Today, dollar for dollar, is the 318 faster than the 340 ???

Jadaharabi said
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A modified 318 Beats a Stock 340. I can see that happening.
Rework the 340 heads and put the same cam in it that you put in the 318 and I guarantee the 340 will walk the dog on the 318.
Cost would be the same between the two Motors. I'm talking about the cost to do the heads in to put a cam in it.

Yes it's fun to modify a 318 and see if it will outperform a 340. But in the end you want the 340 even if it cost a little more. So keep looking for those 340 blocks.
Personally I think the 360 or the 5.9 Magnum is the way to go nowadays.

It isn't if the 340 is faster, because we all prefer the 340 if both are free. It's about you having 3k to spend and you don't have a motor. Is the 318 (members claim good running 318's are free) a better choice if performance is your only goal. Will 3k put into a 318 beat a 340 that you had to spend 1500 to get and only 1500 to put into it. That's the point. On a low budget, is the 318 the better choice for your lowest ET .... It has NOTHING to do with "318 just to be different".