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

Even if this mythical young man shows up with his 4 door 318 Dart, (sounds kind creepy actually) I'd still say forget the 318. The supposed "extra" cost of the "better" (larger) block is worth the expense because it translates into more power.

I'm not sure why the initial question asked us to make a choice between a 318 and a 340, kind of an odd angle.