290 HP... Really?

When insurance premiums became based on horsepower to weight ratios, factory engine specs were vastly underrated. Chrysler rated their 500 HP 426 Hemi at 425 HP by only dyno-ing the engine at 5000 rpm rather than 6000 rpm. I was always wondering about that potent 340 6 Pack that was rated at 290 HP... only 15 HP more than stock. With a special cam, intake and 10.5 to one compression, it should have been better than that. Well I finally found the dyno results on the 340 and as sold, it generated 356 HP and with headers, 376 HP. Considering the performance, that makes a helluva lot more sense. It's lack of success on SCCA events was due a lack of development of suspension and proper front tires as their budget constraints kept the car fairly stock. The 340 T/A was cancelled the following year with the imposed cap of 5 liters. Dodge was working on a 303 cid as a replacement until Dodge decided to pull out from racing. This 1970 Challenger 340 T/A 6 Pack model is in B5 Blue with vinyl top delete (note the custom plate). Gotta love the chassis overspray.