Ford announced at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA)
show that it is reviving the legendary 5.0-liter 302 cubic inch V-8
engine for the aftermarket with a new line of BOSS 302 crate engines,
which will go on sale in early 2007.
Making its debut in
1969, the original BOSS 302 powered a limited production Mustang model
sold for two years, which was known as the BOSS 302. The car got its
name from the legendary engine that powered the Mustang to a Sports Car
Club of American Trans-Am series win in 1970.
“The original BOSS 302 was a race winning engine. Sharing the DNA
from the original BOSS 302, the new BOSS 302 begins with a block
designed with racing in mind from the beginning,” said Jamie Allison,
manager, Ford Racing Performance Group. “Whether racing in a sealed
engine class, building an all-out drag racing engine or looking for a
street performer, the BOSS 302 block and engine family meets the needs
of all Ford 302 enthusiasts at a price that is comparable to a
performance-prepped stock 302.”
The new Ford Racing
Performance Parts BOSS 302 line was conceived because there was an
unmet need for engines built from a block stronger than original
regular production 302 blocks but more affordable than full
race-prepped blocks. The new BOSS 302 engine block features greater
strength than most race blocks and offers a street-capable cooling
system design, something that race specific blocks tend to sacrifice.
Despite its strength and capability, the new BOSS 302 line is
surprisingly affordable because of its high volume production. And
since it was designed within Ford Motor Company, the engine also
benefits from the improved quality and durability that comes with a
production type engine.
“The original BOSS 302 delivered
less than 300 hp. Today, enthusiasts are making 500 hp street cars and
they need a robust block. Race-specific blocks offer the strength
required but cool poorly for street use and are very expensive for the
average enthusiast,” says Allison.
Built from the all new
BOSS 302 block, the BOSS crate engines feature performance and
packaging that accommodate displacements from 302 to 363 cubic inches.
Entry level engines feature the Ford Racing GT-40X Xtra Performance
Turbo Swirl aluminum heads to retain stock exhaust locations and are
rated at 340 and 345 hp. Higher performance versions include Ford
Racing's “Z”-head equipped 302 and 347 cubic inch engines rated between
360 and 450 hp, depending on configuration. The BOSS engine series is
capped by a 500 hp 331 cubic inch engine that showcases the capability
of the new block by breathing through all new ported Z-heads.
Features that separate the new BOSS 302 from its competition include:
- 4-bolt mains for lower-end stability at high power outputs
- High-tin 41,000 PSI tensile strength iron alloy for ultimate strength
- Nodular iron main caps for additional strength
- Screw-in freeze plugs for additional more strength and stability
- Front cross-over lifter oiling for high RPM valvetrain capability
-
Siamese bores with specifically engineered drillings between cylinders
for maximum wall stability and gasket sealing with street capable
cooling performance
The suggested retail price for
the BOSS 302 block is and affordable $1,759, with BOSS engines ranging
from $4,650 to $10,000 for the 500 hp BOSS 331 cubic inch engines. The
engines come with a 12 month/12,000 mile limited warranty.
Like the original Boss 302 that was engineered for Trans Am racing, the
new BOSS 302 features trickle down performance from racing in the
American Speed Association (ASA) Late Model circle track series. A
sealed circle track version of a 347 cubic inch BOSS engine will be
available both for ASA and NASCAR circle track racers in time for the
2007 season.
