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

Ceedawg said
Starting from scratch with nothing, the only difference is a $400 (or less) 340 block. So now the 340 is at $1600 and the 318 is at $2000. If the money is moved to $2500 instead your window just closed. Doesn’t matter if you have a complete 318 because you can use the giveaway 318 crank/rods in the 340 and get the junk pistons. Now the playing field is level, use same heads-intake-cam-carb, ($2500 vs $2100) will $400 make up that 23 cubes? Personally I wouldn’t waste my money on either, that $2500 would go into a 360, cheap to find and much less than a stroker crank for the 318. My 5.9 has all the good stuff and I’ve got maybe $600 in it and will be above 450 hp.

I'll take one of those $400 340blocks myself as long as it has the main caps! Personally I like 340's and if the price wasn't outrageous I would build one. As stated we have a 69 340 sitting here complete and running but IMHO it's better for a resto project. A good no core shift 318 block will make more power than a bad 340 block that's just the way the geometry and efficiency works out. The magnum engines changed the playing field. I don't see a $3000 340 out performing a $3000 5.2 magnum. No doubt the 340 is a good engine. Unless you already have really good heads add $2000 for some la heads either aftermarket or stock. So $2000 for heads plus the $400 block. That leaves $600 for gaskets, pistons and machine work ect.

Heck I would pick a 5.2 magnum over a la 360.