The 'Quickest' A-Body Small Blocks

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69 Cuda 440

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The 'Quickest' A-Body Small Blocks from the Factory {1965 thru 1974}

* Stock Components w/3.91 Gears

Rank......Car...............................Engine/Transmission.....Shipping Weight


#1 .... 1968 Barracuda 'Notchback' ...... 340 4-Speed ............. #3085 lbs.
#2 .... 1968 Barracuda 'Fastback' ........ 340 4-Speed ............. #3162 lbs.
#3 .... 1968 Dart GTS ........................ 340-4-Speed ............. #3177 lbs.
#4 .... 1971 Duster ........................... 340 4-Speed............... #3140 lbs.
#5 .... 1969 Barracuda 'Notchback' ..... 340 4-Speed .............. #3074 lbs.

#6 .... 1970 Duster ........................... 340 4-Speed ............. #3134 lbs.
#7 .... 1971 Demon .......................... 340 4-Speed .............. #3199 lbs.
#8 .... 1971 Dart 'Swinger Special' ...... 340 4-Speed ..............#3214 lbs.
#9 .... 1969 Dart Swinger .................. 340 4-Speed .............. #3172 lbs.
#10 .. 1968 Barracuda 'Notchback' ..... 340 Automatic ............ #3057 lbs.

#11 .. 1969 Barracuda 'Fastback' ........ 340 4-Speed .............. #3144 lbs.
#12 .. 1969 Dart GTS ........................ 340 4-Speed .............. #3197 lbs.
#13 .. 1969 Barracuda 'Notchback' ..... 340 Automatic ............ #3046 lbs.
#14 .. 1970 Dart Swinger .................. 340 4-Speed .............. #3208 lbs.
#15 .. 1971 Duster ........................... 340 Automatic ............ #3117 lbs.

#16 .. 1970 Duster ........................... 340 Automatic ............ #3110 lbs.
#17 .. 1968 Barracuda 'Fastback' ....... 340 Automatic ............ #3129 lbs.
#18 .. 1971 Demon .......................... 340 Automatic ............ #3166 lbs.
#19 .. 1968 Dart GTS ....................... 340 Automatic ............ #3144 lbs.
#20 .. 1969 Barracuda 'Fastback' ....... 340 Automatic ............ #3114 lbs.

#21 .. 1971 Dart 'Swinger Special' ..... 340 Automatic ............ #3185 lbs.
#22 .. 1969 Dart Swinger ................. 340 Automatic ............ #3146 lbs.
#23 .. 1969 Dart GTS ....................... 340 Automatic ........... #3151 lbs.
#24 .. 1970 Dart Swinger ................. 340 Automatic ........... #3179 lbs.
#25 .. 1974 Duster .......................... 360 4-Speed ............. #3300 lbs.

#26 .. 1974 Dart Sport ..................... 360 4-Speed ............. #3330 lbs.
#27 .. 1972 Duster .......................... 340 4-Speed ............. #3190 lbs.
#28 .. 1972 Demon ......................... 340 4-Speed.............. #3241 lbs.
#29 .. 1974 Duster .......................... 360 Automatic .......... #3267 lbs.
#30 .. 1974 Dart Sport ..................... 360 Automatic .......... #3297 lbs.

#31 .. 1973 Duster .......................... 340 4-Speed ............. #3221 lbs.
#32 .. 1973 Dart Sport ..................... 340 4-Speed ............. #3251 lbs.
#33 .. 1972 Duster .......................... 340 Automatic ........... #3165 lbs.
#34 .. 1972 Demon ......................... 340 Automatic ........... #3208 lbs.
#35 .. 1973 Duster .......................... 340 Automatic .......... #3175 lbs.

#36 .. 1973 Dart Sport .................... 340 Automatic ............ #3205 lbs.
#37 .. 1965 Valiant ......................... 273 4-Speed .............. #2750 lbs.
#38 .. 1966 Valiant ......................... 273 4-Speed .............. #2808 lbs.
#39 .. 1967 Valiant ......................... 273 4-Speed .............. #2835 lbs.
#40 .. 1965 Valiant ......................... 273 Automatic ........... #2714 lbs.

