I have a 93 Thunderbird with the 5.0 HO. My family bought the car as a drug seized vehicle for $75 four or five years ago. I drove the car throughout college, then parked it when I moved. I am now driving the car again and forgot how much I loved it. The car gets amazing gas mileage and has been fairly reliable.
I accept that it was not nearly as fast as my 87' Mustang GT (convertible, modified 5.0, 5 speed). However it rides much better, is much more stable, and better suited for a tall guy like me. I also have grown out of the speed thing and would rather just have a car that drives great and it aggressive.
I don't like the idea of putting a supercharger on a 3.8 . Those engines already struggled with head gasket problems. The 4.6 is much to "new school" for my liking. I feel comfortable with the 5.0 .
I have several small block parts and plan on swapping valve covers to cast aluminum Mustang valve covers and the intake to a GT40 piece from an Explorer.