1989 Ford Taurus SHO 3.0 V6 DOHC from North America

Summary:

A stupid fast grocery getter

Faults:

This car has 141,000 miles on the body and about 8,000 miles on the rebuilt motor.

Starter went out at 124,000 miles.

Rear brakes went out at 128,000 miles.

Had to buy new battery at 133,000 miles.

Seats show general wear, but nothing a few seat covers won't take care of.

Very slight oil leak since I have owned the car, but nothing to fret about.

General Comments:

Since I have owned the vehicle I have performed various modifications.

Installed SHO-shop cat back exhaust and flowmaster mufflers at 119,00 miles.

Installed SHO-shop cams at 122,500 miles.

Installed full vehicle bushing kit from SHO-shop at around 130,000 miles.

Installed SHO-shop cold air intake at around 120,000 miles.

Installed SHO-shop under drive pulley kit at 130,000 miles.

Installed a basic engine rebuild kit at 133,000 miles.

Rebuilt motor because I was getting ready to install major performance upgrades.

Installed SHO-shop stage 2 supercharger kit, Hi-Revs Jr. competition clutch, an engine support package, engine torque-limiters, Quaife limited slip differential, Baer racing brake kit, high flow fuel pump, high flow fuel injectors, battery relocation kit, and a aluminum ultra lite flywheel (8 pounds, compared to the stock 21 pound flywheel) at 135,000 miles. (around 2,000 miles on rebuilt motor.)

And finally the last thing I have done to this car besides basic mechanics was a gloss black paint job with silver anodized Cobra R rims at around 135,500 miles.

I absolutely love this car and have spent the past two years building it into what it is today.

I couldn't be happier.

To my luck, everything with the performance upgrades went exactly to plan and the car is still running strong today.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 24th April, 2004

26th Apr 2004, 22:58

That's a nice set up you have there. I have always wanted to do some performance stuff to my 90 SHO, but it was just to expensive!

1st May 2004, 16:47

Wow, that is awesome! How much did all tht upgrade cost? Also where can you buy S.H.O upgrade parts? I am looking foward in buying a s.h.o in the years of 93-95 of course cause those years are best looking. When I get the $$$.

6th Sep 2005, 12:41

A done up SHO would murder a BMW right off the light.. Think Yamaha engine! (which is going into newer volvos as a 4.4ltr engine) Not Ford Engine.. The 1989 Ford SHO Engine was completely high tech when it came out.

25th Dec 2006, 15:14

Hey, I was wondering if you can still buy the supercharger kit for the Taurus SHO. I got a 1990 SHO and I wanted to beef it up a bit. scorpionking_1@hotmail.com

7th Feb 2007, 08:46

Nice! I am hoping to turbo my SHO, what all do I need to do so. roreilly88@yahoo.com.

23rd Mar 2008, 03:03

I am not a expert but I had the same problem with my 92. I couldn't get it to run when I was going to get it because of something with the fuel pump. The only way that I could get it to run is hook the fuel pump directly to the fuse panel and it ran. I think it is something with the computer. I don't suggest to do that unless you are seeing if that is the problem.

21st May 2008, 19:48

My girlfriend and I have a 1990 Taurus SHO. It has a few problems, but it's fixable. I'm wanting to know what it would possibly cost to completely rebuild the motor from the ground up?

1989 Ford Taurus GL 3.5 Liter from North America

Summary:

Live New. Drive Old

Faults:

The car leaks oil, and the gas meter does not work, all of which can be fixed!

A/C does not work. This happens to most cars, though.

Squeakiness in the back; could be something in the cab or the old suspension.

Lots of wear on everything. But then again, this IS an old car.

General Comments:

Regardless of the age, this car still handles very well, and you forget how old this car is!

A great mid-sized car. Easy to drive and easy to back up with.

Good acceleration. A quick little car!

She doesn't like to sit in traffic, but nothing that revving up can't fix!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 9th April, 2004