for RWD.

 

[Dannyboy]

@kevinspann
Yea that's pretty much what I'm looking for. That or a F150. They are everywhere out here in wrecking yards. Just thought I would roll the dice here so if there was someone who was really going to appreciate this SHO it would be alot easier to get rid of.
I also have a T56 out of a Cobra already. To the best of my knowledge most Duratec are the same but I would preference the 305hp 2011+Mustang of course.
**Sorry, I mean the same as far as bell housing.

 

[kevinspann]

The earlier Duratec V6 are pretty much all the same (2.5/3.0) and very similar to the SHO V8. Quads4Rods makes an adapter for that:
http://quad4rods.com/index.php?page...gory_id=2&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=100041

The SHO V6 uses a different pattern than those, it's pretty much the same as the 3.0 Vulcan engine that was used in Rangers (RWD application at least) Canfield makes an adapter to run a 5.0 bellhousing: http://www.cididit.com/adaptor_plate30.htm

The newer "Duratec" 3.5/3.7 uses an altogether different bolt pattern yet again - there is an aftermarket bell available to bolt these to a Tremec trans:

https://www.holley.com/products/drivetrain/bellhousings/bellhousing/parts/RM-8086

 

[Dannyboy]

@kevinspann
Yes, That's the conundrum.
Do I want to go through a little more work for alot more weight and alot less power with the SHO?
Or do I wanna get a Duratec and just buy one adapter that is known to be an easy bolt on for twice the power and almost half the weight. (Slight exagrration)
If I had a Ranger I was putting the SHO in it would be easy! SHO all the way, the cool factor alone is worth it, but my Bugeye Sprite is shrinking by the second and I'm leaning more towards a I4 Duratec now! It would actually be lighter then the Austin Healey mill that it would be replacing and still over 4× the HP and Torque!
I was all Gung ** on the SHO untill I started planning and drawing up blueprints. When I started to research something a little newer and realised the power even today's 4 cylinders are making and the availability of the Fusion/Ranger engines, it just kinda makes more sense to use the lighter smaller motor. They make a bellhousing adapter for my T56 to the 4cyl Duratec as well. So it will be easier all around and I might even have leg room!! Lol.
Please tell me what ya think.

 

[pjtoledo]

having 306,000 miles on my 2005 duratec you may surmise I'm a big fan. aluminum block, loves revving to 6000+ in stock form, small enough to fit in anything.
go for it!


I remember back in the day ('69-'70ish) guys wanted to make their own version of a Cobra, stuffing V8s into anything with wheels. at one of the parking lot cone-crushing events there was a small british car with a 302 sticking wayyy out the hood. it was so heavy up front that it basically sat still while the rear tires went up in smoke just trying to get it to move. damned thing almost did a head stand trying to stop. of course back then handling and suspension were two words that most guys couldn't even spell.

 

[kevinspann]

@kevinspann
Yes, That's the conundrum.
Do I want to go through a little more work for alot more weight and alot less power with the SHO?
Or do I wanna get a Duratec and just buy one adapter that is known to be an easy bolt on for twice the power and almost half the weight. (Slight exagrration)
If I had a Ranger I was putting the SHO in it would be easy! SHO all the way, the cool factor alone is worth it, but my Bugeye Sprite is shrinking by the second and I'm leaning more towards a I4 Duratec now! It would actually be lighter then the Austin Healey mill that it would be replacing and still over 4× the HP and Torque!
I was all Gung ** on the SHO untill I started planning and drawing up blueprints. When I started to research something a little newer and realised the power even today's 4 cylinders are making and the availability of the Fusion/Ranger engines, it just kinda makes more sense to use the lighter smaller motor. They make a bellhousing adapter for my T56 to the 4cyl Duratec as well. So it will be easier all around and I might even have leg room!! Lol.
Please tell me what ya think.

2.5L Duratec from a late model Fusion would be my vote, bolted to a 6 speed from an 2006-2014 Miata.

 

[Dannyboy]

@kevinspann @pjtoledo

It's funny but I've been SUPER sick this week with strep throught so all I've been doing is research on engines and trannys and what fits with what, and so on. I think I've decided on a 2.5 Duratec out of a 11+ Ranger. It's a matter of buying a bellhousing adapter and that's it. My only question is if all 2.3&2.5 FWD or RWD Duratec bellhousings are the same? I seem to be getting all kinds of different answers. I know there are alot better 2.5's in some of the Fusions and Focuses then the Ranger (I think?) It's perfect for my Bugeye! Now if I can just sell my SHO I can buy one!

 

[shomethe$$$]

No such thing as a 2.5L Ford Ranger in 2011, not in the USA anyway. Its only comes from a Fusion or Escape.

 

[kevinspann]

As far as I know the FWD and RWD bellhousings are the same. I'd still consider the Miata 6 speed, the T56 is far more transmission than you actually need. It also avoid the adapter, and figuring out the clutch setup. If it's naturally aspirated, a t56 is not the route I would go.

 

[Dannyboy]

@shomethe$$$
I don't know if they were sold here but I read on a wiki page that 2011-12 Rangers had a 2.5L I4 Duratec? I guess it has a different bore and stroke? If I am going with a 4 cylinder, I would want the best NA version I could get.

@kevinspann
Yea, I would rather do a T5 then the T56 now that I'm considering a smaller motor. Even then it's probably more tranny then I would need. I'm still trying to learn about these little Duratec engines. I didn't even know the Miata 6-speed would work with the bigger in line 4's. That would be a great option. I'll have to look into that and see how available and how expensive they are. Thank you for the info!!