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

I was pointing out that you saying the 340 used 360 heads is incorrect. The 360 got a detuned 340 head, just like the 72-73 340’s.
OK, point taken...360 used small valve 340 heads to some extent then. Riddle me this: How was the 72-73 915 340 head detuned for the 360, just valve size? That would not be a step back as the 72 340 was already neutered with the smaller 1.88 valves.