If they wanted to win against the Boss 302, they had to cheat......a mouse won't breath anywhere near as well as a Ford that breathes as well or better that a Rat....However , I know a former Trans Am racer( Dave Tatum) , that was running 289 Tunnel Port heads (the forerunner of the Boss/Cleveland Head) for a few race's before being caught in 1968....but he had the good sense to not lap the field.