The First 1967 383 A-Body, 'Barracuda or Mr. Norms's Dart'

[69 Cuda 440]

Correct Mr. Kosmic,

In 1968, the 383 in the Barracuda was re-rated to 300 Horsepower from the previous
years 'anemic' 280 HP rating.

Changes,
A) The piston height was now .014 (above the deck), instead of .007 (below the deck)
B) The #2843906 casting Cylinder Heads with open-chamber design (79.5 cc's), 10% larger port area,
and larger exhaust valves {1.74"} were now installed.
C) The previous years Camshaft and Valve Train were still utilized.
D) An improved left side (driver side) exhaust manifold was designed.
E) The right (passenger side) exhaust manifold had an improved angle.
F) The exhauts manifolds were positioned closer to the engine, for increased inner-fenderwell clearance
G) The exhaust piping (primary pipes) had an improved design to provide for less
restriction in the exhaust-flow.
H) A new Intake manifold #2806301 with 10% greater branch and 50% more runner size was
installed.
I) A new Carter AVS Carburetor (625 CFM) was utilized.
J) An unsilenced air cleaner replaced the standard unit.

Note; The difference between the 68' Road Runner/Super Bee 383/335 HP
engine and the Barracuda 383/300 HP, was,
A) Oil pan windage tray
B) Camshaft, as the 383/335 HP received the 440 Camshaft and Valve Train
C) 440 Exhaust Manifolds and Exhaust Piping

 

[thepaintguy]

Yes Sir.

 

[69 Cuda 440]

I wonder how many guys popped on a set of #2843906 'open chamber' cylinder heads on their 1967 383,
thinking the bigger exhaust valves and larger intake ports would increase performance,

Only to realize that they would lose over a full compression point, dropping their 383 to {8.9 - 1}.

 

[LovetheA's]

Just curious what would of happened if you put the 915 heads on the car which were off of the 67 440 hipo? Assuming you did that and added headers what do you think would be the horsepower gain?

Carl

 

[69 Cuda 440]

Carl,

The #915 1967 440 Cylinder Head, giving you a larger exhaust valve, larger ports, and
heavier valve spings - alone would have made maybe a only +10 HP with the stock
exhaust manifolds.

But, tubular headers would have let that 383 'breathe', and probably pushed out
an additional 25 Horsepower.

For note, the 1967 383 engine had a 325 Horsepower rating in a free-flowing exhaust
B-Body. But, as well all know, the 383/325 Horsepower was overrated by the factory,
and was actually closer to 295 HP.

 

[dart4forte]

Since I've become a recent owner of a GTS big block car I tend do go with what RhinoDart says in terms of statistics.

On the subject of engines I went back through my 67 and 68 shop manuals to compare engine stats between the two years.

The 67 A bodies had the standard 383 4 barrel engine installed. This is the same motor found in most of the full size Mopars of that year. The manual I have also shows in writing the standard 383 for 67 not the 383HP. That mean't a smaller carb, smaller exhaust valve (1.60") and cam specs of 256/260 exhaust and 425/435 intake.

In 68 the 383HP was designated and upgraded to the 906 casting which gave you 2.08/1.78 intake and exhaust, a larger 4 barrel carb, slight changes in the rotating assembly mainly piston deck/ height and cam specs of 268/284 exhaust and 4.50/4.58 on the intake. I'm not siure what the cam specs were for the RR 383.

As far as the restrictive driver side exhaust manifold, IMHO in looking at the subtle engine spec differances I don't think that was the major cause for the differance in HP rating. between the two years.

Hopefully I'll get a chance to flow test two HP manifolds to ge a comparison between an A body HP manifold and the standard HP manifold found on the full size Mopars.

 

[69 Cuda 440]

Dart4Forte,

1967 Carter AFB carburetors (#4298 and #4299) when installed on the 383 in the
A-Body had smaller jets than when the same Carburetor was installed on the 383 B-Body
(factory modification). Their rating on the 383 A-Body was 525 CFM.

