Dodge’s Rare Budget Friendly Brawler

Dodge’s Rare Budget Friendly Brawler - The Demon 340

Рет қаралды 34,759

Күн бұрын

In this Rare Cars documentary, we are going over the story of the best performance car bargain ever offered by Chrysler - the Dodge Demon 340.
The Demon 340 was a budget powerhouse that with the 340 underneath the hood actually put down some serious power and with its relatively lightweight - the Demon 340 put the hurt on a LOT of more popular and expensive cars out there.
Chapters:
0:00 Intro
1:03 The Background
2:20 Powerplant
4:45 Performance Figures
*Note, we are not historians. If you see an error in our research then please mention it in the comments!
For business inquiries or other inquiries, reach out to: rarecarsmedia@fearlessotter.com
Sources:
www.hemmings.com/stories/arti...
www.topspeed.com/1971-dodge-d...
www.hemmings.com/stories/arti...
NOTICE: Clips used from other videos are fair use and fall under U.S. copyright law because this work is transformative in nature, and has no negative effect on the market for the original work. It is against the law to fraudulently claim a copyright on a video you do not own under the DMCA or to abuse KZfaq’s copyright claim tool. Copyright concerns and takedown requests can be submitted to: rarecarsmedia@gmail.com

Пікірлер: 150

@rarecars3336 21 күн бұрын

What do you think? For the price in 71', would you have taken the Demon 340m or bought something else 🤔?

@stephensowell9578 21 күн бұрын

The 340, if I had KZfaq, and you to tell me about it.

@roberthill2219 21 күн бұрын

I would take a '71 Duster 340 over the Demon any day.. dont tell Jamie @Dead Dodge Garage....

@UberLummox 21 күн бұрын

@@roberthill2219 Why? I'd take the Demon for sures. But same basic car, just different/cooler nose.

@AtZero138 21 күн бұрын

@@roberthill2219hahaha... That's Funny.... Mopar A Bodies Forever 🇺🇸

@AtZero138 21 күн бұрын

Yes it's price point.. hurt sales... But, if you actually test drove it!?... I believe this is what got them off the Lot... Anyone who owned or still has a Mopar A Body.. They are the perfect size... Cheers from Southern California 🇺🇸 Daily Driver 68 Dodge Dart with V8 swap...

@The_R-n-I_Guy 21 күн бұрын

I was born in the wrong era. I can't stand modern vehicles with their unnecessary technology. Cars of the 60's to 80's are the best

@lancerevell5979 21 күн бұрын

Yep, I really wish I still had my 1968 AMC AMX 2-seater. Fun little car!

@joshreynolds729 21 күн бұрын

I agree with you. But some of the tech is really good the down fall is the extra weight and like you said It’s not necessary tech however you can remove all that and keep what you want best of both worlds. But you can’t beat the old school metal work.

@coyoteboys2427 21 күн бұрын

ABSOLUTELY!!!!!!!

@roberthill2219 21 күн бұрын

The only computer in my '72 Valiant is my cellphone.

@CJColvin 21 күн бұрын

Agreed

@The_R-n-I_Guy 21 күн бұрын

I would definitely have been more inclined to buy a Demon than a Dart Sport. If for no other reason than to piss people off

@gregblack8550 17 күн бұрын

Guy had a duster 340 in our neighborhood. Had a cam and headers and don’t know what else . It was the fastest car around I remember that . He dusted a big block Chevelle by a bunch .

@somewhatfast 21 күн бұрын

Just cooked a steak about to sit down to eat and this beautiful video popped up. Best day ever

@stevepick9527 20 күн бұрын

Yep, those demon 340s were no joke. I had a 70 1/2 Z28 and there was a 340 Demon in town that I just could not beat. He had long tube headers and put a Holly carb on it. He was obviously pulling around the same horsepower as I was, which was 360, so yes, they were grossly under estimated on power.

@4yules 21 күн бұрын

340 completly underated motor

@chadhaire1711 19 күн бұрын

235 net hp

@4yules 8 күн бұрын

@@chadhaire1711 lol

@chadhaire1711 8 күн бұрын

@@4yules your point?

