Performance Review: Ford Mustang Boss 351 5.7 V8 - [1971]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Mustang Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Mustang Boss 351 5.7 V8 is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1971. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1971 Chevrolet Corvette C3 ZR2 Stingray 7.4 V8 Convertible and the 1971 Ford Mustang 351 5.8 V8 Convertible.This particular Ford Mustang has a 5766cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The Mustang shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Mustang's Rear Wheel Drive, Fastback combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1615 kgs (3560 lbs) this makes the Ford Mustang Boss 351 5.7 V8 in the same weight category as the 2022 BMW Z4 M40i 3.0 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Ford Mustang shares the same bhp with the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp)

In terms of power the 5766cc 16V V8 engine produces 330 bhp (246 kW) @ 5400 rpm similar to the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (340 bhp) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (348 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 370 lb-ft (501.6 Nm) @ 4000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (369 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (369 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Ford Mustang you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2006 BMW Alpina B3 3.0 Bi Turbo (229.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Mustang.

The Ford Mustang has a Power to weight ratio of 204.3 bhp per ton and 229.1 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1971 Mustang competing with the 2006 BMW Alpina B3 3.0 Bi Turbo (229.2 bhp per ton) or the 2017 Maserati GranCabrio Sport 4.7 V8 (229.2 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Ford Mustang generating around 229.1 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2017 BMW 5 Series M5 F10 (254.1 lb-ft per ton) or the 2002 Holden HSV GTS Supercharger (254.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.0 secs, this made the Ford Mustang Boss 351 5.7 V8 as fast as the 2021 KIA K5 GT 2.5 Turbo (5.80 secs) the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD 3.5 V6 (5.80 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon ST Cupra 300 DSG (5.80 secs) the or the 2017 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 280 (5.80 secs). This Ford Mustang Boss 351 5.7 V8 is also faster than the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic Wagon (5.90 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic (5.90 secs) the 2017 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (5.90 secs) the and the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 280 (5.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Mustang and the 1973 Ferrari 308 GT/4 3.0L V8

When talking about the performance of the Ford Mustang on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.86 secs @ 98.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1973 Ferrari 308 GT/4 3.0L V8 (13.80 secs), the 1989 Lotus Esprit S3 Turbo SE (13.80 secs), and the 1998 Honda NSX 3.2 V6 (13.81 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1971 version of the Ford Mustang Boss 351 5.7 V8 has a maximum speed of 130mph.

Top Speed of the 1971 Mustang equals the 2010 Audi A1 A1 1.4 TFSI S-Tronic (141 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1971 Ford Mustang Boss 351 5.7 V8 then how about the 2010 Audi A1 A1 1.4 TFSI S-Tronic (141 mph), the 2009 Renault Clio 2.0 RenaultSport III 200 Cup (141 mph), or the 2006 Seat Leon 1.8 20vt Cupra R 210 (141 mph).

Related Links:

1971 Mustang Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison