u/StudioHouse43

Target: reliable ~650rwhp

Build:
Stage 2 Gen 6 Whipple 3.0L Kit
MGW Short Shifter
McLeod RST Clutch / Steel Flywheel
Boundary Billet OPG / Crank Sprocket
Stainless Steel Clutch Line
Motorcraft 5W-50
Motorcraft FL500S oil filter
ARP harmonic balancer bolt
ARP flywheel bolts
Engine coolant
Slave cylinder
Pilot bearing
NGK 6510 spark plugs set of 8
VMP breakout harness
Valve cover gaskets set
Timing cover set
Brake fluid

For Fun / Aesthetic:
SC Foster Whine Mod
Cobalt Gauges (A/F, Boost, Oil Pressure)
Ford Racing Center Dash Gauge Pod

Car is currently bone stock with Roush axle backs. Build is for a fun and reliable street car for weekend drives, errands and occasional road trips. Needs to be CARB compliant so no aftermarket custom tune unfortunately, same with exhaust. Likely will go different wheels / tires then suspension. I’m not racing or launching this car so not going to touch the driveline and will see how long the MT82 can handle spirited drives before I’d have to upgrade to a T56 XL

How’s my “Boost my Boss” shopping list? My car is bone stock. Goal is a reliable ~600rwhp street / weekend cruiser.

-Stage 1 Whipple Kit ($9500)
-SC Foster Whine Mod ($200)
-MGW Shifter ($520)
-McLeod RST Clutch / Steel Flywheel ($1400)
-Boundary Billet OPG / Crank Sprocket ($450)
-Cobalt Gauges (A/F, Boost, Oil Pressure) ($500)
-Ford Racing Center Dash Gauge Pod ($250)
-Engine oil, coolant

If you were to sink in another couple grand, what would you go for? Wheels/tires? Driveshaft? Suspension/LCA/UCA/Springs? Cooling?

I live in CA so my exhaust setup is Roush Axle Back and side pipe resonator/plate delete. Can’t do much else.

Disclaimer: In all seriousness, no I’m not moving states, and I’m not trying to turn this into a political debate. If your only advice is “leave California,” don’t even bother commenting lol

I’ve had my bone stock 2012 Competition Orange Boss 302 25k miles for about a month now. Love the car, love the RoadRunner motor, but I want more. I came from an ’03 Cobra and really miss that TVS/roots style blower scream. Naturally looked at Kenne Bell Mammoth and VMP Odin, but from what I can tell, neither has a CARB EO for the Boss specifically, only GT applications. Which hopefully there is a work around there.

That basically leaves me looking at the Whipple Gen 6 3.0. On paper it’s probably the better/more efficient setup, but I’m worried it won’t give me the sound and drama I actually want. Not really interested in going centrifugal. I get why it works well on these cars, but if I’m spending the money, I want the blower experience.

Car is just a fun weekend street car. Not trying to build a drag car, dyno queen, or grenade the MT82. So for the Boss/S197 guys.. what would you do? Is Whipple the obvious answer here, or am I missing a CARB-legal TVS/roots option for the Boss?