Hey folks, I'm in my early 40's and just now getting into muscle cars. Growing up I was always a truck guy. I have owned a couple of 4th Gen. Chevy trucks and I was always into Chevrolet. Anyway, why all the love for MOPAR? Like I said I was never into muscle cars until recently, but I here a lot about Dodge/Plymouth. I always thought Chevy and Ford were the top dogs and always assumed Dodge/Plymouth was just junk. I'm not here to spread hate, I just want to know what makes these cars so great? Take care and any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Peace

@CarsAndZebras

4 жыл бұрын

I'm gonna pin your comment. That way people can see it better and reply.

@ChrisfromGeorgia

4 жыл бұрын

@@CarsAndZebras Thank you so much! I hope you enjoy the weekend. Peace

@jackrohde4709

4 жыл бұрын

In 1965 you could get any B body Mopar with a 440 magnum or hemi at every dealer in the USA and a real 4 speed and a 3 speed automatic, plus Mopars last longer then any GM car and the Mopars were faster than most Ford's of the same price.

@markg7030

4 жыл бұрын

Chrysler was known for engineering in the 60's but the cars looked funny or ugly until the late 60's. Around 1967-1971 Mopar musclecars looked way more radical than Ford or GM. Ford had the Shelby and GM had the GTO Judge, Trans Am and buick GSX. I'm only talking about looks. From 1966- 1971 Mopar had the Hemi which was hard to beat until GM released its 454 and 455 engines in 1970.

@69shovlhed89

4 жыл бұрын

the cars were junk, with shitty suspension. but mopar performance engines made great power, and the drivetrain was solid. if you were gonna race against a 440 or hemi, you probably gonna lose.

Giving up over 50 cubes.... that 340 has nothing to be ashamed about 👍🏻

@samsonreynolds3728

4 жыл бұрын

Kurt Poblenz got him in the 1/8

@kimw9340

4 жыл бұрын

That car is red lining through the traps😂

@strattuner

4 жыл бұрын

worked on these when new, I was 19,if the car had the 3.91 gear and the three speed,the extra cubes wouldn't matter,the 340 duster and darts were giant killers,my favorite test ride were these and the hemi cuda's,we sold a lot of them,340 will even smoke our 383's,had a pair of challengers,his and hers,and her 340 would smoke my 383 pistol grip challenger,340's roll

@georgeharleydavidsonrider156

4 жыл бұрын

I’m surprise . The Mopar came in close .

@strattuner

4 жыл бұрын

the mope had the wrong gear,the 3.91 is perfectly matched to the 340 and 383 engines,if you need to go faster,do something else,fenderwell headers are worth 100 hp on a modified engine

In 1974- 76 I had a 70 Dart Swinger 340- basically the same car as the Duster but the aerodynamics weren't as good. Mine had the 727 Torqueflite, 390 gears with Suregrip diff, and power steering. I ran it a lot on grudge nights at the old Orange County raceway in Irvine- it ran consistent 14.3 E.T's. I was driving across New Mexico in January of 1975 and floored it just to see- I got it up to 140 indicated on the Speedo before I lifted. 340 Darts and Dusters were a lot more car than anyone gave them credit for...

Close race of two great cars... The 340 was a well noted Big Block Killer!!! With simple mods they rocked! My first car was a 1970 340 Duster.. it hurt many feelings!

@CarsAndZebras

4 жыл бұрын

I wonder if Dodge/Plymouth realized that the 340 had the ability to embarrass their own 383s and even some 440s. Crazy thing is that a Dart GTS 340 was just as quick, and sometimes quicker in the 1/4, than the Dart GTS 383.

@CarsAndZebras

4 жыл бұрын

That’s the magic of a 340! Haha

@samsonreynolds3728

4 жыл бұрын

Glenn Falzo 396 was rated at 325-375 horsepower not 425 lol

@CarsAndZebras

4 жыл бұрын

Samson Reynolds- the L78 does make 425 horsepower. It was underrated from the factory : www.google.com/amp/s/www.hotrod.com/articles/chevrolet-lied-stone-stock-1969-l78-396-big-block-makes-50-hp-more-than-factory-rating/amp/

@robertsr.249

4 жыл бұрын

@Unity MotorSports Garage Way back in 1973 I had a 65 SS impala with the big block from the factory , 3 speed automatic transmission with a shift kit and a 4.10 gear , minding my own business and some loudmouth driving a 71 or 72 340 demon starts bumping his gums about wanting to race a Chevy for money , and he’d never lost to a Chevy . Never say never , I took his 50.00 , and let off of it about 200 feet from the end , all this was done on a public street at 3 am , respectfully , Robert

That Duster is Beautiful!!! I got my driver's license with a 72 Duster,but my first car was a 72 Demon!! I love the old Muscle Cars, especially Mopars!!

@shaunclifton5281

4 жыл бұрын

My first car was a 72 Demon as well. Love Demons & Dusters...until 73. They ruined both in 73

@robertheinkel6225

4 жыл бұрын

My first new car was a 74 Dodge Dart Sport. That was a nice ride.

@christinebrunton1489

4 жыл бұрын

I think we all miss our old Cars! It's Happy Memories!!

@THExWASP

Жыл бұрын

ayyyy, i daily drive a 71 demon atm 🙃

@calvinarmitage9199

5 ай бұрын

No comparison between chevelles and dusters, dusters were cheap junk to drive

I had this Chevelle as an 18 year old in 1984, Solid lifters, m-22, 12 bolt posi with 4:10's I literally sold the car for $1500!!! My God I had no idea!!!

Back then , I owned 3 Dusters, and 3 Darts. Not to mention a handful of B bodies. I had a 70 Duster with an 030 over bore, 11.0. to 1 compression and a decent cam, and I could drive it to the track and it would 12:90s all day with the headers called up and on street tires. That was with a 3:91 gear. Uncapped with a 4:56 gear it would run 12:30s. It never saw tail lights in the street. It would hook and leave in a mud puddle. Absolutely loved that damn car.

I'm 68 and I owned both of these back in the day! Loved both of them, miss muscle car days!

