yeah exactly. with vct they are trying to build as much low end as possible, even with a huge cam. retarding it to -2.5 degrees maxxed the HP for <6500.
the 3v in a 5.4 simply won't pull past 6500 in a 5.4.
the runs done with the real 127305 cam made 425hp@6000 with ported heads and 1 5/8" shorty headers, short runner intake, etc. i haven't explored stepped headers. now that i have the 4v motor staring at me. it's difficult to continue fooling with the 3v. i should have waited. the 4v is a piece of cake to get 500. it takes 12:1 CR to get more. so really the power is there, but it falls short of the streetable/daily driver 500 NA criteria. i said it already, but it's an embarrasment to ford that they skimped on cams. add 10 degrees to both in/ex and they have a killer on their hands. i'll continue to try combos to try to stumble onto something better.