'A-Body Showdown' ~ 1967 Dart GT 273/235 HP vs. 1968 Dart GT 318/230 HP

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318 probably would do better with less gear, would have more usable rpm, but since both cars are similar weight with the 273 25 more hp NHRA factored the 318 is doomed to lose.
 
69 Cuda 440 said:
Both Dart GT's running a 4-Speed, w/3.91 Gears 'Sure-Grip'
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1967 Dodge Dart GT 273/235 HP ~ 'Charger 273' High-Rev Screamer

* O to 60 MPH ............. 8.2 Seconds
* 1/4 Mile.................... 15.89 @ 89.0 MPH

th



1968 Dodge Dart GT {318/230 HP} ~ 'Little Torque Monster'

* 0 to 60 MPH ............. 9.0 Seconds
* 1/4 Mile ................... 16.07 @ 85.1 MPH


th
Click to expand...

Race

Coming off the line and 'Out-of-the-Hole', the 273 with it's higher RPM's would gain an edge,
as the 318 would be forced to shift into 2nd-gear earlier.

This would allow the 273 to pull to a 'full' car length lead.

The 273/235 HP was strong at 'Early Mid-Range', and thru 2nd-Gear it would be able to pull
almost another 'Car-Length'.

The 318, peaking at 4500 RPM's would be forced to shift into 3rd-Gear earlier, as the 273 could
crank at 5500 RPM's.

The 318 was a strong 'Torque-Monster' at the 50 to 70 MPH Range, and would be able to hold
it's own with the 273 at 'Late Mid-Range'.

The 273, once hit 3rd-Gear, would have to stay in this Gear longer to pull into the RPM Power Band.

At the end of 3rd-Gear, the 273 would tend to 'flatten-out'.

This would allow the 318 'bigger cubes' to make up some minor ground at the Top End, but it would
run out of Carburetor.
 
69 Cuda 440 said:
Both Dart GT's running a 4-Speed, w/3.91 Gears 'Sure-Grip'
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1967 Dodge Dart GT 273/235 HP ~ 'Charger 273' High-Rev Screamer

* O to 60 MPH ............. 8.2 Seconds
* 1/4 Mile.................... 15.89 @ 89.0 MPH


1968 Dodge Dart GT {318/230 HP} ~ 'Little Torque Monster'

* 0 to 60 MPH ............. 9.0 Seconds
* 1/4 Mile ................... 16.01 @ 85.1 MPH
Click to expand...

More good numbers in my opinion, Thanks Paul.
 
Gib Warnick said:
Fast 273- Was it stock?
Click to expand...

That is way too quick for 'all stock'.

Though the '1965' 273/235 HP cars were the 'quickest' of the '1965 thru 1967' 273 High Performance packages.

Reasons;
* The 1965 cars were equipped with a 'Low Back Pressure' straight thru muffler.
* 4-Speeds were equipped with Hurst Shifters
* A-904 Automatic Transmissions had a higher RPM shift point

Also, some state that the 1965 273 Engine Blocks had closer to 'true Specifications', with the Step Domed Piston
closer to minimum measurements. {ie; Deck Height}.
 
I suspect the 65 body was a bit lighter than 67 as well.
 
It had an AFB carb from 383 that's all. It was a little down hill track.It would have been a little slower on a different track.It ran really good and beat a lot of mustangs and camaros it shouldn't have.They weren't very happy. That was in 1969 70.I had a stack of time slips it was consistent.that was meander drag strip Youngstown (Elsworth) Ohio
 
Givenchy,

Here is the advertised Shipping Weight

Model Dart GT ...............................Automatic ...... 4-Speed

1965 Dart GT {273/235 HP} ............... #2895 .......... #2925

1966 Dart GT {273/235 HP} ................ #2915 ..........#2940

1967 Dart GT {273/235 HP} ................ #2944 ......... #2981

1968 Dart GT {318/230 HP} ................. #2981 ........ #3018
 
A lot closer than I would have guessed, but it's 20-25 pounds and it matters.

I've seen folks change out intakes, starters, hoods, etc to get that same advantage.
 
YY1 said:
A lot closer than I would have guessed, but it's 20-25 pounds and it matters.

I've seen folks change out intakes, starters, hoods, etc to get that same advantage.
Click to expand...

The 1965 273/235 HP Dart GT 'Charger 273' came equipped with a low back-pressure
'straight flow-thru-muffler' and a Hurst Shifter.

As well as being about 55 lbs. lighter than the 1967 Dart GT.

The 1965 Dart GT was about 3/10's quicker than the 1967 273/235 HP Dart GT.
 
I love reading these threads. My 318 was awfully good to me (and always felt stronger than the numbers would suggest) so I'd cheer for the '68 in this race but I have insufficient data to take a good guess.

YY1 said:
A lot closer than I would have guessed, but it's 20-25 pounds and it matters.

I've seen folks change out intakes, starters, hoods, etc to get that same advantage.
Click to expand...

I totally agree. It does add up but with identical conditions, you're looking at ~1/50 of a second for 20lbs. There are so many variables that would have a greater impact that you could safely ignore that weight difference.
 
There is a difference between Factory Clutch set-ups.

The '1967' 273/235 HP 'High Performance' came through with 'Inland Shifter'', the Auburn 9 1/2" Clutch
and Pressure Plate, and the small/light {22 lbs.} Flywheel.


The 318/230 HP came through with the 10 1/2" Clutch Set-Up and {32 lbs.} Flywheel.

The late-year 318/230 HP '2-Barrel' 4-Speeds could be had with a Hurst Shifter.

This would make the 'Off-the-Line' start and 2nd-Gear transfer much closer than you would think.
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1967 Drivetrain Specifications

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E-Kay,

In 1968, both of these cars were classed in same NHRA Class of J/S or J/SA {12.50 to 12.99 Wt/Hp}

1968 National Records
* J/S.............. 13.22 @ 105.66 MPH
* J/SA............ 13.66 @ 103.22 MPH
 
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