My new 340 Duster was tuned by a pro speed shop. Base-line as it drove off the showroom floor was 14.7 at 98. Factory-option 3.91 and nothing else. Auto, bench seat, MSRP 2,740. The only option was the Posi, $41 After timing-curve, rejecting carb, one-step cooler plugs, 160 thermostat, 14.20 @101 and STILL beat in Pure Stock G by a ‘70 442 ( base not W-30) that ran 13.98 @ 102 I told my speed shop guy and he “tuned-it” a little sharper. The carb on the 340 looks identical to the one on the 440 but the primaries are smaller. So I got the 440 carb and we machined the intake to match. And opened-up the ports a little bit. Ran the 442 again that next Sunday. 13.98 @ 102 ... we tied ! Told my buddy I didn’t win but I didn’t lose. He shimmed the rocker-arms for some RPMs ... and …. the factory cam from the ‘68 340. my buddy got a stock factory 340 camshaft for the 4 speed car. 13.4@ 104 Pure Stock 🏆 It made the idle a little bumpy but with the factory mufflers you couldn’t hear it. Loved that car. And it loved Sunoco 260 with a little more timing advance.They we’re very light weight and hooked-up great. Nobody ever beat me off-the-line with street tires - catch me if you can !

Had a 68 SS 396 375 was a beast. Also owned a 69 SS 396 325 hp and did get my feelings hurt by a 340 duster in that one. Very hard to get a bite with the biased tires of the day. When radial tires came out people were wrecking in great numbers over- compensating or over steering they grabbed the road so much harder....

@bondpit8750

4 жыл бұрын

Jimmy Bare Likewise, had a ‘69 Chevelle 396/375 , 4spd and 4:11. Goodyear Polyglas L60/15s used to hook up pretty good for a street tire, better than the equivalent sized and harder compound M/Ts. 340 Dusters, while competitive, were not a problem but 440 6 Packs in B-bodies were. Always pulled me on the long end. Funny you mention radials, yeah ‘over compensated’ with too much speed, as if there was something magical about them. That mistake bit more than a few hard!

I'm a Mopar guy all the way. That67 Chevelle is easily my favorite Chevy ever

From about 1962 through and including 1971 was the greatest performance car era. Every muscle car had something special to add to the mix. 1972 onward, compression ratios were lowered, horse power dropped and those wonderful options that were once available eventually became just a memory of better times and finally, just a "fender sticker"... I cherish my experiences and memories and the muscle cars that I have owned from those times. AND The MUSIC! (Car Guy and Drummer)

@bman99ss

2 ай бұрын

Thanks to the '73 SD-455 Trans Am - and its 13.751 quarter-mile time, I'd say the muscle car era spanned from 1962 to 1973.

@timmotel5804

2 ай бұрын

@@bman99ss Good Day. I've seen several videos with cars newer than 1971 and I have been surprised by things that I didn't know. I agree with you. Note: I love Cars And Zebras Best Regards

I had a 70 340 Duster in 70 and later a 69 L78 SS Chevelle. The Duster is the one I miss the most, embarrassed a lot of big block cars with that Duster.

In a close race, the big blocks usually have the top end advantage.

@smacdonald5142

Ай бұрын

Sub 13 sec. is pretty fast for a stock 60's muscle car! I had a 67' Chevelle with a 283ci and it was still a blast to drive fast of slow! I learned a lot from that car.

Great information...love the 60's muscle cars. I had a '67 chevelle, 327/350 hp. Best run was 12.68. It weighed 3650 lbs. Thank you for the post

@CarsAndZebras

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for watching! In a few weeks I'll have a video featuring a '65 Chevelle with a 327ci/300 horsepower. Pretty neat car

1967 was a pinnacle year for Chevy. They were all beautiful cars

@user-hy2xf8ke8w

3 ай бұрын

No not really , I would gladly take a '69 Vette L88. The King 👑 at GM , nothing could touch her and she ruled the roost !!!

I owned a 71 318 duster twister and a 72 340 both very good vehicles.

both of those are beautiful cars! I love the Duster 340 and always wanted one.

Good job... I had a somewhat rare 1969 Nova SS with the L78 option... Like you said, didn't see the L78 engine advertised but while going through the dealer's "options book", spotted it and did not hesitate to order it :) One of the more unusual things about my Nova SS was that I ordered it with a bench seat and with a THREE speed on the floor transmission. Ordered the transmission that way to SAVE money... I was a senior in college at the time and getting the three speed transmission was less expensive... Great car... street raced it some during the 30K miles that I owned it before trading it in on a 1971 Monte Carlo with A/C (for my wife). The air conditioning was not available in the Nova SS when you got the L78 engine.... and it was HOT here in south central Texas.... There were VERY few cars around in 1969 that could beat the Nova SS L78.

@timothypartin8460

6 ай бұрын

WOW... I had a 69 Nova SS 396-350HP...with 410 Posi...4 speed...ran great... traded for a 71 Monte Carlo (for the wife) in 1974

@adctex

6 ай бұрын

@@timothypartin8460 --- Got to take care of the wives :)

I ordered a 340 Duster in 1973 with all the bells and whistles, the salesman and I had a long discussion about the transmission, I wanted the 4 speed he wanted me to order the Torque-flite, I finally won the debate I thought). When the car came in at last, the salesman had changed the order to the automatic telling me I would be happier with the auto. It was not what I thought I had ordered, he refused to return my down payment and my trade in. I hired an attorney, got my trade in back (all cleaned up) and my deposit. Best part was the management made the salesman apologize to me. Went down the street 2 blocks and bought a new '73 Olds Cutlass sitting in the showroom.

@gordocarbo

2 ай бұрын

What an eyehole that guy was Id have gone ballistic!

I had fun with my 69 Dart 340 four speed. I was running in stock class at 13.10 with slicks.

@justina3221

2 жыл бұрын

I'm a huge 340 fan and have owned three of them but no way stock you ran 13.1.

@2003evodave

2 жыл бұрын

My 71 318ci 4sp ran the quarter in the high 13s with slicks, headers, 3.91 gears, traction bars and a heavier flywheel for better launches.

Im starting to love the 340 and this car always got him on the hole shot but that big breathing 396 reeled him in every time by quite a bit!!

