I have a 98 SE with the Duratec in it. Since at the end of February, I shall have her completely paid off, I am going to start working on her in certain areas. I am curious, as to what's the main difference between the SHO and the SE. I know they come with completely different engines, transmissions, and gauges, but are they all that different?

Do they have the same bolt pattern for wheels?

Would a brake kit for the SHO fit on my SE?

Suspension wise, parts for the SHO fit on my SE?

Would the SHO bumpers dirrectly fit onto the SE?

A SHO trunklid be a direct fit to the SE?

thanks for all the help. I have had a hard time finding out from Ford, since they don't seem to know much at all.

The only difference is the SHO (gen III 96-99) has a 3.4 DOHC yamaha v8 and a little different transaxle. Other than that, they're pretty much the same. wheels will fit and brakes will work.

The only difference is the SHO (gen III 96-99) has a 3.4 DOHC yamaha v8 and a little different transaxle. Other than that, they're pretty much the same. wheels will fit and brakes will work.

thank you very much for your help and information. I greatly appreciate it.

The SHO also has Semi-Active Ride Control (SARC) which uses different struts, and the front seats are different as well. I think the majority of the suspension is similar though. You may want to search around on www.v8sho.com.

-Rod

The front bumper isn't a direct bolt on, you also need the SHO core support.

SHO springs would lift an SE since the SHO is heavier.

The front bumper isn't a direct bolt on, you also need the SHO core support.

SHO springs would lift an SE since the SHO is heavier.

What do you mean by "core support"

I probably will just stick with the Eibach lowering sport springs.

the core support is the piece that bolts to the front of the unibody that the bumper cover, radiator, and headlights bolt to.

The body stuff shouldn't be a problem at all, just depends on how much money you want to put into it. I would think that the cost of all this stuff would more then pay for your trade-in value for a GEN-III SHO. Even better are the GEN I & II's with the V6's.

"Even better" is relative.

My opinions:
I have owned a 1993 SHO and a 1998 SHO. The 1993 was more fun in town, probably more attractive, and I liked the front seats better (more sporty). The 1998 is bigger, more comfortable on trips, and much better on the highway. The 1998 is, actually, easier to work on I think. I had miscellaneous oil leaks that were a bear to fix on the '93, but the '98 is bone dry. I also think the handling of the '98 is better than the '93. The SARC suspension seems to help quite a bit. Soft when cruising, but quick to firm up when I want to get aggressive.

I do have to agree with Catterman though, save the money and the headaches and just trade in your SE for an SHO. For what it sounds like you are looking for, a Gen 1 or 2 SHO with the 5-speed would suit you well. An automatic (available from '93-'95 and all that was offered '96-'99) would have about the same 0-60 time as your Duratech.

-Rod

Please illuminate:

I bought a 99 SE with not much more in the glovebox than the title. No manual, etc.

In my insurance I listed it as a Taurus SE/SP I chose this because I believe it is SP because it has:

Sunroof
Driver power seat
Duratec 24v engine

On the back bumper it only says "SE" but how could I figure which one this is?

maybe somewhere I punched in the VIN and it produced that...

Please illuminate:

I bought a 99 SE with not much more in the glovebox than the title. No manual, etc.

In my insurance I listed it as a Taurus SE/SP I chose this because I believe it is SP because it has:

Sunroof
Driver power seat
Duratec 24v engine

On the back bumper it only says "SE" but how could I figure which one this is?

maybe somewhere I punched in the VIN and it produced that...

Can't help you here, I've never heard of a Taurus SP. I've heard of the Taurus LX, SE, SES, SHO, but never an SP.

-Rod

SP is short for sport and just means SE with a Duratec, they made SE's with vulcans too.