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Petrol engine tuning: books - optimisation and modification

A book on petrol engine tuning? Here are illustrated books on optimisation and modification for racing and road use. They provide detailed instructions to solve technical problems yourself and to repair or replace parts.

Four-stroke Performance Tuning (4th Edition)

First published more than 30 years ago and in continuous print ever since, this remains one of the most comprehensive references available to the enthusiast engine tuner and race engine builder.

Drawing on the author's many years of practical experience in tuning and modifying high-performance road, rally and race units, every aspect of an engine's operation is explained and analysed.
Detailed modifications and improvements are suggested and described in the author's practical, down-to-earth style, making this book essential reading for anyone involved in building high-performance engines.

Author:A. Graham Bell
Specs:624 pages, 27 x 21 x 3.8 cm / 10.6 x 8.25 x 1.5 in, paperback
Illustrations:numerous photographs and drawings
Publisher:Haynes Publishing (GB, 2022)
Book: Four-stroke Performance Tuning (4th Edition)

Four-stroke Performance Tuning (4th Edition)

Language: English

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Wege zum Hochleistungs-Viertaktmotor - Ein Handbuch für Liebhaber und Tuner von Viertakt-Motoren

Der Autor hat in diesem Buch die Fülle seiner Erfahrungen niedergelegt und durch viele instruktive Skizzen erläutert. Er redet nicht "um den heissen Brei herum" - seine detaillierten Erläuterungen, welche Wege zu höherer Leistung auch bei vielen Serienmotoren führen, stellen praktische Arbeits-Anweisungen dar. Für den technisch interessierten Laien sind diese Ausführungen interessant und aufschlussreich, dem versierten Bastler bieten sie erfolgssichere Rezepte.

Inhalt des Buches:
Vorwort
I. Zur Geschichte des Viertakt-Hochleistungsmotors
II. Die Gaswechselvorgänge
III. Steuerzeiten, Ventilerhebungskurven und Nockenformen
IV. Nockenherstellung
V. Übertragung der Nockenbewegung auf das Ventil
VI. Ventilbeschleunigung und Elastizität in der Ventilsteuerung
VII. Ungewöhnliche Ventilsteuerungen
VIII. Ventile und Ventilfedern, Ventilsteuerungsprüfstand
IX. Zylinderköpfe
X. Leichtmetallzylinder
XI. Kolben und Kolbenbolzen
XII. Pleuelstangen
XIII. Kurbelwellen
XIV. Kurbelgehäuse
XV. Einzylinder-Prüfstandmotor
XVI. Tuning vorhandener Motoren
XVII. Werkzeugbau
XVIII. Einsatzhärten und Vergüten
XIX. Schiebersteuerung für Viertakt-Hochleistungsmotoren
Anhang

Author:Ludwig Apfelbeck
Specs:220 pages, 24.5 x 17.5 cm / 9.7 x 6.9 in, hardback
Illustrations:32 b&w photographs, 182 drawings
Publisher:Motorbuch Verlag (D, 2017)
Book: Wege zum Hochleistungs-Viertaktmotor - Ein Handbuch für Liebhaber und Tuner von Viertakt-Motoren

Wege zum Hochleistungs-Viertaktmotor - Ein Handbuch für Liebhaber und Tuner von Viertakt-Motoren

Language: German

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How To Build Horsepower - Proven Methods for Increasing Horsepower in Any Engine

Extracting maximum torque and horsepower from engines is an art as well as a science. David Vizard is an engineer and more aptly an engine building artist who guides the reader through all the aspects of power production and high-performance engine building. His proven high-performance engine building methods and techniques are revealed in this all-new edition of How to Build Horsepower.

Vizard goes into extreme depth and detail for drawing maximum performance from any automotive engine. The production of power is covered from the most logical point from the air entering the engine all the way to spent gasses leaving through the exhaust.
Explained is how to optimize all the components in between, such as selecting heads for maximum flow or port heads for superior power output, ideal valvetrain components, realizing the ideal rocker arm ratios for a particular application, secrets for selecting the best cam, and giving unique insight into all facets of cam performance.
In addition, he covers how to select and setup superchargers, nitrous oxide, ignition and other vital aspects of high-performance engine building.

