Sudden Power Loss (opinions)

Maybe something broke loose in a muffler and is partially blocking the exhaust? Sound and power would both change.
I edited that out . I assume he had some sort of welded muffler. One cyl not firing anymore will change the sound and kill off 25hp in a hot sec too.
Maybe carbon broke lose from the cross over and hung and burnt a valve.
Maybe a flapper in the manifolds

It's a cliffhanger