340 T/A vs. SRT
 

Check out this article and video:

http://www.insideline.com/dodge/chal...hallenger.html

Cool video and a fun read. However, not really a good comparison. I'd rather see a '70 Hemi Challenger vs. the 2010 SRT8. From what I've heard, the '70 beats the SRT8, but not by much.

I have a '72 Cuda 340 I restored a while back. My changes to the engine included a CR boost from 8.5:1 up to 10:1, a mild competition cam, performance intake, Edlebrock carb, bigger valves to match the stock valve sizes of the '70 Cuda 340, and headers in place of the stock manifolds. The throttle response of my 340 is incredible. At just about any speed/RPM, a quick punch on the accelerator results in the car jerking forward even at highway speeds. My 2010 SRT8 won't do that until the RPMs are "up."

I took the sales manager of my local Dodge dealer for a ride in my Cuda and scared him half to death. He's convinced it will "take" my 2010 SRT8. I'm not so sure though. When I turn that Hemi loose, it's like being on a rocket.

Still, a little friendly competition between my two "pissed-off" looking muscle cars would be fun. If only I could be the driver of both at the same time.

BTW, they're both purple, and defintely badass...

The general consensus is that the 6.1 Challenger SRT would beat a 1970 Hemi Challenger (stock) by a few tenths in the 1/4 mile. The new Hemi also has a higher top speed (173 mph). This is backed up from road tests from the 70s in the auto mags.

I don't recall where I read it, but I'm almost positive I read of a comparison between a 1970 and one of the new SRT8's (may have been a 2008 model) done a couple of years ago when the new Challengers started rolling out the door. In that test, the 70 was the winner, but only barely. Don't remember if the 70 was a manual or not, but if the test involved a 2008 model (auto only), that could make a difference.

As for the top speed, that's merely a function of gearing. The old 4-spd has a gear ratio of 1:1 in 4th gear. The new 6-spd has a gear ratio of 0.5:1 in 6th gear (or so I read). Of course this doesn't even consider the differential gear ratio in the rear axle.

Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love my new Challenger, and I've never even seen a 1970 Hemi Challenger except in pics. I just think it would be interesting to see a test done with stock vs stock, hemi vs hemi, manual vs manual, 1970 vs new.

Wish I had the references to back up what I'm saying. I'll look around and see if I can find a source or two. Now I'm even more curious.

But hey, I've been wrong before...

Here's what I've found so far:

http://www.bushautoblog.com/2008/04/...hallenger.html

This was a 1970 Hemi Challenger vs a 2009 SRT8. The 70 beat the 2009 in the 1/4 mile by 0.3 sec, but I didn't find any mention of tranny, etc.

1/4 Mile Times
 

The Musclecar Club put together a list of the 50 fastest classic muscle cars. Cars with the 426 were right around the times of the Challenger SRT. It all depends on the transmission, body style, and gearing. Check out the list at:

http://www.musclecarclub.com/musclec...s-50fast.shtml

Gear ratio does matter, but I'd be surprised if the car would accelerate at high speed with that tall of a gear. Aerodynamics probably play a bigger role. Fifth is 0.83 or so, and that might be helpful... OK, I used a calculator for speed by gear ratio, and even the 1:1 4th already calculates a higher top speed. Anywhere from high 170's to low 180's depending on the tire you use. I've seen quotes of SRT engineers that the speed is drag and not gear limited. If it could pull to the top of .5:1 6th gear, it would have insane top speed, probably north of 300mph.

http://www.apexgarage.com/tech/gear_ratios.shtml for calculator

My 70 340 vs my 09 5.7. Butt dyno says it will edge out my 09 R/T. The 340 is built to the gills so it should. Handling and daily drive... nod goes to the 09. Straight line 1/4 for the 70 and that is all. Eveything else goes to the 09 R/T.