I hear ya! The current crop of Unlimiteds with their turboshaft jet helicopter engines, while faster, just aren't real Thunderboats... more like screaming, whining boats.
And I just love the sound of a Merlin at full-song... in a Hydro, an old warbird, or a Reno Unlimited Air Racer. When I was growing up, the crewchief for the Miss Notre Dame lived across the street... I just wish I still had some of the swag he gave me back then...