Of course the 1967 cast iron intake #301-666-968 was a horrible flowing intake.
The 1968 unit #2806301 was a significant improvement, as was the Carter AVS
carburetor which was rated at 625 CFM.

As for camshafts, as per the NHRA Engine Blueprint Guide, both the 1967 and 1968
camshafts had the same lift,,,,,,,,, but may need more research.

1967 A-Body 383 Horsepower / Torque Ratings
280 HP @ 4200 RPM
400 Ft/Lbs.Torque @ 2400 RPM

1968 A-Body 383 Horsepower / Torque Ratings
300 HP @ 4400 RPM
400 Ft/Lbs. Torque @ 2400 RPM

 

[69 Cuda 440]

Dart 440,

Just some information.

The 1967 383/325 HP in the B-Body cars was the same engine as in the 1967
Barracuda and Dart, excpept for a better flowing exhaust system and a true-jetted
Carter AFB (575 CFM).
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Factory Rating of the 1967 383/280 HP (A-Body)
280 HP @ 4200 RPM
400 Ft-Lbs. of Torque @ 2400 RPM

Factory Rating of the 1967 383/325 HP (B-Body)
325 HP @ 4800 RPM
425 Ft-Lbs. of Torque @ 2800 RPM

Factory Rating of the 1968 383/300 HP (A-Body)
300 HP @ 4400 RPM
400 Ft-Lbs. of Torque @ 2400 RPM

Factory Rating of the 1968 383/330 HP (B-Body, 'non' Road Runner, Super Bee, Charger)
330 HP @ 5000 RPM
425 Ft-Lbs. of Torque @ 3200 RPM

Factory Rating of the 1968 383/335 HP (Road Runner, Super Bee, Charger R/T)
335 HP @ 5200 RPM
425 Ft-Lbs. of Torque @ 3400 RPM

The difference between the 1967 383/325 HP and 1968 383/330 HP engine, was the #906 Cylinder Heads,
Deck Height, Intake Manifold, and Carter AVS Carburetor, for a gain of '5 HP'.

The difference between the 1967 323/280 HP (A-Body) and 1968 383/300 HP (A-Body) engine, was the same
identical changes, but with an improved exhaust manifold design and a better low-restriction flow exhaust piping,
for a gain of '20 HP'.

Based upon Chrylser's changes, the improved exhaust system inceased Horsepower by +15 HP.

In 1968, the Road Runner 'Camshaft and Valve Train' was 'only' available in the 383 Road Runner, 383 Super Bee and Charger.

 

[69 Cuda 440]

Teak,

The 1967 Barracuda 383 engine, was called.........'Commando 383'

And (Code #D9) Front Disc-Brakes were 'mandatory'.
As well as (Code #F7) Formula S Package

The 1967 Dart GTS 383 engine was called '383 Four Barrel'

Also, the Dart GTS 383 engine recieved the chrome dress up kit (valve covers and oil breather).

 

[dart4forte]

Dart 440,

Just some information.

The 1967 383/325 HP in the B-Body cars was the same engine as in the 1967
Barracuda and Dart, excpept for a better flowing exhaust system and a true-jetted
Carter AFB (575 CFM).
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Factory Rating of the 1967 383/280 HP (A-Body)
280 HP @ 4200 RPM
400 Ft-Lbs. of Torque @ 2400 RPM

Factory Rating of the 1967 383/325 HP (B-Body)
325 HP @ 4800 RPM
425 Ft-Lbs. of Torque @ 2800 RPM

Factory Rating of the 1968 383/300 HP (A-Body)
300 HP @ 4400 RPM
400 Ft-Lbs. of Torque @ 2400 RPM

Factory Rating of the 1968 383/330 HP (B-Body, 'non' Road Runner, Super Bee, Charger)
330 HP @ 5000 RPM
425 Ft-Lbs. of Torque @ 3200 RPM

Factory Rating of the 1968 383/335 HP (Road Runner, Super Bee, Charger R/T)
335 HP @ 5200 RPM
425 Ft-Lbs. of Torque @ 3400 RPM

The difference between the 1967 383/325 HP and 1968 383/330 HP engine, was the #906 Cylinder Heads,
Deck Height, Intake Manifold, and Carter AVS Carburetor, for a gain of '5 HP'.

