Boss 290

[sambo]

I've been offered a Ford Boss 290 out of a current model GT Falcon for substantially less than what the L76 was going to cost me.

Staying away from the Ford/Chev argument for a sec, can you guys give me any info on this motor with regards to performance, economy, how easy to work on, aftermarket parts, etc. How does it sit in the Cobra engine bay, etc.

I'll be researching myself but this engine won't stick around so the sooner I make up my mind the better. I'll need to get an ECU, loom and gearbox as well.

Thanks in advance

[Rebel1]

Samba, to be honest with you...I looked very seriously at both the 4.6 and 5.4 ford engines prior to investing in the L76.

The are both great engines........ but they are huge. The 5.4 is also exceptionally heavy.

I could have squeezed the 4.6 into the RMC engine bay given that I had already performed surgery to my footboxes. But it would have left little room to get to things like spark plugs and to make any sort of decent headers without bending up the pipes too tight.

I believe there are a few of the 4.6 engines installed (check out Blair on here) and a couple of 5.4's down south, but to me the headaches to make them fit was just not worth it.

There was also the possibly of upgrading performance in the future. To put a cam in the GM's is one cam.....not so fords.

The list goes on......however, these were only my deliberations and would/could be totally different to some others.

Having said that.....believe me, I know the anguish you are going thru. I have a ford 302, a ford 5Ltr, and a 351W in the shed all of which fitted the RMC beautifully.

In the end the authorities beat me with EPA requirments.

[dbn04]

one thing, they are a very wide motor, make sure its gonna fit in the chassis you get, performance wise i found them to be a little sluggish on take off but when the revs got up , i know you dont wana compare but at the time i was deciding on the 6 ltr malloo and the boss 290, i went with the maloo, just my opion tho
good luck,

[sambo]

Size and weight alone are starting to put me off. The same "long" Chev motor will set me back another $3000, plus it will be brand new and all alloy. Thanks for the info... my mind's made up.

[NASSTY]

Sambo,
I understand the anguish you are going though. I seriously looked at the Boss for my RCM, but engineering concessions and the availability of the motor I chose changed my mind. Unfortunately you don't get that choice. It's a tight fit but it can be done, in a RCM at least. If you have the will you will find the way.

Before you decide which motor you really need to decide which kit first. Some kits will fit Ford cammers some will need to be modded or won't.

The good thing about a Boss in a cobra is the bottom end grunt (or lack thereof) is no where near as obvious in a 1100-1200kg car compared to the 1800kg donor.


Les, with all those Ford bits lying on the floor did you consider using a 4.0 six (they're cheap) for rego and swap later on? (oops, I didn't say that! )

Cheers

[Churchy]

Sambo,

My daily driver is a BF XR8 with the 5.4 litre engine. Great engine, heaps of power and its a real fun car to drive.

In the cobra I have an LS1, and when measuring across the top of the engine it is about 600mm, which fits nicely in the engine bay (classic Revival). The 5.4 ltr is about 900 across the top and is huge. Both in height (hence the bonnet bulge) and in width. Enormous engine. The Boss weighs about 300 kg's and the LS1 about 200 kg's. Hope this helps.

Cheers

[sambo]

Nassty, I'm waiting on my Harrison kit to be built and I think he originally set them up for the Ford in addition to the *cough* Chev more recently, so that wouldn't have been a problem.

But Churchy, another 100kg weight saving is a gift from above, not just in acceleration but cornering and braking as well. I intend to learn how to race in this thing so that definitely seals it for the *cough* Chev.

[Rebel1]

Originally Posted by NASSTY

The good thing about a Boss in a cobra is the bottom end grunt (or lack thereof) is no where near as obvious in a 1100-1200kg car compared to the 1800kg donor. Cheers

Or conversly, the actual high grunt of SOME motors is a delight to experience.

Originally Posted by NASSTY

Les, with all those Ford bits lying on the floor did you consider using a 4.0 six (they're cheap) for rego and swap later on? (oops, I didn't say that! ) Cheers

hehehehehe, actually I looked a a $hitload of options Al, some of which were very norty, but I decided that I didn't wanna worry about gettin pulled up in the soon to increase QDOT attention to these things.

[NASSTY]

Originally Posted by Rebel1

Or conversly, the actual high grunt of SOME motors is a delight to experience.

Yep, couldn't agree more. Looking forward to testing my 347 against your recycled beer cans!

[Rebel1]

Originally Posted by NASSTY

Yep, couldn't agree more. Looking forward to testing my 347 against your recycled beer cans!

