Need 340 Build Advice

If you're looking for a street 340, I'd buy new rods if your future includes either a blower, or NOS. If you had factory rods, I might suggest using them, but remember what's in there if you want to hammer on it later. But having to locate and pay for cores, then buying good bolts, and having them redone, will get you to within $100 of a good set of new Eagle H beams that are far stronger. Run a forged piston if you ever want to run the power adder. Good ones arent too bad $$ wise. Your budget really needs to be determined too. Can you build with these parts now? As BJR said, iron will run better (IMO) than aluminum will on a mostly stock engine. But, if you're dead set on running aluminum heads, you should design them into the build. More static compression, tight quench distance, cam choice will all be affected. Also, Edelbrocks are the low end aluminum. They will work well, but if it were me, I'd be looking into running a set of the MP Magnum R/T heads. I havent used them personally yet, but I've been impressed with what I hear about them. Another thought is, You could build your 340 now and use iron Magnum heads for the time being, and run a thicker head gasket to control the static ratio until you can invest in aluminum. Std Magnum (5.2/5.9L factory heads) will flow plenty for now, are cheap (once you find a set that's not cracked...dont pay until you get a warranty saying they will provide you with 2 good ones, and good means checked by a machine shop), run 1.6 rockers, and can be re-drilled cheaply to fit any LA style intake. All kinds of ideas..lol. If you have to buy rods and pistons anyway, there's always going bigger inches too.