AJ's Opinion; what size SBM do I need

First, i am in no way experienced as a small block guy, but im gonna offer an opinion anyway.
Comparing a 318 with a 327 chevy is instructive in my opinion, and kinda explains why 318s arent highly valued in the mopar community.
Anybody remember the 210hp 2bbl 327? Nope, because it was a completely pedestrian toaster motor, a to b and back again. Two barrel 318 had a little more power ( factory rated, anyway).
Now, how about the 350 hp hydraulic 327, or the corvette 365/375 horse. Remember them? Just like the 318...... uh, wait.....
327s, and 302s for that matter were available in high output,hi performance versions. 327s could be gotten with forged crank, rods, hi comp forged pistons, the best small block heads chevy had to offer, good aluminum intakes, four barrel holleys, and big cams. The 318.....not so much. Most of that stuff mentioned for 327s WAS available from mopar, its called a 340!
The problem with the 318 is, all that stuff has to be found and purchased, at mopar parts dollar rates, it doesnt come there to start with. Heck, i dont think you can even buy 9 1/2 forged pistons for it, other than custom. Who would do that?
All of the above stuff, ten times as much selection for the ford, twenty times as much for the chevy, is available for about 2/3 the price of mopar stuff, probably at the corner drugstore. Easy and cheap to build a chevy or ford. If you want to make power for the money invested, it makes more sense to begin with a bigger motor. I DO understand the desire to work with what you have, if you have a 318, and i wouldnt try to discourage, but it wouldnt be fair not to point out that there are better alternatives.