Yeah, but guess what Uncle Al, I get to drink the cans before recycling them.

In fact, I'm gonna start lobbying the federal legislators to recognize the contribution to the environment that alloy block owners make to global stability. )

[David Hodgson]

Crickey Les, haven't I warned you about consumin' stuff out of alloy recepticals

[Rebel1]

Originally Posted by David Hodgson

Crickey Les, haven't I warned you about consumin' stuff out of alloy recepticals

Ermmmm....wot....who are you

Is my memory failing me?

Today is Wednesday....right?

[boss290cobra]

sambo how much was the 290 going for,did it come with a box or stand alone, and out of what year did it come,
whats 100kgs difference gonna make when you supercharge it anyway,


darrell

[sambo]

Check your messages Darrell.

[Aussie Mike]

Originally Posted by boss290cobra

whats 100kgs difference gonna make when you supercharge it anyway,

About 150KG by the time you bolt the blower on. Possibly more if you're running an intercooler.

Cheers

[Blair]

Originally Posted by dbn04

one thing, they are a very wide motor, make sure its gonna fit in the chassis you get, performance wise i found them to be a little sluggish on take off but when the revs got up , i know you dont wana compare but at the time i was deciding on the 6 ltr malloo and the boss 290, i went with the maloo, just my opion tho
good luck,

Yep they are very wide! Yep the 5.4 iron block is heavy!

I own 4 ( 3 x alloy 4.6, 1 x iron 5.4) ford quad cam engines. One of the 4.6s is in a Mustang Cobra the other in my Shelby Cobra. Identical engines, however once you minus 700 kilograms they seem to be different beasts.

The only way you could compare a 5.4 and a LS7 is if you went for an alloy block instead of an iron block. Then at least the weight would be comparable & price would probably end up being similar. Also the old saying holds true, 'there is no replacement for displacement' so you may as well stroke it to 6 liters.

Also if any of you do decide to go the 5.4 option and can get the 290kw V the 260kw engine don't think twice. It may say there is only 30kws difference but in reality there is a massive difference!

After saying all of this the only reason I decided to go Ford Quad Cam is the way they take boost! I own a Supercharged 5.4 and have driven a 6 liter Holden with the identical supercharger kit and the quad cam seemed to 'like' the boost more (just the way the power came on).

I am amazed that with all this Ford V Holden debate that the Cobra builders who want a Ford in their Cobra don't look to America for inspiration. The 3v 4.6 engine looks pretty good! Relatively cheap, Euro 4 and seeing it has 3 valve heads alot smaller (ie wide). 4.6 Alloy blocks are alot cheaper as well because their is such demand for them in the states.

[Blair]

Originally Posted by Rebel1

I believe there are a few of the 4.6 engines installed (check out Blair on here) and a couple of 5.4's down south, but to me the headaches to make them fit was just not worth it.

There was also the possibly of upgrading performance in the future. To put a cam in the GM's is one cam.....not so fords.

He is right my 4.6 cam covers are so close to my chasis it ain't funny, let alone a 5.4.

And seeing they are Quad Cam a set of Comp cams cost at best $1000 American.

All good points

[Ant]

Whats wrong with a windsor alloy block with Canted valve heads, done properly, still 24" (600mm) wide, and 600+bhp available on pump gas, very light, and you can get some good Nascar bits for these engines, and pick and match to your requirements, but probably quite expensive as I have found out!!
I would have used an FE Alloy 427 in this car but the upper chassis tubes are to close to the engine, but I tell myself why settle for that old technology when I can have 2005 Nascar technology in a 1960's Block etc

Another good option that has become available, but still hard to get is the latest (wash my mouth out) GM LS7, 505bhp of one helluva engine, leave it stock and you have power and economy, I think one was up on ebay for USD$13000. My old Cobra had an LS7 BBC, and that thing would rip the t*ts off most other cars with Hilborne injection etc, and I would think the latest LS7 would make a good road race engine, just for 505bhp in a light package!

[Aussie Mike]

A great motor Ant but the problem is it won't meet our stringent emissions laws. Unfortunately choices are limited over here.

The LS7 would probably pass but it'll probably carry an AU$ 20K price tag by the time you land one down under.

Cheers

[Rebel1]

Originally Posted by Aussie Mike

The LS7 would probably pass but it'll probably carry an AU$ 20K price tag by the time you land one down under.

Cheers

And add another $A6000.00 as the LS7 is dry sumped and you still need all the other ancilliary bits and pieces. PCM, harness etc etc.