You CAN teach old engines new tricks, even the iconic ones. In this video, our pal Richard Holdener talks about waking up a Boss 302 engine, not a modern overhead camshaft version but the classic small block developed for the world of Trans-Am competition in the late 1960s and early 1970s. These things had huge valves, free flowing heads, and good induction from the factory as well. They were as underrated (maybe ever moreso) than the Chevrolet 302 of the era as this was the peak of the factory involvement in racing and their engineering achievements certainly proved that out.
So the engine in question is based off of a 302 two-bolt block. It wears legit Boss 302 heads, a real Boss 302 intake manifold, and an carb that is right around where the factory one would have been in terms of CFM volume. With headers the engine made 373hp, which is awesome for a 302ci piece that was developed more than 50 years ago. And that’s the trick.
See, engineers at COMP have learned LOTS in 50 years and just because the guys back in the late 1960s did it one way does not mean it is the best way, considering the accumulated knowledge from then until now. The interesting thing is not IF this engine picks up power, not HOW MUCH power it picks up, but where it makes additional power. The big valves and big ports kind of ankle these engines down low so additional power in those areas comes in really handy.
Hit play below to see the results of the test!
Always wondered how much a better cam would add to a Boss 302 with the (too) big factory heads. I was kinda surprised that it only added 30 HP but then I remembered that they added headers to the ”stock” engine which artificially inflated the stock numbers. It would be interesting to see what a similarly set up Chev DZ 302 from the Z28 would make as a comparison. As compared to the Boss 302, the Z28 motor had a pretty decent solid lifter cam but terrible heads which choked it. I suspect that with modern heads the numbers would be very comparable. They were both very hot little engines that gave cars with big blocks all they could handle.
LSA way way
too big. Needs 106 and much more duration on exhaust.