With similar displacement and similar mods, my understanding is the inline can produce much better torque than the V8. Torque=acceleration.
But larger displacement V8s are easier to come by, and have more soup-up options. Ain't no replacement for displacement.
So unless you're talking about one of the brand new inlines GM is producing, the inliners got left behind in the 50's in terms of power. Ah well...
-Boyo