#41 .. 1965 Dart GT ....................... 273 4-Speed .............. #2925 lbs.
#42 .. 1965 Barracuda .................... 273 4-Speed .............. #2927 lbs.
#43 .. 1967 Barracuda .................... 273 4-Speed .............. #2940 lbs.
#44 .. 1966 Dart GT ....................... 273 4-Speed .............. #2957 lbs.
#45 .. 1966 Valiant ........................ 273 Automatic ............ #2782 lbs.

#46 .. 1967 Dart GT ....................... 273 4-Speed .............. #3001 lbs.
#47 .. 1967 Valiant ........................ 273 Automatic ........... #2809 lbs.
#48 .. 1969 Valiant ........................ 318 4-Speed .............. #2855 lbs.
#49 .. 1968 Valiant ........................ 318 4-Speed .............. #2866 lbs.
#50... 1965 Dart GT ....................... 273 Automatic ........... #2895 lbs.

#51 .. 1967 Barracuda ................... 273 Automatic ............ #2910 lbs.
#52 .. 1966 Dart GT ...................... 273 Automatic ............ #2928 lbs.
#53 .. 1967 Dart GT ...................... 273 Automatic ............ #2964 lbs.
#54 .. 1970 Dart ........................... 318 4-Speed .............. #2961 lbs.
#55 .. 1969 Dart GT ...................... 318 4-Speed .............. #2998 lbs.

#56 .. 1969 Barracuda 'Fastback' .... 318 4-Speed .............. #3018 lbs.
#57 .. 1968 Dart GT ..................... 318 4-Speed ............... #3019 lbs.
#58 .. 1968 Barracuda 'Fastback' .... 318 4-Speed ............... #3031 lbs.
#59 .. 1967 Dart GT ...................... 273 4-Speed ............... #3001 lbs.
#60 .. 1967 Barracuda 'Notchback' .. 273 Automatic ............ #2855 lbs.

#61 .. 1969 Valiant ....................... 318 Automatic ............ #2824 lbs.
#62 .. 1968 Valiant ....................... 318 Automatic ............ #2835 lbs.
#63 .. 1970 Duster ........................ 318 Automatic ............ #2871 lbs.
#64 .. 1965 Dart GT ...................... 273 Automatic ............ #2895 lbs.
#65 .. 1965 Barracuda ................... 273 Automatic ............ #2896 lbs.

#66 .. 1969 Barracuda 'Notchback' .. 318 Automatic ........... #2899 lbs.
#67 .. 1968 Barracuda 'Notchback' .. 318 Automatic ........... #2910 lbs.
#68 .. 1966 Dart GT ...................... 273 Automatic ........... #2928 lbs.
#69 .. 1966 Barracuda ................... 273 Automatic ........... #2930 lbs.
#70 .. 1967 Barracuda 'Fastback' .... 273 Automatic ........... #2940 lbs.

#71 .. 1970 Dart ........................... 318 Automatic ............ #2942 lbs.
#72 .. 1967 Dart GT ...................... 273 Automatic ............ #2964 lbs.
#73 .. 1969 Barracuda 'Fastback' .... 318 Automatic ............ #2987 lbs.
#74 .. 1968 Barracuda 'Fastback...... 318 Automatic ............ #3005 lbs.
#75 .. 1969 Dart GT ...................... 318 Automatic ............ #3029 lbs.

#76 .. 1968 Dart GT ...................... 318 Automatic ............ #3050 lbs.






Note; Does not include the {1966 Dodge Dart 'D-Dart'}
 
I'm in!!! Thanks, interesting to see for me, didn't know any of that (other than the 340 Duster was a fast production car).
 
Please post documentation to back up your rankings.
Where did the info come from? Magazine articles? Official factory testing? Were all vehicles similarly geared?

All I know for sure was my 1969 Swinger 340/727 ran 14.28 at 98+mph at OCIR in very early 1970 in G/PureStock class with a non-SureGrip 3.23 rear gear.
 
Do you think the 74 360 duster or dart sport can be in this arena.
 
Unless they were all run on the same day at the same track with the same tune up...

Your info is worthless.........
 
Basically you can not...that is why the times are worthless....plus what if one car has a driver that weights 300lbs...while the other uses a 150 lb driver....

ok..the times are good for conversation ....LOL
 
I like these threads. Bench racing can be fun. Just don't take them to seriously.

