Today, dollar for dollar, is the 318 faster than the 340 ???

Does the 5.2 get any love? They are as cheap as 318s.
318 magnum with 4bbl runs about the same as a stock 340. They are a very good engine. Even if somebody bought a 300 dollar 5.2, on a 3k budget they'd have 2700 more dollars to play with vs the 340 guys 1500. 340 guy is in a world of trouble... in my opinion.