318 covid 19 build

I disagree somewhat. While the machining costs are the same, the parts selection can sky rocket over a simple piston upgrade vs a 408 or plus size engine.

In addition to the cylinder heads, a 318 can perform well with its stock heads or a mild work up but not so with a stroker. If you out stock OE heads on a stroker with the same amount of upgrades work as on the 318, you wouldn’t have a performing 408, you would have something closer to a Cummings.

If your not putting the minimum of well ported Edelbrock heads, IMO, your wasting time IMO and throwing away a ton of power and performance.