Just how quick were the 273 Commando's in the Quarter-Mile.

The reason people think the 273 felt faster then the 318 is it was usually in lighter cars and the 235hp version also was ordered with limited slip, good gears and likely a 4 speed. Actually runs times on a stock motor then pull it and put a 68 318 with it's lesser 230 hp but gobs more torque and I bet the 318 runs a quicker time. Plus you have more untapped potential for the future on the 318 with low hanging fruit like a 4 bbl, bigger cam, more compression, etc.
I'd love to see some stock times of a 68 Valiant 318 4 speed with 3:55:1 or 3.91:1 gears. Before I bought my 68 Barracuda another 68 318 4 speed crossed EBay 100 miles from here but it was a notchback and I wanted a fastback. I had a 68 Satellite convertible with a stock 318 and a 3 speed manual that could shred the tires as well and that was a heavy B body convertable. My pure stock 71 Sebring with a 318 automatic and gears in the 2's on tall 15" tires still ran mid 16's at Bremerton raceway. Not quite the same but my 3200# 93 Dakota 318 ran a 14.9 at 93mph at Sears Point just pulling the muffler off and taking off the tailgate a month after I bought it new. Who knows what that thing could have done with some traction.
Basically I'm saying there was no downgrade in 1968.
I'm also considered crazy by some thinking the 360 was an improvement on the 340.