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Books in Performance How-To series

  • David Vizard's How to Build Max-Performance Chevy Small-Blocks on a Budget

    David Vizard

    Paperback (CarTech, May 11, 2009)
    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. 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 ten 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 today!
  • LS Swaps: How to Swap GM LS Engines into Almost Anything

    Jefferson Bryant

    Paperback (CarTech, April 10, 2014)
    Introduced in 1997, the GM LS engine has become the dominant V-8 engine in GM vehicles and a top-selling high-performance crate engine. GM has released a wide range of Gen III and IV LS engines that deliver spectacular efficiency and performance. These compact, lightweight, cutting-edge pushrod V-8 engines have become affordable and readily obtainable from a variety of sources. In the process, the LS engine has become the most popular V-8 engine to swap into many American and foreign muscle cars, sports cars, trucks, and passenger cars. To select the best engine for an LS engine swap, you need to carefully consider the application. Veteran author and LS engine swap master Jefferson Bryant reveals all the criteria to consider when choosing an LS engine for a swap project. You are guided through selecting or fabricating motor mounts for the project. Positioning the LS engine in the engine compartment and packaging its equipment is a crucial part of the swap process; it is comprehensively covered. As part of the installation, you need to choose a transmission crossmember that fits the engine and vehicle as well as selecting an oil pan with adequate ground clearance that has the correct profile for the crossmember. Often the brake booster, steering shaft, accessory pulleys, and the exhaust system present clearance challenges, so this book offers the best options and solutions. In addition, adapting the computer-control system to the wiring harness and vehicle is a crucial aspect for completing the installation, and is thoroughly detailed. As an all-new edition of the original top-selling title, LS Swaps: How to Swap GM LS Engines into Almost Anything covers the right way to do a spectrum of swaps. So, pick up this guide, select your ride, and get started on your next exciting project.
  • How to Swap Ford Modular Engines into Mustangs, Torinos and More

    Dave Stribling

    Paperback (CarTech, March 7, 2017)
    Learn the tips and tricks to swap a Ford modular engine into your Mustang or Torino by using the knowledgeable instruction from this book. Author Dave Stribling covers motor-mount selection and fabrication, suspension and chassis modifications, aftermarket suspension options, firewall and transmission tunnel modifications, engine management and wiring procedures, fuel systems, exhaust systems, electrical mods and upgrades, and much more. Stribling specializes in modular engine swaps and expertly guides you through each crucial step of the engine transplant process. Because of the large physical size, many components (such as brake boosters, steering rods and boxes, and other underhood components) may need repositioning or modification to co-exist in the engine bay. Many older Ford muscle and performance cars are prime candidates for a modular swap; however, shock towers protrude into the engine bay of these cars, so modifications are necessary to fit the engine into the car, which is also covered here.The Ford modular engine is a popular swap for 1964-1/2-1973 Mustangs, Fox-Body Mustangs, trucks, hot rods, and other muscle cars because these high-tech engines provide exceptional performance and improved economy compared to their dated counterparts. Found in Mustangs and other Fords since the 1990s, installing a modular engine in a classic Ford infuses new technology and all the benefits that come with it into a classic car. Modular engines feature an overhead cam design that has massive horsepower potential, and are offered in 4.6-, 5.0-, 5.2- 5.4-, and 5.8-liter iterations. These high-tech 2-, 3-, and 4-valve engines are readily available as a crate engine, as well as from salvage yards, and in running cars. This engine design has a large physical footprint, and swapping the engine requires a thorough plan, using the proper tools and facilities.Swapping the engine and transmission into a muscle car or truck requires specialized processes, and this insightful, explanatory, and detailed instruction is found only in this book. If you are considering swapping one of these high-tech engines into a non-original chassis, this book is a vital component to the process.
  • How to Build Altered Wheelbase Cars

    Steve Magnante

    Paperback (S-A Design, Jan. 15, 2010)
    One of the most distinctive and interesting eras in hot rodding was the early 60s, when Gasser-class and altered wheelbase machines were changing the definition of what a hot rod was. Eventually, the altered wheelbase machines gave rise to the Funny Car, but before they did, they left a permanent mark on the history of drag racing. In How to Build Altered Wheelbase Cars, renowned writer Steve Magnante first walks readers through the colorful history of the altered wheelbase period and then shows them how to perform these radical modifications themselves. Magnante s fun and colorful style makes for entertaining reading, and the coverage of floorpan mods, chassis alterations, and both front and rear suspension upgrades are covered in great detail on three different chassis types. After reading this book, the basic technical tenets of altering vehicle wheelbase will be understood and the almost mythical legend surrounding such cars will be fully realized. What were once considered race only modifications can now be civilized for street use, and Magnante carefully reviews all of the relevant points for optimal appearance, performance, and safety. The techniques and processes detailed between the covers of How to Build Altered Wheelbase Cars have been proven on Magnante s own personal vehicles, and after his many street miles and drag strip passes, readers can rely on Steve s advice. With plenty of historical images for reference and clear step-by-step how-to photos, you can build your own altered-wheelbase car for fun on the street or the strip.
  • Lamborghinis

    Michael Green

    Library Binding (Capstone Press, Sept. 1, 1996)
    Gives an overview of the history of the unique super car, the Lamborghini, describing some of its notable models.
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  • Corvettes

    Kal Gronvall

    Hardcover (Capstone Press, Sept. 1, 1998)
    Gives an overview of the history of the Corvette sports car, covering some of its notable models and key people.
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  • Jaguars

    Michael Green

    Library Binding (Capstone Press, Sept. 1, 1996)
    Gives an overview of the history of the stylish automobile known company as Jaguar, describing some of its notable models.
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  • Mustangs

    Lorrine Gillespie

    Library Binding (Capstone Press, Sept. 1, 1996)
    Gives an overview of the history of the classic Ford sports car, the Mustang, describing some of its notable models.
    U
  • Jaguars

    Michael Green

    Hardcover (Capstone Press, Sept. 1, 1998)
    Gives an overview of the history of the stylish automobile known company as Jaguar, describing some of its notable models.
    T
  • Corvettes

    Kal Gronvall

    Library Binding (Capstone Press, Sept. 1, 1996)
    Gives an overview of the history of the Corvette sports car, covering some of its notable models and key people.
    T
  • Mustangs

    Lorrine Gillespie

    Hardcover (Capstone Press, Sept. 1, 1998)
    Gives an overview of the history of the classic Ford sports car, the Mustang, describing some of its notable models.
    U
  • Lamborghinis

    Michael Green

    Hardcover (Capstone Press, Sept. 1, 1998)
    Gives an overview of the history of the unique super car, the Lamborghini, describing some of its notable models.
    T