Another one wants to red x the prior post.
Look at 302 Ford's, with what has been done with them. You 360 promoters brag about a whole 1/4" difference in stroke between 318/360, yet they made up for that potential benefit by castration in the way of huge chambers and dished pistons on the 360. That's 1 step forward and 2 backwards.
The 318 has a longer stroke difference between itself and the 302 than the 360 does to the 318
I ain't no Ford guy. Never have been. But there's a smaller V8 yet that many people have been able to blow away the OPs goals with (which I think are ridiculous for a 1st car/daily driver in the first place)
Granted the aftermarket has offered way more support to the Ford idiots than they ever have to us... But it CAN be done with the 318.
How bout the little 327 shivvy?
So don't count out the 318.