The difference between the 1967 323/280 HP (A-Body) and 1968 383/300 HP (A-Body) engine, was the same
identical changes, but with an improved exhaust manifold design and a better low-restriction flow exhaust piping,
for a gain of '20 HP'.

Based upon Chrylser's changes, the improved exhaust system inceased Horsepower by +15 HP.

In 1968, the Road Runner 'Camshaft and Valve Train' was 'only' available in the 383 Road Runner, 383 Super Bee and Charger.

Ok, so what's the differance beween the 67 manifold and the 68 manifold

 

[69 Cuda 440]

1967 '383' Cast Iron Intake Manifold #2205968 (Below)

1 7/16" Primary x 1 9/16" Secondary

The 1968/1969 '383' Intake Manifold #2806301 (Below)
1 11/16" Primary x 1 11/16" Secondary

{10% greater branch and 50% greater runner sizes}

 

[dart4forte]

1967 '383' Cast Iron Intake Manifold #2205968 (Below)

1 7/16" Primary x 1 9/16" Secondary

The 1968/1969 '383' Intake Manifold #2806301 (Below)
1 11/16" Primary x 1 11/16" Secondary

{10% greater branch and 50% greater runner sizes}

I'm sorry. I was asking about the difference between the exhaust manifold between the years 67 and 68.

 

[69 Cuda 440]

OK,

I'll see if I can post photo's with the difference in the slight shape design improvement
between the early 1966 casting exhaust manifolds and later 1967 casting exhaust manifolds.

As a side note. Notice how Mopar produced the 1968/1969 '383' Intake Manifold with
1 11/16" x 1 11/16" Primary and Secondary throttle bore openings on the manifold.
This allowed you to install a 750 AVS (off the 440) without any manifold
modification.

 

[69 Cuda 440]

Teak,

Got your question..

The 1967 383 4-Barrel engine in a Barracuda or Dart GTS was factory-rated at
280 Horsepower.

But, I believe even that HP Rating was over-blown, as it was with all Mopar 383 engines.

I would make a 'guess-timate', that it was probably closer to 265 Horsepower with
the restricted AFB carburetor (525 CFM rated), and 'strangled exhaust manifolds'
and restrictive exhaust piping.

The B-Body 383 4-Barrel engine, rated at 325 Horspower was way over-blown with that rating.
I would make a guess, that the 1967 engine installed in the B-Body with the larger and less restrictive
exhaust piping was only around 280 Horsepower.

 

[69 Cuda 440]

Car Craft (February 1967)

Here is where the 'whining' started'.

 

[BB-Dave]

Very cool! I'll have to find a copy of that mag!

 

[69 Cuda 440]

Teak,

Arlen Vanke designed the original 1967 383 exhaust manifolds for the A-Body cars
in 1966 (late-August).

Castings #2899002 and #2863900

Later in 1967, the 'same' casting unit had design improvements, which helped improve
exhaust flow.

Hard to put an exact Horsepower Gain on the design improvement, but I would
guess between {7 to 11} 'added' Horsepower.

 

[69 Cuda 440]

The #2899002 and #2863900 exhaust manifolds. (1967 A-Body '383' engine)

The #2806900 and #2843992 exhauts manifolds. (1968 and 1969 '383' Road Runner and Super Bee, and '440' GTX and R/T)

 

[69 Cuda 440]

Rick,

December 1966 ~ Cars Magazine

First Drive; 383 Barracuda 'Kudos For The Cuda'

By; Martyn L. Schorr

1967 Barracuda 383
* The Barracuda was a 'proto-type'
* The photo shoot was from October 1966
* The 383 Engine was rated at 325 HP
* Barracuda 'Fastback' Formula S
* 3.55 Gears, w/Sure-Grip
* 4-Speed w/Console
* Goodyear Blue Streak Tires {D-70 x 14"}
* Heavy-Duty 14" x 5.5" Wheels
* Front Disc Brakes
* Simulated Mag Wheel Covers
* Advertised Shipping Weight = #3202 lbs.

