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

but ... the 360 isn't part of the discussion... 318 vs 340... lol why is this so hard ??
Because if you are a true low budget builder, you can get a running 5.9 magnum for 300 or so like has allready been mentioned, and its superior in every way over the typical smog era worn out 318. Maybe another interesting discussion is with a 3k budget, and NO core, which is the best build?