Cobra with vintage Boss 302

[CHRIS955]

Has anyone run a true vintage Boss 302 in a Cobra.I'm trying to get a little input on the overall out come from someone that has already been there. We may try one in an ERA FIA .Thanks

[VintageUpgrades]

I have one with a CrossBoss going in a SPF this fall. If it is anything like our 69 Boss, it will be wicked at 7 grand!

[Tim Brewer]

Why vintage? Just build a new one and stroke it while you're at it.

[Rickd]

There is a guy with an ERA FIA (#2009 I believe) living in Rhode Island who has an original 302 Boss motor in his car. Mated to a Richmond Gear 5 speed and I believe a 3.08 rear. It was set up by the original owner to qualify for Vintage Racing, hence the original Boss motor, heads, etc. From my point of view the negative about that motor is lack of low end torque. Those huge valves = high end hp, and it winds forever. A 302 with aluminum heads and a modest cam is much quicker and has more low end torque. The Keith Craft 331 stroker I have in my ERA FIA, with AFR 165 heads, is a much quicker motor than the original 302 Boss setup. A really cool small block is a Dart block, bored to 4.125, with a 347 stroker kit. The wider bore gives you 347 cubes with the shorter stroke, a lot of HP, and a lot of torque. Probably would want to use AFR 180's with that one. Keith Craft is the guy to talk to. They build a really nice motor for the $$$, and any time I hear someone like the Kirkham brothers lauding a motor builder - well, they know a lot more than I do. The Boss 351 was supposedly another situation all together - quick - torque - and the first ERA FIA ever sold has one in it (Jeff Burgey), and that car is one of the prettiest FIA's on the planet. Have fun, the research is half the fun (but the driving is very cool). Rick

[1985 CCX]

Check out Cobrajeff's ERA FIA = SWEEEEET!!!!! BOSS351



I run a Boss351 since 1985. My car originally had 427FE, then 351w, and the Boss still remains as the third plant under the hood.



CSX2498. '69 Boss 302. Installed Fall 1969 and removed Fall 2002


Here is another CCX with one:

[Rick Parker]

Notice the mechanical fan in the last picture? Yikes!!!

[McD00]

Those Boss engines have to be one of the nicest looking engines out there.


McVette

[427sharpe]

The Boss 351 would be the way to go....all of the positives of the B302 (power and strength) and none of the negatives (rpm required, powerband). Of course, you could just save the effort and put in a Boss 429;
But, take my word....it damn sure aint an easy 'bolt in' and you are gonna have some nice, hot feet in a recontoured footbox.

[CHRIS955]

I'm very please with the helpful community spirit here on ClubCobra.Thanks
I'll be building a vintage Boss 302 (331 stroker). Intake manifold selection is the only qestion at this point.I'll lookfor 2x4,750 dominator,or Webbers,,something weird..

[KevinM]

If I remember right, when Shelby had his personal 289 Cobra spiffied up in the early 70's, he had a basically stock Boss 351 installed in place of the 289. The car originally had an automatic transmission, which they kept with the new motor.

Kevin

[gt500bill]

Originally Posted by CHRIS955

I'm very please with the helpful community spirit here on ClubCobra.Thanks
I'll be building a vintage Boss 302 (331 stroker). Intake manifold selection is the only qestion at this point.I'll lookfor 2x4,750 dominator,or Webbers,,something weird..

How about something weird like a 1400 cfm inline carb with a cross boss manifold? Boss car it came with is long gone but the carb and intake setup is still around...

[BossCER]

Originally Posted by gt500bill

How about something weird like a 1400 cfm inline carb with a cross boss manifold? Boss car it came with is long gone but the carb and intake setup is still around...

Very, very cool Bill

[Cobrabill]

Originally Posted by CHRIS955

I'm very please with the helpful community spirit here on ClubCobra.Thanks
I'll be building a vintage Boss 302 (331 stroker). Intake manifold selection is the only qestion at this point.I'll lookfor 2x4,750 dominator,or Webbers,,something weird..

Think long & hard and do your homework first.Figure out where you'll spend most of your time(RPM wise).Then look where the motor will make it's power.Large-valved small-CI motors generally make a poor choice for street driving.Rear gear choice will be critical with this motor.

[gt500bill]

Originally Posted by Cobrabill

Think long & hard and do your homework first.Figure out where you'll spend most of your time(RPM wise).Then look where the motor will make it's power.Large-valved small-CI motors generally make a poor choice for street driving.Rear gear choice will be critical with this motor.

Stock gears on a Boss car were 3:91's. which kept the r's up.

[roadrunner_sf]

Intake manifold selection is pretty important when working with the Cleveland motor and trying to make usable low-end torque. The old FPP #4145(?) is my favorite but the BOSS 351 manifold is another good choice.

Wait! All of you are talking 4V heads, right?

Exhaust side port plates are another good addition unless you are going to raise the exhaust ports...

Remember, those lovely 2.19/1.71 valves aren't much good it the air doesn't get to/away from them.

I also have had excellent results using custom ground cams based on the CFM flow of the heads and only so-so results when using off-the-shelf cams, including retro-fit hydraulic roller cam setups.

[lovehamr]

Kevin, as a long time Boss 302 owner/driver/racer the first thing I have to say is don't worry about the low end torque in your 2000# car. If all you're doing with is putt putting around then maybe another engine would be a better choice, but if you want to fly then the Boss will do it for you. As for the specifics on cam/intake/head choices, the best resource available on the net is http://www.boss302.com/smf/ If I were you I'd join that forum as well because there are lots of knowledgeable guys over there on Bosses just like all the Cobra guys over here.

Dual quad;


Another Cross-Boss;


How about IR injection?


Mini Plenum, probably the best intake for a vintage type Boss. All the 70 T/A cars used them;


Another Mini Plenum;


My Boss;

BaaaaHaaaa!!!!!!!!!

Here’s a little better but dirty one;


Hope all this stuff helped. I think an FIA with a screaming Boss motor would be a killer. There’s nothing quite like the sound of a Boss at full song on the far side of 7k! If you need any specifics or contact info not listed on the Boss site let me know.

Steve

[birddog]

Chris955,

I own the ERA 289 FIA (#2009) with the original 1969 BOSS 302 mentioned by Rickd. The FIA / BOSS 302 / Richmond 4+1 / 3.08 rear is a great combination. The unique characteristics of the BOSS 302 does take a little practice. The engine is much different than what I had in my 2004 supercharged SVT Cobra Mustang! But, different does not mean slower The car is quicker than the SVT , handles like on rails and a thrill to drive. I believe the moderate low-end torque really helps w/ the launch. Once launched, I cruise at fairly high revs (2000-2500) to remain close to the engine's sweet spot. The SVT was very difficult to launch w/ the huge low-end torque and the primitive IRS suspension. I replaced my SVT w/ a S2000. The FIA drives like a S2000 on serious steroids. I do not race the car, just enjoy it on country roads in RI. The engine has 1970 BOSS 302 heads, BOSS Hi-rise manifold, Crane camshaft & roller rockers, TRW original style pistons and Canton road race pan.