Vizard's "How to Build Horsepower" explains the latest and most effective engine building techniques and strategies. The reader is treated to the secrets and methods for building virtually any automotive engine. Vizard's unique and entertaining style of writing clearly explains the key principles and provides extreme detail and uncommon insight.

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Author:David Vizard
Specs:144 pages, 27.5 x 21.5 x 1 cm / 10.8 x 8.5 x 0.39 in, paperback
Illustrations:350 colour photographs
Publisher:CarTech Inc (USA, 2010)
Series:S-A Design (SA24)
Book: How To Build Horsepower - Proven Methods for Increasing Horsepower in Any Engine

How To Build Horsepower - Proven Methods for Increasing Horsepower in Any Engine

Language: English

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Competition Engine Building

The needs of a true competition engine are quite different than those of the engine under the hood of a typical commuter car. From the basic design needs, to the base component materials, to the sizes of the flow-related hardware, to the precision of the machining, to the capabilities of each pertinent system, very few similarities exist.

Many books exist showcasing how to make street-based engines more powerful and/or durable.

This book is different, in that it focuses purely on the needs of high rpm, high durability, high-powered racing engines. It begins by looking at the raw design needs, and then shares how these needs are met at the various phases of an engine's development, assembly, testing and tuning.

This book features reviews of many popular modern tools, techniques, products, and testing/data collecting machinery. Showing the proper way to use such tools, how to accurately collect data, and how to use the data effectively when designing an engine, is critical information not readily available elsewhere.
The special needs of a competition engine aren't commonly discussed, and the many secrets competition engine builders hold closely are openly shared on the pages here.

Authored by veteran author John Baechtel, Competition Engine Building stands alone as a premier guide for enthusiasts and students of the racing engine. It also serves as a reference guide for experienced professionals anxious to learn the latest techniques or see how the newest tools are used.
Baechtel is more than just an author, as he holds (or has held) several World Records at Bonneville. Additionally, his engines have won countless races in many disciplines, including road racing and drag racing.

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Author:John Baechtel
Specs:178 pages, 28 x 21.5 x 1 cm / 11 x 8.5 x 0.39 in, paperback
Illustrations:321 b&w photographs
Publisher:CarTech Inc (USA, 2012)
Series:S-A Design (SA214P)
Book: Competition Engine Building

Competition Engine Building

Language: English

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Engine Blueprinting Techniques - A Practical Guide to Precision Engine Building

Engines are built to fall within a wide set of standards and specifications, often not optimized to meet the original design. In short, cheap and fast engine production results in a sloppy final product. Of course, this is not idea for high-performance engines.

To maximize the performance of any engine, it must be balanced and blueprinted to the exact tolerances that the factory should have adhered to in the first place. Four cylinder, V-8, American or import, the performance of all engines is greatly improved by balancing and blueprinting. Dedicated enthusiasts and professional racers balance and blueprint their engines because the engines will produce more horsepower and torque, more efficiently use fuel, run cooler and last longer.

In this book, expert engine builder and veteran author Mike Mavrigian explains and illustrates the most discriminating engine building techniques, so the engine is perfectly balanced, matched, and optimized. Balancing and blueprinting is a time consuming and exacting process, but the investment in time pays off with superior performance.

Through the process, you carefully measure, adjust, machine and fit each part together with precision tolerances, optimizing the design and maximizing performance. The book covers the block, crankshaft, connecting rods, pistons, cylinder heads, intake manifolds, camshaft, measuring tools and final assembly techniques. It provides an unprecedented level of detail and instruction on the process of balancing and blueprinting your engine.

