I recommend these books (in association
with amazon.com). I’ve owned or read many of these myself. Ladies: any of these books is a great gift to help you (or him) on that big project! Just click the “Order Now” button next to a title to read more about it, and order on-line directly from amazon at discount prices. |
| Engine Building |
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NEW “Chevrolet Inline Six-Cylinder Power Manual”: Written for restorers and hot rodders using Chevrolet inline sixes, this illustrated, hands-on manual features all the step-by-step information needed to rebuild one of these powerplants for use on the street or strip. Advice covers a plethora of topics ranging from development history and selecting a block to modifying the oiling system, sealing, camshaft designs, cylinder heads, manifolds, ignitions, and |  | |
supercharging and turbocharging. AThis manual covers 194, 215, 230, 250, 292 passenger car and truck engines. Everything the engine builder needs to rebuild the Chevy for power on the street, strip or other racing applications.
However you plan your modification, from mild to wild, you will find thought-provoking insider information that will help you achieve your horsepower goals.
* Use the inline six’s inherent advantages to beat the competition.
* Discover modification secrets known only by a few engine builders.
* Determine the best ways to use supercharging, turbocharging or nitrous oxide.
Finally, learn about the team that made the 292 CID such a terror on the drag strip that the sanctioning body finally did away with the class!
Table of contents: Development history | Planning your project | Block identification and selection | Machining operations | Oiling system modifications | Crankshaft and timing gears | Rods, pistons, and bearings | Gaskets, sealing, and hardware | Camshaft design and recommendations | The cylinder head: key element of a Super Six | The hybrid cylinder head: a step beyond | Fuel, exhaust and manifolding | Ignition: lighting the fire of power | Supercharging: when enough isn’t enough | Turbocharging: a different route | What about nitrous oxide | Resource guide.
About the author: Leo Santucci has been building and racing six-cylinder Chevrolets for the past 30 years. He has researched everything written on sixes during that time. You will benefit from his interviews with many six-cylinder stars including Glen Self, Cotton Perry and the late Kay Sissell, Jim Headrick and “California Bill” Fisher. 160 pages in paperback + 300 b&w photos & illustrations. Click the thumbnail to see the cover full-size.
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“How To Build Big-inch Mopar Small-blocks”: at one time, if you wanted big horsepower in your Mopar muscle car or truck, your choices were limited to a big-block swap or a coveted Hemi. At the very least, you needed different engine mounts, K-members, transmissions, headers, etc. - and Hemis have never been cheap! But now there’s another way to get more horsepower: boring and stroking your Mopar small-block to get more cubic inches - up to 476 | | |
cubes! The small-block Mopar is one of the easiest engines in which to increase displacement without extensive modifications or specialized machine work - the engine was practically designed for more cubes! This book shows you how to get that big-cube power, and then it shows you how to optimize the small-block’s other systems - induction, heads, valve-train, ignition, exhaust, and more - to make the most of the extra cubic inches. Author Jim Szilagyi is a Performance Specialist for Dodge Motorsports and Mopar Performance Parts. In this book he covers building big-inchers from Mopar 318/340/360 ci LA or Magnum 5.2/5.9-liter engines, using both factory and aftermarket parts. If you want to make big power from your Mopar small-block, this is the book for you; by Jim Szilagyi. 144 pages. Click the thumbnail to see the cover full-size.
