318 v 360

If your really wanting to build a dependable 450 hp engine that takes quite a few bucks. I normally say go with a 360 because cubes = power but since you already have a 318 you might as well use the $500 you'd spend on a 360 core to help pay for a stroker kit for the 318. By the time you pay $500 for a 360 and totally rebuild it you could have done a stroked 318 but the stroked 318 is more cubes. The only disadvantage to your 318 is heads. Your 318 heads aren't going to cut it without major (can we say lots of bucks) work. Especially if you do a stroker because they need to breath. If your truly on a college budget you might want to set your goal lower (like 375-400 hp) but that's just my opinion. 375-400 hp is alot more doable on a budget than 450 hp is and it'll drive alot better and even get some resemblance of fuel mileage on 93 octane fuel. My Cuda has a 360 putting out about 375 hp and it's a nice thumpy sounding ride that runs low-mid 13's and still gets about 14-15 mpg on 93 octane. A stroked 318 would run even a little better, except maybe the fuel mileage might not be quite as good. If you use good closed chambered heads (stock re-worked magnum's, EQ's, or RHS X heads) with a tight quench you can make it run on 89 octane at 9.5 to 1 compression. That'll help you build power and still be somewhat economical to operate.