Why are 318's low HP and torque?

Book specs I have say 67-69 LA 318's are 9.2:1, then 8.8 in 70, and 8.6 thereafter, until the last LA series with the roller cams and 302 heads which goes back up to 9:1.

Get an early or late core, and a decent cam, and exhaust and you've solved 2/3 of the "problem".

BTW, I've had several really torquey stock 318s, especially the 66 poly.

Storker- you got a part number for the "eyebrow" pistons, and maybe the largest safe cam lift to use with them?

Larger bore than stroke is called "oversquare", and it's good for torque.

Yes, the 318 could have been the "327" of Mopar. I often compare the two.

I think the somewhat poor performer reputation came from two main sources (besides the small cam small carb issues)-

1- early 318's had lots of attention getting competition, and no one noticed them
2- most folks are familiar with the mid 70's to early 80's 8.x:1 motors.

For the record, my 80,000 mile 66 poly 2bbl was a 70s and 80s 350 killer.
Never lost a street race to a GM product.

As stated previously, the worst part of that deal, was the GM guys always shrugged and said "of couse you won, you have a big block!" after they saw under the hood.