Both engines are great performers. It boils down to how fast you want to go, and how big your budget is. I have both engines. Right now I am running a Mopar 380HP 360 short block, which is 9:1 cast piston, cast crank. On it I have the $500 Indy Aeroheads stock 340 castings with 2.02/1.60 valves and no machine work. The cam is the Mopar .508 hydraulic flat tappet. M1 SP intake, Holley 750 DP, MSD Digital 6 ign. This car, on the chassis dyno puts 300HP to ground at 5400, 314 TQ at 4600. Car is all steel, with 6pt rollbar. Car weighs about 3150 with me in it. On pump premium gas, the car runs 11.60s shifting at 5800. It will run 11.90s shifting at 5000. The 360 makes lots of torque, there is no need to buzz them that high, only maybe emotional need. This entire engine was brand new, from carb to pan was about $2700 including ignition. This is my second season of racing it.
I built my car to race in Stock Elim some day, with a 340. However since there are so many issues running against some of the newer stockers, I am going to do a 408/415 instead and go super street. Same ETs but cheaper engine.