Author:Mike Mavrigian
Specs:176 pages, 28 x 21.5 cm / 11 x 8.5 in, paperback
Illustrations:500 colour photographs
Publisher:CarTech Inc (USA, 2013)
Book: Engine Blueprinting Techniques - A Practical Guide to Precision Engine Building

Engine Blueprinting Techniques - A Practical Guide to Precision Engine Building

Language: English

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Tuning the A-Series Engine (3rd Edition) - The definitive manual on tuning for performance or economy

Drawing on more than 30 years of experience in engine research and development, backed up with a computer-age workshop, David Vizard gives a comprehensive guide to tuning the A-series engine for either performance or economy. He provides the very latest technical data in the third edition of this best-seller, which has nearly 750 illustrations and an easy-to-follow text.

Author:David Vizard
Specs:520 pages, 27.5 x 22 x 3.3 cm / 10.8 x 8.7 x 1.3 in, hardback
Illustrations:profusely illustrated with 735 photographs and drawings
Publisher:Haynes Publishing (GB, 1999)
Book: Tuning the A-Series Engine (3rd Edition) - The definitive manual on tuning for performance or economy

Tuning the A-Series Engine (3rd Edition) - The definitive manual on tuning for performance or economy

Language: English

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V-8 Horsepower Performance Handbook

Provides the working knowledge for keeping a V-8 at the top of its form. And for those who'd like to understand how the engine works, the book also includes lucid explanations, beginning with the theory of cylinder head flow.
In clear, easy-to-follow terms, custom V-8 builder Scott Parkhurst offers detailed information and expert advice about block preparation, choosing a reciprocating assembly, and selecting a cam to compliment the heads and meet your own driving needs and performance goals. He also addresses ancillary components such as carburetion, fuel injection and header selection.

Author:Scott Parkhurst
Specs:160 pages, 27 x 21 x 1.2 cm / 10.6 x 8.25 x 0.47 in, paperback
Illustrations:285 colour photographs
Publisher:Motorbooks International (USA, 2009)
Book: V-8 Horsepower Performance Handbook

V-8 Horsepower Performance Handbook

Language: English

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Dyno Testing and Tuning

The first book to explain the proper testing procedures that everyone should use to get accurate and useful results from either an engine or chassis dyno. Authors Harold Bettes and Bill Hancock, recognized experts in the performance and racing industry, apply their wealth of knowledge and experience to deliver the definitive work on dynamometers and dyno testing.

This book will be useful to anyone who wants to squeeze more power out of their car or engine, but should also be required reading for performance shop owners and dyno operators.

The book explains how a dyno works, describes what kinds of data a dyno test can produce, and then shows you how to plan a test session that will give you the results you're looking for.
You'll learn what to look for in a dyno facility, how to conduct a dyno test and ensure the accuracy and repeatability of your test, and how to troubleshoot any problems that arise. Sample forms and checklists round out what is sure to be an indispensable book for anyone who wants to make the most of their dyno testing.

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Author:Harold Bettes, Bill Hancock
Specs:146 pages, 28 x 21 x 0.8 cm / 11 x 8.25 x 0.31 in, paperback
Illustrations:numerous b&w photographs
Publisher:CarTech Inc (USA, 2008)
Series:S-A Design (SA138)
Book: Dyno Testing and Tuning

Dyno Testing and Tuning

Language: English

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Related titles:

David Vizard's How to Port & Flow Test Cylinder Heads

David Vizard's How to Port & Flow Test Cylinder Heads

David Vizard

English | paperback | 160 p. | 2012

Praxishandbuch Zylinderköpfe

Praxishandbuch Zylinderköpfe

Peter Burgess, David Gollan

German | hardback | 112 p. | 2005

How to Choose Camshafts & Time for Max Power

How to Choose Camshafts & Time them for Maximum Power

Des Hammill

English | paperback | 64 p. | 2003

Praxishandbuch Nockenwellen

Praxishandbuch Nockenwellen - Verstehen, Pflegen, Optimieren

Des Hammill

German | hardback | 64 p. | 2013

Practical Gas Flow (New Enlarged Edition)

Practical Gas Flow - Techniques for low budget performance tuning

John Dalton

English | paperback | 120 p. | 2001

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Last update:15-04-2024