The Design and Tuning of Competition Engines [Hardcover]

Philip Hubert Smith (Author), David N. Wenner (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0837601401 | ISBN-13: 978-0837601403 | Publication Date: January 1, 1977 | Edition: 6

No other book gives you better insight into the expert preparation of engines for racing and high-performance road use, whether your interest lies in street, oval track, drag, or stock car racing. The first chapters explain the fundamentals that govern high-performance engines: thermodynamic laws, gasflow, mechanical efficiency, and engine materials and construction. Understanding these basic factors is crucial to making correct decisions when tuning or modifying your engine. Actual engine preparation techniques are described in the middle section, including cylinder head work and balancing and blueprinting. The final part of the book focuses on modifying specific engines: American V8s, Porsche 911, Volkswagen Air-cooled and Water-cooled, Cosworth BDA, Formula Ford 1600, Datsun 4- and 6-cylinder, and Mazda rotary engines. You'll learn proven techniques to increase performance and reliability, and, just as important, which modifications won't give you meaningful gains.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 544 pages
• Publisher: Bentley Publishers; 6 edition (January 1, 1977)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0837601401
• ISBN-13: 978-0837601403
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #517,542 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Still Educating the Young (or Old) for the Better, October 28, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Design and Tuning of Competition Engines (Hardcover)

I bought this book back in 1979, a year after I got my driver's license, 4 months after I bought my 396 Chevy, and about a month after a buddy of mine dropped a Car Craft Magazine on my desk in open class in High School, thus starting a life-long passion with cars and motorsports.

At that time I was thirsty for "true" knowledge about engines, especially high-performance engines, and quickly came to the conclusion I wasn't going to get that from my buddies who inanely swore that their 2-barrel 350 Novas were turning 10-second 1/4-miles ("I'm certain of it man, I clocked it myself"). This book was reviewed in a Road & Track issue, I picked it up, and became truly educated about all facets of basic engine design and the physics and principles behind true horsepower production.

I found the text easy to read and understand, and the delivery of information, although technical, certainly not above anyone's understanding. This is not a "get out your slide rule" type of book; but it does lay things out in a clear, direct manner, making it easy to absorb and understand, even as a newby 17 year-old gearhead.

Even though we've seen a tremendous advance in engineering regarding the internal combustion engine since 1979, to this day the principles delivered in this book ring true. You cannot go wrong, nor do I think you can do better, than starting here on your quest for horsepower knowledge--learn the basics first, and go from there. (For real slide-rule stuff, consult the book Scientific Design of Exhaust and Intake Systems, to learn where the heart of any internal combustion engine resides.)

I still have guys my age swearing that they're doing truly unbelievable things with a certain engine and car; the crazy stories never fade, but you'll do better than tell stories after learning what this book has to say.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Design and Tuning of Competition Engines, February 8, 2000

By 

David Brumbeloe, Jr. (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Design and Tuning of Competition Engines (Hardcover)

Absolutely awesome book! A book that is a must, for the library of every mechanic or racer. Even if you are just a enthusiast, the book is incredibly informing, whether you are a certified mechanic or just an everyday driver, that wants to know what's going on inside the engine. I've owned the book for years, and I plan on buying a new copy, to give to my son, when he hits the driving age. This book is a must, for any engine builder, from the weekeng warrior to Nascar or the IRL. This book is a must!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars it's a classic book on racing engines tehory, January 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Design and Tuning of Competition Engines (Hardcover)

It's a book necessary to any racing engineer- it's kind of a "Bible" for racing engine related technicians