Oh yes, the stock 5.0HO is garbage alright.
What a dumbass statement. Let's see, an engine that makes solid power for the era it was in, and lasts in most cases 150,000mi or more before it really needs a rebuild. Yep. Sounds like garbage to me. Next time I see an tired, clapped out old LT-1 with 100k on it, burning oil like no tomorrow because of it's 10.5:1 compression, I'll be sure to tell him be glad he doesn't have that garbage 5.0L. I'll have to wait a couple years to see the LS-1 in the same condition, which I fully expect it will be. Next time I hear about an LS-1 bending all his pushrods from shifting too high, I'll be sure to tell him to be glad he didn't have a 5.0 that would have put up with the rev limiter all the way down the track.
So the heads are also garbage? So what if they don't ventilate mineshafts? The stock heads will get a Fox into the 12's if the rest of the car is setup for it. Why does everybody think if your heads don't flow 240cfm that they are junk? If the 5.0 had the 10.5:1 compression of it's GM counterparts you'd be talking 260hp from the 5.0HO. Not earth shaking, but with a home port job and a better intake on that kind of compression, you're now talking 280hp.
Guess I'll take reliable, long life, good performance, and ease of modding over a super high output dung pile.