Why are 318's low HP and torque?

I think your letting this build spiral out of control you've said your on a budget and all you wanted was to burn some rubber and have fun around town like I said before all you need is 262 cam with intake and headers gets you 282hp don't worry about heads right now it's always an upgraded down the road. When I got my license 5.0l mustangs were the car they only had 215-225hp no torque and highway gear but were still fun little car, 282Hp and gears in a A Body will be a fast car but if you got the cash rebuild her with the KBs and
J heads.