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“Scientific Design of Exhaust & Intake Systems”: this is one of the best-selling technical books in its field. For years, engineers, engine designers, high-performance tuners and racers have depended on this book to help maximize their engines’ potential. Dr. John C. Morrison is one of the foremost authorities on the analysis of the induction and exhaust processes of high-speed engines. Together with Philip Smith, he gives a thorough explanation of the physics that govern the | | |
behavior of gases as they pass through an engine, and the theories and practical research methods used in designing more efficient induction manifolds and exhaust systems, for both competition and street use. An outstanding, authoritative book; by Philip H. Smith. 274 pages. Click the thumbnail to see the cover full-size. (I have this one)
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“Practical Gas Flow: Techniques for Low-Budget Performance Tuning”: lots of inexpensive do-it-yourself modifications for improving efficiency and flow; by John Dalton. Click the thumbnail to see the cover full-size. (I have this one) | | |
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“Four-Stroke Performance Tuning”: excellent work on engine design, including jetting for Webers, megaphone calculations, much more; by A. Graham Bell. 336 pages. Click the thumbnail to see the cover full-size. (I have this one) | | |
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“Theory and Practice of Cylinder Head Modification”: describes a step-by-step approach to extracting the maximum in horsepower and reliability from simple modifications to standard cylinder heads. Explains why these changes work, why other changes don’t. Contains diagrams and charts invaluable to a tuner of British 60’s engines; by David Vizard. 174 pages. Click the thumbnail to see the cover full-size | | |
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“Smokey Yunick’s Power Secrets”, by Smokey Yunick. This is a unique milestone from the acknowledged master of no-nonsense engine development. Smokey is a living legend in racing circles, and in this book he explains race-engine preparation is his own direct & personal style, including what works versus what only wastes money, what parts break first, much more. Click the thumbnail to see the cover full-size | | |
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“How to Build Horsepower, Vol. 1”, by David
Vizard. A detailed guide to tricks, tips and
techniques the do-it-yourself owner can use in his shop or garage for
big horsepower improvements in his race or street engine. Covers every
area with easy, bolt-on modifications, including manifold spacers &
other improvements, cam choices, simple head porting, much more. 128 pgs. 300+ b&w illust. Click the thumbnail to see the cover full-size. (I have this one) | | |
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“How to Build & Modify Chevrolet Small-Block V-8 Cylinder Heads”, by David Vizard. 159 pages. An excellent job of explaining, in a language that most people should be able to understand, the principles of cyclinder head design and how they function. Many of the techniques illustrated in this book can be applied to other types of cylinder heads with favorable results. Click the thumbnail to see the cover full-size. (I have this one) | | |
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“Tuning the A-Series Engine: The Definitive Manual on Tuning for Performance or Economy”, by David Vizard. This covers the famous “Mini Cooper” engine, but contains much information and theory applicable to any small-displacement motor. Hard cover, 512 pages. Click the thumbnail to see the cover full-size. (I have this one) | | |
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“How to Build & Modify Chevrolet Small-Block V-8 Camshafts & Valvetrains”, by David Vizard. Professional advice on camshafts, rocker arms, lifters, valve springs, retainers and more, complete with more than 300 step-by-step, how-to photos and test charts. 160 pages. Click the thumbnail to see the cover full-size. (I have this one) | | |
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“How to Hot Rod Small Block Mopar Engines”, by Larry Shepard. Covers All Chrysler,
Dodge & Plymouth LA Series Engines - 1965 to Present 273, 318, 340
& 360. 192 pgs. 300 illust. Click the thumbnail to see the cover full-size | | |
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“The Complete Chrysler Hemi Engine Manual”, by Ron Ceridono. Covers the entire “classic” period 1951-58, including Chrysler, DeSoto and Dodge hemis, poly motors, newer 426 hemi motors, racing tips, much more. A must-have for older hemi owners. 196 pgs. Click the thumbnail to see the cover full-size | | |
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“Big-Block Mopar Performance”: High Performance and Racing Modifications