@williamcox5216

4 жыл бұрын

NO SHIT!!!!!;

So true about the rust on the Duster. Had to leave our 72 Duster out one winter while we rebuilt our garage. Took the tarp off in the spring and it rusted so bad we didn’t race until late summer

@edkellogg2421

Жыл бұрын

Got to tell you I grew up in the muscle car era and a properly tuned 340 with a gifted driver would give most all Big blocks a pretty bad time, I've seen it I've been there and I've lived it say what you want that was a very underrated motor in a well packaged car

My first car was a Dodge Dart with 340. Well made car! Go Mopar!

@kimmorrison9169

3 жыл бұрын

nice little ride! I preferred the ‘68-‘69 Swingers and almost bought one w/4 spd with 3:91 gears back then but got a 68 Charger R/T instead.

Actually the 340 duster was inexpensive in its day, they could be had new for $2900 . Canadian . I had a few friends that bought them new

@69newportking

4 жыл бұрын

They were all inexpensive back then

@user-qr7ee2cp4y

4 жыл бұрын

I can’t believe what people are asking for them now... novas too. You could buy a mustang for less...

@donrutter6765

4 жыл бұрын

My dads 66 chevelle ss 396 375 cost $3250.

@69newportking

4 жыл бұрын

@@user-qr7ee2cp4y that's because mustangs are junk

The 340 looks strong in the first half of the track then the big block Chevy heads start making high power at the end of the track. If these cars were on the street from light to light the 340 would be the winner.

@CarsAndZebras

4 жыл бұрын

Very true, I have another video of a Demon 340 vs a '69 Camaro ZL-1. The Demon does red light, but he has with the ZL-1 through the 1/8 mile.

@69shovlhed89

4 жыл бұрын

not if the chevy had good tires and a good driver.

@johnkendall6962

4 жыл бұрын

I think you'll find that the Duster was geared wrong for the 1/4 mile.

@jackrohde4709

4 жыл бұрын

@RS I'm a Ford and Mopar guy, I've had Pontiac and Chevy but they fall apart compared to the same age as other brands, Ford and Mopar when old the doors and body's shut better from 1968 to today.

@stepside2839

4 жыл бұрын

Yes, Chevy big block rectangular port heads only start flowing more than the small oval port heads above 5,000 RPM.

The duster was packing just a bit too much gear for this contest....and it still performed well.

@OxBlitzkriegxO

4 жыл бұрын

No, 4.30 is about right. That puts in across the line at 6000rpm. The 340 cars still made power that high. The 340 engines were grossly underrated. If you search on forabodiesonly.com, there are Chrysler Dyno room sheets showing these engines made closer to 350hp optimized. That means Dyno room headers, lid only air cleaner, and no exhaust. When dynoed with full production setup, they made right at 280hp. That's why the 340s were so fast compared to other 275hp engines and performed close to 325-350hp engines on the street.

@unicornsteaks6769

4 жыл бұрын

The 340 Duster was an impressive combo for a small block intermediate body car. I’ve see several hang with or beat big blocks.

@GH-el9ch

2 жыл бұрын

the gears got it out of the hole but the L78 was too much

I bought a new 340 Duster off the showroom floor in '71. Loved that car...but by '74 I started calling it my "340 Ruster". Kept it 10 years, sold it and bought an L78 '69 Chevelle that I still own.

@a.t1313

4 жыл бұрын

Smart decision

@CarsAndZebras

4 жыл бұрын

Did the rear quarters rot out? That happened to most of the Dusters if they saw even a little water

@SSbigblock454

4 жыл бұрын

Yes... Quarters, rear wheel wells, and floorboards. I couldn't figure out why the rear carpet was filling with water until I discovered the big hole in the leading edge of the right well. I'll never forget the straw that broke the camel's back... It was Feb of '81, I got in the car to go to work one morning and my heal went through the floor board right under the gas pedal. That was it... After 10 years of chasing rust I was done. A month later I bought the '69 SS. I still have dreams of getting that Duster back, but the kid I sold it to totaled it. I loved that car and it was faster than the SS I replaced it with.

The guy who drives the duster 340 got an impressive reaction time.

The Duster is one hell of a machine! Ive heard of people slapping 440 big blocks into 70s darts, I haven't seen anyone swap one into a duster before. Same platform, i bet a big block in one of these would whoop major ass

@tomlord4469

4 ай бұрын

I have a 1970 roadrunner 440 and a 1970 duster with a more modern 5.7 litter hemi turbo in it. The duster was modified for the motor to fit. The duster is the fastest muscle or pony car that I ever drove, besides a super car. The body bends when you accelerate. Its really scary and feels like the car is going to come apart. I cant imagine that a 440 would fit under the hood even with some major adjustments.

All the "Big 3" manufacturers had great muscle cars from the 60's, to the early 70's. They all had high horsepower options if you checked the right box!! Each model also had a different look, unlike the cookie cutter garbage coming out now. Almost every new car looks the same, with very minor differences. Today's designers should be ashamed of themselves!!! Long live muscle cars!!!

@CarsAndZebras

4 жыл бұрын

Also, there’s a lack of engine/trans options now. Even less rear gear options.

@packingten

4 жыл бұрын

Hey bro Rambler made some runners....Scrambler....

@OxBlitzkriegxO

4 жыл бұрын

To be fair, all mfgs had badge engineering going on back then too. Chevelle, Cutlass, GTO, GS all used the same body.

Getting both of these cars into the 12s is just great, long live the standard V8

I had a 71 Duster Twister, with a 340 WEDGE engine, with 327 horse power, Wedge 202/195 heads, roller rocker arms, duel valve spring, higher then stock intake, 3800 CFM Thermaquad 4 barrel carb, mild street cam, dual exhaust, 4 speed Hurst V-Gate pistol grip , 391 posy track rear end, high rise buckets, honey comb grill, GT sport mags, 70's on the front 14's on the back. Off the line I could lift the front tires 12 inches off the ground, and burn the tires through 1,2,3 and 20 feet of rubber in fourth gear! My little angel had a speedometer that went up too 160 MPH and I snapped it off at 145 mph at 8500 rpm, but that car was to lite at that speed and I almost lost it, into the ditch, very scary!!! Out of 100 plus races I had in that car, I only lost 3 races, one was a 69 Mustang 429 with duel fours, 78 Le mans GT, with a 455 duel fours and a 79 Kawasaki 1000, that I beat off the line, but lost after crossing the intersection. That car weighed 2900 lbs empty and was all stock right from the factory, all original parts and motor, transmission and rear end and went "like a bat out of hell" kind of speed, enough to lose my licence, if they ever caught up with me!!!

