MBS206... Why dont you just go buy a WRX because it seems obvious where your loyalty lies...
I'm not a huge fan of the WRX, I'm looking at cold hard facts.
The WRX has a better power to weight ratio, it's AWD, and it runs a close ratio gearbox compared to a commodore.
As for only an EVO9 coming near an LS1...
I sold my VR V6 Manual as it was going to cost WAY too much to get to the standard that I wanted, I stepped into a R33 GTS-t, and it annhilates LS1. I've ran against a couple of cammed LS1s with exhausts and tuned.
They couldn't keep up, except for the spots I lost traction in...
Rolling run, at 100km/h, they still have no hope.
Be honest boys, go out, and REALLY give an import a hard caining (Drive one yourself) and you'll see, a WRX will anihilate a VN/VP off the mark, and the whole way down the 1/4 mile.
But, I will say, basically EVERY AWD car made, will loose on a rolling run to an equal powered, and even to slightly lower powered cars.
But after owning a VR commo, and being able to launch it drag style, and driving a WRX and launching it properly, and then owning my R33 and being able to launch it also, your VN/VP ain't going to keep up.
Edit: And with a touch of research you'll find VERY minimal power is lost through your driveline. Think about where that power (Energy) has to go. It's either in friction, which causes heat, or in sound. Drivelines aren't that noisy, nor does the oil boil within minutes. Do some math calcs.
After some reading on the net, it has been proven, the "energy" lost is in slip, on the dyno roller (Yes, it does occur, even on low powered cars) and also in turning the brakes on the chassis dyno etc...