for B and RB Series Engines", by Chuck Senatore, racing editor of Mopar
Action. Covers 383/400 & 413/426W/440 motors. 320 pgs. 409 b&w illust. Click the thumbnail to see the cover full-size | | |
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Engineering |
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“Tune to Win”, by Carroll Smith. Those out there haven’t been introduced to Carroll Smith are in for a very enjoyable experience. His sense of humor and down to earth writing style are a welcome relief to readers used to struggling to get through technical manuals. Smith’s long racing history includes stints as Project Engineer and Team Manager for Carroll Shelby’s Le Mans win. Book includes detailed information on racing tires, aerodynamics, brakes, suspension geometry, much more. Aimed at road racing, but generally very useful. 172 pgs. (I have this one) | | |
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“Engineer to Win”: The Essential Guide to Racing Car Materials Technology or How to Build Winners Which Don’t Break", by Carroll Smith. Third book in his series of "hands-on" guides to racing. Teaches basic engineering principles in easy to understand terms for the layman. Contains an excellent crash course in metalurgy. 278 pgs. (I have this one) | | |
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“Drive to Win”: The Essential Guide to Race Driving", by Carroll Smith. Helps you get through the basics, and take more of a scientific approach towards driving. Lets you understand more ways to analysis driving. It contains almost everything what a professional racedriver must know, describes the basics of race car driving, picking the line, reference points, braking, trail braking, cornering and powering out of the corners. | | |
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“Carroll Smith’s Nuts, Bolts and Fasteners and Plumbing Handbook”, by Carroll Smith. Detailed information on what holds things together that is simply not available elsewhere. Specs on torque, quality, strength, etc. Must reading for people into cars, airplanes or machinery in general. 223 pgs. Click the thumbnail to see the cover full-size | | |
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Drivetrain & Chassis |
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“Chassis Engineering Chassis Design, Building & Tuning for High Performance Handling” Adams’s book is wonderful for learning the basics of suspension design. More important than only learning the concepts of suspension geometry is the application of that into practical use, which Adams shows concisely. His information is put out in a way that you can actually make a simple system, then understand the ‘why’ behind it enough to tune it. Very good for anything less | | |
than professional design. 144 pages. By Herb Adams. Click the thumbnail to see the cover full-size.
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“Torqueflite A-727 Transmission Handbook: How to Rebuild or Modify Chrysler’s A-727 Torqueflite for All Applications”, by Carl Monroe. 234 pages. The author is the owner/operator of TSR Racing Products, a manufacturer of high performance transmission products, and the author of Powerglide Transmission Handbook. This book provides step-by-step instructions for how to modify Chrysler’s 727 Torqueflite automatic transmission for drag racing, road racing, | | |
and circle racing. Topics include theory of operation, transbrakes/valve bodies, adapters, dissembly, modifications, assembly, adjustments, installation, high horsepower application, and torque converters. Finally a comprehensive handbook that will help you through rebuilding your A-727 Torqueflite transmission.
15 Chapters include: A-727 History, Development and Identification, How the Torqueflite Works,
General Transmission Service, In-Car Repairs, Maintenance, and Adjustments, Specialty Tools for the A-727, Transmission Removal and Core Dissassembly, Disassembly of Unit Assemblies, Final Assembly and Adjustment, Torque Converter Design and Operation, The Performance A-727 Torquflite, The Drag Racing A-727 Torqueflite, Reducing Rotating Weight and Friction, Installation and Operation, and Troubleshooting and Testing. Click the thumbnail to see the cover full-size. |
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“How to Work With and Modify the Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 Transmission”, by Ron Sessions. 224 pages. More than 450 photos, detailed drawings, tool lists and charts combine with an information-packed text to provide the most authoritative handbook of its kind! Chapters include: Basic maintenance, from fluid checks to linkage adjustment; Automatic transmission theory, the nuts and bolts of planetary gears and hydraulic circuits; Removal, rebuilding, installing, | | |
final checks, parts interchange section and break-in pointers, all in a step-by-step, how-to format. Click the thumbnail to see the cover full-size.
