Well, The father-in-laws VZ SS Storm is pretty snappy off the mark.. but the Cobra eats it when she gets going... just needs a bit of time to get the rev's up but at 3,500rpm in first she starts to pull damn hard and any gains made distance gains by the Commonwhore are significantly reduced. The torque curve is pretty epic and consistent through the range. The commodores die in the a**. All noise.. and no staying power.

Commodores for cheap thrill seekers..

Falcons for professionals

NA 4 Cyl... Comedy gold..

But seriously.. they did a fairlane in a 4cyl?

IMHO, I think they take off has to do with the troke on 5.4. Compared to the 6.0 in the Holdens.. over a complete RPM the 5.4's are have further to travel per engine cycle (I think it was 10cm per cycle). Hence the torque curve when it gets going.. The 4v's help as well compared to the 6.0 single valve (I think they have single)

NA = naturally aspirated... efi/carby etc. no forced induction.
no 4cyl fairlanes.
this lack of power down low is on the 4 valve "boss" motor. not the 3 valve 5.4l.

the problem with the "boss" motor is it is a long stroke motor with short race style inlet runners and the cams dont come on thier own till over the 3.5k rpm point.

A little typical of the 4 valve pentroof head..
They don't have the same quench as two valve heads..