1967 Chevelle SS396 L78 vs 1970 Plymouth Duster 340 - PURE STOCK DRAG RACE + history/specs

1967 Chevrolet Chevelle Super Sport drag racing 1970 Plymouth Duster 340
Featured are two fantastic cars. I really think the 1970 Plymouth Duster 340 is one of the best deals in the musclecar segment right now (similarly, the Demon 340). The engine was underrated at 275 horsepower, it doesn't weight very much, and it can move! Prices aren't terrible, with fully restored versions under $30,000 right now. Those cars always surprise me on the drag strip. Could you imagine picking up one of those brand new for 17K (adjusting for inflation)??? Then we have it's competitor... a VERY rare 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle SS396 with the L78 package. Now, I must admit, I'm not entirely sure of that car is a true L78, but I believe at last year's Pure Stock Muscle Car Drag Race event that they stated it was. Regardless, it is reported as being the 375 horsepower version. What a great looking car. 1967 was a fantastic year for the Chevelle and it sold incredibly well. It's on my list of cars to buy in the future... just like the Duster 340. Which do you think will win??? Both of these cars are featured in the Pure Stock Muscle Car Drag Race series.

Also make sure you check them out on Facebook!

The rules for PSMCDR are listed below:

For 1955 to 1979 musclecars built in United States and Canadian assembly plants with a minimum warranty of 12 months and 12,000 miles.
Any car running faster than 11.50 will be disqualified and will not have a qualifying time recorded.
Any convertible running faster than 13.50 will be disqualified and will not have a qualifying time recorded.
Casting numbers must be correct for the year and horsepower claimed including intake manifold, heads, and exhaust manifolds. Blocks do not have to be "numbers matching," but they must be the correct displacement. Overbores up to .070" are allowed. Stock cranks only.
All Engines – 1.5 extra points allowed over advertised.
The camshaft must be correct for the year, model, and horsepower claimed for the type of lifter (hydraulic or solid). Roller cams NOT allowed.
The valve train must be factory stock for the year, make, and horsepower claimed.
The ignition system must be stock, including the distributor, cap, coil, and wires. Points may be replaced with any electronic conversion that fits under the stock distributor cap.
The carburetor must be correct for the year, make, and horsepower claimed. Jetting and metering changes are permitted. THE CHOKE ASSEMBLY MUST BE IN PLACE AND FUNCTIONAL!
Cast-iron exhaust manifolds are mandatory and must be correct for the year, model, and horsepower claimed. Internal modifications to the exhaust manifolds are NOT allowed. Under no circumstances will headers be allowed, including those cars that came with headers delivered in the trunk. Pipes must be routed as they were originally for the year, make, model, and engine combination. Mufflers must be stock looking in design, that is, oval in shape. No glasspacks or straight pipes allowed unless installed as original equipment. Maximum muffler inlet and outlet size is 2.5 inches. X & H pipes allowed.
The radiator must be correct for the year, make, model, and horsepower claimed. No lightweight, aluminum radiators allowed.
The camshaft must be correct for the year, model, and horsepower claimed for the type of lifter (hydraulic or solid). Roller cams NOT allowed. Duration at .050" lobe lift must be within 1% of factory specs. Lift at the valve must be within 2% of factory specs. Maximum stall limited to 2200 rpm.
The transmission must be correct for year, make, model and engine of the car. 3-speed manuals may be upgraded to the correct 4-speed if originally available.
The rear axle must be of the same manufacturer as the car. Any gear ratio is allowed.
Reproduction tires or radial tires only.You are allowed to run tires one size over stock.
Factory wheels only.

Additional tags: factory stock, factory stock drag race, factory stock racing, pure stock drag race, super car drag race, super car racing, super car, super stock, super stock racing, nhra, nhra stock, nhra super stock, pure stock muscle car drag race, muscle car drag race, modern muscle drag race, stock drag race, top fuel, pro stock, funny car, top dragster, classic car, classic car drag race, fast drag, factory appearing stock tire, muscle car, muscle car drag race, drag race, barn find

[ChrisfromGeorgia]

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

[kurtpoblenz]

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

[christinebrunton]

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!!

[UnityMotorSportsGarage]

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!

[homefront]

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!!!

[michaelwebb]

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

[jimmybare]

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....

[badhaircut]

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 !

[jusngonzales]

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

[timmccreery]

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...

[timmotel]

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)

[rhythmstyx]

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

[JUSTGOTLUCKY]

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

[garymckee]

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

[mudnducs]

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

[bpcarman]

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.

[mikel.laughridge]

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

[dougnason]

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.

[ervingoertzen]

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

[paulwhite]

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