Insane 1971 Dodge Demon Rips 8-Second Passes for Lunch: Wicked Wednesday Presented by the All-New Nitto Recon Grappler™ A/T
This 1971 Dodge Demon is powered by a 540 cubic-inch Indy Maxx engine, and is completely street legal.
The 2018 Dodge Demon has taken much of the spotlight over the last couple of years. However, it was not the first Dodge Demon. That distinction goes to the 1971 Dodge Demon that was essentially a more powerful and upgraded Dodge Dart. The 2018 Demon had nothing to do with a Dart. The baddest Demon of the day was the Demon 340.
It was originally equipped with a 340 cubic-inch V8. The engine put out 275 horsepower and a healthy 340 pound-feet of torque. It also weighs a relatively light 3,165 pounds. Other special features included dual exhaust, all-wheel drum brakes, and a Sure-Grip differential. A special Rallye suspension was also standard equipment on the Demon 340. This was enough to give even the big block competitors of the day a run for their money.
This week’s “Wicked Wednesday” presented by Nitto Tire features a 1971 Demon 340 that can run the quarter in 8 seconds. It is also street legal so it can be used to pickup a gallon of milk in a hurry. Josh Peloquin is the owner of this Demon 340. The video posted on the victoryredcolorado YouTube channel shows Peloquin’s Demon 340 in detail. And the details are impressive.
The ‘Demon’ is in the Details
The stock Demon 340 is a quick car, but it will never run an 8-second quarter. For a time like that, you need big power. In this application power is supplied via a Dodge 540CI Indy Maxx Aluminum block with stage 6 heads. That power is transferred to the rear wheels by a Mopar 727 performance transmission running to a Dana 60 rear end. Power goes to the pavement thanks to the rear Mickey Thompson P275/60R15 drag radials. They offer plenty of traction in this setup as the times and the wheelies show. Most impressive is this car still wears mufflers. It sounds sweet but is road legal.
Quarter-Mile
The runs we see are from November 2020 at Byron Dragway outside of Chicago. In the very first run Peloquin and the car rip off a blistering 8.93 at 148.90 mph. That first run would prove to be his best of the day. However, the car remained consistent and fast. The next run was a 9.01 at 146.80 mph. His next run after that was a 9.13. The video then flashes back to November 2016 at the same drag strip.
Car is the same, but Peloquin is running 29.5/10.5/15 rear tires. The car is still quick but not as quick as the current P275/60R15 setup. On the 29.5 tires he puts down a 9.21 at 146.42 mph. That is followed by a 9.18 run. Regardless of the tire choice, the car is impressive.
The Video
Watch this wicked Demon for yourself. If you thought the 2018 Dodge Demon was the be all end all of the Demon world, this video might change your mind. The Demon 340 is more than capable of holding its own on a drag strip. And just like a modern-day Demon, it can still be used for mundane grocery runs.
Although we doubt that any drive in any Demon can be considered mundane. Enjoy the video and let us know your thoughts in Dodge Forum.
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