Customer Reviews

How to Build Max Performance Chevy Small Blocks on a Budget (S-A Design)

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is what I expected from David Vizard, honest and properly researched information. It's focus is primarily on $ and not the HOW and WHY that David normally goes into. If all you want to know is what you need to go fast, and you don't want to spend lots of cash and you DO have lots of time to spend building a motor - then this is THE book for you. If you have read DV's other books, then this is still worth buying because DV devulges how to get the best bang for the buck. You will find that this book summarizes a lot of what is mentioned in his other books - with the exception of the chapter on exhaust, there is some new stuff there. So if your hooked on DV like I am - go get it!! It's worth it! :)

There are also 10 'recipes' in the back of the book - from 350hp to over 600hp. None costing over $3000.

I also HIGHLY recommend DV's other books... very informative reading.

I needed to build a stong motor on the cheap, and this was the guide I was looking for. He tells you all the little tricks, and tips that you need to know to build a strong competent motor without spending too much money. I highly recommend it.

Vizard delivers exactly what the title is all about. He helps you balance power & longevity against the pocketbook. He also substantiates his claims with his own companies dyno or flow data. Rebuilds range from a minimum of $600@300hp to a maximum of $3000@550hp. Add some nitrous (he talks about this too) and you have a 800hp engine for under $3500 bucks! Be warned, he is blunt and opinionated but backs up his claims.

This book is a must have for any performance enthusiest. The author guides you along from selecting parts to modifying them yourself for maximum performance. These are dyno proven no cost to low cost modifications. Excellent source of reference material.

This book is a must have for any performance enthusiest. The author guides you along from selecting parts to modifying them yourself for maximum performance. These are dyno proven no cost to low cost modifications. Excellent source of reference material.

david vizard is the best performance auther i have ever read. he only relies on things he has personally proven, and he shows you how he has proven it. he doesn't seem to be as oppinionated as other authors. i would recommend reading any of his books

I Purchased this book 1 year ago and learned more from it in that time than from 5 years of bench racing with buddies. It not only shows the levels of performance and economy attainable by the venerable Chevy V8, but the theories this book teaches can be applied to most other forms of automotive engine building. So much information in such a small book, that is written with such eloquence that even the most amateur of amateuers can grasp, and fully comprehend it's writings. David Vizard, the author, is an accomplished engineer with a background in the aerospace industry, and is also a seasoned automobile racer. This book is a true summary of several of his other books, which go much farther into detail than this one does. From basic cylinder head porting, to rotating assembly prep and carbuerator tuning, this book covers so many bases that it is a must have in any garage.

If your interested in small block Chevys just buy it. David Vizard is one of the best writers out there and this book has so much useful information that it is a "must have" for any SBC fan. I borrowed it, read it twice in a week and instantly knew I needed a copy of my own. I've bought two other copy's of the 1999 printing to give to buddies and they have agreed that this is a great book and sure to become a classic. Its that good! His book, "How to build horsepower" is another one that everybody needs to have. David is a Writer, Engine builder, Racer, Machinist, owns a dyno, owns race cars, and has done it all his life. Not like most books that are written by college boys that have never got there hands dirty. This guy speaks to us,,, the gear-heads. He is the modern day Smokey Yunick but instead of Drinking, Pot smoking, and chasing Whores, (not that there is anything wrong with that), David has spent much time writing what he has learned so that we all can use it. Hopefully he had had some time for the other stuff too. Order the book and don't look back. Of all the Small Block Chevy books out there these are the first two that you need. I now have the 2009 and the 1999 editions. No noticeable difference in either one so feel safe in buying a used one if your pinching penny's. An step by step assembly book and maybe the Engine blueprinting book also helpful.

Bought this book for my 17 year old son. He loves it. A must have for anyone seriously interested in Chevy engines and car restoration.

A very helpful guide with easy to read text and super pictures.
Thank You
Jeff Lacy