Did the Taurus SHO have a V8?
No, the Ford Taurus SHO (Super High Output) did not have a V8 engine. The Taurus SHO was known for its powerful, high-performance V6 engine rather than a V8 configuration.
Explaining the Taurus SHO Engine
The Ford Taurus SHO was introduced in 1989 as a high-performance variant of the standard Taurus sedan. It was designed to offer a more powerful and sporty driving experience compared to the regular Taurus models. The key feature that set the SHO apart was its unique engine, which was not a V8 but rather a high-output V6.
Specifically, the Taurus SHO was powered by a 3.0-liter Yamaha-designed V6 engine that produced 220 horsepower and 200 lb-ft of torque. This engine was significantly more powerful than the standard 3.0-liter V6 found in the regular Taurus, which only generated around 140 horsepower. The SHO's V6 was also equipped with dual overhead camshafts (DOHC) and other performance-oriented modifications to extract more power from the six-cylinder configuration.
The decision to use a V6 engine rather than a V8 was likely driven by Ford's goal of creating a high-performance version of the Taurus that still maintained good fuel efficiency and drivability. V8 engines tend to be larger, heavier, and less fuel-efficient than V6 engines, which would have gone against the Taurus' design philosophy as a practical, family-oriented sedan.
Taurus SHO Performance and Legacy
Despite not having a V8, the Taurus SHO was widely praised for its impressive performance capabilities. The powerful V6 engine, combined with a manual transmission and other performance upgrades, allowed the SHO to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in around 6.5 seconds, which was very quick for a sedan of its size and era.
The Taurus SHO went on to have a loyal following among enthusiasts and became an iconic performance model within Ford's lineup. It was produced for several generations until the Taurus line was eventually discontinued in the 2000s. The SHO's legacy as a high-performance, V6-powered sedan has endured, and it remains a beloved chapter in Ford's history.
Is the Ford 3.9 V8 a good engine?
The Ford 3.9 V8 is not widely considered a "good" engine due to a mix of performance limitations and reliability issues, particularly with the Jaguar AJ-V8-derived version used in cars like the 2002 Thunderbird. While some variants have a good reputation, the specific versions used in mass-market Ford and Lincoln vehicles received mixed reviews for being underpowered compared to their potential and for suffering from significant problems, especially in later models.
You can watch this video to learn why the Ford Thunderbird with the 3.9L V8 engine is considered a retro failure: 55sDoug DeMuroYouTube · Sep 5, 2019
Performance and power
- Underpowered: The 3.9L V8, used in the 2002-2003 Thunderbird, produced around 250-280 horsepower, which was considered disappointing for a V8 engine at the time.
- Limited potential: While it can be made to produce more power, some experts note that its potential for higher-performance applications is limited compared to other engines, according to Forza Wiki.
Reliability
- Reliability concerns: The engine, particularly the Jaguar AJ-V8 version, had a reputation for poor quality and significant reliability issues.
- Major problems: Specific issues included head gasket problems, which Ford allegedly improved in later models, and a tendency to fail, notes Reddit users.
- V6 comparison: Some even argue that Ford's 3.8L V6 was a more reliable engine than the 3.9L V8.
Overall
- Verdict: The Ford 3.9 V8 is generally not considered a good engine due to its lack of power and poor reliability.
- Alternatives: It's advisable to consider other engines with a better reputation for performance and reliability, such as the 5.0L Coyote V8.
Did the Ford Taurus ever have a V8?
Yes, the Ford Taurus SHO was available with a V8 engine from 1996 to 1999. This 3.4-liter V8 was an exclusive feature for the high-performance SHO model and was designed in conjunction with Yamaha. It replaced the V6 engine used in earlier generations.
You can watch this video to learn more about the 1996 Ford Taurus SHO review, which features the V8 engine: 54sShooting CarsYouTube · Dec 16, 2022
- Engine specifications: The 3.4L V8 engine produced about 235 horsepower and was paired with a four-speed automatic transmission.
- Engine design: The engine was developed by Ford and Yamaha, with Yamaha handling the cylinder heads and valvetrain, and Ford manufacturing the aluminum block in Canada using a Cosworth process.
- Engine issues: This generation of the SHO had a reputation for potential engine problems due to a known issue with the camshafts, which could fail around 50,000 miles.
- Discontinuation: The V8 model was the only generation of the Taurus to offer a V8. Sales were lower than previous models, and the SHO was discontinued after the 1999 model year.
When did the Taurus SHO have a V8?
The 3.4 L SHO V8 was introduced in the spring of 1996. It incorporated many of the traits of the SHO V6, including the aluminum cylinder heads and 4 valves per cylinder DOHC design, but differed with an aluminum rather than iron block and no variable length intake manifold.
What engine did the Ford Taurus SHO have?
The Ford SHO V6 is a family of DOHC V6 engines fitted to the Ford Taurus SHO from 1989 to 1995. The designation SHO denotes Super High Output. Due to the engine's unusual and aesthetically pleasing appearance it is sometimes transplanted into other vehicles.
