I really think the whole "its a 4cyl its not supposed to beat an 8" is a little old.
I honestly don't expect to have a 4cyl pull up to me nowadays UNLESS it's turbo. And shit, I know more guys with turbo Honda's than I do with stock, AND modified v8s.
If a 4cyl beats me I wont go, "NO WAY I JUST LOST TO A 4CYL!!!"
I'll go, "I wonder how much money he wasted just to beat me when I'm bone stock?" - then I'll go (considering 90% of turbo hondas are running STOCK internals) "I've got 135k miles, how long will your stock turbo motor last?"
Now if its 400 hp, I'll go damn, nice, wonder how often he breaks trannies?