FAST

FACTS

If the unique tail lights of the SVO seem familiar, it’s because they make a comeback on the 1993 SVT Cobra
The SVO features an interior switch that allows the driver to switch the ECU’s fuel calibration between premium fuel and regular fuel
The original 1984 Mustang SVO was the first product from Ford’s newly launched “Special Vehicle Operations” (Ford’s racing division). With buyer interest shifting toward economical Japanese cars, and with new CAFE mpg mandates being implemented, SVO chose to go the route of a small turbo 4-cylinder powerplant
They started with the OHC 2.3L from the Pinto/Mustang II, and added forged aluminum pistons, high-temperature valves, an oil cooler, a tuned intake manifold, and most importantly: a computer-controlled turbocharger with variable boost control and an air-to-air intercooler
Most turbo systems of the time would mechanically reach boost immediately (like an on/off switch). This forced carmakers to limit boost to around 10 psi to avoid engine damage at low RPM. The SVO’s system, however, limits boost at low RPM and provides infinitely variable boost as the RPM rises. This is an early form of variable boost control
Early cars saw up to 14 lbs of boost (later cars saw 15 lbs). This was the highest amount of boost for any production engine at the time. For safety, Ford included an overboost warning buzzer in the dash
The result is that the 4 cyl SVO put out identical power numbers to the 5.0 V8 GT of the same year. However, SVO’s development goals put emphasis on handling, not horsepower. This meant the lighter 4-cyl engine sat behind the front axle, allowing the SVO to have a superior weight distribution than the 5.0 GT. Factory curb weight (no options) was quoted under 3,000 lbs, and a bi-plane polycarbonate rear wing provided the required downforce
SVO cars built after Dec ’83 came with 6 shock absorbers from the factory. 4 of them (Koni) are at each corner, while two additional shocks act as traction bars mounted horizontally between the ends of the rear axle and the frame to keep the rear planted during aggressive acceleration/deceleration. Prior to December ’83, steel traction bars were used instead of shocks
The SVO’s large brakes came from the bigger Lincolns of the time. In addition, Ford decided to include the large brake pedal from the automatic transmission models in an effort to simplify heel/toe shifting
The amount of development work that went into the electronic turbo system, the ECU’s advanced EEC-IV microprocessor, and the handling R&D contributed to the $6,000 premium over a standard V8 GT

Key Model Year Changes:

1984

First year of the SVO

Lowest HP rating (175 hp/210 ft lbs)

1985

Model year changes occurred both at the beginning and the middle of the ’85 model year, dividing production between early cars (pre-April 1985) and the later cars (post April ’85). April was essentially the mid-cycle refresh

New 3.73 ring and pinion (vs old 3.45) and updated transmission ratios to match the new axle ratio

Rack and pinion ratio changed to 15:1 (from the high effort 20:1 ratio)

The separate amp switch for the Premium Sound was deleted

The color of the exterior trim is changed from Black to Charcoal gray

Shocks are now preset to the firmer “cross country” setting, vs the softer “city ride” setting on ’84 cars. Rear spring rates were increased as well

1985.5

(post April ’85, essentially the mid-cycle refresh)

Headlights are now flush to the body (aero lights)

30hp bump (now 205hp). Torque increased by 30 (now 240 lb ft torque). This was thanks to an increase in boost pressure to 15 PSI, updated intake manifold, and a water cooled turbo with a smaller turbine for quicker spool up

Injectors were enlarged to 35lbs per hour (vs 30)

the computer’s processor was updated

Exhaust is now dual outlet (replacing the old single outlet). This means there are now 2 mufflers

1986

Power drops from 205hp to 200hp (torque from 248 to 240 ft lbs) to comply with lower octane fuel

Only year of the 3.50 first gear, replacing the 3.97 1st gear ratio of last year

Only year of the federal mandated 3rd brake light on the lower rear spoiler (quickest way to differentiate an ’86 from previous years)

Chrome SVO badges are added to the front fenders

The SVO ended production in 1986 as it was thought the fox body Mustang would be replaced by what we now know as the Probe

Specs: