okay, not my imagination with the small ports and poor breathing, i once took a 351w and port matched it til i ground through the runners and had to weld and regrind, then match ported the exhaust, installed headers whoa what a wake up call, i do not knock fords with exception to my 6.0 diesel dually and my box truck with a 5.4 (3rd engine in 200k) i have made some serious hp with the old 390 and had some opportunity with 289