Author Topic: Ford Pinto SHO (Read 6192 times)

EP73Pinto · « **on:** August 30, 2011, 03:04:56 PM »

I am currently in the parts buying process for doing a Taurus SHO 3.2 V6 engine swap into my 73 Pinto. The car was a former Production class roadrace car and I currently race it in SCCA's E Prepared. Has anybody on this forum ever heard of somebody successfully completing this swap?
The thing I am most concerned with is that adding approx 300 lbs to the front of a 2050 lb car will negatively impacting he handling. Does anybody have any advice on spring rates or setup that might help compensate for the extra weight?
Thanks,
Keith

71hotrodpinto · « **Reply #1 on:** August 30, 2011, 05:32:24 PM »

Hi there,
while im no expert on scca racing i can tell you that your fighting a losing battle by putting 470lbs on the front end of that car and trying to turn corners with authority. A fully dressed 302 with aluminum heads is about 430lbs give or take. As it is the pintos front wheel centerline puts most engines too far forward. So if you have to keep a non altered firewall id say your in for a huge handling problem. For a street car you could probably have a great time in a straight line much like a V8 conversion. Plus that engine is soo tall with that crazy intake youd have a major problem with hood clearance. Id say a 3 in cowl hood min.
Then there is the issue of transmission adaptability. Ive never heard of a north south configuration transmission for that engine. (there may be i just neve heard of one)

If your up for a challenge and have a little cash id suggest the focus ztec or ranger duratec 4 bangers. They come in almost 200lbs lighter than the orignal cast iron 2.3 and 2.0 if im not mistaken at around 240lb. I do know that there is an adapter that will make the duratec take a t5 5speed. Not so sure about the focus ztec however.
They rev and make very good HP and have a good following on performance parts.
Hope ive been some help!
good luck and lets hear what youve decided!
Robert

UPDATE:
So i found the site that has the adapters. A small fourtune but they make em. Along with some non efi stuff to make the ztec easier to run without electronics.
check em out.
http://www.quad4rods.com/index.php?page=shop.browse&category_id=3&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=100041

Duratec info
http://www.quad4rods.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=16&Itemid=100032

dick1172762 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 30, 2011, 05:37:13 PM »

VERY common in cars other than a Pinto on the salt flats. There are adapters to use a 4/5 speed tranie for rear wheel drive.

fast64ranchero · « **Reply #3 on:** August 31, 2011, 08:31:41 AM »

My buddy has a Mazda Speed 3 that makes over 400hp to the wheels, the long block is bone stock, I've been thinking/wondering if anyone making a standalone putor for one of those engines, I think that would even be a better setup then my turbo 2.3 lima setup

Bigtimmay · « **Reply #4 on:** August 31, 2011, 12:39:20 PM »

Quote from: fast64ranchero on August 31, 2011, 08:31:41 AM

My buddy has a Mazda Speed 3 that makes over 400hp to the wheels, the long block is bone stock, I've been thinking/wondering if anyone making a standalone putor for one of those engines, I think that would even be a better setup then my turbo 2.3 lima setup

MegaSquirt works on ANY engine!

EP73Pinto · « **Reply #5 on:** August 31, 2011, 03:33:57 PM »

The SHO can be run longitudinally by rotating the intake 180 degrees and adding 1/4 inch spacers so the throttle body clears the timing belt, and by using the bell housing from a Ford Aerostar 3.0 MT (which seems to be the most difficult part to locate). I'm planning on adapting it to the German 4 speed until it blows up. I also plan on running Megasquirt.
I'll have to make a custom oil pan to make it a front sump, since it is naturally a rear sump pan and I don't want to move the fire wall. I haven't checked for hood clearance, but I'm not opposed to running a cowl induction hood.
I already have the engine (I got it for $150), so other engines aren't really an option. If it doesn't work I'll just leave the 2 liter in it. I figured there are plenty of cars out there that are front heavy that still handle pretty well and I can play with spring rates to compensate fo the weight. The V6 should be a little shorter than the 4 cylinder so, hopefully it'll help transfer the weight to the rear a little. I'll try to document my build and post it if I complete he project.

