Easiest/Cheapest way to a 4bbl 318?

I'd guess the actual compression somewhere around 8:1 maybe. My stocker had the pistons down in the hole about .100, and the headers were almost 70cc. Pretty hopeless.

Magnum heads can be a can of worms. First, they like to crack between the seats. Next, you have to change to oil-through lifters and get hollow pushrods. The heads may or may not have to be machined in the pushrod area for the correct clearance with flat tappet camshafts. Valve springs will need to be changed also.

A set of the Indy X heads would be interesting but may be out of your budget. They are a direct bolt on and you could mill them a smidge to really help out the CR.

I went for the 5.9 Magnum swap myself (heads were cracked, went with Iron Rams from Hughes). It is working out well so far, but its been a long and winding road.

A set of '302' castings would be a direct bolt on and should be somewhat affordable. Will help your compression ratio too. They still have the 318 ports and valves though.

I would spend money on chassis parts and put together a plan for getting a bigger motor down the road.

Steve