"To increase performance, add lightness" - Colin Chapman
HOW CARS WORK by Tom Newton
Written as an introductory text into the world of cars and, as the title states, how they work, this book is a great start to any tuners library and is a great gift for teenagers or even adults who don't really have much of an automotive background but would like to learn. The book is very simply written, sparing the novice from the technical mambo-jumbo but comprehensive enough to tune in to any car-related conversation, or even to ask the mechanic key questions when you get back your car from them, without sounding like you're having a blonde moment. The chapters flow from simple stuff like general engine components (head, block and their respective constituent components) to drivetrains, fuel system, cooling system, suspension, brakes, electrical components etc. The book employs a 1-topic per page layout and the integration of copious, well-labeled 3D pencil drawings make it easy to "study". We use this word since, at the end of every Chapter there is a self-test on what you ought to have learnt. There is a useful set of Safety Tips and Money Saving Tips at the end and a fairly comprehensive glossary, should you need a quick reference on any part/device.
The minor drawbacks that we have seen thus far are that the drivetrain section is a bit limited as it does not cover all wheel drive and four-wheel drive layout, nor does it describe how rotary engines work (yeah, can you believe it?). The drawings (and the book in general) could have used a bit of colour, away from the mundane chalkboard type print.
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STREET TURBOCHARGING by Mark Warner
Okay so after reading about halfway through this book I can say that for the beginner in turbocharging, I would strongly recommend reading this. The information is put in a way where it is not too heavy and textbook-ish. The author is very knowledgeable and it shows.
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SECRETS OF SOLO RACING by Henry A. Watts
Have you ever attended a dexterity
event and seen seemingly ordinary, unmodified cars basically outclass the
competition on the course? Chances are that the owners of such vehicles have
read and understood the wisdom of Henry Watts’ Secrets of Solo Racing. This
handbook on autocross/solo racing is one of the most useful and complete that
you could probably find, among the many on suspension tuning and solo
racing. Instead of telling you why, Watts instructs more on how to and when to…the latter a critical factor when racing against time. The nice thing is that Watts does not write assuming too much of any vehicle re:
its ability to do extraordinary things out of the box, but a shortcoming from this is the lack of detail on how the different drivetrain layouts (FWD, RWD, 4WD)react and differ in some of the driving
scenarios he describes.
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Maximum Boost – Designing, Testing and Installing Turbocharger
Systems by Corky
Bell
If you're anything of a serious tuner, mechanic, turbo-rebuilder or just
crazy about turbocharging and speed, this is one book you must have! Referred
to as “the turbo-bible", Corky Bell has everyone but the engineers running excitedly for their
old physics textbooks from about page 3! In his book, Bell begins with
discussing basic theory, to what determines choice of a turbo, intake and
exhaust design, intercooling, installation considerations, testing a forced induction system and
much more. The author does not forget to include where applicable, the
formulae, graphs and diagrams to convincingly illustrate his writings. This is
one book that you can open to any page and surely learn something new- just be
patient with the theory!
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Speed Secrets,
Professional Race Driving Techniques by Ross Bentley
What
does a gold prospector say when they find gold? "I've found gold",
of course! If you value good motorsport literature then pan no
more....Speed Secrets is so well written (and read) that Ross Bentley
wrote
5 further installations to this introduction to professional race
driving. This book is full of solid,
practical advice and anyone who drives, much less races or intends to
race
should have this and keep it in their glove compartment. It covers
practically
everything from correct seating position in the car, basic suspension
dynamics,
shifting, cornering technique, to safety gear & equipment. Bentley
even devotes
time to discussing the racing psyche! Given the fact that most regular
driving
schools don't even go into 10% of what he has written, (all of which
any driver
should know) this book is well worth its weight in gold!
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How to Tune and Modify Engine Management Systems by Jeff Hartman
This
book has a somewhat deceptive title as most would think that it gets
into the technical knowledge involved in tuning Standalone Engine
Management Systems, but on a detailed examination, it is really about
looking at the car and the engine as a set of inter-related systems and
provides quite a comprehensive yet simplified understanding of these,
so much so that this book has easily made it as one of our preferred
picks for those wanting a good introduction to the world of tuning and
modifying engines.
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Real World High-Performance Turbocharger Systems by Jay K. Miller
So you've read Maximum Boost by Corky Bell and you still want to learn more of turbocharger systems....here's another great title for you. This may very well be a preferred title for many as it does not go into so much technical detail as Bell's book but still gives lots of information that are key to selecting the right turbocharger for your engine. Share in the author's passion for turbo's and understand their use, importance and why they sometimes fail.
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Engine Management - Advanced Tuning by Greg Banish
For many of us, engine tuning is something of a elusive nature that only *professionals* should delve into. We join in this level of thinking without even realizing that many of these so-called tuners were not born with diagnostic tools and the requisite knowledge..they started off just like you, eager for more and a willingness to learn. With straight-to-the-chase books like this, and practice, you can be your own tuner! Banish does not get into too much hard physics but just enough of the theory to help you understand what engine tuning involves and the guidance on how to proceed. A must have for aspiring mechanics and tuning professionals.
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How to Build Max-Performance Mitsubishi 4G63t Engines by Robert Bowen
The 4G63t engine synonymous with the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Sport Car is one of the most potent 4-cylinder 2.0litre powerplants ever built and still remain to this day a top contender in many arms of motorsport all over the world, with a large "DSM tuner" following. This is a book that all owners of 4G63t engines should have a personal copy of (meaning absolutely no lending to friends and others - let them get their own) as it appeals to the novice and professional enthusiast alike.
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How to Digitally Photograph Cars by Jason Siu & Josh Mackey
In a world of auto glamour and glitter (read: bling & sting) every car enthusiast wants his or her car to look good. Be it at an event, on the street, outside the nightclub, featured in a magazine or in an album, we all want our whips looking top notch. And almost everyone has a camera, digital or otherwise!
How to Digitally Photograph Cars coaches the amateur photographer on what one needs to know to sharpen their auto-photography skills so that their shots can rival those of any professional photographer. It also teaches you the limits of what you can do with the equipment available.
An excellent read and keepsake for the general hobbyist or amateur photographer who wants to turn pro. Even professional photographers seem to think that this book is good stuff!
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Street Rotary by Mark Warner
From the author of Street Turbocharging, Mark Warner pens another great addition to motorsport literature - Street Rotary.
From the outset, this book starts by introducing the reader to the history of the all-powerful rotary, covers the basics of the engine design and function, features entire chapters dedicated to porting and housings, intake and fuel systems, engine management and ignition systems, oil and lubrication systems, forced induction and right down to water/alcohol injection.
As we wait for a formal review by one of our customers, this book addresses the serious of dearth of documented knowledge on rotary engines out there....and does so with excellence. A must have for the rotary enthusiast!
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Gretchen Asks, "How Do Cars Work?" by Angel Neuschwander
In our search to bring the world of motorsport to all ages via literature, our efforts have brought us to this book by Angel Neuschwander. Targeting children ages 6-12, this book is an excellent gift or addition to any child's book collection. While anyone can pick up a book on animals or fairies, it is important that a child's education in what makes cars work start early.
Why? Well, for starters, ignorance is one heck of a thing. How many of us wish we had someone to teach us about cars when we very young...who knows, we may all have been Formula 1 drivers today!
This book will not disappoint.....the language is clear, not heavy at all, the illustrations are pleasing to the eye and in colour.