Something I think is strange is that the 71 Duster and 71 Demon are not right next to each other on the list. There basically the same car!
 
Burntorange70 said:
Something I think is strange is that the 71 Duster and 71 Demon are not right next to each other on the list. There basically the same car!
Click to expand...

lets see..different driver one fat one skinny.....different track...one ran in the winter..one ran in the summer...LOL

just like running an engine on a dyno...yeah...it make x amount of HP on that dyno on that day...LOL
 
70aarcuda said:
lets see..different driver one fat one skinny.....different track...one ran in the winter..one ran in the summer...LOL

just like running an engine on a dyno...yeah...it make x amount of HP on that dyno on that day...LOL
Click to expand...

So very true. Also these cars were built to some what loose tolerances. So even two cars from the same year with the same options may very well run different times. Even on the same day on the same track.
 
Let's not be too literal.

This is based on General Track Performance

Car Weight, as well as Weight Transfer.

For instance,

The 1971 Duster 340 is {-32 lbs.} lighter than the 1971 Demon 340.

Also, the 4-Speed Transmission A-Body cars are {+46 lbs.} heavier than the Automatic Transmission A-Body cars.
 
69 Cuda 440 said:
The 'Quickest' A-Body Small Blocks from the Factory.

* Stock Components w/3.91 Gears

#1 .... 1968 Barracuda 'Notchback' ...... 340 4-Speed
#2 .... 1968 Barracuda 'Fastback' ........ 340 4-Speed
#3 .... 1968 Dart GTS ........................ 340-4-Speed
#4 .... 1971 Duster ........................... 340 4-Speed
#5 .... 1970 Duster ........................... 340 4-Speed

#6 .... 1971 Demon .......................... 340 4-Speed
#7 .... 1969 Barracuda 'Notchback' ..... 340 4-Speed
#8 .... 1971 Dart 'Swinger Special' ...... 340 4-Speed
#9 .... 1969 Dart Swinger .................. 340 4-Speed
#10 .. 1968 Barracuda 'Notchback' ..... 340 Automatic

#11 .. 1969 Barracuda 'Fastback' ........ 340 4-Speed
#12 .. 1969 Barracuda 'Notchback' ..... 340 Automatic
#13 .. 1970 Dart Swinger .................. 340 4-Speed
#14 .. 1971 Duster ........................... 340 Automatic
#15 .. 1968 Barracuda 'Fastback' ....... 340 Automatic

#16 .. 1971 Demon .......................... 340 Automatic
#17 .. 1968 Dart GTS ....................... 340 Automatic
#18 .. 1969 Barracuda 'Fastback' ....... 340 Automatic
#19 .. 1971 Dart 'Swinger Special' ..... 340 Automatic
#20 .. 1969 Dart Swinger ................. 340 Automatic

#21 .. 1969 Dart GTS ....................... 340 Automatic
#22 .. 1970 Duster .......................... 340 Automatic
#23 .. 1970 Dart Swinger ................. 340 Automatic


Note; Does not include the {1966 Dodge Dart 'D-Dart'}
Click to expand...

Factored by; Shipping Weight and Front-to-Rear Weight Distribution

* Advantages
* 1968 340 4-Speed {Camshaft}
* Barracuda 'Notchback' {-88 lbs. lighter than the Barracuda 'Fastback'}
 
Is this just your personal list based on deductive reasoning?

I am just curious how #11 .. 1969 Barracuda 'Fastback' ........ 340 4-Speed is noticeably slower than #2 .... 1968 Barracuda 'Fastback' ........ 340 4-Speed just as #7 .... 1969 Barracuda 'Notchback' ..... 340 4-Speed is noticeably slower than #1 .... 1968 Barracuda 'Notchback' ...... 340 4-Speed AND you have others like #3 .... 1968 Dart GTS ........................ 340-4-Speed #4 .... 1971 Duster ........................... 340 4-Speed
#5 .... 1970 Duster ........................... 340 4-Speed and #6 .... 1971 Demon .......................... 340 4-Speed in between them all.

Not trying to bust your balls. just trying to understand this.
 
hemitheus said:
Is this just your personal list based on deductive reasoning?

