Khare says a lot of things! Mostly rubbish!
Like his 8v would be more powerful than my 16v! Until JKM in Porstmouth! Since then he kept his mouth shut!
I was on about TORQUE Len. And remember the result? Oh yeah, I beat you and your exhaust system, remap and filter combo, with my standard, unserviced 8v at the time

Again my superiority was demonstrated at Rtech's RR day, 138ft-lb

What I mean is a standard 8v will loose against a standard 16v, but an 8v with chassis modifications (suspension, ARBs, brakes) will outhandle a 16v, and over a lap make up time over the 16v, unless that lap is of the indianapolis track....
Yes for the same cost you could do a 16v, that that would be a modified 8v, but the OP hasn't got a 16v so he wouldn't be able to afford a 16v AND chassis upgrades.
Of course a lot depends on who's driving and weather conditions.