for the way you describe, you are using a PULL stroke. it very efficient on the tour and most ATP player using it, mainly because they hit very hard and need a lot of spin to control. it was teached by Nick Bollterie in his tape: Killer forehand. and it is teached now on hi-techtennis.com. I used them in my younger time but not now. it need good timming there fore it need dedication.I am talking about a really fast swing. Plenty of extension and windshield wiper motion. It will not slow down the ball much, and extension will ensure that the ball is long. The ball sits up and is short if after impact the swingpath goes up too soon, not if the extension is long and in front.
The trend in the past years has been stiffer and lighter rackets.
If you are good at it, keep it, 5.0 is what you aim.