Whats the deal with 340s?

Exactly. Just like a magazine. Your test methods are flawed. Therefore, your results are flawed.

I'm not picking on you. Just stating FACTS. Poor test methods produce junk results.
Not picking on you, either. But I'll state some facts. Not everyone wants a 5200 stall converter and 4.88 gears in their street car. Most don't want to turn 4000 rpm's to do 55 mph. I wouldn't take a car like that on a 10 mile cruise. Had a street car once with 4.30 gears and 3200 stall. I HATED IT! So guess what???? Torque plays a factor in this type of car. Period. That is why they make stroker kits and add length to the crank. If your theory was right, everyone would be DE-STROKING their 340's to make them 300's and REALLY go fast.... that's it! De-stroke the 340 to a 300, run 5.13 gears and a 5500 stall with a 320 duration cam and you'd have the perfect highway cruis'n street car...... :D