What are the horsepower and torque ratings of the Thunderbird SC vs the Taurus SHO?

The Thunderbird SC's supercharged 3.8-liter V6 makes 210 hp @ 4000 rpm and 315 lb-ft @ 2600 rpm; the Taurus SHO's 3.0-liter 24-valve V6 makes 220 hp @ 6000 rpm and 200 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm.

Which car was quicker in the magazine's testing?

The Taurus SHO was slightly quicker: 0-60 in 7.06 seconds and a 15.53 @ 93.4 mph quarter-mile vs. the Thunderbird SC's 7.20 seconds and 15.83 @ 90.2. Figures were obtained with a Vericom Performance Computer.

How much boost does the Thunderbird SC's supercharger make?

Maximum boost is listed as 12 PSI, with an intercooler; the SHO's entry is N/A.

What tires and wheels came on each car?

The Thunderbird SC has 16x7 cast aluminum wheels with P225/60VR16 BSW tires (Eagle GT+4 optional); the Taurus SHO has 15x6 cast aluminum wheels with P215/65VR15 BSW tires. Both have 5 studs.

Was the Taurus SHO available with an automatic transmission according to this article?

No. The article states the T-Bird is the choice if an automatic transmission is required, because the SHO is not offered with one, nor is its torque peak high enough.

Home/ Registry/ Ford/ Taurus/ 1992-1995/ “Taurus SHO”/ Photo supermotors.net/registry/media/551301

1989 Ford Thunderbird SC vs Taurus SHO Comparison Chart & Specs - Super Ford

Thunderbird SC vs Taurus SHO quick comparison spec chart dimensions chassis engine

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Reference · 1992-1995 TaurusAll 40 brochures & literature

Focus Fanatic Hocus SHOcus article spread on a mid-engine SHO V-6 swap into a Focus ZX3

Focus Fanatic Hocus SHOcus spread with the fuel cell bay, mid-mounted SHO V-6 and rear view

Focus Fanatic Hocus SHOcus page with Optima battery, ATL fuel cell and polished SHO V-6

1989 Ford Thunderbird SC vs Taurus SHO Comparison Chart & Specs - Super Ford

Super Ford July 1989 page comparing the Thunderbird SC with the Taurus SHO, with engine and interior photos

'89 Ford Taurus SHO magazine article with wheel photo and spec sheet

Taurus SHO 3.0L SEFI DOHC 24-valve V6 magazine page with engine diagram, photos and spec sheet

1989 Ford Taurus SHO Yamaha V6 Engine Article - Hot Rod Dec 1988, Page 70

2013 Ford Taurus SHO w/Performance Pkg specification table with price, engine and test results

Open Lincoln Continental brochure spread with instrument cluster, wheel and console photos

2011 Ford Mustang Club of America Edition Coupe - Specs & Features Placard

Magazine page on the 1962 Mustang I concept roadster with archive photos of the car, its seats and aluminum bo

40brochures & literature1992-1995 Ford Taurus More reference

Excess-Air Factor λ & Ignition Timing Effects on HC, NOx, CO Emissions - Manual

Manual page

Ford Taurus 3.0L V6 Spark Plug Wire & Coil Pack Routing Diagram (1993)

Wiring diagram

Schematic

SHO Time swap steps 10-14: shorter Fram PH3614 oil filter, A/C compressor, accessory brackets and exhaust

Service procedure

1987-95 Ford Taurus SHO TRW Rack & Pinion Steering Parts Diagram & Part Numbers

Exploded parts

1993 Ford Taurus Fuse Box Diagram - Panel Layout, Flasher & Color Codes

Fuse chart

Blueprint

Ford Mustang GT Coupe Premium window sticker with MSRP, fuel economy label and 5-star safety ratings

Spec plate

Ford SHO 3.0L/3.2L V6 Engine Specs - Valve, Camshaft, Rod & Bearing Clearances

Torque spec

Magazine quick-comparison spec chart pitting the Thunderbird SC against the Taurus SHO: wheelbase, weight, suspension, brakes, engine, and 0-60 performance figures.

Part of 1992-1995 Ford Taurus Brochures & Literature

AI caption August 2007 · Photo 989 of 1028

This is page 65 of the July 1989 issue of Super Ford magazine, the concluding page of a comparison test between the Ford Thunderbird SC (Super Coupe) and the Ford Taurus SHO. The left half of the page is a 'Quick Comparison Chart' presenting side-by-side specifications: general dimensions (wheelbase, length, weight, fuel capacity), chassis details (suspension types, stabilizer bar sizes, steering ratios, 4-wheel disc brakes, wheels and tires), engine specifications (the SC's supercharged/intercooled 3.8L OHV V6 at 210 hp/315 lb-ft with 12 PSI max boost vs. the SHO's 3.0L 24-valve DOHC V6 at 220 hp/200 lb-ft), and performance figures obtained with a Vericom Performance Computer (0-60: SC 7.20 sec, SHO 7.06 sec; quarter-mile: SC 15.83 @ 90.2, SHO 15.53 @ 93.4). The article text discusses each car's character: the SC as a quiet, torquey, luxurious high-speed cruiser (essentially a bigger Mustang GT) and the only choice for automatic transmission buyers, while the SHO is characterized as 'all engine,' a rev-happy closet racer's stealth machine. A photo shows one of the cars on a winding road. The page provides useful factory-spec reference data for both 1989 models.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the horsepower and torque ratings of the Thunderbird SC vs the Taurus SHO?: The Thunderbird SC's supercharged 3.8-liter V6 makes 210 hp @ 4000 rpm and 315 lb-ft @ 2600 rpm; the Taurus SHO's 3.0-liter 24-valve V6 makes 220 hp @ 6000 rpm and 200 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm.
Which car was quicker in the magazine's testing?: The Taurus SHO was slightly quicker: 0-60 in 7.06 seconds and a 15.53 @ 93.4 mph quarter-mile vs. the Thunderbird SC's 7.20 seconds and 15.83 @ 90.2. Figures were obtained with a Vericom Performance Computer.
How much boost does the Thunderbird SC's supercharger make?: Maximum boost is listed as 12 PSI, with an intercooler; the SHO's entry is N/A.
What tires and wheels came on each car?: The Thunderbird SC has 16x7 cast aluminum wheels with P225/60VR16 BSW tires (Eagle GT+4 optional); the Taurus SHO has 15x6 cast aluminum wheels with P215/65VR15 BSW tires. Both have 5 studs.
Was the Taurus SHO available with an automatic transmission according to this article?: No. The article states the T-Bird is the choice if an automatic transmission is required, because the SHO is not offered with one, nor is its torque peak high enough.