Love the 67 Chevelle L-78. The one in the video that was gold with a black vynal top was beautiful

You should put the times in font, scoreboard is hard to read. Love the work.

I had the 69 Chevelle SS with the HP 396 425 stock horse. Added headers, alum intake, carter carb, HP distributer/ign among others. That big, heavy car could move against the muscle cars. The burst of power off the line had you pinned to the seat. If you ever cruised the El Camino in San Jose in the seventies, I was in the green SS without the hood. What a time we had every weekend.

@gordocarbo

2 ай бұрын

Do you mean the base 325hp 396?

@joemomma1827

2 ай бұрын

@@gordocarbo No, I mean the 375 hp with the hp carb and exhaust manifold's 425 hp. I was in auto shop with a dyno so the hp was accurate.

You were much more Relaxed with your Read on this one and it really was good. Congratulations, keep it up!

There's no replacement for displacement.....but the 340 really scoots for a small block!

This is a great channel. Really enjoyed the video. Can’t wait to see you some more. Thanks for posting. 👍👍👍👍👍🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

@CarsAndZebras

4 жыл бұрын

I got a lot more coming!

had a Duster 340 that I used to race for pinks. One of the best cars I ever had. Mine had the Hurst Shifter 4 speed. If you didn't switch to a racing clutch, you were always having to adjust the clutch. The only car I had that was better was my 67 Chevelle. Man I miss those cars. Whoever is driving the Duster should be ashamed of himself for losing that race.

Man that 340 kept that Chevy honest

Mayyyyyble the 340 was 325 HP, but usually from what I read more about 310ish HP. 10.5:1....almost absolutely never 10:5:1. Usually 9.7:1 or there about due to normal gasket tolerances for production. Still makes it truly impressive for and unmatched for a small black. I say this as a 1970 340 owner. :)

@ragimundvonwallat8961

4 жыл бұрын

laugh in 351 cleveland

@dinojay8410

4 жыл бұрын

@fendersrule ... I also had 340s (1969 340, 1970 340) plus my share of B/RB engines too ... I love the 340, but it needed to be in a Dart or Duster to perform with the big blocks ... but for other small blocks, the 351 Cleveland is an incredible engine. Those cylinder heads are a serious work of art. As someone who used to build engines, you couldn't match the flow of the Cleveland until the W2 heads came out from Mopar Connection. That's what changed the game in terms of power for the 340 and other A-engines.

@commando8088

4 жыл бұрын

FendersRule unmatched? A 375 hp 327 would smoke it

@ragimundvonwallat8961

4 жыл бұрын

@Seraph909 cleveland , it got canted valves and huge ports. the valve size is also crazy big on the 4v head 2.19/1.71

@michaellange6598

4 жыл бұрын

10.5 had a minus deck height of i think .129

Duster is over geared should have 3.91 would have better topend.4:30 gears are for 1/8 mile

@CarsAndZebras

4 жыл бұрын

I agree, and actually Ronnie Sox was using a 3.91 gear in the Duster during their Pure Stock testing in 1970.

@strattuner

4 жыл бұрын

for some reason the 3.9 gear is the best for a lot of classes including top fuel for years,

@bretfeeney1072

4 жыл бұрын

4.30 gear is damn near useless. 3.91 without overdrive is damn near useless. 3.55 would be the better choice.

@bradhardy2629

4 жыл бұрын

@Stuart Buckley I agree with you man . My 72 340 Duster is a drag race only car . I run 456s with a 30 in tall Goodyear slick .

@strattuner

4 жыл бұрын

WRONG, depends on what rpm and mph you are trying to attain ,the stiff gears 4.10 and deeper are for 1/8 and heavy cars,2.76-3.55 are for hiway work,period

The Duster in this clip is identical to my Duster - bought brand spankin’ new in 1970.....except for the rear-end....mine had the 3.23’s. Right out of the box, on stock polyglas tires mine clocked 14.57 @ 98 mph. Awesome little car !...sounded so amazing when it was winding-out. Mark Coletti was racing one at the same time.....running high 11’s

I know a guy who has one bought it new in 1969 it's Hemi orange with a white stripe with white interior with a A 833 4 spd manual transmission it's a bad ass car

@CarsAndZebras

4 жыл бұрын

Tell him to bring it out to the Pure Stock Muscle Car Drag Races!

Lighter weight, 4.30 gears and the Torqueflight make for stiff competition!

Many GTO's Firebirds, Chargers and others lost to the 67 397-L78. As you see here, that sweet Duster had the 396 early but the 373 rear end was a top end killer. My brother in law had one new in 67. He won many races from 60 mph up. Seen him hide the speedo hand in the dash past 120 several times.

@dankosek4274

7 ай бұрын

Yeah, the 3.55 rear gears would have given him back the missing top end, but then his off the line performance wouldn’t have been as good…

When I was a teenager in 1981 I had a 73 Cuda bought it with a 340 engine needed work my dad had this 1969 Chrysler 300 with a 440c.i. we put the 440 in the Plymouth Cuda that car was a beast hardly even modified it was blowing away Corvettes Trans Ams Camaros and mustangs and a SS Chevelle it was fast. I would like to have it now.

I got a used 70 4spd 340 Duster with headers and a small cam back in high school 1974. It was an overachiever for sure. It definitely surprised a lot people tho.......until a drunk t-boned it at an estimated 50mph (and of course, he survived). It was done 110%.

I spoke to a relative who remembers a customer bringing his car to a chassis dyno where he worked . Real wheel horsepower shy of 320 hp . So much for factory rating of 290 hp .

@johnavery522

4 жыл бұрын

Factory was 275 , I had four of them . The AAR Cuda and the T/A challenger had a 3 ×2 bbl setup in their 340 that had the 290 hp rating. It was offered for one year only and only in those 2 cars.

@bpcarman

4 жыл бұрын

Everybody under rated their hp back then to keep the insurance companies from losing their minds.

@ragimundvonwallat8961

4 жыл бұрын

320hp at the wheel is approx 410 gross hp ...so no ,stop spreading lies

@frigglebiscuit7484

4 жыл бұрын

lies.

