millhouse
Founding Member
Also keep in mind....even in N/A trim, you're still a little further ahead with a PI 4.6L to start. Yes, a head/cam/intake/full bolt on swap will get you into the 300-320hp range on a 5.0L, but you're essentially replacing the entire top end of the engine to do it.
On the other hand, you can make those same numbers with just cams and bolt ons with a PI 4.6L.
In the same token, there are guys making 300rwhp with a cheap gt40 swap with a mild port job and some making 270rwhp without. Yes, most make less…but I’d venture to say most cam/bolt on PI 4.6 setups don’t all achieve the same results either.
So....yes, the bolt on parts for the 5.0L may be cheaper and plentiful in a lot of cases, but you really need more of them to reach the same end result.
To a certain extent…yes. Keep in mind though that a decent set of aluminum heads for a 302 are capable of supporting nearly 1000rwhp (has been done on stock TFS twisted wedge). I don’t know, can the same be said with a stock set of 2v heads…or is upgrading required?
I pretty much see it this way.
-Stock, to about 320hp N/A, the Mod Motors now take the lead in bang for the buck performance
-320+ N/A the OHV takes the lead with their ability to vastly increase displacement
-320-600+ Forced Induction the OHC again seems the leader.
-Beyond that....its anyones ball game really.
I can go with all but the 320-600+ FI realm. A stock 5.0 shortblock has no qualms running in excess of 500rwhp all day long. Yes, you will see some breaking the stock blocks. The amount however is small compared to the modular guys breaking pistons and rods at the same power levels. 500rwhp can be achieved on the stock E7 heads, or one could cheaply upgrade to a gt40 setup and make the same on less boost. The amount of cheap new and used parts is staggering for the 5.0. The same still cannot be said with modular components. That is a blessing and a curse I suppose…as it’s more expensive to upgrade the top end….but seems to retain its value more as well.
Yes, i'll agree blowers are a little more expensive for Mod motors, but again the sustained power increase on blower alone is much, much higher for the Modular compared to the OHV
That’s why you see more and more of the fox guys throwing on crazy cheap turbo kits and making ass loads of power on stock short and long blocks. No need to upgrade to a full tubular front setup…so the costs are still far cheaper.
Example...an basic, non intercooled centrifugal set up on a bone stock 5.0L will net you somewhere in the 290-330hp range.
a basic, non intercooled centrifugal set up on a bone stock PI modular will net you somewhere in the 360-400hp range.
While I DON’T condone them, a cheap Chinese turbo kit ($1500) can get a stock 5.0 longblock into the 400+rwhp range. Again, throw in a stock exploder longblock and you can get 500+rwhp on 12-14lbs of boost.
Don’t forget too that every 100lbs equals ~ 10hp of power. One of the BIG reasons the lx coupes were able to dip into the high 13’s stock with such a limited power level….putting them not as far behind as most think.

