What’s better Boss 302 or a GT350?

[galaxy]

Tramlining is all tire. I have completely eliminated tramlining on this car (350) with nothing but a tire swap. I agree with most comments abound in here, but a S197 done right is quite a treat. I agree with most comments abound in here, but a 197 is a better built car over the 550 platform. Everything said about the 350 is correct, but no way would I ever have a S550 (non 350) over a 197. The panel fitment, fit and finish, the quality of the doors shutting; everything about my 197 is better in that regard. Can’t imagine the joys of a Boss. Hope to add one.

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[I Bleed Ford Blue]

Just get a 21-23 mach 1, they have a standard coyote at 480 hp, the same tremec as the 350, and a mix of 350/500 suspension.

 

[PP0001]

In my opinion, the GT350 is a no brainer in this comparison if you are using either lightly as a street car.

The GT350 rides better. It's not even close. The SRA Mustangs (especially the Boss) have very stiff suspension and they skip around over rough pavement. The GT350 handles better. The suspension is more compliant but also grips more effectively in corners, especially on rougher pavement.

The brake feel on the GT350 is worlds better. The Tremec in the GT350 is a lot better than the early MT82s. I've owned a few and they were always crunchy.

And, if you buy a tech pack GT350, the interior is much nicer.

Engine sound is a matter of taste, but I think the GT350 is much better in this department as well. The option to click a toggle and open up the exhaust is a lot of fun. I would be irritated to unbolt the Boss 302s block off plates. Active exhaust is well worth it in my opinion.

I would not compare to a regular S550 GT. The suspension is complete mush on all of them. Even the PP1 optioned cars are very soft and I think you will find that the body motions are excessive. Although, compared to a Boss 302, they might not seem too terrible. But the GT350 has really well-damped body movements - even on track.

The one thing about the GT350 that bothers some people that I think is legitimate is the tramlining. It will grab the road contours and try to turn sometimes. I didn't find it to be a big deal. I just let the car find its groove. I think other people have more trouble with this. Some of them have swapped tires or changed alignment to reduce the effect.

Just to be clear are you comparing a 2012/2013 Boss 302 Laguna Seca model with a 4-seat Mustang Shelby GT350 model or a GT350R 2-seat model?

As far as being irritated by removing the Boss 302 side exhaust baffle plates, not sure what to say about your response centered around that elementary and very simple process!

Not sure how much ownership and seat time that you have had in a 2012/2013 Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca model and skipping around over rough pavement but would be interested to know?

Would also be interested to know how often you have experienced a 2012/2013 Boss 302 Laguna Seca at the 7,500 RPM redline with quad exhaust and the TracKey engaged along with the side exhaust baffle plates removed V a Mustang GT350/R at the 8,250 RPM redline with active exhaust engaged as the aural engagement is incredible on both sides of the coin?

 

[Blue 350]

Personally I’ve not had a Boss however as I had a 12 GT 500 SVTPP I can say that the ride and handling with a solid axle is not the best on anything that has bumps vs a GT 350 or R which are really planted in the corners regardless.

 

[Hack]

Just to be clear are you comparing a 2012/2013 Boss 302 Laguna Seca model with a 4-seat Mustang Shelby GT350 model or a GT350R 2-seat model?

As far as being irritated by removing the Boss 302 side exhaust baffle plates, not sure what to say about your response centered around that elementary and very simple process!

Not sure how much ownership and seat time that you have had in a 2012/2013 Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca model and skipping around over rough pavement but would be interested to know?

Would also be interested to know how often you have experienced a 2012/2013 Boss 302 Laguna Seca at the 7,500 RPM redline with quad exhaust and the TracKey engaged along with the side exhaust baffle plates removed V a Mustang GT350/R at the 8,250 RPM redline with active exhaust engaged as the aural engagement is incredible on both sides of the coin?

I'm surprised you think unbolting a plate from the exhaust is not less convenient than hitting a toggle to open it. I would often open and close the exhaust multiple times in my daily commute in the GT350 - something you couldn't do in the Boss.

I have zero time in any Boss, but I daily drove a 2011 GT with the Brembo brake option. The spring rate is between the regular GT and Boss. It was much more harsh than a GT350 and felt borderline unsafe at times on my local roads due to skipping around on rough surfaces. Just from the stats I know the Boss won't have a softer ride and I have plenty of hours in the Mustang SRA platform to understand how it drives.

