66' Dodge D-Dart vs. 66' Mustang GT 'K-Code'

[69 Cuda 440]

1966 NHRA D/Stock

In what was supposed to be Chrysler's 273 Small Block answer against
the 289 'HiPo' 'K-Code' Mustang GT in D/Stock.

The 289/271 Horsepower Mustang had an near equal balance in
Cubic Inches and Horsepower, and the #2873 lb. Fastback with a
10.61 Wt/Hp break fell perfectly into the D/Stock (10.60 - 11.29)
Class.

 

[340john]

I drove a lot of Mopars over the years...and a lot of early Mustangs and Shelbys. The K code cars and Shelbys pulled just as hard as my Hemicars.

 

[69 Cuda 440]

Agree,

The 289/271 Hi-Po 'K-Code' could out-run the 66' D-Dart, and handle the 383 B-Body
cars too without much of a problem.

At the track in 1966 and 1967, they were pretty dominant in their class
(1966 - D/S) and (1967 - C/S). The well-prepared K-Code cars back then,
were running 13.30's with regularity.

 

[Bulldozer]

go ford mustang

 

[kt340sport]

I have three older brothers, and they said the 289, was a lot better performance engine then the 302 , and was alot stronger then the BOSS engine in 69, 70.

 

[69 Cuda 440]

The 289/271 HP 'Hi-Po' just had more bells-and-whistles than the 66' 273/275 HP D-Dart,
and the 66' Mustang GT 'K-Code' could also be purchased with a C-4 Automatic.

But, the 273/235 HP 'Commando' had no problem with the 289/225 HP Mustangs.

That I can attest too, as we never lost to one from 1967 thru 1971 in Stock Class.

 

[ddartdude]

From what I heard about the New Comer, it was one of the cars that Banning Dodge received. It was driven by Eli Patrick and Pete Towe and wrenched on by John Stewart. I was told that the above picture might have had Eli behind the wheel.
The car was pretty good. Supposedly, it won 42 straight events from 1966-67. It won some trophys at Aquasco Speedway/Dragstip in 66. It raced against, and beat, Bob Banning's D/Dart. It went to the points championship in Florida during the winter of 1966-67. Supposedly, there were 8-10 D/Darts at that meet.
Eli Patrick currently owns Purvis Ford in Fredericksburg, Va and his son Robert runs a Pro-Nitrous Mustang in the ADRL series.
Alan

 

[69 Cuda 440]

Alan,

I'll see if I can dig up some information on the end of year 1966 New York State Drag Championships,
Stock Class Eliminator.

The 'D/Stock Finals' pitted a 66' D-Dart 273/275 HP against a 1966 Mustang GT 289/271 HP K-Code.

The 'D/SA Finals' (Automatic) pitted a 1966 Dodge Coronet 'Model 440' 383/325 HP against another
1966 Mustang GT 289/271 HP K-Code.

 

[cudavert]

The 289/271 HP 'Hi-Po' just had more bells-and-whistles than the 66' 273/275 HP D-Dart.....

I don't see how. The D-Dart had true tube headers and a pretty crazy cam, compared to that K-code 289 running cast exh manifolds, plus they both had dual point distributors, solid lifters and a Holley. One thing I noticed is that the 289 has a crazy over-square bore/stroke!.....like a 4-inch bore and the stroke is less than 3 inches! The 273 has quite a bit smaller bore, 3.625......not as good for piston speed or cylinder filling, I would think.

 

[69 Cuda 440]

CudaVert,

The Doug Headers for the D-Dart were not installed on the Dart when they left the
factory, so the Header Horsepower gain was not calculated into the D-Dart engine
Horsepower Rating when it left the factory.

True on piston size (4.00") and shorter stroke (2.89"), as the 289 could rev higher.

As per specifications, the 273 had a 10.5-1 Compression Ratio, while the
289 'K-Code' though 'advertised' at 10.5-1, was closer to 11.2-1 Compression.

 

[jacksdodges]

The 289/271 HP 'Hi-Po' just had more bells-and-whistles than the 66' 273/275 HP D-Dart,
and the 66' Mustang GT 'K-Code' could also be purchased with a C-4 Automatic.

But, the 273/235 HP 'Commando' had no problem with the 289/225 HP Mustangs.

That I can attest too, as we never lost to one from 1967 thru 1971 in Stock Class.

I agree with your last sentance. I ran my 66 Dart 273/235 from 66 till about 71 and was neverr beat by any ford or comet in stock class.

 

[69 Cuda 440]

I agree with your last sentance. I ran my 66 Dart 273/235 from 66 till about 71 and was neverr beat by any ford or comet in stock class.

The 289/225 HP Mustangs were stuck around 14.80's when we had them in our class.
1967 = F/S
1968 = J/S
1969 = K/S
1970 = L/S
1971 = L/S