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“Turbo Hydra-Matic 350 Handbook”, by Ron Sessions. 256 pages. Another great technical run-through of the smaller 350, 250 & 375 from the author of the best-selling “How to Work With and Modify the Turbo Hydra-Matic 400 Transmission”. Click the thumbnail to see the cover full-size | | |
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“Door Slammers: The Chassis Book”, by Dave Morgan. This informative book by a noted chassis expert contains everything you want to know about proper setting up & tuning of chassis and suspension for drag racing.your car. It’s full of tips & information that will help you diagnose your problems, much more. Recommended by Chassis Engineering. | | |
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Supercharged & Turbocharged |
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“Street Turbocharging”: Design, Fabrication, Installation, and Tuning of High-Performance Street Turbocharger Systems, by Mark Warner. Transform an average car or truck into a turbocharged high performance street machine. A handbook on theory and application of turbocharging for street and high-performance use, this book covers high performance cars and trucks. This comprehensive guide features sections on theory, indepth coverage of turbocharging | | |
components, fabricating systems, engine building and testing, aftermarket options and project vehicles. 208 pgs., paperback. Click the thumbnail to see the cover full-size. |
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“Forced Induction Performance Tuning”: A Practical Guide to Supercharging and Turbocharging, by A. Graham Bell. Founded on the author’s many years of experience in building, tuning and modifying high-performance engines, it sets out in accessible language the principles involved in forced induction, supported by tables and numerous illustrations. From basic theory through to building a rugged engine, all the important aspects of supercharging and turbocharging are explained and analyzed. 480 pgs. Click the thumbnail to see the cover full-size | | |
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“Maximum Boost”: Designing, Testing, and Installing Turbocharger Systems, by Corky Bell. Covers the entire subject, including predicting turbo power output, building your own turbo system, selecting components, choosing the type of intercooler, fuel injection manifolds, carbureted systems, plenums, lubrication, much more. 256 pgs. Click the thumbnail to see the cover full-size. (I have this one) | | |
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“Turbochargers”, by Hugh MacInnes. This is the definitive book on the subject for planning and installing your own turbo set-up. Discusses turbo design, sizing & matching, controls,
carburetion, ignition, exhaust, intercooling, water injection, maintainance
& more. The author is an ex-TRW engineer. 160 pgs.
133 photos, graphs & charts. Click the thumbnail to see the cover full-size. (I have this one) | | |
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“Street Supercharging”, by Pat Ganahl. A Do-It-Yourself Guide to Street Supercharging: How to Install & Tune Blowers. Respected automotive author discusses planning and installing your own supercharger set-up. Discusses blower designs, drives, carburetion, ignition, exhaust, intercooling, water injection, maintainance, rebuilding
& more. 144 pgs. Click the thumbnail to see the cover full-size | | |
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“Supercharged!”, by Corky Bell. Design, Testing and Installation of Supercharger Systems. Bolting a system on that works to the enthusiast’s expectations and at the same time is reliable has been a “mystic art”. As with turbochargers (see “Maximum Boost”, above), Corky Bell provides clear and comprehensive information on how to select, size, and install a complete supercharger system that is both successful and reliable. This comprehensive book with | | |
numerous illustrations deals with all aspects of the supercharger system from the initial planning stages - what performance do I want from my vehicle? to how do I go about the installation? Devotes chapters to the three basic types of superchargers, giving the pluses and minuses of the Roots type, centrifugal, and screw-type superchargers. A chapter is devoted to: intercooling, electronic fuel injection, secondary components, and drive mechanisms, engine preparation, mounting the supercharger, and testing procedures. Complete with accurate information, such as formulas for calculating necessary elements of the system, like size of the supercharger, intercooler, drive mechanisms, etc. A suppliers list and glossary are also included at the end of the book. 334 pgs. Click the thumbnail to see the cover full-size. |
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“Super Power”, by Larry Schreib. An overview of high-tech performance induction systems, including extensive chapters on turbocharging, supercharging, and nitrous-oxide injection. Compares complexity, relative cost and effectiveness of different systems. Hundreds of practical tips on choices, installations, etc. Includes source list of suppliers. 324 photos, 128 pgs. Click the thumbnail to see the cover full-size | | |
