70 dodge dart vs. 70 nova

[Lee Stewart]

The one I looked at in the showroom of the local Dodge dealer in Liberty, NY was identical to the photo I posted. Had three options: AM radio, vinyl top and wheel covers. It was going to be my first car which I would take to college with me. I chickened out due to having car payments with no immediate job. So I took most of my $1000 cash down payment money and bought a 1964 327/300HP Impala SS convertible with powerglide, PS and PB. Had some bucks left over to take to college as a nest egg. That was after I bought a reverb and 8 track player.

[RALLY]

1968 340's
• engines painted red w/black accessories 1968 Dodge Dart 340 cubic inch motor specs.

• 275 hp at 5,000 rpm & 340 lb-ft torque at 3,200

• 4.040" bore and 3.310" stroke

• forged crank w/shot peened rods

• 10.5:1 compression ratio

• ‘206’ hydraulic cam - 268 in. dur. - 276 ex. dur. 44 overlap (in 1968, only the

4 speed cars got a more aggressive cam, automatic versions got a cam

that become the standard in these hi-performance engines)

• a dual timing chain and a windage tray

• big X heads - 2.02 inch intake valves and 1.60 inch exhaust valves (894’s)

• free flowing dual plane 4 bbl intake

• Carter 650cfm AVS Carburetor w/1.44" primaries and

1.69" secondaries

[Lee Stewart]

Those were the factory specs. The real HP on a 340 was close to 300. NHRA factored them at 295 for F,G Stock (68 and 69). The 71 was even higher due to the big Thermoquad carb: 320 HP D,E,F,G Stock

[RALLY]

Originally Posted by Lee Stewart

Those were the factory specs. The real HP on a 340 was close to 300. NHRA factored them at 295 for F,G Stock (68 and 69). The 71 was even higher due to the big Thermoquad carb: 320 HP D,E,F,G Stock

In 1968,
the NHRA re-factored the 340's 275 Horsepower rating to 310HP, even
before it hit the pavement at Pomona, for the 1968 Winternationals.

Larry Gilley very competitive in his 68 GTS 340 Dart in stock eliminator.

[earntaz]

Originally Posted by RALLY

In 1968,
the NHRA re-factored the 340's 275 Horsepower rating to 310HP, even
before it hit the pavement at Pomona, for the 1968 Winternationals.

Larry Gilley very competitive in his 68 GTS 340 Dart in stock eliminator.

Does anyone know what the LT-1 as in the 70' Z-28 was factored at by NHRA?

[earntaz]

Originally Posted by Arrowsmith

NHRA HP ratings aren't what they used to be. They now take in account racer requests to lower the HP rating. When that happens, the racer gets to drop into a more favourable class. On the other hand, if a specific combination is regularly quick against the Index, the HP factor can be increased. So as you can imagine, there just might be a bit of a hustle going on. Stock and Super Stock use different "stock" HP ratings too. With that in mind....

All of these are ratings with OEM heads; not "legal" replacement heads -- replacement heads can result in more or less HP:

The 1970 Camaro LT1 is currently rated at 320 in Stock with a stick; 325 in Stock with an automatic

The 1970 Corvette LT1 is currently rated at 330 in Stock (stick only, obviously)

The 1971 Camaro LT1 is currently rated at 315 in Stock (stick only -- no automatics accepted)

The 1971 Corvette LT1 is currently rated at 315 in Stock (stick only)

The 1968 & 1969 & 1970 Dart 340 is currently rated at 299 HP in Stock

The 1971 Dart 340 is currently rated at 314 HP in Stock

1970 3X2BBL Challenger is currently rated at 308 HP in Stock with a stick; 319 with an automatic

As you can see, it's little bit of a gong show today and because of that I wouldn't be too quick to use NHRA factors as a rating source today (although years ....maybe decades...ago it certainly was).

Hope that helps.

Wayne

Thanks Wayne -- was it the same in 1970? That is when I was running my Z-28. Thanks again ... Craig

[DWR]

18 degree heads also.

[Vortecpro]

Originally Posted by dwr

18 degree heads also.

yes

[x33rs]

You see quite a few of the little 340's at the PS drags. Gives you a good idea what a well prepared stock 340 is capable of.
They get paired with big blocks fairly often. Pretty good running little cars, I've always admired them.

Here are just a couple examples.

https://youtu.be/q6eo7OgBcW8

https://youtu.be/SOonwztXUL8

https://youtu.be/o5ht7nDXnAA

[RALLY]

Originally Posted by x33rs

You see quite a few of the little 340's at the PS drags. Gives you a good idea what a well prepared stock 340 is capable of.
They get paired with big blocks fairly often. Pretty good running little cars, I've always admired them.

Here are just a couple examples.

https://youtu.be/q6eo7OgBcW8

https://youtu.be/SOonwztXUL8

https://youtu.be/o5ht7nDXnAA

Agree those 340 Dart Swingers were quick. Hope to get one some day.