You guys can't possibly be under the impression that the Coyote is making a full 100hp more than the outgoing 4.6L 3V because of a couple of points in compression, do you? If it were that easy, we'd all be running high compression pistons in our engines.
The heads on the Coyote are the best flowing/performing factory offerings added to a Mustang in 40-years. They outperform the GT500 castings right out of the box. And that fancy TiVCT timing system is a modern marvel. It's like having half a dozen different cam grinds all working in harmony at the same time and combined with the oil cooled pistons, is what allows the use of 11:1 compression ratio....and with regular pump gas to boot. Try pulling that off with anything else in Ford Garage.
And let's not forget....a lot of that fuel mileage comes from its reserved displacement. It's a lot easier to feed a cylinder displacing 38ci than it is one displacing 50-60ci +. Speculate all you wish about aftermarket EFI big block EFI systems, the fact remains that you've still got to feed 8-hungry cylinders. You're either going to get a dud with lots of low end torque, but sub par performance levels that gets lousy mileage, or a complete animal with power o plenty at all RPM that gets really lousy gas mileage. If the mid-70's taught us anything, it's that taming a big block V8 down to retain reasonable fuel and emmisions levels still leaves you with a portly hard on gas engine, that won't come anywhere near performing to it's potential levels. Dont' believe me....that's fine. Show me
one example of a big block, gasoline burning engine that makes gobs of horsepower and torque and knocks out even half the mileage that the 5.0L TiVCT does.
You want to dream....imagine what a big block engine with all the modern offerings of the TiVCT 5.0L would be like. Now THAT, would be simply amazing!!!
Oh....and Nic, the AC 427 Cobra's were great handlers for sure.....but I'm sure it had something to do with the 1,600lb shell the engine was transplanted into, more than the fact that it had a 427 under the bonnet.
Besides...as well as the old AC 427 Cobra's handles....the AC 289's handle that much better.