I wouldn't say the HO is more refined, it's just a victim of strict emissions and lower octane unleaded fuel that was making the scene at the time.
The heads and intake were the major pieces from ram air IV development that were carried over to the 455 with minor changes (to keep the description brief). If the engine would have had the camshaft and compression ratio to go with it you would have had a very potent package. As is, it's still a nice performing engine that will run on the cat pee gas we have nowadays. So under those circumstances, in some peoples eyes it does make it appear to be a more attractive package.
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