I run a pinto in historic stage rallying. The bottom end is standard, just well built, lightened & balanced. The power is in the cylinder head. Mine is properly ported, polished with group 1 valves etc. With a Kent RL32 cam & twin 45's it makes a genuine (I see all sorts of crazy figures quoted) 150hp @ the wheels @ 7000revs (around 175/180 at the flywheel) and pulls from 3500 revs. For road use you would use a milder cam to make it more tractable and still get 120/130 @ wheels with a good head.

No need for forged pistons/ steel rods etc unless revving beyond 7000/7500.