Books for Bacground on Car & Motor Design, Tuning, Performance

[RWebb]

there are so many posts in the 911 tech forum that reveal a lack of fundamental understanding that I decided to post some background reading -- not basic physics or engineering, but hotrod type books

Bell, A. Graham. Four-Stroke Performance Tuning. -- goes through the engine system by system and describes how they are modified
for racing.

Burgess and Gollan. SpeedPro Series Books: HOW TO MODIFY AND TUNE CYLINDER HEADS

Campbell, Colin. 1973. DESIGN OF RACING SPORTS CARS. Robert Bentley, Cambridge, MA. xlnt primer, though dated

Campbell, Colin. 1973. THE SPORTS CAR – ITS DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE. Robert Bentley, Cambridge, MA. xlnt intro, though dated

Carroll Smith. Nuts, Bolts, Fasteners and Plumbing Handbook

Hammill, Des. HOW TO CHOOSE CAMSHAFTS AND TIME THEM FOR MAXIMUM POWER.

Milliken, William F. & Douglas L. Milliken. 1995. RACE CAR VEHICLE DYNAMICS. Robert Bentley, publ. in-depth treatment but ignores all non-US work

[Oh Haha]

Others I would suggest, if I may.


Carroll Smith- Prepare to win, Engineering to win,and Tuning to win.

While the data and technology is dated, he gives simple to understand engineering equations and real world scenarios. I found myself on the patio this summer reading them again.

[911pcars]

Randy,
It's always good to start with the basics. Try any basic automotive fundamental book. I find many guys wanting to talk the talk w/o understanding stuff like firing order, 4-stroke cycle and muffler bearings.

A basic understanding of physical principles is also helpful (e.g. pressure, vacuum, thermodynamics, electrical theory).

Sherwood

[ChkbookMechanic]

If you care about supercharging or turbocharging you can't beat

Corky Bell - Maximum Boost (turbos)
Corky Bell - Supercharged (superchargers obviously)

for the basics and a pretty good overview of how to design and build a turbo'd or supercharged vehicle.

[RWebb]

Originally Posted by 911pcars

Randy,
It's always good to start with the basics. Try any basic automotive fundamental book. I find many guys wanting to talk the talk w/o understanding stuff like firing order, 4-stroke cycle and muffler bearings.

A basic understanding of physical principles is also helpful (e.g. pressure, vacuum, thermodynamics, electrical theory).

Sherwood

all true - but maybe too much to hope for...

for physics i like the berkley books with feynmann for fill

[YTNUKLR]

I haven't gone to the UC library but today I went to the Berkeley city library and the selection was, to say the least, disappointing. Nothing on turbochargers, camshafts, cylinder head optimization, or anything really pertinent to someone well-versed in the mechanics, physics, thermodynamics and materials properties of engines. Pretty much all I found (after extensive search and the librarian assisting me) was the Haynes 911 manual..

Will look @ the UCB campus libraries tomorrow and report back. If they don't have something, the only place to consider next is the Library of Congress..

[gtc]

I think most of the good stuff gets published through the SAE.

Also, maybe this is a given, but I think the Bosch Automotive Handbook should be at the top of any list.

[RWebb]

ytnuk - don't forget inter-library loan


sure the leading edge [except for the secret stuff] is in sae journal - or the german equivalent -- but most will want to be in the secondary literature