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“Nitrous-Oxide Injection”: The Complete Do-It-Yourself Guide, by David Vizard. Acclaimed
technical writer explains how it works, installation tips,
comparing plate vs. port injection, choosing the right system, planning
your motor for nitrous, safety tips, wiring and more. 127 pgs. 233 b&w illust. Click the thumbnail to see the cover full-size. (I have this one) | | |
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Carburetors & Intake Systems |
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“Holley Carburetors, Manifolds & Fuel Injection”: How to Select, Install, Tune, Repair and Modify Holley Fuel System Components for Street and Racing, by Mike Ulrich. Completely revised and updated, this edition contains additional pages and up-to-date part numbers. This book shows readers how to select, install, tune, and modify all popular Holley performance carburetors. It also provides a detailed view of basic carburetor functioning, modifying for | | |
performance applications, custom-tuning for turbocharging and economy, and other special uses. For high performance enthusiasts. much more. 223 pgs. Click the thumbnail to see the cover full-size. |
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“Super-Tuning & Modifying Holley Carburetors”, by Dave Emanual. Completely revised and updated, this edition contains additional pages and up-to-date part numbers. This book shows readers how to select, install, tune, and modify all popular Holley performance carburetors. It also provides a detailed view of basic carburetor functioning, modifying for performance applications, custom-tuning for turbocharging and economy, and other special uses. | | |
For high performance enthusiasts. much more. 144 pgs. Click the thumbnail to see the cover full-size. (I have this one) |
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“Carter Carburetors”, by Dave Emanuel. A complete guide to all the Carter Thermo-Quad, AFB, AVS & WCFB models. Great tips on proper selection and installation, as well as modifications for performance and rebuilding; much more. A MUST have for all Carter carburetor owners. Click the thumbnail to see the cover full-size | | |
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“Rochester Carburetors”, by Doug Roe. Completely revised and updated, this edition contains additional pages and up-to-date part numbers. This book shows readers how to select, install, tune, and modify all popular Rochester carburetors, including Quadrajet, 4GC 4 bbl., 2GC 2 bbl., & others. It also provides a detailed view of basic carburetor functioning, modifying for performance applications, custom-tuning for turbocharging and economy, and other special | | |
uses. For high performance enthusiasts. 176 pgs. Click the thumbnail to see the cover full-size. (I have this one)
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“How to Build Horsepower, Vol. 2”: Carburetors & Intake Manifolds, by David Vizard. Small mods and upgrades can result in large performance gains! Provides you with analysis, modification & comparison of Edelbrock, Weiand, Holley and other popular intake manifolds, plus the latest technical updates
to Carter, Holley, Predator, Weber, Dell’Orto, and Mikuni carburetors, plus calibration methods, analysis of different designs, mixture ratios and intake | | |
combinations. 128 pgs. 300+ b&w illust. Click the thumbnail to see the cover full-size. (I have this one) |
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Other Subjects |
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“Chrysler
Musclecar Parts Interchange Manual 1968-74”, by Paul Herd.
192 pgs. 100 b&w illust. |
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“Challenger
& Barracuda: Restoration Guide 1967-74”, by Paul Herd. Covers all 1970-74
E-body plus 1967-69 Barracuda A-body. 272 pgs. 300 b&w
illust. 100 diag. |
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“Charger,
Road Runner & Super Bee: Restoration Guide 1968-70”, by Paul Herd. Covers the most popular B-body performance models. 320 pgs. 409
b&w illust. |
Chilton Repair Manuals |
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“Chrysler: Full Size Trucks: 1967-88 Repair Manual”, by K. A. Freeman. 784 pgs. |
Haynes Repair Manuals |
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“Chrysler Rear Wheel Drive: 1971-89 Shop Manual”, by J. Maddox &
J. H. Haynes. 411 pgs. 973 illust. |
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“Dodge Dart and Plymouth Valiant: 1967 Thru 1976 6-Cylinder Engines, Owners Workshop Manual”, by J. H. Haynes
& P. G. Strasman. Includes Challenger & Barracuda. 205 pgs. 450 illust. |
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“Dodge Pick-Ups: Full-Size, Ramcharger & Trailduster: 1974-93 Shop Manual”, by D. Hayden, J. Storer & J. H. Haynes. 368 pgs. 880 b&w illust. |
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“Dodge Dakota Pick-Ups: 1987-96 Shop Manual”, by B. Styve & J.
H. Haynes. 368 pgs. 880 b&w illust. |
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“Chrysler Engine Overhaul Manual”, by M. Forsythe & J. H. Haynes |
