My Mother had a 68 gt Dart convertible with 273 4 bbl , it smoked the tires with ease . Was quicker than the 70 318 that replaced it for sure . Wish they would have developed the 273 further , but those days cubic inches was the way to go . My father always ordered the biggest engine available , it was the thing to do
Just how quick were the 273 Commando's in the Quarter-Mile.
- Thread starter 69 Cuda 440
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NHRA Weight Class {12.50 to 12.99 Wt/HP}
From 1968 thru 1971 this is what the 273/235 HP Barracuda's had to deal with.
* 1968 Chevelle '300' 2-Door Coupe ............ 327/250 HP ~ #3155 lbs. = 12.62 Wt/HP
* 1969 Camaro 'Convertible' ....................... 350/255 HP ~ #3253 lbs. = 12.76 Wt/HP
* 1969 Chevelle '300 Deluxe' 2-Door Coupe .. 350/255 HP ~ #3200 lbs. = 12.55 Wt/HP
From 1968 thru 1971 this is what the 273/235 HP Barracuda's had to deal with.
* 1968 Chevelle '300' 2-Door Coupe ............ 327/250 HP ~ #3155 lbs. = 12.62 Wt/HP
* 1969 Camaro 'Convertible' ....................... 350/255 HP ~ #3253 lbs. = 12.76 Wt/HP
* 1969 Chevelle '300 Deluxe' 2-Door Coupe .. 350/255 HP ~ #3200 lbs. = 12.55 Wt/HP
branded209
Well-Known Member
The 273 commando dart cars had a "D" code car that was just built for drag and wasn't street legal I hear they were ridiculously fast.
There have been much written here at FABO about the 66 D Dart. There are even a couple members that own them. Here's a few threads started by ddartdude.
http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/search.php?searchid=10743873
http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/search.php?searchid=10743873
Hersbird
Well-Known Member
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.
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.
Hersbird
Regarding the 318/230 HP - 2-Barrel in the 1968 and/or 1969 Barracuda.
I don't remember ever seeing one do anything in Class at the Drag Strip from
1968 thru 1971.
The 273/235 HP {1965 thru 1967} had no problem running away from the
318 2-Barrel A-Body cars at the Drag Strip in Stock Class.
Regarding the 318/230 HP - 2-Barrel in the 1968 and/or 1969 Barracuda.
I don't remember ever seeing one do anything in Class at the Drag Strip from
1968 thru 1971.
The 273/235 HP {1965 thru 1967} had no problem running away from the
318 2-Barrel A-Body cars at the Drag Strip in Stock Class.
1968 Barracuda 318/230 HP ~ Shipping Weights
* Hardtop Coupe ........ #2910 lbs. ~ 230 HP = 12.65 Wt/HP
* Fastback ................ #3005 lbs. ~ 230 HP = 13.06 Wt/HP
* Convertible ............. #3080 lbs. ~ 230 HP = 13.35 Wt/HP
The '1968' 318/230 HP {Hardtop Coupe} ran in the same NHRA Class as
the {1965 thru 1967} Barracuda 273/235 HP 'Commando'.
Hersbird
Well-Known Member
According to NHRA the 67 235 273 Barracuda is 210 hp with a 13.65 and 2866# while the 1968 318 Barracuda of same body style is 182 hp with a 15.09 and 2893#. Those are stock classifications on what would be the closest apples to apples. Super stock they are almost identical on the lbs per hp. So NHRA "stock" classes do seem to favor the 273 but stock class NHRA is far from showrrom stock. By the time you modify to SS then there is no advantage in the 273. I still say showroom stock a equally equipped 67 Barracuda 273 4bbl will run the same as a 1968 with the 318. Same transmission and gearing.
Hersbird
Well-Known Member
Right, but what kills the 318 in "stock" class is the tiny 2bbl carb. You can do a bunch to a "stock" class NHRA motor except the carb and intake manifold. Fast forward to the otherwise anemic 318 of the 80's but with a factory 4 billion and suddenly NHRA has the low compression 1984 318 at 250hp. Real world showroom stock I still say the 68 318 was equal to the 67 273 but with more potential.
Back-in-the-Day
273/235 HP vs. 318/230 HP
Back in 1970 and 1971, my Mother was running her 67' Barracuda 273/235 HP 'Commando' in L/Stock.
By then, it was pretty much set-up.
