From what i've read, the 72 340 motor had the comp dropped 2 points, the 1.88 valve heads and is rated at 240 net HP, which, when converted, is not very far behind the 71. Has anyone on here had, or has a 72 340 A body and what sort of performance should i expect in comparison to the earlier motor ?
Mick

Back in 72 when I first ran NHRA stock eliminator I had a 71 Duster 340 4sp it set the record in E/S at 11.97 at 112.92 it weighed 3290. in 73 I bought a 72 Demon it set the record in H/S at 11.96 at 113.35 it weighed 3380. Both of these engines had the same technology in them at the time. The compression was not a big deal and the 1.88 intake didn't hurt it either. With the gas we have today the 72 with iron heads works just fine.

This is my real world experience. In 1979 I had an original '69 340 Swinger with the 10.5 engine. I added a cheap JC Whitney .500/300 hyd. cam, headers, 3500 B&M Super Holeshot converter, 513 gears, Holley 800 spread bore carb (with adapter), X heads. The Dart ran a best of 12.88 @ 112 mph. I blew that 340 up, found a '72 short block and put the cam, distributor, X heads, headers, carb & intake from the blown up 340 on it. The best that engine would do was 13.44 @ 108mph.

Sorry I had a 1972, 340, 4 speed and it was fun but wasn't what I wanted so I modified it. It was kinda cool hearing the thermaquad opening up but the fun was short lived. I made it even more FUN.

My race car was originally a factory 340 4 speed, i'm looking at a matching numbers 72 A body, would like to think it would turn at least high 14's without pulling the engine apart.

For sure. And 13's with a GOOD tune and some track testing.

Setting the car up won't be a problem, i'd be happy with mid low 14's if it's stock.

I had a stock 72 340 Demon in the mid 80's. Auto and 3.23 gears. Thee only thing I did to it was curve the distributor, loosen the secondary flap a bit, and shim the valve springs so that I could shift it at 6000. It had soft compound M/T G60-14's, always hooked. It went through in 2nd gear, about 6000 rpm's, depending on the air. It went a best of 14.75 in great air, and a worst of 15.25 in, well, the worst air. Bracket raced the s*** out of that car for about 3 years.