[Shotimes] Gen 3 SHO's, I have to admit this...

[Donald Mallinson]

Don,

I hated the V8 when it came out.  Anyone remember the "No 
SHO V8" stickers I made up and gave out at the 95 
convention? (Dearborn?) I still have a few in the '89's 
glove compartment.

But several years later, sometime in 2000 I think, I decided 
if I was going to run the club, I needed to get better 
acquainted with the V8.  Bought a '96 and the first trip I 
took in it was to do set up for the Tulsa Convention.  I 
fell in love with the car by the time I got to St. Louis 
(about 120 miles).  Now I love taking long trips in all my 
SHO's, but the V8 is the long distance and winter specialist!

I don't think you will regret getting one, but you should 
keep a V6 MTX in reserve if you can possibly afford it.  I 
don't ever want to be without one as long as I can still 
push on that left pedal!

As for best year. I like the '96, but 97 is probably the 
best for overall features.  I love the SARC suspension. 
supple at most speeds, but very firm when going fast or hard 
into corners or over big bumps.  You can really tell the 
difference.

There is NO difference in the motor that I can see.  The 
'99's are not faster or more powerful.  The loss of the SARC 
might make them slightly lighter, but probably not more than 
10 pounds.

PUt a set of Bullit turbo mufflers on and an open air cone 
filter, and the thing sounds like a 427 with dual quads! 
(almost).

Don Mallinson

Don McKinnon (AST) wrote:
> Ok, I have to admit this!  I'm actually falling for the Gen 3 after all
> these years <LOL>.  The $$$$ certainly is right for me!  My Gen 2 needs a
> long-term break to "fix it up", and the AWA would like for me to eventually
> acquire an automobile (this year) with an automatic transmission (there goes
> my V-twin dreams!).  I saw a real nice silver Gen 3 SHO today being driven
> by a "Mature" woman and thought, "Ok, if it had at least welded cams, FPS
> tranny, suspension kit and tinted windows, I'd like that"!  Adding on Brad's
> Bore, Stroked or Bore with Stroke V8 would be something to do if I sold the
> Gen 2... because all my other $ would be going into the Gen3, yeah baby!!!
> 
> What can a FPS tranny handle?   I know that there are some strong ATX's out
> there, have any been hammered to failure?
> 
> Is there a "best year" for the Gen 3's?
> 
> Don McKinnon