thinking about a SHO swap

[Soloassault]

Well i have been toying around with the idea of swapping the engine in my Ranger to one of the 3.2L SHO engines...theres is limited info about doing this out there...if anyone has some info or advice i would appriciated it..from what i have seen it will bolt up to my stock mazda tranny and i can weld so making brakets shouldnt be a problem...anywho...just wondering if anyone knows if it can be done and roughly how much its gonna hurt my pocket book...Thanks

'93 ranger XLT 3.0 vulcan manual tranny.

[stegomon]

i was told that there is no rwd trannys that will bolt up to that motor...but that is what i was told......this is the v6 and not the v8 sho right?

[derekj]

That v6 SHO engine is pretty sweet! That would make a sweet conversion. The sound from that engine while you're doing a hill climb at 6000 rpm would be pretty cool. We used to balance a dollar coin on the intake while it was running as a way to show customers how smooth the engine was. Alas it would be a pricy conversion:sad:

Derek

[Wicked_Sludge]

its been done. ford put a yamaha 3.0 in a 1990 GT back in the day. it was a very nice looking project.

the motor, while rare and expensive, is very VERY stout (just stay away from the v-8 SHO...its crap!). it uses variable length intake runners which gives it its wicked power curve. the bellhousing is identical to the 3.0 vulcan used in the ranger, so the tranny will bolt up.

although the engine never saw production in a RWD platform...converting isnt difficult. the huge intake plenum is actually symmetrical, so it can be unbolted and turned 180* to point at the front of the engine. some interesting bends are required for the thermostat output (i'd use brass tube bent to fit).

215ft-lbs and 220hp with power right from idle? yes please :drool:

[BDAB]

yep what wicked said, he just beat me to it.

[JohnnyO]

A few years ago I was at the Ford Nationals in Carlisle and saw a Merkur XR4Ti with an SHO motor swapped in. They originally had a 2.3 turbo (U.S. models anyway).

[AllanD]

I'm not going to adress the fitment, because I simply don't know.

I will comment on the torque curve... though the SHO makes tolerable torque lower than you'd expect from such a high revving the idea that the Yamaha/SHO V6 engine makes power right from idle is plain rediculous.

The engine would be "ok" in a allowing that it is used with 4.10 gears and fairly
small diameter tires and even then it isn't real happy below 3000rpm.

Upshifting against the rev limiter (7200rpm) is an absolute blast in a taurus...

AD

[Soloassault]

Wow...very active forum community here...thank you all for your input...i have noticed that most of the members here are more into the off-road element, alas i am more into the sleeper drag scene....i was thinking this block on a 10psi range turbo setup...and traction bars and the whole she-bang....i have seen dynos of this block with 6psi making in the 400 hp range...i think 10 would get it up around 450 which i think would be enough to smoke most if not any average import tuner on the street...

[Wicked_Sludge]

I will comment on the torque curve... though the SHO makes tolerable torque lower than you'd expect from such a high revving the idea that the Yamaha/SHO V6 engine makes power right from idle is plain rediculous.


you have to think of it in terms of the engines used in rangers. the 4.0 and 2.9 are the only ones that make "decent" low end torque...but they both puke out pretty quickly. the 3.0 and 4-bangers do the opposite...with no low end but waking up around 35-4000. the 3.0 yamaha has a ton more low end growl then the 3.0 and 4 bangers...but like you said, still pulling hard at over 7 grand.

i think its a great powerband. right in the RPM range i love to drive.

[Half Nuts]

Oldish thread, but I'll add my $.02~ A 3.0l SHO motor typically sells for almost $4k new... a used Taurus 3.0 SHO is about $4k... I'm seriously considering just buying a used taurus this year... Then all the electronics, mounts, trans, etc. is right there, and you can still scrap the remaining car. Any thoughts?

[281Ranger]

Oldish thread, but I'll add my $.02~ A 3.0l SHO motor typically sells for almost $4k new... a used Taurus 3.0 SHO is about $4k... I'm seriously considering just buying a used taurus this year... Then all the electronics, mounts, trans, etc. is right there, and you can still scrap the remaining car. Any thoughts?

Buying a complete donor car is always the best way to go. Once you are finished extracting everything you need/want, you can sell the other parts to recoup some of your money. I spent about $1500 doing my 4.6 swap and then sold over $1200 worth of parts off what was left of the Mark VIII.

Greg

[Wicked_Sludge]

electronics, mounts, trans, etc. is right there, and you can still scrap the remaining car.

buying a donor car is a good idea. you wont be using the transaxle, motor mounts, and many other parts, however. basically all you'll use is the motor, wiring harness, and computer. most everything else needs to be fabbed

[odie1969]

