What Makes A 67 Cuda?

There is a 68 Dart running a 440 in SS/GA I believe and there has been some interest in why he can run a 440 in a 68 when the factory did not put it in until 69. But that Dart runs 9.70's in SS/GA and has to use the flat hood with the bulges but it has no fresh air. It runs very good as I feel the combo in a Cuda would run as good or better. Ron