I am just curious how #11 .. 1969 Barracuda 'Fastback' ........ 340 4-Speed is noticeably slower than #2 .... 1968 Barracuda 'Fastback' ........ 340 4-Speed just as #7 .... 1969 Barracuda 'Notchback' ..... 340 4-Speed is noticeably slower than #1 .... 1968 Barracuda 'Notchback' ...... 340 4-Speed AND you have others like #3 .... 1968 Dart GTS ........................ 340-4-Speed #4 .... 1971 Duster ........................... 340 4-Speed
#5 .... 1970 Duster ........................... 340 4-Speed and #6 .... 1971 Demon .......................... 340 4-Speed in between them all.

Not trying to bust your balls. just trying to understand this.
Click to expand...

No Offense Taken,

Not all 340's were the same.

* Are you aware of the 'special' 1968 340 4-Speed Camshaft...........

* The Duster was 'lighter' than the Demon and the Dart Sport.

* The 1970 '340 Intake' had a larger heat cross-over passage than the {1968 and 1969 Casting}

* 1971 thru 1973 '340 Engines' utilized a Carter Thermoquad {750 CFM Rating}

* 1974 '360 Engines' utilized a Carter Thermoquad {820 CFM Rating}
 
I have the #7 car, as posted in other posts, bought it new in 1969, 340, 4 speed and 3:91 Sure Grip. It ran 14:50's at 99 mph. These times were run at Thunder Valley, Marion SD in the heat of summer of 1969 on E70 bias ply tires.

I have rebuilt the engine to mostly factory specs, a little less compression for pump gas, a Federal Mogul cam with very close specs to the '68 340 4 speed cam. The engine is blue printed and balanced using the original block, crank, rods, heads and intake. The AVS is a replacement but the correct one. I am using the factory exhaust manifolds. I have upgraded to a electronic ignition.

The cams in the '68 were hotter for the 4 speeds. The autos and 4 speeds in '69 shared the same cam, thus the '68 4 speeds were quicker.

The transmission is the same as it was in '69. I do have 3:55's with the Sure Grip in it now. I am changing to the 3:91's. The tires are radials the size equivilent of the E70's.

The car was ran with a "skinny" driver in 1969. It will go down the track with a "mature" driver now here shortly. It is going to be interesting to see if I can get close to the 14:50 times. That is my goal and that is why I build the engine the way I did and chose not to use headers.

Pa karp:burnout:
 
69 Cuda 440 said:
Let's not be too literal.

This is based on General Track Performance

Car Weight, as well as Weight Transfer.

For instance,

The 1971 Duster 340 is {-32 lbs.} lighter than the 1971 Demon 340.

Also, the 4-Speed Transmission A-Body cars are {+46 lbs.} heavier than the Automatic Transmission A-Body cars.
Click to expand...

With the converters the stock cars use from the factory, the 4 speed has a huge advantage. 46 pounds more is nothing when you can launch the car at whatever rpm you want to
 
69 Cuda 440 said:
The 'Quickest' A-Body Small Blocks from the Factory {1965 thru 1974}

* Stock Components w/3.91 Gears

Rank......Car...............................Engine/Transmission.....Shipping Weight


#1 .... 1968 Barracuda 'Notchback' ...... 340 4-Speed ............. #3085 lbs.
#2 .... 1968 Barracuda 'Fastback' ........ 340 4-Speed ............. #3162 lbs.
#3 .... 1968 Dart GTS ........................ 340-4-Speed ............. #3177 lbs.
#4 .... 1971 Duster ........................... 340 4-Speed............... #3140 lbs.
#5 .... 1969 Barracuda 'Notchback' ...... 340 4-Speed ............. #3074 lbs.

#6 .... 1970 Duster ........................... 340 4-Speed .............. #3134 lbs.
#7 .... 1971 Demon .......................... 340 4-Speed .............. #3199 lbs.
#8 .... 1969 Barracuda 'Fastback ........ 340 4-Speed .............. #3144 lbs.
#9 .... 1971 Dart 'Swinger Special' ...... 340 4-Speed .............. #3214 lbs.
#10 .. 1969 Dart Swinger .................. 340 4-Speed .............. #3172 lbs.

