They probably should do a stock motor since that is really what would be most useful to most truck owners. I guess they assume that at least all of the mods were a "standard" since they did not change in between intakes - with the exception of the larger throttle body on the upgraded intakes. Now I have some experience working with magazines for tech articles. They are typically done on cars that they have easiest access to, or probably in this case a friend or employees car that already had some mods and was willing to donate their car for a few free upgrades and dyno runs. I had an article done on my Chevelle for Super Chevy a few years back and it wasn't exactly stock.