70 dodge dart vs. 70 nova

[EZ Nova]

It was before my time as I'm only 54 at this time. Was into Mopars as my first cars and locally Mopars were king. My 1st car was the '68 GTX convert clone. BUT second was a legit '68 GTS 340 4 sp car. Had both when I was 18.

So I talked to a lot of the older guys that ran these cars new on the street and track. The 340 was usually considered the fastest SB around. There were 5 '66L79 Chevy II's and there was usually 1 that had work that would beat a 340 mopar. The rest were usually a couple cars behind. Dusters seem to work better then the Darts from what I heard.

LD340 intake and headers n gears would wake these up some nicely too.

[RALLY]

Originally Posted by EZ Nova

It was before my time as I'm only 54 at this time. Was into Mopars as my first cars and locally Mopars were king. My 1st car was the '68 GTX convert clone. BUT second was a legit '68 GTS 340 4 sp car. Had both when I was 18.

So I talked to a lot of the older guys that ran these cars new on the street and track. The 340 was usually considered the fastest SB around. There were 5 '66L79 Chevy II's and there was usually 1 that had work that would beat a 340 mopar. The rest were usually a couple cars behind. Dusters seem to work better then the Darts from what I heard.

LD340 intake and headers n gears would wake these up some nicely too.

Dont know but it seemed like the Dusters were a heavier car than the Darts.

[Lee Stewart]

Originally Posted by RALLY

Dont know but it seemed like the Dusters were a heavier car than the Darts.

Not by much. 1970 Duster 340 4 speed Curb Weight: 3307. 1969 Swinger 340 curb weight: 3274 pounds.

[John Brown]

Had to dig out my NHRA Stock Car Classification Guide and see how they compared. Both of my sheets are dated 1971.

1970 Dodge Dart Swinger 340 275 horsepower 10.11 pounds/horsepower. 3133 pounds.

* Today, automatics are factored 10.48, stick 11.15.


1970 Plymouth Duster 340 275 horsepower 10.17 pounds/horsepower. 3109 pounds.

* Today, automatics are factored 10.40, stick 11.07 pounds/horsepower.


I believe NHRA uses shipping weights.

That means Darts were rated at 310 hp in 70 and Dusters were rated at 306 hp. Today it's 299 for automatics, 281 for sticks, same for both brands.

[RALLY]

Originally Posted by John Brown

Had to dig out my NHRA Stock Car Classification Guide and see how they compared. Both of my sheets are dated 1971.

1970 Dodge Dart Swinger 340 275 horsepower 10.11 pounds/horsepower. 3133 pounds.

* Today, automatics are factored 10.48, stick 11.15.


1970 Plymouth Duster 340 275 horsepower 10.17 pounds/horsepower. 3109 pounds.

* Today, automatics are factored 10.40, stick 11.07 pounds/horsepower.


I believe NHRA uses shipping weights.

That means Darts were rated at 310 hp in 70 and Dusters were rated at 306 hp. Today it's 299 for automatics, 281 for sticks, same for both brands.

Interesting facts how the horsepower numbers are factored these days. NHRA is losing interest among the fans and racers these days.

[EZ Nova]

Originally Posted by RALLY

Dont know but it seemed like the Dusters were a heavier car than the Darts.

I believe the Darts were a tad lighter, but not enough to really consider. We at the shop have found the Dusters work pretty well for some reason. We have a few customers with SB Dusters, and there pretty impressive. The best is a W7 equipt 411 incher that runs low 8's with DOT tire and thru mufflers, and has been 7.60's on 1 stage @ 2950lbs.

The LA series can be a very stout piece even today.

[RALLY]

Originally Posted by EZ Nova

I believe the Darts were a tad lighter, but not enough to really consider. We at the shop have found the Dusters work pretty well for some reason. We have a few customers with SB Dusters, and there pretty impressive. The best is a W7 equipt 411 incher that runs low 8's with DOT tire and thru mufflers, and has been 7.60's on 1 stage @ 2950lbs.

The LA series can be a very stout piece even today.

I am guessing the Dusters had better weight transfer than the Darts. I know back in the early Pro Stock Days in NHRA had a lot of Dusters, Demons with Hemi power. Some quick cars.

[GrumpyJeff]

Originally Posted by RALLY

I am guessing the Dusters had better weight transfer than the Darts. I know back in the early Pro Stock Days in NHRA had a lot of Dusters, Demons with Hemi power. Some quick cars.

being a Hardcore Chevy guy, I still think the early Dusters/Demons where some of the toughest looking Pro Stockers ever !!!

[RALLY]

Originally Posted by GrumpyJeff

being a Hardcore Chevy guy, I still think the early Dusters/Demons where some of the toughest looking Pro Stockers ever !!!

Agree Grumpy, i too am a Chevy diehard guy. Hated Fords, Mopars all the rest when i was younger. But lets give credit when due, the Mopars always had a place in my heart. Never liked their styling much. Own a 62 Plymouth Valiant with a slant six, three on the tree but that car had some zip, loved running around with that car way back when. Any who yes agree, the Hemi Powered Pro Stockers Duster/Demons were tough looking for sure. I saw some Dusters in the early 70's in Pro Stock with 340 cubic inch powerplants race, very quick cars.

[Arrowsmith]

Sigh....here we go again...

Originally Posted by EZ Nova

"and locally Mopars were king"

"So I talked to a lot of the older guys that ran these cars new on the street and track. The 340 was usually considered the fastest SB around. There were 5 '66L79 Chevy II's and there was usually 1 that had work that would beat a 340 mopar. The rest were usually a couple cars behind. Dusters seem to work better then the Darts from what I heard.....

Just L-O-L.