Christmas continues for MOPAR rsacers

[Billy Nees]

That 69 Dart is suddenly a very good "dime rocket".

[GTX JOHN]

Sam: What year combo and Horsepower is your
318 2 Brl. have you been running? I knew but
I can not remember.

[Sam Capizzi Jr]

Originally Posted by GTX JOHN

Sam: What year combo and Horsepower is your
318 2 Brl. have you been running? I knew but
I can not remember.

73 dart

[Jeff Lee]

What I don't understand is why this is specific to a 1969 & 1973 Dart (only)? I
As far as I know, the 1967-1971 318 2bbl is identical from year to year. If not 1967-1971 at least several years are identical with the only deviation possibly a carb?
And the 1972 318 2bbl is the same as a 1973 2bbl (and possibly the 1974 318 2bbl?).
And why do Dart's get this new HP and not Valliants? Seems to me this should be all "A" body's with 318 2bbl's and auto trans; with the higher compression pre-1972 separated from the lower compression 1972 engines and later with similar specifications.

[Sam Capizzi Jr]

Originally Posted by Jeff Lee

What I don't understand is why this is specific to a 1969 & 1973 Dart (only)? I
As far as I know, the 1967-1971 318 2bbl is identical from year to year. If not 1967-1971 at least several years are identical with the only deviation possibly a carb?
And the 1972 318 2bbl is the same as a 1973 2bbl (and possibly the 1974 318 2bbl?).
And why do Dart's get this new HP and not Valliants? Seems to me this should be all "A" body's with 318 2bbl's and auto trans; with the higher compression pre-1972 separated from the lower compression 1972 engines and later with similar specifications.

Last year when the 69 lost 3hp I questioned this and here is the response I got ...

.Sam,

The 69 and 73 are different in that they use different intake manifolds, different combustion chamber volumes, different deck clearances, and different head gasket thickness'.

[Jeff Teuton]

Probably what happend was in 68 was the first emissions regs, and downward since then. I have the parts books back to 1960 if anybody needs something looked up. They are the old paper books, therefore I can look up stuff in them. On the computer, I am not allowed to learn to look up stuff. I really don't understand that, but then again...........

[Jeff Lee]

Then I stand corrected. If those engines are unique, then they should get unique HP adjustments.
And after looking at the class guides, the 1969 318 was reduced in all models, not just Dart. So if you have a Coronet, Swinger, Dart, station wagon; whatever, the 318 2bbl is now 172 HP.
But the 1973 was Valiant / Duster / Barracuda & 'Cuda only and not the rest of the larger car line.

[Mark Yacavone]

Originally Posted by Jeff Lee

Then I stand corrected. If those engines are unique, then they should get unique HP adjustments.
And after looking at the class guides, the 1969 318 was reduced in all models, not just Dart. So if you have a Coronet, Swinger, Dart, station wagon; whatever, the 318 2bbl is now 172 HP.
But the 1973 was Valiant / Duster / Barracuda & 'Cuda only and not the rest of the larger car line.

Now you want consistency out of this outfit, for all the money spent? Jeez!

[Dave Gantz]

Originally Posted by Billy Nees

That 69 Dart is suddenly a very good "dime rocket".

You're obviously a respected player in this game, Billy. But, good 69 Darts, and the parts needed, are getting a little scarce, don't you think? -Don't get me wrong, I love seeing combos that were never good before, become good. I never understood why so many cars weren't good before. I guess it had something to do with the muscle cars versus any other stock car. "Stock" was maybe about muscle cars, and not so much all of the other cars that we grew up with and were plenty happy to race , though NHRA didn't see it the same way.

[SStockDart]

There is a Division 5 guy that is always at the Topeka Nationals (with his family).....his car is a P/SA...I believe a 69 Dart....what does that make it, a 318 2 bbl? He is always there and I have often wanted to help him in one way or another....he can't run within .4 of the index. However, If I remember correctly, he went to the finals at Kearney, Nebraska race in the fall. Seems like he had 2 red lights and a broken car race against him......what a great story for a Dime rocket that can't run the index.

I said that all that to say this......This guy obviously does not have the money to commit to racing (great looking family), but he goes racing....isn't that what it is all about.....I don't know if his combo could become competitive, but that is what he races. However, I would bet that about $500 in engine work would get him to the index or better with his 2 bbl car.