Grumpy · « **Reply #6 on:** September 01, 2011, 08:51:31 PM »

I have a 3.2 SHO sitting in it's junky Taurus and would like to know an accurate weight for that engine. The 2.3 weights about 330 lbs. The V8 Rover 4.0(which I have several of)weighs 320. The only weight I've seen on line is 480 for the SHO, but that is ridiculous, it must be the weight of the engine and the tranny together(like they weigh motorcycle engines)or weight with ac, ps, ect. on board. A 5.0(old style)weights 530 or so, a 429 about 600. Knock off ~50 for aluminum heads. The new 5.0 is about 450, the 3.7 v6 350 or so.

One drawback to the SHO is it has no pilot bearing drilled into the back of the crank. Also, as far as computer, stick to the one in it and put "tweekers" on it, the Megasquirt has, to my knowledge, any way to contrl the secondary throttle plates. I hope someone can prove me wrong, as I like MS, just be aware that it demands some churnin' and learnin', a process I have not completed yet.

EP73Pinto

You are absolutely correct about the spacers required, does anyone know where a CNC cutting company would cut a few? They are all identical, you need six. But if several people get together it will be much cheaper by the dozens.

Another thing. The SHO has it's thermostat housing on the flywheel side of the motor. More fabrication/adaptation involved.

You know, it would be easier just to drop the subframe out from in front of the Taurus, cut a hole(neatly)under the hatchback, build a cage to the attachment points of the subframe and top of the struts, replace the hatch glass with functional slats, build a firewall behind the front seats, dark window tinting or make the quarters functional scoops(ala Pantera), monsterously big front brakes to balance the respectable front SHO hardware, proper fitting of tires(really big ones), going to play "Here, kitty, kitty" with all the guys out on the Tail of the Dragon...

But I digress.

Grumpy

EP73Pinto · « **Reply #7 on:** September 04, 2011, 04:06:56 PM »

I hung the engine from a big game scale. The scale went up to 550 lbs. The engine, including all accessories, oil pan full of oil and an unknown amount of water in the block, both exhaust manifolds with about 8" of pipe and the o2 censors, and the torque converter still attached the engine was slightly more than 550 lbs. It also had 3/4 of the wiring harness still. (I bought it from a guy who basically cut it out of the car, cut hoses and wiring harness with a bolt cutter. It would have been nice to get the wiring harness complete.
I have to believe that Megasquirt woul be able to do something as simple as "flip a switch" at 3950 rpm. But, I don't have a lot of experience with it yet.

71hotrodpinto · « **Reply #8 on:** September 04, 2011, 07:46:15 PM »

Over 550lbs? Wow. Im wondering how many accessories you are going to be able to lose? Have you even done a sanity check by placing the engine in the bay yet? Im guessing this just isnt going to be worth it. Sorry for my "nay-saying"
Fabricating the thermostat issue, spacers for the intake, excessive weight, hard to find bell-housing with a substandard transmission,need for a megasquirt, miles of wiring etc etc.
You could do better with a plain 5.0 considering the amount of work you have in front of you.

Just seems like this is a long road ahead of you that is going to result in poor handling car for SCCA Racing if thats what your planning. ( its what it sounded like)

Ultimately this is your car and your money and i hope it does work out for ya.
Good luck.

Grumpy · « **Reply #9 on:** September 04, 2011, 08:57:10 PM »

I'll stick with the Rover then, and save the SHO for a buggy or something. The Rover has 190 hp stock, the SHO about 225. The Rover can reasonably/reliably be built(ie without intensive mods or expencive parts)to about 250 and it not only gives you that V8 rumble but weighs less than the 4 cylinder.

Grumpy

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Author Topic: Ford Pinto SHO (Read 6192 times)

EP73Pinto

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71hotrodpinto

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