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Look at it this way, the U.S. spec. M103 engine is rated at 177 HP. This is from a 3.0 liter, SOHC engine with 9.2:1 compression ratio, and full emissions system using a mechanical FI system. How many other 3.0 liter engines, EFI included, using a SOHC arrangement make more HP than that?
To make more hp you need more displacement, more compression, and be able to feed it correctly.
A stroker kit means that the crank shaft has been modified (or taken from another existing model) to provide a longer piston stroke, thereby, increasing displacement. Often, a larger piston is also used to increase displacement further. The trick is to balance stroke, bore, and compression ratio to end up with a viable engine.
I think the reason many feel it's not worth the effort is because you can literally spend thousands of dollars building such a beast only to find out that a larger, stock model still outperforms you. In the case of a 300E, this is especially true because after you've spent thousands building an engine, you still need to upgrade the suspension, brakes, tires/wheels, etc. And the interior still won't be as nice as a 400E.
Anyway, if you just want to increase acceleration, swap in a differential with a more favorable ratio. Stock is 3.07 for most 300Es, find a 3.27 LSD from a 16V or I think some wagons used a 3.46 or 3.64 or maybe it was a diesel model, I forget. Just keep in mind that your RPMs will be higher at any given speed.
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