When tuning an engine (without any internal mods) your not raising it's mechanical limmit! it's not on it's mechanical limmit to start with if it can be made faster without touching the internals
I didnt know about the zetec being under more stress, but as far as im concerned, if it can take much more power when worked, it's a stronger engine and will be under less stress. if you had a 300bhp cvh, and a 300bhp zetec, i'd say the zetec would be working less if it's capable of much more.
you picky spud