At the base of Pikes Peak in Colorado, you can find a shop that gets visits from an unlikely combination of vehicles, sometimes ranging from a US Rally-specification Subaru WRX to a Mercedes Benz-powered Freightliner. As events, like Speed Week at Bonneville or the Race to the Clouds at Pikes Peak approach on the calendar, the activity becomes more frantic. If you miss one of those times, you'd likely find a '93 Cobra under reconstruction, being modified with a reworked 750 HP ex-NASCAR motor ... reworked because it's about to be fitted with an F2 supercharger - target 1100 HP. All of these exotic projects have one thing in common: heat.
Matt Snow has built a business around keeping these competitors, and their vehicles, cool. The same applies to you too. Snow Performance, out of Woodland Park, CO, delivers some of the best products available for water-methanol injection. These provide a 'chemical intercooling' effect for high performance vehicles, essentially allowing you to turn up the wick while keeping deadly detonation at bay. It's no wonder then that when he got a new project car, Matt Snow was going to add a bunch of heat to it.
As you can see in the photos, he decided to build a BOSS 302 tribute vehicle in the decidedly historic Screaming Yellow livery. The car was also going to play a significant role as a demonstrator and test vehicle for his company's Boost Cooler product line. Because of this, the car had to be memorable in virtually every aspect of its concept and execution. On the car's styling, Matt told us, "The 2005-06 Mustang has strong visual cues to the 1969 BOSS 302 and I wanted to develop this concept."
To start on this, the first place he contacted was Classic Design Concepts, of Novi, MI, for their aggressive front chin spoiler. Finished in a satin black, the piece is hugely reminiscent of the BOSS's own chin spoiler. Next followed a set of rear window louvers, from MRT-Direct in Plymouth, MI. These were original equipment on the first BOSS cars and MRT's product continued the theme for Matt's efforts. MRT's stylish and functional louvers complete the natural lines of this Mustang. They are designed with easy lift up for window cleaning and installation is simple and easy and quick. Adding some blacked-out areas at the paint shop, along with custom cut side stripes and the transformation was almost complete.
What's Inside Counts
The original BOSS delivered on its performance theme with a four-barrel version of the 302 cid motor, or the venerable 429 cid big block engine. The former provided 290 HP while the latter brought 375 HP to the party. Well, that was then and this is now.This BOSS was going to demonstrate its authority based on a Garrett 62-1 turbocharger. An external wastegate would limit the non-intercooled power adder to 8 psi of boost. Appropriate tuning, in conjunction with the company's Boost Cooler product would do the rest.
For the installation and dyno tuning, Matt hooked up with Revolutions Tuning in Colorado Springs. Matt supplied them with the Boost Cooler Kit, a Stage-2 MAF and seven quart reservoir for the water/methanol mixture. In conjunction with a Diablo Sport Predator flash tuner, they were able to coax a reliable 530 RWHP out of the car. That's some dose of authority, especially on 91-octane fuel!
The way these Boost Cooler products work is to inject a water and methanol mixture - which could be as simple as windshield washer fluid - into the air intake system. Evaporation of the water and methanol requires heat, which comes from the intake charge and it gets cooled as a result. With cooler air going into the engine, more fuel can be added, which delivers more power. Of course, once you have detonation under control, you can investigate changes in timing, fuel mixture and boost pressure, to meet your power objectives. The interior remains decidedly original, save for the installation of critical information delivery, courtesy of Auto Meter-supplied boost pressure and air/fuel ratio gauges.
While supercharging has been historically popular within the Mustang community, Boost Cooler products apply equally well to turbocharged engines, or diesels for that matter. Matt chose to take the turbocharging route with this Pony. While he has told us before that methanol injection can allow a non-intercooled car to run as high as 12 psi, he chose to keep things at a sane 8 psi level during the car's development.
Even at that level, the Garrett 62-1 turbo unit digs in early, providing lots of low-end torque. "It just keeps pulling," Matt told us, explaining that he's had far more powerful cars, but as a daily driver, this one is a lot more fun. The overall presentation of this Mustang is certainly enhanced by the rolling stock. Diablo Wheels supplied the 20 x 9-inch Delta Force rims, which are shod with 255/35-20 Goodyears in front and 295/40-20 versions out back. The BOSS has been to three different car shows and came home with either Best in Class or People's Choice awards from every one.
Modifying Mustangs is certainly an exercise in personal expression. For some, wild, over-the-top customization is the name of the game. For others, there is a particular delight in building a capable, fun, daily driver that still drops jaws wherever it goes. Matt Snow's BOSS tribute car does all of these things - quickly and well. You will be able to check it out yourself if you're going to the 2007 SEMA Show in Las Vegas this year. After that, it's hard to say what plans might emerge. One possibility is that this BOSS might make a short trip to the 2008 Barrett-Jackson Auction. After all, for many Mustang owners, modifications are the journey, not the destination. It may be that this BOSS will just be continuing its journey.
Specifications
Matt Snow's 2005 Mustang GT
Engine
Ford 4.6-liter SOHC aluminum V8
Engine Modifications
DiabloSport Predator flash tuner, Garrett 62-1 turbocharger with external wastegate, Snow Performance Boost Cooler water/methanol injection system, Stage 2 MAF kit, 7 qt. reservoir, Safe Injection controller
Exterior
Classic Design Concepts' chin spoiler, MRT rear window louvers, custom 'BOSS 302' stripes and blackout paint treatment
Interior
Auto Meter boost pressure and air/fuel ratio gauges
Wheels And Tires
Diablo Delta Force 20 x 9" wheels with Goodyear 255/35-20 front tires and 295/40-20 rear
Acknowledgements
Installation and dyno work was done by Revolutions Tuning LLC, Colorado Springs, CO. Tuning gear and expertise was supplied by DiabloSport of DelRay Beach, FL. Vehicle acquisition support was provided by Phil Long Ford, Colorado Springs, CO.