Well my idea of the sho is SHIT HAPPENS OFTEN I know I owned 2 of them and a used sho selling for 4k is crazy you can by a 3.0 sho for about 2k here. the major problem with the sho motor is that it is a ophaned motor from ford and ford no longer makes parts and what parts are around prices keep going up.
As for me If I was spending the time and money I would want to do a motor that is avaible and easy to get parts for (something you don't have to search 100hrs on ebay to find and wait six months to get the car running again) the 289 302 351 have all been around for 40years now parts are every where ad performance parts are easy to get and cheaper than (Shoshop midwestsho shobrothers) Now that I have said that the trans that is rwd for a sho motor is out of a areostar van. The best places to find info about this subject would be Shotimes.com Shoforum.com On shoforum look up OFF Road SHO in the az forum he has a turbo fed sandrail and would be able to get u alot info and the motor and swaps. If you need more info pm me. I wished you lived closer to PHX I have a spare complete motor and trans computer that I;m trying to sell to by a standard cab ranger to do a V8 swap and build a drag truck for the wife. Sorry bout the grammer.
Sorry I love this smilie :hottubfun:

[Wicked_Sludge]

ya but everybody and his brother has done a smallblock v-8 swap. the SHO has the advantage of being unique (at the cost of...well...cost).

the sho motor has a very stout bottom end even in stock form...so even though parts are expensive, once built, it is a reliable engine, even under boost.

it uses the same bellhousing pattern as the vulcan 3.0...so you can use any stock 3.0 ranger tranny with it.

[Half Nuts]

ya but everybody and his brother has done a smallblock v-8 swap. the SHO has the advantage of being unique (at the cost of...well...cost).

the sho motor has a very stout bottom end even in stock form...so even though parts are expensive, once built, it is a reliable engine, even under boost.

it uses the same bellhousing pattern as the vulcan 3.0...so you can use any stock 3.0 ranger tranny with it.

That's what I like about it. I was considering a complete motor rebuild and possibly adding a fabbed stud girdle and all ARP hardware to make the thing as bombproof as possible... Methinks it'd be good for 8lbs of boost on the street, maybe 15-20 on the strip, using two separate tunes, of course.
And, While the mounts, etc. would have to be fabbed, there wouldn't be nearly as many clearance issues.. thoughts?

[Wicked_Sludge]

keep in mind that this is a double overhead cam motor we're talking about. its probably at least as wide as a small block...and the width is right were it causes the most clearence problems: the valve covers.

[hitech_hick]

Oldish thread, but I'll add my $.02~ A 3.0l SHO motor typically sells for almost $4k new... a used Taurus 3.0 SHO is about $4k... I'm seriously considering just buying a used taurus this year... Then all the electronics, mounts, trans, etc. is right there, and you can still scrap the remaining car. Any thoughts?

They go for that much used by you? Around here a SHO that runs but doesn't drive goes in the $500 range.


hick

[shorangerbird]

[QUOTE=Soloassault;9907] swapping the engine in my Ranger to one of the 3.2L SHO engines [QUOTE] oops, bad quote


-thought about this my self a few years back with my original GT before it became wrecked. would still like to if i ever find another lwb with a good body and i have enough change....:haha:
good luck with all the fab work......:temper:

[odie1969]

http://www.shotimes.com/php-bin/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=index&catid=&topic=4
check this out it will give alot of info I spent alot of time here
http://www.shoforum.com/ this is another site to ask questions they have TONS of knowlege if you wander they can answer. I really hope this helps if you want to con.t with the idea.



And here is a guy who built a sweet rail with a turbo ed sho motor if you do it do it big and cool. http://www.fiberspec.com/DooleyMotorSports/

[Half Nuts]

They go for that much used by you? Around here a SHO that runs but doesn't drive goes in the $500 range.


hick

just found a craigslisting today: http://tampa.craigslist.org/pts/428369241.html

It's for the tampa bay area~ a few Taurus vulcan motors, but toward the bottom, notice there's a listing for a DOHC 3.0 Duratec Taurus. Is that thing based on the Vulcan architecture or no? The thing is only $250..

[Wicked_Sludge]

the 3.0 duratec is based on the duratec platform....no way related to the vulcan. ive heard claims it shares a common bellhousing bolt pattern, however.

[Half Nuts]

the 3.0 duratec is based on the duratec platform....no way related to the vulcan. ive heard claims it shares a common bellhousing bolt pattern, however.

well, right there- $250 is all it takes to find out! Somebody PLEASE take this man up and find out for us!:icon_bounceblue:

[AllanD]

You know... I keep telling people that they won't like the results of doing an SHO swap.

And that really isn't correct.

You WILL love it, but you will likely also hate it.

you see the issue is keeping the engine "in the happy zone".

Driving it like you stole it (or rented it) would probably put me to sleep
(trust me you don't want to know what a complete nutcase I can be
behind the wheel) I know I'd probably love an SHO engine in a light ranger... from time to time Driving one EVERY DAY? Not even on a bet.

The problem is that I'm a bit older (in my Mid-40's) and I understand that at times having to work that hard mkeeping an engine "happy" is just too much of a chore.
there are times you just want to drive and listen to the stereo.

AD

[texasranger]

This is a question for you SHO experts...along the same lines. Why not the 3.4 V8. A little more power and great sounds! And definitely different, maybe in a NASCAR Supertruck style. I'm assuming here, but the 3.4 evolved from the 3.0 and the mounting and fabrication issues would be the same? Is this engine known to be junk or what?