After owning a 1970 Plymouth Roadrunner, Im a MOPAR GUY FOR LIFE...

@CarsAndZebras

4 жыл бұрын

I keep thinking about buying one, but the prices had gone a little crazy for a while. I’d be more than happen with even a 383 car.

Very good video excellent description!

No rust issue for them if you didn’t live in the rust belt. See them all the time in CA.

@CarsAndZebras

4 жыл бұрын

Well yeah, but that'd be true for any car. Thanks for watching!

I had a 71 Demon 360 and I only installed headers and a Holley 850 double pumper, but it was faster than my 68 Charger 440 Magnum in the Quarter Mile. I sold it to a 16yr old, at the time I was in my 20s. He and his dad showed at my door 2 weeks later. He had blown the engine. I tild his dad, I drove that car 22 miles one way to work and then back daily and raced it and never had a problem, so how am I responsible for his kid not knowing how to properly drive the car? He had no answer. I should have kept that car, but at the time I just wanted to experience the variety of life and buy and sell regularly to have fun of building and racing then moving on to the next one. At least ten of my muscle cars today would bring $50K+ prices.

These Duster's indeed are great bang for the buck. And I go beyond, I guess even the non-340 cars are great. Sure, the 340 has that special aura, angry small-block that can beat the ass of many "grown up" big blocks, and it's got some spice from factory, better heads, internals, etc... BUT...I've seen even a humble 318-powered car, which was previously a slant-6 example, and again, still looks great. Could definitely be one of the first Mopar's to buy. Thanks for the video!

@CarsAndZebras

4 жыл бұрын

They are definitely all going up in value!

@addiumuppicus5738

4 жыл бұрын

Mopar performance had ' packages ' for various powered Dusters . Just figure out how fast you wanted to go in the quarter call them up and they'd send you everything you needed to put you there . I remember a slant six that was spanking a lot of BB cars in upstate NY years ago . Twisted head , different valves , slant drilled guides , hand built intake with two Holley four barrels on it and wide ram air system along with hand built headers . Also had some really hot ignition for the day but it all worked very well .

@addiumuppicus5738

4 жыл бұрын

@@CarsAndZebras , that hurts as my brother let a 1968 Dodge Coronet 500 be scrapped , and I've no idea why . . . . . He'd parked it at my uncles equipment yard as he didn't need it where he was working . I just seen the same car sell for $68,000.00 ? ? ? Get chest pains when I think of it as that little car would scoot !!! !

@williepelzer384

7 ай бұрын

​@@addiumuppicus5738slant drilled guides??? Say what.

@gordocarbo

2 ай бұрын

@@williepelzer384 dee dee dee post

I was big into the street racing scene in my small Ozark hometown in the early 1970s. We only raced at an 1/8 of a mile because of safety considerations and the fact that level straight roads more than the were rare. It was well known that if you wanted to win with a pure stock low cost car, you got a 340 Duster. I could never beat one with my mostly stock 1973 Nova SS 350. But as noted, even with our fairly mild Ozark winters, they were rust buckets buckets. Failure to clean the caked mud from a drive down a muddy dirt road would lead to perforations with in a couple of years.

I'm pure chevy. I remember my dad pulling up our dirt road drive way and my cousin saying hot diggiey dogs your dads got him a 409! And that was followed with a lot of big block chevy muscle over the years including a mean green 70 LS6 that i managed to get in trouble with on a few occasions as a young teenager. A lot of cars saw the rear end that Chevy in the late 70s early 80s but there was this one orange and black dart with only a small cam, nice intake and Holly, slappers and a firm 4 speed that drove me crazy.. from start to finish orange dart all the way and it just ain't supposed to happen but it did. I still see the guy and we are old dudes now but we share a laugh or two. That dart was fast and thats that..

So many great cars back in the day. Back in the 70s I worked at a Datsun dealership (Nissan today) and a guy traded in a 70 nova with a 396 375 horse 4 speed and the guy I rode back and forth to work with bought it for 800 bucks. It was in excellent shape and guess what he did with it you guessed drag car. It ran in A stock class and ran low 12s. Oh those were the days.

@Buckarooskiczek

4 жыл бұрын

I worked a Datsun dealership, too! I was 18 and in charge of driving cars over to the detail shop...(what were they thinking?) Aside from rat-racing 240Z’s, I fell in love with the used ‘67 Z28 I took sideways around a few corners...Bought my ‘70 Z28 a few years later for $2600...and damn if I didn’t sell it for a song. Woulda-shoulda-coulda, right?...seem to have never learned. I still kick myself. Passed on a chance to buy a 396 ‘67 Chevelle back in 1990...for $6500. Still kicking myself...

@danpals7678

4 жыл бұрын

Haha, in 1979 I bought a 70 Coronet 500 383 with 70k miles on it for $500. Now I can't find one for less than $60k. Crazy world. I di0 buy an all original 66 Charger with only 86k miles on it and a couple of upgrades. Scary fast. P

That Duster's in fine tune, strong, the Chevelle not so much. I know: I've had that same car and I'd regularly kick the shit out of damn near anything but a killer Hemi or 427 Vette and that's the truth. Don't get me wrong, I'm a GM man all the way but I've a lot of respect for the 340 cars, as a 17 year old kid on the northwest coast an in-law gave, yes he GAVE me a rough but running baby blue '72 Challenger with the 340 6 pack!! I made that car better rebuilding the carbs, stronger valve springs and a mallory magneto distributor and that was it. I became in the eyes of my older relatives an instant punk LOL!! Man that car was crazy fast, I traded her for the 396 Chevelle when I was 18 in 1987, a great trade for me!

@SCfanIam100

3 жыл бұрын

I've seen 340's beat the crap out of those chevys my whole life. Your full of it.

@jaymoe5.7

2 жыл бұрын

I hear ya on the punk thing haha. In 2020 I bought a 79 Volare Duster Coupe that was an ex 90s drag car that someone in the early 2000s started to turn into a prostreet car. Well it was left half finished and was rough around the edges. I got the old 360 running like a raped ape, added forged pistons and some nitrous and I drive it around town all the time. Being only 22 I'm known around my small town as that punk ass kid in the shit Plymouth that'll blow the doors off most anything it lines up against 🤣. When I first got it the local rice rockets tried to pick on me, after I took all their money one night they've left me alone since hahaha.

