440 Daytona vs 383 Charger

[Q5XX29]

Somebody posted this little video he shot of my Daytona leaving the local Cars and Coffee earlier this month. My son is behind me in his (our) 1968 Charger. As you can see at the end, my bone-stock 440 auto is no match for his modified 383/auto. His exhaust cutouts are open the whole time, and in the first part of the video, it appears as though the sound is coming from the Daytona, but it isn't (Daytona is almost whisper-quiet, comparatively). Sad to be putting these away for the winter.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LbfF9JMzhE

[odcics2]

I loved them when new and you could drive them ALL YEAR IN ANY WEATHER!   

It was fun "short tracking" in a foot of snow and ice.   

[66FBCharger]

Cool video. Correct me if I'm wrong, there is probably a large difference in weight between the two cars, (reason the 383 is quicker?).

[crj1968]

Nice cars !! 

I think the 383 just winds up quicker like a small block. Could be a lot of factors there, carb, timing, converter, gearing....   

[Q5XX29]

As I stated, the Daytona is BONE-STOCK, and the '68 is a souped-up 383, probably 425 hp or so. No contest, especially with the 3.91s in the '68 (Daytona has 3.55s). I suspect the Daytona would run about a 14.2 and the'68 maybe 13.2-13.6....

[ksquared]

No contest, especially with the 3.91s in the '68 (Daytona has 3.55s).

I always wondered about this.  Since the Daytona was built for high speed, not ¼ mile sprints, why would some come with a 4.11 rear end?

Is there a "perfect gear ratio" that would theoretically put the Daytona at its maximum speed (straightaway), based on the power curve of the engine, either the stock 440 or the stock 426?

Maybe this is getting a bit too OT, but that video perfectly illustrates real world results.

[68pplcharger]

Awesome cars

[Troy]

No contest, especially with the 3.91s in the '68 (Daytona has 3.55s).

I always wondered about this.  Since the Daytona was built for high speed, not ¼ mile sprints, why would some come with a 4.11 rear end?

Is there a "perfect gear ratio" that would theoretically put the Daytona at its maximum speed (straightaway), based on the power curve of the engine, either the stock 440 or the stock 426?

Maybe this is getting a bit too OT, but that video perfectly illustrates real world results.

Short tracks. Honestly, the street Daytonas probably had owners who were as fascinated by acceleration as most other car guys and would have wondered exactly what was wrong if they had 2.76 rear gears. Sure, they'd run out of engine before the aero advantages really kicked in but who really has enough highway to do 180+ mph? Especially in 1969!

And yes, there is. It's not hard to calculate the perfect gear ratio if you know the top speed you want to be at and the RPM limitations of the engine. Race engines had a much higher redline! (no warranty claims on the manufacturer)

Troy

[crj1968]

As I stated, the Daytona is BONE-STOCK, and the '68 is a souped-up 383, probably 425 hp or so. No contest, especially with the 3.91s in the '68 (Daytona has 3.55s). I suspect the Daytona would run about a 14.2 and the'68 maybe 13.2-13.6....

Ah, I see well it makes perfect sense then.   

[tan top]

 

[held1823]

mine is optioned with the A36 package for 3.55 gears. Dad had them swapped out for a  3.23 when the car was just a few weeks old.  

My '70 super bee also had a 3.23 behind a warmed over 383 with 4-speed.

That ratio works great with both the stock 440/auto and built 383/manual

[birdsandbees]

Maybe Dad just needs to get a little harder into the right pedal !! LOL. My stock 383 'Bee turned 100 MPH 1/4's in the late 70's early 80's with 2.94 gears and shit Tornado street tires!.. and I was no master shifter!

And no the 383 isn't like a small block, it takes time to wind up like most big blocks. The 350 Camaro had you by 1/2 track, but then you walked by them in the last 200 feet if you stayed in it!

[TPR]

Very awesome video. Love that sound. 
TPR

[odcics2]

No contest, especially with the 3.91s in the '68 (Daytona has 3.55s).

I always wondered about this.  Since the Daytona was built for high speed, not ¼ mile sprints, why would some come with a 4.11 rear end?

Is there a "perfect gear ratio" that would theoretically put the Daytona at its maximum speed (straightaway), based on the power curve of the engine, either the stock 440 or the stock 426?

Maybe this is getting a bit too OT, but that video perfectly illustrates real world results.

Short tracks. Honestly, the street Daytonas probably had owners who were as fascinated by acceleration as most other car guys and would have wondered exactly what was wrong if they had 2.76 rear gears. Sure, they'd run out of engine before the aero advantages really kicked in but who really has enough highway to do 180+ mph? Especially in 1969!

And yes, there is. It's not hard to calculate the perfect gear ratio if you know the top speed you want to be at and the RPM limitations of the engine. Race engines had a much higher redline! (no warranty claims on the manufacturer)

Troy

FYI - Nascar stock cars used gears from 2.76 to 6.17.      

[500Jon]

Cripes Q5XX29, that is the most beautiful Mopar I have ever seen!!!
You is the most luckiest guy on the Planet.

Wow I gotta build me a clone Daytona quick and paint it Q5...

[Just 6T9 CHGR]

I concur....that Q5 pops in the sun