318 build. what would you do?

You must have one heck of a buddy to be doing all of that machine work for you for no charge. I still have to agree with some of the other guys that have posted, for you to go after some of the cars you're talking about I would think that you are looking at more than what you are talking about. Some of the parts that you are speaking of alone are going to put you at the $1500 dollar mark, and that doesn't include the milling that your buddy can't do in his garage. And just remember when you build a stroker engine you are going to put extra stress on a block that was not designed/intended for that so make sure you use quality parts in your build. I am currently building a mild 318, or what I consider mild anyway, as well and I can tell you all said and done I passed $1500 a long time ago, I'm not even near completion yet, and I am not stroking my motor. I do tend to agree with you that you do not have to have a 340 or 360 to get some good numbers out of an LA Small Block. I have many, many friends that have 318s with good power and torque. The best thing about a 318 is that it becomes a challenge to get those numbers out of it, that's why I am building mine. I've built big blocks, small blocks, and /6s... the 318 is just a new challenge and when you get it built and blow some of the other guys away, let em know that a 318 whipped their ***!! :bootysha: