[old5.0]

Geez, we get it. You don't like Fords. Point made, but you're not going to convince the rest of us. As for the car at your buddy's shop, someone who knows how to tune goes a long way. The stock rotating assemblies aren't the best thing ever, but a competent tuner can fix a lot of problems. There's a reason John Mihovitz at Accufab can hit a 13:1 compression modular with 50+ p.s.i. in a stock block and make it live (at close to 3,000 horsepower).

As for the power rating, what makes you think Ford <span style="font-style: italic">isn't</span> downrating these cars. They've been doing it for years. You don't really think those 87-93 5.0s only made 225 horse at the flywheel, do you? They <span style="font-style: italic">average</span> 200 RWHP, and I've seen a few freaks make close to the full 225 rating at the wheels. Same goes for Terminators, Shelbys, and the new 5.0s. A new Mustang GT is a 450 flywheel car all day, every day.

I'll also add that playing games with the power ratings in the 60s didn't fool anybody, and it won't this time, either. Good Lord, can't we just enjoy it while it does last, instead of wasting time complaining?