Those big blocks always gets win in the big end. Both were awesome cars being stock. Thanks for the video my gear head brother.

I had a 340 back when they were new. In our red light to red light drags in town the 340 was very hard to beat. If you watch here the 340 is leading at the 1/8 mile. Headers and a recurved distributor it would have been ahead at the end too. Of course the same thing would wake up the chevy.

I didn't realize the '67 L78 Chevelles were so rare until I started investigating for this video. What a cool car. But that Duster 340 is such a great value... very quick and affordable. I want both!

@lynndempsey4096

4 жыл бұрын

GM sucks!!

@amc401nash6

4 жыл бұрын

I remember seeing a few L78 Cameos and Novas back in the day but never a Chevele. This video explains why.

@CarsAndZebras

4 жыл бұрын

AMC401 Nash - not many L78s from that year. If you like AMCs you’ll have to check out the new video coming tonight!

@markdubois4882

4 жыл бұрын

Equally as rare....the 69 Dart GTS with the 440 (650 produced)

Early 66 Chevelle 396,L78's Were Same Eng. That Came in 65 396 Vettes,425h.p.Guy On Same Duty Station as Me @ Ft.Mcpherson, in ATL.Ga.Had One & It Was A Scary Machine.,His GF,Almost Reused To Ride in It & He Gave it To Me ,Couple of Times on Weekends,When I Went Up to NW Part of Ga.to Visit My Folks.Told Me To Open It Up & Clean the Plugs Off ,Just Don't t Wreck It. 14" Tiger Paws,Drum Brakes,& It Was A BEAST !!

@CarsAndZebras

4 жыл бұрын

“Clean off the plugs”... that’s pretty funny 😆

Lot of fun. Miss going to the strip

saw this a year late. My oldest Brother had a 1969 Dart 340 Swinger, friend had a 1969 396 Chevelle. Used to race in the stock class at the 75/80 raceway. same one Motorweek still tests at, been closed for decades. They ended up getting band from the stock class around 1974, no one would race them. Toss up every time they raced.

The duster I have is so damn slow. 225 slant six with three on the floor. Slow as hell with rusty quarters, four wheel manual drums and no power steering. Got it 17 years ago in high school and still have it. Edit. First video I've seen on this channel, awesome breakdown and comparison of the cars before showing the race. You got a new subscriber in me.

@YeOldeTowneCryer

Жыл бұрын

There some easy mods to the 225 engine to perk it up. Look up Uncle Tonies garage.

Back in those muscle car years, a properly tuned 340 would eat big blocks for snacks.

yeah mine was black with red guts and orange lace striping looked like a funny car fast to for a duster witha some great modifications

My first company car was new 1967 SS 396. 350 hp in 1969 I was issued 396 L78 with 373 hydro 4speed 🇺🇸then one with 410 axle,L78 4 speed manual The hydro was a tad bit faster( I was age 22 our new car inventory was about 30% muscle cars we also sold 5 Yenkos ) these cars came with chambered exhaust ( no mufflers ) when street racing the loud exhausts would rattle store front windows . I sure miss the fun and excitement of the days of the car business when I was young & frisky 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

I always thought the Demon front end looked better! More aerodynamic I had a 66 Chevelle Super Sport back in the day I like the front end on it better than a 67 it also looks more aerodynamic. Mine was the 427 4-speed Graduated to Mopars after that Chevelle. Had a couple 69 roadrunners, 70 Super Bee and a 71 Roadrunner 440 4 speed.

@michaelwebb4859

2 жыл бұрын

I had a 66 as well but I think the 67 looked better

@HEMIPOWER604

Жыл бұрын

Well you are on the right path now brother…!!!👍

Thanks, but I'll stick with my personal favorite muscle car, the 1969 Dodge Dart Swinger

@johnallen869

4 жыл бұрын

My first car was a 69 Dart Swinger with a 340 4 speed. I added headers, mainly for the awesome sound! I loved that car and it was as fast as I wanted to go!

@jeffreyrogers8151

4 жыл бұрын

You think a 1969 Dodge Dart is the best looking muscle car? Yikes..

@DzHarryNuttz

3 жыл бұрын

@@jeffreyrogers8151 its all personal opinion. I dont like the either but I've been told the cars l like are ugly as hell too!

At first, due to my father, I was a Ford kid. Then Grew up more with GM, then one day out in a field in Dayton Nevada, (I am retired Navy so was looking for some trouble to get into :P ) I found a Beautiful 1957 Chrysler Saratoga 4DHT. I crated her original 354 Poly, and have dropped in a Mopar 383 (NOT a 383 Stroker..) from a '69 Super Bee. Apparently the car had been wrecked sadly, but her motor will live on in my baby. We have yet to finish her up, but wow she is already looking quite mean! I fell in love with her fins, then started taking notice of her other oddities those 'Forward Look' cars had in comparison to her competitors. I have a great uncle who's been racing Chevy tri-fives since it was HOT to do so.. and even He hasn't dogged me for having this Chrysler! I LOVE the GM's and Fords out there! I just wanted something you rarely see.. Out here on the west coast it is rare to see any forward look cars. they've all been crushed for their metal it seems. I saw a very good question from a man I know who mislabeled himself 'Big Dummy' well sir I doubt you are :) But this is my answer to you. I agree, I do not like the looks of the 60's Mopars really, but them Forward Look cars DID set the standards back in the late 50's and It Shows!! THIS is why I wanted one, now, I want MORE! And hey! Even Christine, the ill tempered 1958 Plymouth Fury (That really is the Belvedere colors) is a Forward Look car and she to me?, Just Insanely BEAUTIFUL!! Plus they're far cheaper than a Ferrari.. for now. Once my 57 Saratoga "Bettie" is finished, Im looking at trying to find a '61 Impala, those are Hot to me as well, OR~ Any 1958 GM!! 1958 is my most favorite year for American Beauty and Design when it comes to Mopar and GM!! Ford tried, but not an Edsel nut but there was the Fairlane! Those are nice too, but not like the Mopars and GM's in my opinion. IF you have a Ford Fairlane of this year, Hey! By all means! RESPECT TO YOU!! Keep them Historic cars going!! This is just my 2 cents. :)

I saw this matchup on the street in 1971. The 340 stomped the Chevelle by 1.5 car lengths in the quarter mile. It was on a by-pass highway outside of town. The Duster got him off the line, gained the winning margin and never gave up an inch all the way to the quarter mile marker. Many people were surprised. The Duster had an automatic. Chevelle had a 396 four speed. The Chevelle had a reputation of being unbeatable in the quarter.