Most of my time is in a GT350 - over 3 years daily driving, but I have driven an R. There is a difference you can immediately feel, but it's not that significant compared to the difference between the SRA and IRS Mustang platforms. Springs and shocks don't change the basic driving characteristics of the platform.

One thing I could have said is I preferred the seats in the 2011 GT over the 2015+, but that doesn't apply to the Boss Recaros. I don't really like the Recaros. I would be comparing the base seats in the two vehicles.

 

[svttim]

Just get a 21-23 mach 1, they have a standard coyote at 480 hp, the same tremec as the 350, and a mix of 350/500 suspension.

Ah, comprises

 

[mick289]

Thank all Of you got your responses. I owned at 12 KB Boss fo 12 years. Absolutely loved the cat. With all that I have absorbed from your comments I sold my Boss. I’m now searching for a 19-20 350. Thanks very much

 

[PP0001]

Thank all Of you got your responses. I owned at 12 KB Boss fo 12 years. Absolutely loved the cat. With all that I have absorbed from your comments I sold my Boss. I’m now searching for a 19-20 350. Thanks very much

Paul, congratulations on selling you 2012 Kona Blue Boss 302 and now time for a new automotive journey with a Mustang Shelby GT350!

Good luck with your search for a 2019/2020 GT350 but would encourage you to also keep an open mind for a 2015-2018 GT350 example as well as there are some very cool colors to choose from especially when Ford launched 3 brand new exterior color choices for the 2017 MY?

Was fortunate to own a couple 2015 examples along with 3 Base R models from the 2016, 2017 and 2018 MY's and had absolutely no issues with respect to oil consumption and/or blow by if that is a concern of yours?

Whatever direction that you take, let us know how you made out and send some pictures of your new ride!

 

[mick289]

Paul, congratulations on selling you 2012 Kona Blue Boss 302 and now time for a new automotive journey with a Mustang Shelby GT350!

Good luck with your search for a 2019/2020 GT350 but would encourage you to also keep an open mind for a 2015-2018 GT350 example as well as there are some very cool colors to choose from especially when Ford launched 3 brand new exterior color choices for the 2017 MY?

Was fortunate to own a couple 2015 examples along with 3 Base R models from the 2016, 2017 and 2018 MY's and had absolutely no issues with respect to oil consumption and/or blow by if that is a concern of yours?

Whatever direction that you take, let us know how you made out and send some pictures of your new ride!

I just keep looking and looking. Really want a Rapid Red Kona Blue or if all else fails black. Owners of the first two colors seem to keep the price above black cars. My search continues I know what I want I just don’t want to pay for it. One question that just came across my bow was how do you know if the motor was replaced and was it replaced with a gen 2. Does Ford send you a letter? Is there something denoting an engine change under hood?

 

[svttim]

I just keep looking and looking. Really want a Rapid Red Kona Blue or if all else fails black. Owners of the first two colors seem to keep the price above black cars. My search continues I know what I want I just don’t want to pay for it. One question that just came across my bow was how do you know if the motor was replaced and was it replaced with a gen 2. Does Ford send you a letter? Is there something denoting an engine change under hood?

I just saw a Kona blue boss on Marketplace

 

[PP0001]

I just keep looking and looking. Really want a Rapid Red Kona Blue or if all else fails black. Owners of the first two colors seem to keep the price above black cars. My search continues I know what I want I just don’t want to pay for it. One question that just came across my bow was how do you know if the motor was replaced and was it replaced with a gen 2. Does Ford send you a letter? Is there something denoting an engine change under hood?

There are a couple of ways in order to determine if a GT350/R has had an engine replacement.

When looking at any particular Gt350/R, I suggest obtaining an Oasis Report which any Ford dealership should be able to provide you with.

Each Oasis Report will determine exactly when both warranties started and when they will end. It will also confirm the built date along with details of any warranty work done on any given vehicle such as an engine replacement.

The other way to determine if you are looking at a matching numbers engine or transmission example is to get the vehicle in question on a lift after which time you should be able to confirm the last 8 digits of the VIN on the engine block pad and the transmission block pad located on the housing of the TR-3160.

Good luck going forward!

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