From the 450hp duratec article:

"A lot of the parts problems I figured I was going to have with the motor have been solved as well! Things like pistons, rings, pins, connecting rods, etc. etc. I know I can go to these same companies and ask for the same parts as they will fit the V8 as well as the V6. Amazingly, the motor stayed mostly stock. Even Duttweiler says the 2.5 V6 is a stout motor that can take quite a bit of a beating"



This quote came from this article-
http://www.mercurycapri.com/projectrsx/v8sho/v6v8turbo.html

in which they compare the sho v8 to the duratec v6

2001 Lincoln LS8 1994 Lexus GS300