72 340 build vs...other options

If given the choice between a 318, 340, and a 360, as a starting point. Pretty much everyone would pick the 340.

In addition to the displacement advantage, let's not ignore the valve deshrouding advantage offered by the larger bore.

Building a basic street motor? It's splitting hairs. Trying to build something serious, especially NA? These things add up.

I hear the 372 is an excellent all around combo.