Is building a stroked 318 better than a stroked 340/360?

Because. Up until the flow limit of the heads it will make more torque everywhere than a smaller stroke engine. It will result in a faster car albeit with similar peak numbers to a smaller stroke engine. "The math" is so simple, I don't have to do it.

Wheras... that different rod ratio, probably indistinguishable by every relevant metric.

Dude, I know the theory. There was a time when I was thinking the same stuff. I was like, man with the right long rod engine, with fancy coatings, super high end machining, perfect ring seal, a vacuum pump, etc etc...i can make a TON more power!

But theres just no real evidence out there to support this. You saying it does, doesn't make it so.

You know what I would do nowadays, to make real power? Stick a turbo in it and be done. F*&$ the little BS.