Fordnatics List Archive

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Mail From: Craig=Blome%Graphics=Dev%PCPD=(email redacted)

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I do have a rather involved and rather unique tehcnical question, however.
The 2.3L turbo four in the Merk is really quite a decent engine (if you can
get over its humble Pinto heritage), but I've become fixated on the notion
of replacing it with the Taurus 3.0L SHO Yamaha motor at some point. I know
that some European versions of the Merkur (Ford Sierras) had 2.8 & 2.9L
V6s, as well as diesals, 2.0L Cosworths (!!!) and even an errant 5.0L V8
(South Africa only, if I recall). I know the Cologne V6 is a wildly
different animal from the SHO 3.0, but. . .my theory is it should weigh
less, put out aprox. the same HP as the Cosworth 4, and fit under the hood.
This of course generates a myriad of questions, such as. . .

Would the Euro Sierra V6 motor mounts mate up to the 3.0L?
Will the stock radiator handle the needs of the V6?
Which bellhousing will mate it to an appropriate tranny, such as a T5?
What other wallet-emptying, mind-warping things should I worry about?
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Yeow. I'm not sure about the motor mount issues, but I have never seen a SHO
motor swapped into another vehicle without keeping the transaxle. The SHO
engine weighs on the order of 500 lbs wet if memory serves. You would have
to transplant the entire wiring harness as the SHO has a much different fuel
and ignition system from Merkurs (e.g. mass air, distributorless ignition)
and I have no idea what trans would fit.

If the 2.8 was a factory piece in Europe, I'm willing to bet the 4.0 would be
a much easier swap (Central Coast Mustang seems to be carrying performance
bits for the 4.0 now). Or, now that sanctions are gone, you might try
contacting Ford South Africa and getting the appropriate bits for mounting a
302.

Regards,
Craig Blome
'90 SHO