She was running 13.70's @ 102 MPH, and dominated Stock Class {Trophy Class}.
On the other side, there was a 1970 Duster 318/230 HP that was also fairly well
set up, but running K/Stock.
Remember, the 1970 Duster 318 was lighter than the 1967 Barracuda 'Fastback'.
The Duster 318 was pretty much strapped just to get down to 14.50's @ 96 MPH.
The Carter BBD {285 CFM} on the 318/230 HP did it no favors with
small {1 7/16"} Throttle-Bores and {1.186" Venturi}.
They starved for Fuel half-way down the Track.
273/235 HP vs. 318/230 HP
Back in 1970 and 1971, my Mother was running her 67' Barracuda 273/235 HP 'Commando' in L/Stock.
By then, it was pretty much set-up.
She was running 13.70's @ 102 MPH, and dominated Stock Class {Trophy Class}.
On the other side, there was a 1970 Duster 318/230 HP that was also fairly well
set up, but running K/Stock.
Remember, the 1970 Duster 318 was lighter than the 1967 Barracuda 'Fastback'.
The Duster 318 was pretty much strapped just to get down to 14.50's @ 96 MPH.
The Carter BBD {285 CFM} on the 318/230 HP did it no favors with
small {1 7/16"} Throttle-Bores and {1.186" Venturi}.
They starved for Fuel half-way down the Track.
Chrysler was mainly known to be conservative with there power ratings unlike Ford and Chev but the 318 ain't one of the them that 230 number is way over rated other than magnum engine the spec barely changed for the 318 over the years same would be with the hp.
Fair Horsepower Numbers
* 273/190 HP ..................................... 165 HP
* 273/235 HP ..................................... 215 HP
* 273/275 HP {1966 D-Dart} ............... 250 HP
* 318/230 HP ..................................... 180 HP
* 340/275 HP {1968 thru 1970}............. 295 HP
* 340/275 HP {1971} ........................... 300 HP
1970 NHRA National Record
L/Stock ............... 12.85 @ 108.43 MPH
No way could the 273/235 HP A-Body {Barracuda and Dart GT} cars get near the NHRA Record in 1970.
L/Stock ............... 12.85 @ 108.43 MPH
No way could the 273/235 HP A-Body {Barracuda and Dart GT} cars get near the NHRA Record in 1970.
Hersbird
Well-Known Member
Like I said the NHRA "stock" class is far from stock, where it is stock is the one area the 318 had trouble, the stock carb. Even a simple, inexpensive Holly 2bbl swap would do wonders but is not allowed. Yet cut in expensive fender well headers with open exhaust, spend a fortune on blueprint and balance along with custom cam grinds and you are still stock according to the NHRA. Those things wouldn't help the 318 when you are forced to use that carb. When you are talking showroom stock you are in a different world. When you are talking real world where a person is more likely to add a couple of bolt ons before spending the thousands put into a "stock" NHRA class.
How would the later 318's 250hp NHRA rating be explained away. There is nothing magical about a 273 compared to a 318, to a 340, to a 360. The 318 was just saddled with a tiny carb most years.
How would the later 318's 250hp NHRA rating be explained away. There is nothing magical about a 273 compared to a 318, to a 340, to a 360. The 318 was just saddled with a tiny carb most years.
451Cuda
Well-Known Member
Answer: Slow enough that no one in 2015 cares anymore.
Next question...
*ducks and runs out of the room :burnout:
Hersbird
Well-Known Member
I also wonder how much better the one year only Rochester 352 cfm 2bbl was on the 318.
And we have a winner. Posting on a thread you care nothing about just to be an asshole award
Well done 451Cuda.
Oldschoolcuda
*stays in room
451Cuda
Well-Known Member
Life is much easier when you do not give a **** about another's opinion. Have had the fortune of a very easy life thank you. LOL.
Oldschoolcuda
Oldschoolcuda
451Cuda
Well-Known Member
Take it easy there Nancy.
One good thing about Nebraska.
The Cows don't talk about the Farmers that 'bang' them at night. ........... :cheers:
Play nice guys!
451Cuda
Well-Known Member
Hah...that joke's supposed to be about Texas!
Good to know at least one of you knows I'm joking...
mph
Well-Known Member
Here is a vid from the weekend. The little 273 sounds OK.
Turn it up....
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FPjdC65G-BM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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