@davidkeeton6716 21 күн бұрын

My brother had the 340 out of a wrecked 71 Demon, back in 76.He put a hemi grind Mopar purple shaft in it before we dropped it in his 64 Barracuda. Surprised a lot of people with it.

@UberLummox 21 күн бұрын

Musta went like the hounds of hell!

@AtZero138 21 күн бұрын

Awesome... Mopar A Bodies Forever 🇺🇸

@randylear8264 20 күн бұрын

Ahhh. The time that a Demon was actually affordable and could be bought by the average American. I lived in those times and sure miss them today. I wish all gear heads could experience the 70s. It was a time to be alive. Also the peaking of the first Muscle Car era and the pocket rockets like the Demon and Duster.

@richardturk7162 21 күн бұрын

I owned a 71 Demon 340 and it was a strong runner in stock form. Around 74 I installed a Direct Connection Racer Brown solid lifter camshaft, Hemi clutches and bands, and a manual shift valve body in the 727 trans. Next came a 4.56 ring and pinion in the rear end. Street raced it a lot and did well. I was always changing intakes and had a six pack for a while then a 2 4 bbl cross ram intake. Went back to the single 4 bbl carb for reliable street use. Pretty stout 1/4 mile racer too. I had a 65 Barracuda formula S with a blueprinted 273 with a 4 speed that car was a well known street racer too. Both cars dusted lots of big block Chevrolets with no problem.

@AtZero138 21 күн бұрын

Badass.... Mopar A Bodies Forever 🇺🇸... My life is Hers and Mine twin 68 Dart Grandma special.. hers Slant6 and mine went 318 swap... True daily driver... Someday a Coupe, Until then ... I'm happy being sleepy.. your set up I could only imagine... How awesome that would run.... My 318 swap, pulls strong, freeway speed's cruising 75-85mph she's just breathing.... Push.. 115mph is easy... Stock gears.. tall tire . 235/70R14 ... She just rolls.. Cheers from Southern California... Mopar or Nothing

@jesselent7894 21 күн бұрын

273 HO motors were also very underrated

@cee128d 21 күн бұрын

Grand Spaulding Dodge in Chicago released some awesome Demons that made the factory cars look like golf carts performance wise.

@paulbouchard18 21 күн бұрын

Mr Norm's was well known for performance tuning Mopars. Quicker and shorter distributor curve,850 cfm carburetor, headers. And you'll be pushing 375hp in 71 340.

@cee128d 21 күн бұрын

@@paulbouchard18 Also Superchargers occasionally.

@garyszewc3339 19 күн бұрын

Mr Norm's did a six-pack setup on the Demons. They used Corvette carburetors instead of the Mopar ones.

@cee128d 19 күн бұрын

@@garyszewc3339 I believe they also made a supercharged version of it as well.

@Paul-gj1zr 21 күн бұрын

I've always loved the dusters and demons there just simply beautiful.

@tomtbi 14 күн бұрын

I built the MPC model kit of the 71 Demon 340 a month ago... What a blast it was to build!!

@realshady16 21 күн бұрын

One of my favorite Mopars is the 1970 Dodge Dart swinger.

@bell9620 21 күн бұрын

You sir have excellent taste.

@AtZero138 21 күн бұрын

Absolutely.... My favorite grill.. other than the 68 .. I am bias due to having one .

@stevenyoung3360 21 күн бұрын

X heads made it flow very well.

@rarecars3336 21 күн бұрын

The 340 was such a great engine - outclassed a lot of bigger stuff in a light car like the Demon!

@AtZero138 21 күн бұрын

340 was considered a Upgrade Option.. above 383 model Mopar B Bodies...

@OxBlitzkriegxO 21 күн бұрын

the X heads was only used until 70. J heads were used afterwards. a few early J heads got 2.02 intakes, but the rest got 1.88s. the two heads were basically the same. all of the 360 heads later on also used the same basic 340 port as well. with a little porting, the later heads matched the X heads, even when they were ported.

