Do You Consider The SHO V-8 A Bad Engine?

New 02/25/2005

Do you think the SHO V-8 is a bad engine? I do not. The cam has a
fatal design and possibly manufacturing flaw, granted.

But I think the engine is actually quite good. It was the first Ford
COP engine, first in the US with the V model of the PCM. I *think* it
is reverse flow coolant which is very innovative. Ford used it for
years and may still use it in their advanced engine class they teach
in house as the only example of an "exotic" engine.

--
Jim
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I agree . The 3.4l, while not a world beater, has
quite a few virtues going for it . Other than the
cam/sprocket design it is a decent performer . It
filled a void in the market when new (just not
marketed correctly ) . As a used vehicle , with care ,
it stacks up quite well as an "all-arounder" .
Rick B
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Well, the reverse flow cooling isn't new. The LT1 Chevy V8 started using it
back in 93 I believe. And although the SHO V8 was the first Ford to use COP,
that isn't a new concept either. Where the V8 is a real winner is in it's
packaging!

That being said, I like the engine. But I think Ford could have created the
engine without Yamaha. All you have to do is look at what SVT did with the
Contour 2.5 Duratech. If Ford had kept development in-house, the costs would
have been much lower and maybe we'd have seen the engine used in other
applications - perhaps Ford would have been able to keep the SHO in
production? A lot of folks think that Yamaha's involvement is what makes a
SHO a SHO, but I disagree. Yamaha was only involved because of a contractual
agreement for a canceled project. The new car wasn't a 'shoehorn' project
like the V6 car. It wasn't a situation where Ford had an obligation to use
an engine they had that didn't have a chassis any longer. It was designed
from the ground up with the V8 in mind. That being the case, leave Yamaha
out of it and let SVT design the heads/cams/intake. They did as good as
Yamaha ever could with the SVT engine.
Dave Garber
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Think GM had the Reverse flow first as I have an article that says the
reverse flow system is similar to the corvette.
IT was a bunch of first for Ford though.
and I do think they learned some lessons that are used in other lines

Clare
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Very impressive motor.
I've built a bunch of motors over the years and must say when I mic'd
out Larry's 96 motor and 97 motor the variances were in the .0005
ranges normally. I've done some 302's that you could have mic'd with a
C-clamp!
The tooling on the lower end of these motors is as good as I have ever
seen in a production motor.
Regrets on the camshafts but fix that and You're gold. Oil cooler
could have been done a little better IMO, doesn't self flush & tends
to clog over time in my experiences.

I'd have one - If I didn't have 3.

Eric Lehmann
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Yes! Bad ass that is. Cam issue aside this is one awesome motor. 7000rpm and
in some cases 7400rpm with no complaints and this even firing V8 produces a
growl under throttle that is matched by no other. I will never forget the
first time I heard it and now 3 and half years later I still turn the radio
down daily to hear it. Then to top it off it's smooth as silk and has never
failed to wow anyone whether they simply looked at it or went for a ride. It
is fascinating in and out and like any "exotic" motor is a bit pricey to
repair, but I suppose that comes with the territory. Personally I've had to
make no repairs to the motor or anything else under the hood with the
exception of a few coils and a cam weld.
Jason Barker
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Yes the "WOW!" factor is very nice with this motor. Simply pop the hood and watch the jaws drop. craw underneath it for an oil change, its easier to do that my mothers 4 cyl Honda accord! High revs as compared to most v8s awesome sound, and despite its small size as compared to other v8s it fits the term "big things come in small packages" quite nicely and as any 4banger rice builder will try to tell you its not all about displacement. of course we can still flash the v8 as well. true it isn't a world beater, but it holds its own quiet nicely Ford think. anyone think ford will do something performance wise with the 500? I was at the stealer today and say one and there was a small info thing on the hood that said that the 3.0L 203hp V6 could out run or out accelerate not sure I was still befuddled by the $4 cruise light id just bought) a 250 hp motor. anyone want to buy one and dump the 3.4L in it?? loll! anyways my thoughts.

Ben

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On a similar timeline to the SHO V8 was the caddy North star, which is
still in production today and as much as it pains me to admit it is
truly a world class motor....

Reverse cooling was around a long time before our cars....

Scott
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My opinion is it is an interesting engine but far from being a great one. Aside from the cam problem the engines aren't nearly as durable as I would have expected otherwise. They seem to show wear more quickly than the V6. This is after owning two. I must admit however that I have yet to find a better sounding engine and that includes Vipers, Corvettes, Mustangs, etc.

Wendell
97 T-red
91 5-spd
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For pure sonic pleasure I agree. I love my modified stereo, however, turning it off and opening up everything to the max---- It just don't get any better. And with four doors? Never ever heard a Bimmer sound that good.

Larry Eck
97TR
Moods
Welds
Occasional Webmaster
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I have to agree. Most of the time I still feel like I am driving a $25k car, and by my budget that is a luxury car. the resale value was a blessing for me .
honestly hers my story. I was shopping around for a family car, first and foremost. I test drove a Mercury wagon, from the moment I turned the key all it made me feel like doing was falling asleep. I thought about this car, that van you name it. Saturn's, Subaru Outback, blah blah.
I test drove a Toreador '98 with 95k miles in the parking lot of Mike Gerber Auto Sales on Midlothian Turnpike . the interior was freshly detailed and dazzling. the sun bouncing off of the chrome rims was burning brainwashing beams into my head to put me into a trance, as I turned the key on one of these exotic V8s for the first time. at first I drove about 10 mph over speed bumps in the parking lot, my mouth open wide with amazement. I would say honestly witching 10 seconds I had already decided to buy a SHO, and was already thinking up strategies of what to say to my wife to convince her that I wasn't buying one for me.
then onto a side street and I peeled out, about to s*#@ my pants. after a mere 1-55 mph tear out I did a u-turn and returned the car, only to set out on a 2 month research stint which led me to V8SHO.com. if I had any remaining doubts about my decision at that point they were dispelled when I saw what a great community the V8SHO crowd had, and the wealth of info gathered for enthusiasts. if I never say it again, thanks everyone. ok enough of the Dick Vermeil impersonation sorry,

-Chris
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