Performance Test
* Top Speed......... 120 MPH
* 1/4 Mile............ 15.20 @ 94.6 MPH

Overall Analysis
* Handled well, despite having an additional {+170 lbs.} of weight on the Nose,
as compared to the 273 Commando.

* Car equipped with a Brake System 'low-pressure' light for the Dual-Cylinder Master Cylinder.

* Pretzel-shaped {twist and bend} exhaust system is restrictive, preventing optimal exhaust flow.

* Barracuda 383 capable of 14.60's @ 98 MPH with 'Headers' {open system} and a
Performance Tune-Up.

 

[65dartcharger]

Since I own a factory Hemi Dart, a 383 4-speed Dart for 35 years now, a factory 440 Dart and an M-Code Mr. Norms GSS and have worked for Mr. Norm for the last 5 years I may know a thing or two about these cars. No cutting and splicing on the Hemi Dart fenderwells, just some nasty hammering! The Mr. Norm M-Code Darts used 67 383 manifolds then Norm had Iggy's muffler make headers later, I used to have a set. So you who think know about the 273 Dart GT that Norm had the 383 put into and drove to Detroit, when did that happen and why do you believe that Norm had no input to Dodge on the decision to make the 67 Dart GTS's, which I have owned 6 of...

Awesome! Any pictures of your cars would be sweet! I just love those details.

 

[69 Cuda 440]

Weight Breakdown as per 'Cars Magazine'

1967 Barracuda 'Fastback' 4-Speed

Barracuda '273 Commando'___ {#2940 lbs.}


Barracuda 383______________Actual Weight___________Difference over 273 'Commando'

* 383 Engine............................... #620 lbs. .......................... +95 lbs.

* Related Engine Components................................................. +6 lbs.

* Water Pump Housing.................. #14 lbs. .......................... +14 lbs.

* Front Suspension................................................................. +8 lbs.

* Front Brakes............................. #105 lbs. {Disc}................ +50 lbs.

* Torque Boxes............................... #12 lbs. ...........................+12 lbs.

* Exhaust Manifolds....................... #50 lbs. ...........................+20 lbs.
* Exhaust System Piping......................................................... +20 lbs.

* Bell Housing......................................................................... +15 lbs.
* Clutch Assembly................................................................... +22 lbs.
_______________________________________________________________

* Added Weight...................................................................... +262 lbs.

* 1967 Barracuda '383' Shipping Weight............................... #3202 lbs.

 

[Rocky_JS]

The 67 Barracuda itself was released in late November 66.
The 383 equipped cars were not released until late February early March. The late start plays into the low production numbers for the 67 383 with them being made only 1/2 of the production year. Same with the 67 383 Dart both were officially released to the public about the same time.

All 67 383 Barracuda's were mandatory:
Formula-s package F-7
front disc brakes D-9
Bucket seats only

All were:
special order u-1 code
Hamtramck built M-2 stamped on fender tag
3.23 gear only with either sure-grip or open differential
No A/C or power steering option was available. Only the standard manual steering was available. No fast ratio 16:1 manual steering box option.

It did come with chrome rocker covers and breather and a huge un-silenced air cleaner like the Dart pictured above.

October 1966,

Chrysler Corporation has announced that a 383 Big-Block will be
made available for the soon to be released redesigned 1967 Plymouth Barracuda.

Expected introduction of the Barracuda will be in late November 1966.

The 383 will be availabe in all three Barracuda styles, Hardtop Coupe,
Fastback and Convertible models, in the both the 4-Speed Manual transmission
and 3-Speed Automatic transmission. All models will be required to be equipped with
the Formula S handling package.

J. W. Frawley, Plymouth Sales Manager

 

[69 Cuda 440]

Rocky JS,

Plymouth was able to get a 1967 Barracuda 383 'Proto-Type' to Cars Magazine in
late-October 1966.

Equipped with {3.55 Gears w/Sure-Grip} and 1966 'Blue Streak' tires.