@jesselent7894 21 күн бұрын

Even the j heads with the 2.02/1.60’s flowed great too as long as they were before 72’

@OxBlitzkriegxO 20 күн бұрын

@@jesselent7894 yeah, essentially the same head. all of the heads were fairly similar until the late 70s. all you needed to do was to install 2.02s and a tiny bit of bowl/seat work and they all flowed great for an oem iron head

@Tommerd 14 күн бұрын

The Cars album featuring one of these will always be special.

@Curtis1984 21 күн бұрын

@6:37 I really appreciate the body color on the inside of the door.

@mgguyvintagevehicles 21 күн бұрын

Loving the videos, keep up the great work!

@francfurian8215 21 күн бұрын

I love these early Demons. We should've got them here in Australia. Cheers 😊

@innsanewayne 21 күн бұрын

But you got a lot of cool cars that we didn’t get, a lot I repeat!

@AtZero138 21 күн бұрын

The Australian Chrysler Valiant!!.. plus the "Hemi Six" ... Absolutely Cool.. Cheers from Southern California 🇺🇸

@leonardpoindexter5289 20 күн бұрын

I had a Plum Crazy 71 Demon 340. Loved it, wish I still had it.

@72dodge340 21 күн бұрын

It doesn't just have a different front grille, it uses the entire front clip (fenders, hood, grille) from a Dodge Dart.

@davidkeeton6716 21 күн бұрын

It had better taillights in 71 also. Always liked a Demon over a Duster.

@UberLummox 21 күн бұрын

That's right. Entire front clip including front bumper, not a Duster bumper like he mistakenly said.

@AtZero138 21 күн бұрын

Mopar A Bodies Forever 🇺🇸

@AtZero138 21 күн бұрын

Hey Brother.. have you seen that Video Uncle Tony.. did on the T/A Challenger.. I didn't know they had . A 2.02 intake Valve.. I daily a 68 Dart Grandma special Slant6 to 318.. I know the . 1.88 intake upgrade etc . But did all of the early 340.. like yours... Have the 2.02 or the 1.88.. just curious... Mopar or Nothing!!..

@johnharper2016 20 күн бұрын

I turned 16 in 1974. First car 1972 Dodge Demon 340. Paid $1,200.00 for it with 17k miles on it. Made my money back first weekend at the local street races. Total screaming Demon! Drove it thru high school. Sold it 1976 for $1,200.00!! Man, I wish I had that car back.

@fubarmodelyard1392 21 күн бұрын

Religious groups. Stirring up trouble for 3000 years. The Demon 340 was a helluva great car

@t.l.robinson2162 5 күн бұрын

I have seen more than a few 340's give a fit to a big block. You cannot make me believe that it only has 275 horsepower.

@cmbaileytstc 21 күн бұрын

BeamNG’s mission is driving physics, period. It’s already a lot of fun to rally/race in and will only get better. People need to get passed the “crashing sim” myth. Although that damage model is why it’s the only game that can truly simulate PIT maneuvers, demo derby, and “Rubbing is racing”.

@Mopar-Pioneer 21 күн бұрын

Good vid, but no one talks about the Canadian 313 which I had in my 64 Plymouth fury 3. I believe the american version was the Sport Fury. I put it up against several buds with 318's and never lost ! Am I alone in wanting to know more ???? Here in Australia I had a 1969 Valiant VIP wagon withh a 273 auto. great little beast ! Wish I still had it because it was only years after I traded it in did I learn how rare a beast it was !!!

@adrianmonk4440 21 күн бұрын

GREAT STUFF MAYNARD, COOL BEANS !!!

@roberthill2219 21 күн бұрын

Leaving out that Thermoquad carb that was new for '71 was a whopping 830 cfm...

@davidkeeton6716 21 күн бұрын

My brother loved the thermoquad. Like an AFB or AVS you can re-jet it without pouring gas all over the top of the intake.

@innsanewayne 21 күн бұрын

Loved the sound when you kicked it down.

@roberthill2219 21 күн бұрын

@@innsanewayne wwwwwaaaahhhhhhhhh

@garyszewc3339 19 күн бұрын

Thermoquads were one of the best carburetors made, unfortunately most people don't know how to adjust them. I used to be a Chrysler mechanic in the mid-70s, and still have my book on how to set one up. I haven't looked at it in years but there's something like 70 steps to setting it up and they must all be done in order. People like holleys just because they're easier to set up.

