Interesting Parallel:

PHR Shootout Article:
"You'll see that we're using a stock block, crankshaft, and connecting rods in our Shootout engine because they can take the 600hp-level abuse. They will be inspected and prepped, of course, but they are factory parts," and, "once final tuning and timing had been accomplished, the largest-displacement V-8 entered in our contest had churned out 618 hp (at 6,100 rpm) and 554 lb-ft of torque at 4,600 rpm."

Previous Post:
"With proper rod prep and a few oiling mods, an occasional 6000 rpm is not a major issue."

It's too bad that AEW went with only a 9.5:1 compression ratio with the aluminum heads. Had they gone up a point in compression, I feel certain that the Ford engine would have beaten the Chevy entry.

Paul