Oof... It hurt my brain to get through all these pages, but a few comments had good conversation in it.
First, my experience: I came into Ford ownership from a 5.3L V8 Sierra when I got a 2014 Raptor. I traded that last year for my 2013 Roush Raptor in Race Red.
I bought those two trucks while working in used car sales. We had gotten in Gen 2 Raptors over the course of my employment and I drove quite a few of them. Gen 2's are extremely nice trucks, but I just love the brute feeling of my V8 more - I can't really explain it. We even had a Gen 2 with Borla exhaust that didn't come close, too. (I drove that one a lot. Actually considered buying it...)
Anyway, my inquiry for the guys who are educated about motors:
Like many, the growl and response of the V8 were the main reasons I wanted the V8 when I bought my Gen 1... but someone brought up a good point in an earlier post. Why isn't a boosted, smaller displacement V8 considered? Even a 4._L SC'd V8 would shred, right? I'm honestly asking because I think that would be the only way it would come into a new Raptor.
That being said, what existing motor (from any manufacturer) would you put into the next Gen Raptor if you could make the call?