@roywhitman7109 15 күн бұрын

I still have my 71 340 4 speed that I purchased in high school back in 1973. Almost sold it once. That won't happen again!

@henrywashington3732 15 күн бұрын

My dad had a 69 dart swinger 340 with 4spd manual. It was in our family for over 30 years.

@alanfitzgeraldsr2201 21 күн бұрын

Had a 75 Duster with a 360. Loved the car. Great handling for the time and enough power still.

@DavidJohns-we5fe 20 күн бұрын

Great presentation...but 1 question...why would you compare a demon to the camaro? Challenger / cuda would of been camaro' s competition? The demon would of been a " challenger " to the nova ss, ford maverick grabber, etc.? Again great presentation...just was confused on the unlikely comparison?

@michaelhurley545 16 күн бұрын

I had a 72 Demon all original 4spd car from San Diego with low mileage with a bench seat it was a fun car to drive very spirited car with the 4spd. The 71 with 10.5 compression and 2.02 heads must been another 40 to 50 horsepower something like 330 to 350 horsepower. In a 3100 pound car in the 70s and 80s this was a fast car..

@garyszewc3339 19 күн бұрын

Many mistakes. The Demon was not a rebadged Duster. Somebody who didn't know these cars, may not be able to identify them, but there are many differences. The silhouettes are the same, but the bodies are different. The doors and fenders have different body lines, and the shape at the front of the fenders is different. They are not interchangeable. He said the bench seat could be gotton with the console which it could not. The instrument cluster was not the same as the duster. Also worth noting, if you got power disc brakes they were four piston calipers.

@rpm773 20 күн бұрын

The fascia of those Demons always had a slightly evil-looking smile to them

@nucleargrizzly1776 21 күн бұрын

Does anyone know if the 340 Demon was available with factory A/C? Couldn't find an answer online.

@jamessneed8789 21 күн бұрын

Yes it was available .

@ArKay-nj2nh 21 күн бұрын

My second 'real' car was a '70 Dart, my first being a '55 Chevy. I exploded 2 rear ends until I planted a Dana 60 under it. I modified the Automatic with the most aggressive Transgo Shift Kit available. That's when My Drifting started.

@GrantOakes 15 күн бұрын

Nice but I preferred the 70-71 Dart Swinger 340 with the 4sp. I did buy a 71 E body Cuda 340 with the rally dash and pistol grip 4 speed. That was a REALLY fun car! A friend with a 70 Chevelle 396 thought he'd beat me. Was he shocked when I pulled at least 2 car lengths on him from 0-60.

@HypocriticYT Күн бұрын

4 spd Duster with dig dish hubcaps looking like a 6 cylinder had a 340, real sleeper. No badging to tell you its performance

@robsorgdrager8477 21 күн бұрын

This is absolutely a muscle car ✌️

@randyrobey5643 21 күн бұрын

The Barracuda shown in the "A-Body" lineup is an E-Body, not an A-Body.

@yeseniakrueger1863 20 күн бұрын

Back in the day.. Never saw a fast mopar 340... The small block checks ruled the.street

@C.Brown5150 12 күн бұрын

Back when your car was the 4 wheeled expression of the owner.. The car seemed to match it's owner , kinda like it helped to make a better version of that person.. Not like today where people just buy a car just because they're trying to relive their younger years .. Or they're trying to keep up with the guy down the street or just trying to be something they wish they were.

@jeffreyrubish347 16 күн бұрын

I had a '73 Dart Sport 340 in the early 1980's. Too bad i didn't keep it ☹

@joesutherland225 21 күн бұрын

Yes it was a grand cheaper and you knew it soon as you drove it next to the Ford or the Chevy at the time but yeah they were popular and your right about it at the end

@HaroldGuthrie-qc3xb 21 күн бұрын

I always suspected that engine had way more hp than 275.

@chadhaire1711 19 күн бұрын

it didn't. Net was only 235 hp.