[Wicked_Sludge]

others will disagree, but i think the 3.4 is total crap.

first and foremost it barely makes more power than the v6...at 235HP to the 6's 220. its an interference design (the 3.0 is non-interference) that is known for spinning the sprockets off of the cams, causing major internal damage. i also prefer the 6's iron block to the 8's aluminum one.

the 3.4 is a duratec platform, which means one would have to use a 2.3 tranny behind it rather than a 3.0 one. ive heard the 4 banger trannys may be slightly weaker and have closer gearing than the v-6 units (havnt ever verified these statements).

for the slight power loss, ill take the stouter and more reliable v6.

[texasranger]

Yeah, I guess my idea is just as much of a silly novelty as it was for Ford/Yamaha to make that V8 for the Taurus in the first place. Still....if I had the time and money to waste (I don't and never will)...I'd do it.

[BigBlockRanger]

Ford's version:

http://www.bigblockranger.com/images/pic0189.jpg

http://www.bigblockranger.com/images/pic0190.jpg

http://www.bigblockranger.com/images/pic0191.jpg

[Wicked_Sludge]

ahh, there it is. thought we lost those pages with the old forum database.

[AllanD]

others will disagree, but i think the 3.4 is total crap.

first and foremost it barely makes more power than the v6...at 235HP to the 6's 220. its an interference design (the 3.0 is non-interference) that is known for spinning the sprockets off of the cams, causing major internal damage. i also prefer the 6's iron block to the 8's aluminum one.

the 3.4 is a duratec platform, which means one would have to use a 2.3 tranny behind it rather than a 3.0 one. ive heard the 4 banger trannys may be slightly weaker and have closer gearing than the v-6 units (havnt ever verified these statements).

for the slight power loss, ill take the stouter and more reliable v6.

There is no difference inside a Mazda trans for a 2.3 Vs a 3.0.
Only the case is different.

And on the 4.0 there is slightly different gearing, but no strength difference.

Yeah, I guess my idea is just as much of a silly novelty as it was for Ford/Yamaha to make that V8 for the Taurus in the first place. Still....if I had the time and money to waste (I don't and never will)...I'd do it.

Yamaha was responsible for the V6, but had NOTHING to do with the SHO V8.

AD

[Wicked_Sludge]

Yamaha was responsible for the V6, but had NOTHING to do with the SHO V8.


not true. ford cast the v-8 blocks, then shipped them to yamaha for the engines to be built. the complete motors were then sent back to ford for installation.

haha, heres an interesting quote i found from a ford motorcraft shop tips newsletter while looking for additional info on the v6:

"Because the engine is not boosted, it runs cooler. It supplies a smooth flow of power right up to 7300 rpm. At this point, a rev limiter starts cutting out cylinders to hold the rpms steady at 7300. This technique for preventing over-revving is the result of Ford's Formula 1 racing experience. This rev limiter is not designed to protect the engine, but to protect accessory drive components. The engine itself has been tested at rpm's greater than 8500."

huh....i forsee an underdive pulley and some considerable power gains to be had :D

[woodyedmiston]

While I appreciate the fact that a SHO motor would look really cool under the hood of a Ranger - and I'd like to do the same thing - I'd like to address your original idea. That is: a really nice street sleeper. If your basic engine is low mileage and the running gear in your truck is cool - learn everything you can about turbochargers and then find one or two to mate to your truck. Use an intercooler, construct a nice free flowing exhaust system and find someone who can reconfigure your fuel system. Eight pounds of boost is probably enough in either a 2.9 or a 4.0 to smoke most of your competition or at least give them a run for their money. If you staged two turbo's one that spins up quickly with a pop-off valve and one that only comes into it's own at high volume you could possibly have a very flat power curve. I built a system a few years back that made over 450 with a 2.5 Datsun six cylinder (280 Z engine with a Japanese 2.0 crank) It would be a lot cheaper and you would be buying new tires and rear axles a lot sooner than if you tried the SHO build. That's my 2 cents worth.

[woodyedmiston]

While I appreciate the fact that a SHO motor would look really cool under the hood of a Ranger - and I'd like to do the same thing - I'd like to address your original idea. That is: a really nice street sleeper. If your basic engine is low mileage and the running gear in your truck is cool - learn everything you can about turbochargers and then find one or two to mate to your truck. Use an intercooler, construct a nice free flowing exhaust system and find someone who can reconfigure your fuel system. Eight pounds of boost is probably enough in either a 2.9 or a 4.0 to smoke most of your competition or at least give them a run for their money. If you staged two turbo's one that spins up quickly with a pop-off valve and one that only comes into it's own at high volume you could possibly have a very flat power curve. I built a system a few years back that made over 450 with a 2.5 Datsun six cylinder (280 Z engine with a Japanese 2.0 crank) It would be a lot cheaper and you would be buying new tires and rear axles a lot sooner than if you tried the SHO build. That's my 2 cents worth.

[Wicked_Sludge]

the original poster didnt say anything about a 2.9 or 4.0 sleeper....:dntknw: 2.9's like to blow heads in n/a form...id hate to see one under boost :D

[BigBlockRanger]

2.9's like to blow heads in n/a form...id hate to see one under boost :D


I liked my turbo 2.9L.... kinda still wish i had it around.