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

well, it may be over 3k, but somebody a few pages back said "anyone know of a 11 second 318 street car...??" with sarcasm as if to say "it's what I thought". But all that aside, eddy heads, cam, intake and carb.... that is all within budget, especially if a guy went with Promaxx heads which are cheaper and maybe better ! Let's say we didn't over bore like perhaps the Duster above (don't know if he did), and lets say we only got 12.35. Are you beating that time buying a 340 at fair market value and building it on 3k ??? Ahhhhh.... kind of my point.

That's a good question. Let's eliminate "fair market value" and establish some actual quantifiable metrics. I thought for the 340, it was a "running 340 with $1500 left to spend." In that case, I'd bet a cam, lifters and head work may get it done. Or, maybe sell the stock heads to put towards a new set??? There are still some viable options available.

Either way, if $3,000 is truly your engine budget, you're probably not building a race car and will likely be happy with whatever you end up with. Isn't that ultimately the point?