@chrisubias7135 15 күн бұрын

I had 340 Duster 1969. 3 speed lime green

@kc0lif 12 күн бұрын

i likes 1970s dodge demons. all tho i do todays dodge challenger demons also.

@hotrodray6802 18 күн бұрын

1:20 thats an E body barracuda @72

@AtZero138 21 күн бұрын

As far as,, Budget friendly... If you have not yet featured one ... Built for one purpose only... Plymouth Roadrunner.. Bench seat, no power steering, pull out rear windows (no window regulator) rubber mat, Built for Fun .. Why Mopar Rules...

@garyszewc3339 19 күн бұрын

Power steering was available, but not standard. All of 68 was bench seats, but roll down windows became available late in the 68 model year.

@dannork1240 19 күн бұрын

A 340 duster or demon was the cheapest way to go fast when they were new(ish)

@mikewasfaret9563 21 күн бұрын

What trucks used torsion bar suspension during this time? Early 60s gm trucks used torsion bar suspension, but that's it.

@AtZero138 21 күн бұрын

Torsion bars suspension was introduced in.. 59.. if I remember correctly... "Torsion Aire Suspension" Any of my friends who have classic Chevy.. when they ride in my 68 Dart.. the Ride is so unique.. compared to any other make... Plus we can lower the ride height etc.. or add more ..

@michaelshea5622 21 күн бұрын

There were a few rare 440 cars that were just deadly. I knew a couple guys who owned them. The 340 was great but that big block if build right was a monster.

@UberLummox 21 күн бұрын

From the factory??? Never heard that.

@ArKay-nj2nh 21 күн бұрын

@@UberLummox I know in the late 60's you could get a 383 in the Barracuda which is a similar body / drive train / engine bay style. ( 383 is the same physical size of the 440, although I've never heard of a 440 in a '70's Dart / Demon / Duster either )

@UberLummox 21 күн бұрын

@@ArKay-nj2nh That's right. 383 'Cuda '68-'69 A body. 440s might be a bit bigger though. They had a taller deck height.

@AtZero138 21 күн бұрын

GTS .... Also the Famed GSS.. Big Block Dart... Mopar A Bodies... 67 & Up .. big K member, If you only took a photo of the Engine bay.. year for year.. Plymouth or Dodge... With exception of Decals... It's difficult to tell which one your looking at.. Valiant, Dart, Barracuda, Duster, Dart Sport, Demon etc.. identical.. I have two 68 Darts in my life.. Seeing Big Block, to Hemi clone's.. It's amazing to see them fit.. Compared to my Slant6 "her's" & 318 Swapped "mine" engine bay .. Cheers from Huntington Beach CA 🇺🇸

@grantr5417 21 күн бұрын

@@UberLummox1969 Dart 440 GTS and 1969 'cuda 440 were limited production introduced mid-year.

@michaelcavalier8750 21 күн бұрын

8:35 - Don't ride the clutch!

@joesutherland225 21 күн бұрын

Everybody overlooks the Dart which I like better actually.

@alz44 21 күн бұрын

My Grandma had one, lol

@THROTTLEPOWER 21 күн бұрын

👍👍

@chadhaire1711 19 күн бұрын

Net horsepower was only 235

@jamiedriscoll9781 21 күн бұрын

6:09 dude move your car over a smidgen

@ericdavis1660 18 күн бұрын

"Has became..."?

@donnysouthwell8104 18 күн бұрын

And the new demon in Canada is $280,000, lol not very budget

@joesutherland225 21 күн бұрын

How about a 67 valiant with a 394 hemi lol 😆 😜 🤣 😊

@garyszewc3339 19 күн бұрын

394?

@joesutherland225 19 күн бұрын

@@garyszewc3339 392 freshened bores.

@jesselent7894 21 күн бұрын

340’s were faster than 426’s and a completely big block killer.. just very underrated

@chadhaire1711 19 күн бұрын

no they were not Goober.

@jesselent7894 19 күн бұрын

@@chadhaire1711 100% were.

@devillockj 16 күн бұрын

Nothing funnier than hearing the hype about old x or j casting heads. Ok for the era sure. But compare it to anything from the last 20 years and it’s laughable