Difference between SHO and SE?

[SniperX13]

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.

[Millermagic]

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.

[SniperX13]

Originally Posted by Millermagic

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.

[shorod]

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

[drdisque]

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.

[SniperX13]

Originally Posted by drdisque

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.

[drdisque]

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

[Catterman]

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.

[shorod]

"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

[MooseNelson]

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...

[shorod]

Originally Posted by MooseNelson

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

[drdisque]

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