In 1965 I had a very fast 1964 Dodge Dart slant 170, 1 barrel, 3 speed on column. Lol

@CarsAndZebras

4 жыл бұрын

Sounds quick! 🤣

Does Anyone Remember The Plymouth Twister ?? That Is A Forgotten Little Diddy From The 70's !! 😎

@shaunclifton5281

4 жыл бұрын

I Love the Twister package. My friend's junkyard has a rough Hemi Orange Twister with black stripes and white interior. You can still read the Twister stripes.

@addiumuppicus5738

4 жыл бұрын

I do , and yes they were . Complete with the little dust devil to indicate it was ' different . =-)

@michaeladamcik7475

3 жыл бұрын

Sure the Twister was a detail package similar to the 340. How about a Sharks tooth grill.

@peteloomis8456

3 жыл бұрын

Or how about the Feather Duster !

I had a Plymouth Duster when younger. It was a 6 cylinder 198 cubic inches. 3 speed manual shift on the column. It was quick but not fast if you know what I mean.

Some of these were running high 12's in the quarter mile. I lived in San Antonio and flew with a friend to Chicago. He purchased the Demon with a 340 3sp manual with 391 gears from Mr. Norms Grand Spaulding Dodge. Ran high 12's to low 13's right out of the dealership.

With all the myths floating around the internet these days, it's not uncommon for young people to belive you needed a big block back then in order to win a street race. Not true at all. Due to their lighter weight, the small block cars were quicker off the line. Small block Dusters, Demons, Novas and Camreos put the hurt on a lot of big block cars.

@jefflee1189

4 жыл бұрын

um, anyone under 35 years old doesnt even know wtf a big block is. and i bet you think im joking

@jonathanbanta9456

4 жыл бұрын

Souped up 289 mustangs outran many big block cars. Chevelles we're frequent victims

@amc401nash6

4 жыл бұрын

How did I forget to mention the super light weight 289 Mustangs. Never owned one of the early models but I had some friends that did, great little cars. We sure had some good times working on them or maybe it was just the beer. My first Mustang was a 88 5.0 coupe, wise I still had it.

@frigglebiscuit7484

4 жыл бұрын

@@jefflee1189 25 year old here, got a big block 4 speed 70 dart. argument invalid.

@frigglebiscuit7484

4 жыл бұрын

id rather have a streetable, decent mileage big block than a screaming, 8mpg small block car that turns 3000 rpm at 60mph.

Love ALL the old muscle cars , but that Chevelle was sooo bad ass ! Thank you .

@CarsAndZebras

4 жыл бұрын

You’ll see more of that Chevelle in the future!

Be nice to see a demon and duster go at it. My dad put a 340 in his 1970 charger back in the day. 13 1/2 to 1 compression, 4 speed Hurst, holly 4 barrel double pumper 800cfm carb. He shifted between 9-10k RPM and before we started restoring it around 2003, he had to going, and open header at 10k omg, ive never heard such an amazing sound in my life. I can't wait tel that beast is done.

@ronskancke1489

11 ай бұрын

I has a 64 savoy 426 wedge 3.23 gears and posi trac. I raced a 71 dart swinger with 4.11s and almost lost until I realized I was still in push button second gear. I hit drive and it was all over but the crying. It was clattering like I had ran every lifter dry and I was really worried but a few miles at a reasonable speed and it came out of it. Borrowed it to a guy to take his girlfriend home. He went through a dip and tore the plug out of the oil pan and proceeded to drive it until it froze up. I'd still like to kill the guy if he wasn't already dead!!

The 340 has it coming off the line, but it just couldn't hang with the torque of the big block once things got moving, but in a stop light to stop light street race, the 340 could come out on top.

NEITHER ONE IS STOCK but nice vehicles regardless

@capricepower1343

4 жыл бұрын

Exactly..not running 12s lol not stock at all

@samnugent3480

4 жыл бұрын

I guess these cars were before your time you sure did miss some fun rides

@leeholland2996

4 жыл бұрын

Agreed ! Not even close. I’ve owned 2 67 375 396 cars. Loved them. Never ever close to a 12 sec car. Lmao.

@capricepower1343

4 жыл бұрын

@@leeholland2996 yea not 12s but a real strong High 13 14s with the best slick in the world lol

@donrutter6765

4 жыл бұрын

375 396 66 chevelles ran 13.50's off the showroom floor. My dad, uncle, and grandfather all had one new.

Absolutely correct 325 hp bone stock & some 2nd day mods and 400 up was easier then any engine

@Moparmaga-1

4 жыл бұрын

@john thonig I'm pretty sure if a 340 had the parts that the 375 horse 327 had it would make make than 400 horse. 340s had tiny hydraulic cams, not like the chevys solid cam much larger. But you're correct you'd only have to get 25 hp to make 400. Faster? Not to sure about that

My second car was the 67 chevelle ss 396 had to be at least the 375 HP man what a runner laid rubber in all 4 gears had a m22 rock crusher the whine from the gear box was cool , put some long chrome doug thorley show tube side pipes on it 15 " tires 10" deep cragar rim's with goodyear polyglas gt tires in back and 14 's in front had people trying to buy it from me but it was so fun to burn rubber . Wish that I knew then what I know know when I was younger sooo true

@CarsAndZebras

4 жыл бұрын

Hot Rod magazine actually tested one of the "375hp" L78s and found with just a set of headers it actually made 450 horsepower!

I grew up driving a 67 ss 396 chevelle but put a 454 with good heads and big exhaust big cam with posi 373 it it would haul ass and out run a lot of cars it was really fun

Just ONCE, I'd like to see a 340 six pack Dart/Duster go up against an L79 Nova....only seems fair.

@kimmorrison9169

3 жыл бұрын

good match up but the Nova considerably lighter if your talkin 66-67 yrs and 350 horse.

@DeanMk1

3 жыл бұрын

@@kimmorrison9169 Not really. Both hover around 3000 lbs. Chrysler a little over, Chevy a little under.