Martyn L. Schorr later wrote, that the Barracuda should have had a fully functional
fresh-air hood louver vent unit instead of the fully cast unit.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Motor Trend {September 1967}

Julian Schmidt

* Torque-Flite 'Automatic'
* 3.23 Gears w/Sure-Grip.
* Firestone Wide-Ovals

At #3182 lbs. > the Torque-Flite is 20 lbs. lighter than the S-833 4-Speed.

Performance
* 0 to 60 MPH...... 7.8
* 0 to 75 MPH..... 11.2
* 1/4 Mile........... 15.50 @ 92.0 MPH

Motor Trend reported that the 383 Engine alone put exactly {106 lbs.} on the Nose.
And added {242 lbs.} to the Barracuda 383 over the Barracuda 273 Commando.

The Torque-Flite best shifted, when left in 'Drive' and the 727 shifted by itself.

The 383/280 HP Engine is 'suspiciously rated'.

The Barracuda 383 was equipped with a 24:1 Manual Steering Box. The Barracuda
dangerously under-steered in tight corners.

 

[69 Cuda 440]

 

[69 Cuda 440]

Magazine Tests

'1967 Barracuda 383'______________________________


Chrysler Proving Grounds {October 1966} ........................'Proto-Type'
* Fastback
* 4-Speed
* 3.91 Gears
* Tires > 6.95 x14" Blue Streak
* Holley #3367 {585 CFM} Carburetor
* Performance........... 14.62 @ 97.1 MPH
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Chrysler Proving Grounds {October 1966} ....................... 'Proto-Type'
* Fastback
* 4-Speed
* 3.55 Gears
* Tires > 6.95 x 14" Blue Streak
* Performance.......... 14.97 @ 94.0 MPH
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi-Performance Cars Magazine {December 1966}.............. 'Proto-Type'
* Fastback
* 4-Speed
* 3.55 Gears
* Tires > 6.95 x 14" Blue Streak
* Performance........... 15.20 @ 94.6 MPH
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Hot Rod Magazine {December 1966} ................................ 'Proto-Type'
* Fastback
* 4-Speed
* 3.55 Gears
* Tires > D 70 x 14" Wide Oval
* Performance.......... 14.80 @ 94.10 MPH
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Car and Driver {December 1966}
* Fastback
* 4-Speed
* 3.55 Gears
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Motor Trend {December 1966}
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Popular Hot Rodding {December 1966}
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Popular Mechanics {January 1967}
* Fastback
* Automatic
* 3.23 Gears
* Tires > D 70 x 14" Wide Oval
* Performance.......... 15.21 @ 92.3 MPH
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi-Performance Cars Magazine {February 1967}
* Fastback
* Automatic
* 3.23 Gears
* Tires > D 70 x 14" Wide Oval
* Performance......... 14.98 @ 91.5 MPH
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Rodder and Super Stock {March 1967}
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Car Life {March 1967}
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Road & Track {March 1967}
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Car & Driver {April 1967}
* Hardtop Coupe
* Automatic
* 3.23 Gears
* Tires > D 70 x 14" Wide Oval
* Performance........... 15.40 @ 92.0 MPH
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Super Stock & Drag Illustrated {April 1967}
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Super Stockers In Action {April 1967}
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Motor Trend {May 1967}
* Hardtop Coupe
* 4-Speed
* 3.23 Gears
* Tires > D 70 x 14" Wide Oval
* Performance........ 15.22 @ 92.2 MPH
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Road Test Magazine {June 1967}
* Fastback
* 4-Speed
* 3.91 Gears {Special Order}
* Tires > D 70 x 14" Wide Oval
* Performance.......... 14.71 @ 97.1 MPH
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Speed & Super Car {June 1967}
* Notchback
* Automatic
* 3.23 Gears
* Tires > D 70 x 14" Wide Oval
* Performance........ 14.90 @ 96.10 MPH
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Motor Trend {September 1967}
* Fastback
* Automatic
* 3.23 Gears
* Tires > D 70 x 14" Wide Oval
* Performance........... 15.50 @ 92.0 MPH
---------------------------------------------------------------------