#11 .. 1968 Barracuda 'Notchback' ..... 340 Automatic ............ #3057 lbs.
#12 .. 1969 Dart GTS ........................ 340 4-Speed ............. #3184 lbs.
#13 .. 1969 Barracuda 'Notchback' ..... 340 Automatic ............ #3046 lbs.
#14 .. 1970 Dart Swinger .................. 340 4-Speed .............. #3208 lbs.
#15 .. 1971 Duster ........................... 340 Automatic ............ #3117 lbs.

#16 .. 1970 Duster ........................... 340 Automatic ............ #3110 lbs.
#17 .. 1968 Barracuda 'Fastback' ....... 340 Automatic ............ #3129 lbs.
#18 .. 1971 Demon .......................... 340 Automatic ............ #3166 lbs.
#19 .. 1968 Dart GTS ....................... 340 Automatic ............ #3144 lbs.
#20 .. 1969 Barracuda 'Fastback' ....... 340 Automatic ............ #3114 lbs.

#21 .. 1971 Dart 'Swinger Special' ..... 340 Automatic ............ #3185 lbs.
#22 .. 1969 Dart Swinger ................. 340 Automatic ............ #3146 lbs.
#23 .. 1969 Dart GTS ....................... 340 Automatic ........... #3151 lbs.
#24 .. 1970 Dart Swinger ................. 340 Automatic ........... #3179 lbs.
#25 .. 1974 Duster .......................... 360 4-Speed ............. #3300 lbs.

#26 .. 1974 Dart Sport ..................... 360 4-Speed ............. #3330 lbs.
#27 .. 1972 Duster .......................... 340 4-Speed ............. #3190 lbs.
#28 .. 1972 Demon ......................... 340 4-Speed.............. #3241 lbs.
#29 .. 1974 Duster .......................... 360 Automatic .......... #3267 lbs.
#30 .. 1974 Dart Sport ..................... 360 Automatic .......... #3297 lbs.

#31 .. 1973 Duster .......................... 340 4-Speed ............. #3221 lbs.
#32 .. 1973 Dart Sport ..................... 340 4-Speed ............. #3251 lbs.
#33 .. 1972 Duster .......................... 340 Automatic ........... #3165 lbs.
#34 .. 1972 Demon ......................... 340 Automatic ........... #3208 lbs.
#35 .. 1973 Duster .......................... 340 Automatic .......... #3175 lbs.

#36 .. 1973 Dart Sport .................... 340 Automatic ............ #3205 lbs.
#37 .. 1965 Valiant ......................... 273 4-Speed .............. #2770 lbs.
#38 .. 1966 Valiant ......................... 273 4-Speed .............. #2830 lbs.
#39 .. 1967 Valiant ......................... 273 4-Speed .............. #2850 lbs.
#40 .. 1965 Valiant ......................... 273 Automatic ........... #2740 lbs.

#41 .. 1967 Barracuda 'Notchback' .... 273 4-Speed ............. #2885 lbs.
#42 .. 1969 Valiant ......................... 318 4-Speed ............. #2861 lbs.
#43 .. 1968 Valiant ......................... 318 4-Speed ............. #2872 lbs.
#44 .. 1965 Dart GT ....................... 273 4-Speed .............. #2925 lbs.
#45 .. 1965 Barracuda .................... 273 4-Speed .............. #2927 lbs.

#46 .. 1970 Duster ......................... 318 4-Speed .............. #2902 lbs.
#47 .. 1969 Barracuda 'Notchback' ... 318 4-Speed .............. #2936 lbs.
#48 .. 1968 Barracuda 'Notchback' ... 318 4-Speed .............. #2947 lbs.
#49 .. 1966 Barracuda .................... 273 4-Speed .............. #2960 lbs.
#50 .. 1967 Barracuda 'Fastback'...... 273 4-Speed .............. #2970 lbs.

#51 .. 1966 Dart GT ....................... 273 4-Speed .............. #2973 lbs.
#52 .. 1970 Dart ............................ 318 4-Speed .............. #2961 lbs.
#53 .. 1969 Dart GT ....................... 318 4-Speed .............. #2998 lbs.
#54 .. 1969 Barracuda 'Fastback' ..... 318 4-Speed .............. #3018 lbs.
#55 .. 1968 Dart GT ....................... 318 4-Speed .............. #3019 lbs.

