Match Race ~ 1965 Valiant '273 Commando' vs. 1973 'Duster 340'

69 Cuda 440 said

Mr. '318-Will-Run'

I can't explain everything, but we were Factory Regional Sponsored Drag Racers back
in the day in the Northeast, when we were running 273's and 340's from {1966 thru 1974}.

I know what the Stock A-Body Mopars were capable of.

Magazine Performance Tests were all over the place.......

Now you're saying that,

You have a 1976 Dart Sport with a 318 {9.10-1 Compression}, with a Weight {3205 lbs. Shipping Weight}
{3304 lbs. Curb Weight}.

With 3.21 Gears 'Sure-Grip' and a 'Stock 727 Automatic.

And you ran a 14.41 @ 96 MPH > By installing a set of 360 'J-Heads' {milled .040"}, a used 340 Camshaft,
Cast Iron Intake and Thermo-Quad 800 CFM.

By that theory,

A 'stock' 1973 'Duster 340' should be capable 14.10's @ 98 MPH..............'NO WAY'

Click to expand...

Yes, exactly what I believe. Those numbers are real, and giving a 73 duster 340 with slicks, some TQ tweaking, some ignition timing, 14.10 is exactly what I would expect (especially with 3.91's, that should be an easy number). The thermoquad has about 17 adjustments on them, and about 3, maybe 4 of those are crucial. Also, it is key to have no power steering, as that belt robs 2 horsepower, adds 40 lbs, and, and, and the most crucial hit of the power steering on a-bodies is the drivers side manifold that goes "up and over". I have some REAL off the lot dragstrip numbers from some people that have bought them new and raced them off the lot stock (with slicks), and I know what they did. I also know what I have done..... This is a good topic, perhaps "what will a 340 duster run" is better than it vs a 273 commando.