@kimmorrison9169

3 жыл бұрын

I’d chose the L79 Nova in that race.

@davidviar765

3 жыл бұрын

I had a 69 Nova SS 350 back in 75 headers and a 780 double pumper I will tell you it was no slouch 4 speed!

@andrewp1998

3 жыл бұрын

@@kimmorrison9169 id take the 6 pack, depends on gears too.

Man everything perfect on this video beside you Gotta do voiceover commentating make it 100%. Perfect

@CarsAndZebras

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks dude, that's nice of you

I'm surprised at the price on that. In 67' my mom purchased a new base model slant 6 Dodge Dart for $2500 and that was considered low. To purchase that Duster in 1970 was great deal.

A friend of mine had a Duster with a 426 hemi, highrise intake with 1250 holly carburetor. Hydo automatic with fiber glass hood. He ran B modified.

I did this exact race in 2003 with my 70 340 duster bone stock against a 67 396 Chevelle with tires, I had him by a fender the whole track. My 14.40 to his 14.50 in Calgary. 4500’da. Both cars were 94-96mph. Very equal cars when you consider the hp:weight ratio

@blanchae

4 жыл бұрын

Was Race City still around then?

@devillockj

4 жыл бұрын

blanchae absolutely! Shutdown in 2011! I wish we had the ability to film and upload back then. A lot of good stuff happened

I wish we could have seen the times and speed.

I've been a passenger in a stock 340 Challenger that pulled the front tires off the ground. Driver had to double tap the throttle to give a little bounce but still very impressive for a stock steel bodied car. Used as a daily driver last I knew.

@clarencemainjk9231

4 жыл бұрын

Bullshit

had a '69 340"s fastback coda with a 4 speed right around 10.5-1 compression DAMN I wish I still had that car!!🥺🥺🥺

That's about what I would expect from the Duster with that super short gear. I bet a 3.90 would actually make it quicker and faster. I know they are light but I looking at them they don't seem any smaller than a mid sized Road Runner or Chevelle.

@charlesjacobsen9895

2 жыл бұрын

Agreed, the 3:91 gearing is ideal for the 340, also it’s power to weight that makes these cars so potent, a friend of mine had a 340 Dart with 3:91’s which regularly beat 396 Camaros so I know this to be true !

is the 340 a tuff motor

Solid lifters and high RPMs get the win. I went to a solid lifter cam in my Corvair and it was a night-and-day transformation. I could spin that boxer six to 8K RPMs w/o hesitation and saw the tach hit 8600 when I missed a shift. A bit scary, but the engine has held together quite well. I had to convert it to an automatic transmission after a motorcycle accident left me paralyzed from chest down, but its still a blast to drive even w/ the PG tranny. I did need to adjust the governor weight to give me more RPMs before shifting. She does great burn-outs. hehe

I once had a 1976 Dodge short bed stepside truck that came with a 318 one barrel & when it blew up "the crank broke in half" I bought a 340 out ot a 1970 roadrunner. What a difference.

I was rooting for the Plymouth!

@zubitron5

4 жыл бұрын

Joe Booker Joe Booker 4 weeks ago You and most are correct. The Plymouth didn't run like I anticipated. The tune was great. I just could not get the tires to hook up. The car has 577 hp. At the light I was standing on the throttle. I was told by a few of the experience guys you have to gradually press the gas. I just put those new 15" redline tires on but didn't have the correct tire pressure. I dropped down 25lbs in the rear and it was still breaking loose. Talked with a few of the faster Mopar guys and they were running 20-25 lbs but also had 100-300 lbs of weight in the trunk. This was my first time I ever raced the car. I admit, I was depressed at the times and the mph but know with traction and practice the car will run much faster. I can't take anything away from the Camaro. His car ran great! I talked with him and he's been running in this event for quite a few years. So experience does also help.

Neither of those cars are stock. The best a 340 Duster ran stock was high 13's but usually low 14's.

@bondpit8750

4 жыл бұрын

theoriginalmungaman ‘Pure Stock’ drag cars employ all sorts of allowable ‘tricks’ under the particular class rules to achieve these times. Read up on what’s allowed. Amazing ET’s out of these essentially ‘stock’ vehicles, especially with the tires they are allowed.

@richardbossman9875

4 жыл бұрын

"Essentially stock" isnt showroom stock.

@theoriginalmungaman

4 жыл бұрын

Im aware of that, but this is a restoration not a race car. The only thing mentioned not stock is the 430 gear, which in a factory stock car would hurt the E.T. The comparison is useless.

@fredc8346

4 жыл бұрын

I am sick of any claims of stock when they are not actually stock. Putting conditions on it and incorporating the term 'stock' is just a lie. They are modified from stock.

I had a 70 340 Duster back in the early 80's. The 340 could sure wind out. My 340 had a stock block, heads, internals (except oil pump), with a .572 lift solid cam and other valvetrain upgrades. Balanced but not blueprinted I redlined mine at 8600 rpm. Had the 727 rebuilt with a 3800 rpm stall, 4.56 rearend with traction bars and air shocks. Bias-ply tires were still common (and cheaper) back then. I could smoke the tires and lay more rubber when I hit second gear even. The only downside I had was having to replace the manual steering pump twice because of header heat.

@michaelcowan6254

4 жыл бұрын

Are you sure about that 8600 RPM?

@MrDarcykampe

4 жыл бұрын

@@michaelcowan6254 When racing someone, yes. Everyday driving, no. Stock internals were forged parts and the 340 has a short stroke. Only downside is having to rebuild the engine more often. Also I had the car on a wheel dyno back then to get it tuned.

@michaelcowan6254

4 жыл бұрын

@@MrDarcykampe I have owned multiple 340 Challenger's during a 40 year span. Anything up to 6500 RPM would float the valves and I have seen a spun rod bearing on a friend's 340 Duster going over 6500 RPM. You would have to have a full race engine to come close to 8600 RPM. Stock was good to 6000 RPM, but I got better times shifting at 5500 RPM. But I did read that you had a solid cam with adjustable rocker arms. Not sure what heads you were using. Did you have a W2 set up? Check out this article. Scroll to the bottom for results. www.hotrod.com/articles/mopp-0310-340-engine-600-hp/

@simplyfred8044

3 жыл бұрын

Manual steering pump?