Nonfiction Books

An Illustrated Guide to the 250 Most Important Car Parts and how they work.

<DIV><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt">When first introduced in the 1997 Corvette, GM's LS1 engine shook the performance world.  Its combination of massive power, light weight and impressive fuel economy set new precedents for performance engines--and continues to do so generation after generation.  The latest version, the LS9, makes some 638 hp from just 6.2 liters, far eclipsing even the mightiest big-blocks from the muscle car era--while meeting modern standards for emissions and fuel economy.  It’s no wonder, then, that the LSX engines have become some of the most popular for high-performance applications. 

 

For those who want to build or modify their LS engine, this book provides the most detailed and extensive instructions ever offered.  Whatever your performance goals might be, <I>How to Build and Modify GM LS-Series Engines shows you what modifications are needed and how to make them.  Premier LS engine technician Joseph Potak addresses every question that might come up, covering topics including crankshafts and piston assemblies, cylinder heads, camshafts, valvetrain, block modifications, intake manifolds, fuel system, header selection, and setting up ring and bearing clearances for particular uses.  In short, this book is the ultimate resource for building the ultimate LSX engine.

Drawing on a wealth of knowledge and experience and a background of more than 1,000 magazine articles on the subject, engine control expert Jeff Hartman explains everything from the basics of engine management to the building of complicated project cars. Hartman has substantially updated the material from his 1993 MBI book Fuel Injection (0-879387-43-2) to address the incredible developments in automotive fuel injection technology from the past decade, including the multitude of import cars that are the subject of so much hot rodding today. Hartman's text is extremely detailed and logically arranged to help readers better understand this complex topic.

There's an important component standing between your engine and your drive wheels: the transmission. Inside that metal case is a bewildering array of gears, bearings, seals, and more. The automatic transmission is a miracle of modern engineering, but it can also be a source of trouble. If your transmission breaks down you're not going anywhere, and if it's just not working properly, your car will never realize its performance potential.
In this book, expert mechanic and drag racer Cliff Ruggles demystifies the popular GM 700-R4 and 4L60 automatic transmissions. Keeping the enthusiast in mind, Ruggles explains the history of these transmissions, presents critical identification guidelines, and leads the reader through the complete disassembly, repair and upgrade, and assembly processes. DIY-ers will learn how to test their transmission to ensure its proper operation before installing it in the car.
This book includes information about high-performance modifications, both from the factory and the aftermarket. These include internal parts and external components such as shift kits and torque converters that will help you make your transmission perform at its best. It also covers common installation issues such as mounting, shifters and linkages, wiring harnesses, and more, and includes a special section by Ro McGonegal on swapping these transmissions into earlier performance and musclecar chassis.

There's a common thread that connects high-performance enthusiasts; they want horsepower at the most affordable price. Hot rodders have always searched for ways to save money and improve performance, which includes fabricating their own parts, buying prime used parts, searching classifieds, and combing swap meets looking for deals. These high-performance enthusiasts take pride in beating the next guy in a contest of speed while spending a lot less to do it.
Renowned engine builder and technical writer David Vizard turns his attention to extracting serious horsepower from small-block Chevy engines while doing it on a budget. Included are details of the desirable factory part numbers, easy do-it-yourself cylinder-head modifications, inexpensive but effective aftermarket parts, the best blocks, rotating assembly (cranks, rods, and pistons), camshaft selection, lubrication, induction, ignition, exhaust systems, and more. <br> This book is an all-new color edition of a previous best seller. It contains the latest engine-building techniques, profiles current technology, and includes today's affordable parts and engines. Vizard performs 10 engine builds, which include dyno charts and parts lists. And it's all done at a nominal cost.
Don't throw away money on bogus parts and inflated horsepower claims. Get the real scoop with How to Build Max-Performance Chevy Small-Blocks On A Budget.

In 1997, the LS1-powered Corvette hit the streets. At the time, the new LS1 garnered much fanfare, but in reality, its release marked a seismic advance in V-8 engine technology that ushered in a new era of performance. The LS1, featuring ground-breaking architecture, was the first of the third generation of LS engines, which delivered towering performance and efficiency from its compact design. High-performance enthusiasts quickly gravitated to the wide range of Gen III and IV LS engines that followed, and these engines were transplanted into hot rods, muscle cars, sports cars, and many other vehicles. <br> How to Swap GM LS-Series Engines into Almost Anything shows how to fit these powerhouse engines into popular GM
F-Body cars, such as the Camaro and Firebird, and also how to install these powerplants into non-GM muscle cars, sports cars, trucks, and of course, hot rods. This book includes a historical review, complete specs, and detailed information so you can select and fit the best LS engine for a particular vehicle and application. A section on mounting kits, explaining how to install these engines into a variety of cars using readily available motor mount kits, universal engine mounts, or fabricated mounts. In addition, the book shows you how to perform necessary oil-pan modifications and adapt accessory drivers as well as choose the most suitable fuel pump, exhaust system, wiring harness, and electronic control module. This guide takes it a step further, revealing how to select the best reprogramming equipment and software for a vehicle and its application. Finally, the book covers the range of compatible transmissions for LS engines. <br> How to Swap GM LS-Series Engines into Almost Anything is your complete guide for swapping the legendary GM LS Gen III and IV engines into any vehicle and creating a truly unique ride.

Over the years, the small-block Ford has remained one of the most popular and widely used engines on the planet. From the earliest Fairlanes and Mustangs to the latest Mustangs and light trucks, the Ford small-block has powered them all. With the amount of aftermarket support and rebuildable cores out there, you don t have to worry about spending an arm and a leg for a quality rebuild especially if you do the teardown and assembly yourself.
This all-new color edition of How to Rebuild the Small-Block Ford walks you step by step through a rebuild, including: planning your rebuild, disassembly and inspection,
choosing the right parts, machine work, assembling your engine, and first firing and break-in.
The Workbench® format also gives you helpful hints and tips on performance upgrades, including cams, heads, ignition, induction, and more. It also points out problem areas to watch for, professional builder tips, jobs that need special care or special tools, and more. Whether you re a first-time engine builder or a seasoned professional, this is the essential guide to rebuilding your small-block Ford.