#56 .. 1966 Valiant ........................ 273 Automatic ............ #2800 lbs.
#57 .. 1968 Barracuda 'Fastback' ..... 318 4-Speed ............... #3031 lbs.
#58 .. 1967 Valiant ........................ 273 Automatic ............ #2820 lbs.
#59 .. 1967 Dart GT ....................... 273 4-Speed ............... #3001 lbs.
#60 .. 1967 Barracuda 'Notchback' ... 273 Automatic ............ #2855 lbs.

#61 .. 1969 Valiant ........................ 318 Automatic ............ #2824 lbs.
#62 .. 1968 Valiant ........................ 318 Automatic............. #2835 lbs.
#63 .. 1970 Duster ........................ 318 Automatic ............ #2871 lbs.
#64 .. 1965 Dart GT ....................... 273 Automatic ............ #2895 lbs.
#65 .. 1965 Barracuda .................... 273 Automatic ............ #2896 lbs.

#66 .. 1969 Barracuda 'Notchback' ... 318 Automatic ............ #2899 lbs.
#67 .. 1968 Barracuda 'Notchback' .. 318 Automatic ............ #2910 lbs.
#68 .. 1966 Dart GT ...................... 273 Automatic ............ #2928 lbs.
#69 .. 1966 Barracuda ................... 273 Automatic ............ #2930 lbs.
#70 .. 1967 Barracuda 'Fastback' .... 273 Automatic............. #2940 lbs.

#71 .. 1970 Dart .......................... 318 Automatic ............. #2942 lbs.
#72 .. 1967 Dart GT ...................... 273 Automatic ............ #2964 lbs.
#73 .. 1969 Barracuda 'Fastback' .... 318 Automatic ............ #2987 lbs.
#74 .. 1968 Barracuda 'Fastback' .... 318 Automatic ............ #3005 lbs.
#75 .. 1969 Dart GT ...................... 318 Automatic ............ #3029 lbs.

#76 .. 1968 Dart GT ..................... 318 Automatic ............. #3050 lbs.


Note; Does not include the {1966 Dodge Dart 'D-Dart'}
Click to expand...

Note; Does not include 'Convertible' A-Body cars.

Revised..........
 
70aarcuda said:
Basically you can not...that is why the times are worthless....plus what if one car has a driver that weights 300lbs...while the other uses a 150 lb driver....

ok..the times are good for conversation ....LOL
Click to expand...

Let's just say, for testing purposes, same weight driver, same conditions.
it is possible
 
1968 '340' Camshafts

Factory Advertised Specifications

4-Speed
* Lift ............ .445"/.456"
* Duration ..... 284*/292* Duration
* Overlap ...... 60* Overlap
* Centerline .. 114*

Automatic
* Lift ........... .430"/.445"
* Duration .... 276*/284*
* Overlap ...... 52*
* Centerline .. 114*

__________________________________________________

1969 and later '340' Camshafts

* Lift ........... .429"/.444"
* Duration .... 268*/276*
* Overlap ...... 44*
* Centerline .. 114*
 
The cam I ordered for my '69 'Cuda is made by Speed Pro, part # CS1019R. The specs are .443/.465, duration 288/298, 112. It pulls HARD up to 5500. I have not been over that rpm.

Pa karp:burnout:
 
Not A-bodies but the Dakota RT regular cab and Jeep 5.9 limited ran low 15's pure stock, a stripped down 92-93 5.2 Dakota would also run low to mid 15's pure stock. A real production little red might run a mid 15, the prototype ringer ran a 14.7.

From mid 1980s until mid 2000s the trucks were the best "muscle cars" Mopar had. I had a 92 5.2 Dakota 2wd RC short bed, and a 2000 Dakota RT RC. The 92 ran a 14.9 at sears point with just the muffler and tailgate removed, and some 235/65 scab tires.
 
Car Life: 1968 Barracuda 0-60 Quarter Mile
225 cid automatic 13.6 19.4 @ 69.8
273 V8 automatic 9.2 16.9 @ 85.6
340 V8 7.1 14.93 @ 96.6
 
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