I don't really want to argue or anything, because I pretty much love all engines. But 400bhp from big N/A engine isn't that special.
If I remember correctly there is a hillclimb mk2 Escort in Greece, with dyno charts telling numbers of 400 bhp. The engine in it is 2 litre N/A 16V YB Cosworth, highly tuned, goes up to 12k revs. Ok the engine is pretty "fancy" work and sure there has been some speculations of the accuracy of dyno charts, but I still like this example.
2.3 litre N/A Ford Duratec engines in rally usage very often produce ~320 bhp and they also have a very nice wide torque band.
Also 2.6 litre N/A Pinto engines are often used in rallying, these are making 300+ bhp with 8 valves and carbs and they are producing a very lovely torque curves too.
And also the old good BDA/BDG, the fastest N/A 2 litres making about 350 bhp and even under 10k rpm.
Tho I also know that you could squeeze a lot more out of that V8.
If I remember correctly there is a hillclimb mk2 Escort in Greece, with dyno charts telling numbers of 400 bhp. The engine in it is 2 litre N/A 16V YB Cosworth, highly tuned, goes up to 12k revs. Ok the engine is pretty "fancy" work and sure there has been some speculations of the accuracy of dyno charts, but I still like this example.
2.3 litre N/A Ford Duratec engines in rally usage very often produce ~320 bhp and they also have a very nice wide torque band.
Also 2.6 litre N/A Pinto engines are often used in rallying, these are making 300+ bhp with 8 valves and carbs and they are producing a very lovely torque curves too.
And also the old good BDA/BDG, the fastest N/A 2 litres making about 350 bhp and even under 10k rpm.
Tho I also know that you could squeeze a lot more out of that V8.