K
Kit Sullivan
Guest
The '72 HO "R"- code engine has long been heralded as an "almost-BOSS 351" and talked about in revered language, while the '72 CJ "Q"-code engine has enjoyed less respect.
The HO was rated at 275 hp, while the CJ is rated at 266. Not a huge difference, to be sure.
The HO-equipped '72 Mustang was at best a low-to-mid 15 second car....nothing really spectacular when considering it had a 3.91 rear gear.
I have driven a few BOSS 351s over the years, as well as a couple '72 HOs. There really is no comparison...the HO is NOT in the same league as the BOSS 351.
Acceleration in the BOSS is ferocious...not so much in the HO.
Considering that the 3.50 gear is the stoutest available in a CJ, it is understandable that the 3.91-equipped HO would be the quicker of the two.
But I think it is the 3.91 vs the 3.50 that makes the difference, not so much the HO vs the CJ. Put a 3.91 in a CJ with a 4-speed, I am sure It will run near-identically to an HO Mustang.
And I am talking about stock engines with all emissions and timing adjustments as from the factory. A few very sime tweaks ( especially to cam timing and the ignition system) and a CJ or an HO can easily keep pace with a stock BOSS 351.
The HO was rated at 275 hp, while the CJ is rated at 266. Not a huge difference, to be sure.
The HO-equipped '72 Mustang was at best a low-to-mid 15 second car....nothing really spectacular when considering it had a 3.91 rear gear.
I have driven a few BOSS 351s over the years, as well as a couple '72 HOs. There really is no comparison...the HO is NOT in the same league as the BOSS 351.
Acceleration in the BOSS is ferocious...not so much in the HO.
Considering that the 3.50 gear is the stoutest available in a CJ, it is understandable that the 3.91-equipped HO would be the quicker of the two.
But I think it is the 3.91 vs the 3.50 that makes the difference, not so much the HO vs the CJ. Put a 3.91 in a CJ with a 4-speed, I am sure It will run near-identically to an HO Mustang.
And I am talking about stock engines with all emissions and timing adjustments as from the factory. A few very sime tweaks ( especially to cam timing and the ignition system) and a CJ or an HO can easily keep pace with a stock BOSS 351.
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