Customer Reviews

High Performance Honda Builder's Handbook: How to Build and Tune High Performance Honda Cars and Engines (S-A Design) (v. 1)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

While Joe Pettitt has a deep understanding of automobile tuning and performance, it appears as though he has no actual first hand wrench time on a Honda. He mentions different types of fuel injection but not which type Hondas are typically equipped with. This is a common theme throughout the book.

That being said, the background information on engine development and tuning is very useful. The information is broad and detailed and, for a tuner looking for general information and bolt on performance, the book may be useful. In the blurb about the book, a specific engine buildup is mentioned (the reason I bought the book). This engine buildup was described in two pages which did not even begin to cover the detail I was looking for. The author mentions in the beginning that the book is not just a series of ads for bolt ons but he does plug certain vendors pretty thoroughly.

I think that Petttit did a good job if you are looking to rebuild your engine or do some internal engine mods. There is not enough room in one book, however, to cover everything. The book by Ancas (Honda Performance Handbook) seems to pick up where this one leaves off. The Ancas book is more entertaining to read and doesn't repeat what you would find in a Honda Worshop manual. But if you want to do a rebuild yourself, you should buy the Pettit book too as Ancas doesn't go into internal engine details. I myself sent my block out to a Honda shop to have it done and don't really care to know exactly how they did it - just that they did it. But if you are serious about a Honda project, you really need both. The one thing they both avoid is the advertising-driven hype that you read in the magazines. That info is misleading and deal with pie-in-the-sky projects, not what we really drive on the street.

From the moment I opened this book I was unable to put it down. Having been a Honda lover for years, I've found this book to be extremely helpful. Especially in helping to make decissions on which parts I should/should not put in my engine. Joe Pettitt has done a great job explaining the inner workings of the late model Honda engines. In a country that's in love with the American V-8's, it's hard to find many books on the subject of import performance. That is one reason this book is so valuable to the Hondaphile. In the future I hope that more books are written on this subject. Regardless though, if a thousand books make it to the stands, I still think High Performance Honda Builder's Handbook will remain one of the best.

I own a 1992 Integra GSR and have been working on Hondas for about 4 years now. Joe's book was way too high-tech for the average home mechanic who tinkers in his spare time. I don't have access to the high tech equipment Joe referred to, I've only had limited dyno time (at $75 an hour) and the stuff he covered is never going to be attempted by the average Honda enthusiast. Most of his statements were so vague and unconclusive (e.g. AEM intake: did he recommend it? Who knows?) There were very few things I could actually apply to my own Honda Civic (at the time) and eventually I just gave the handbook away. The book is a waste, unless your Peter Yem or Bill Gude...

I made a poor choice (my fault for judging a book by its cover). There's nothing really new or useful in this book as half the information in it can be found on the Internet for free. The supercharger section is straight out of the Jackson Racing website and the fuel injector section is straight out of RC Engineering's website. The book is full of spelling and grammatical errors (nobody's perfect, but it is a published piece of work). Don't get me wrong, this book does provide the reader with a lot of information, but most of it is not useful or practical. As I read through the technical parts, I kept on saying to myself......so what? who cares? who is this book designed for?

I cannot wait to get my hands on the Honda & Acura Performance Handbook (Performance Handbooks) by Mike Ancas. It sounds like it's the book to get (this time I did some research). It is supposed to have real world tips (The author shares his experiences, mistakes and all).... covers everything from mild to wild, what works and what doesn't, modifications in stages, etc. And, you can get free information updates from the author/publisher's website (www.handbook.com).

I would not recommend this book and here's why: 1. The book does not go into enough detail for a beginner to understand the parts being described or how they operate. 2. For an experienced mechanic, they will understand what is being described but will already know the information being given.
To summarize; the book is to advanced for the beginner but is not advanced enough for the experienced mechanic. Also, the hints and tips given in the book are not very informative nor are they secrets that most honda tuners don't already know.

very very helpful book from start to finish. I've been a honda lover for years now and I'm getting a 99-00 integra GSR soon and this is what i bought to help me build a fast street car. It has tons of pictures (some not very helpful) but overal good stuff, and best of all, you wont find one ad in this book which is a plus! I agree with some people who wrote a review on this that this is more of a informational book and not so much a "how to do it yourself" kind of book so if you're looking for a how to book this isn't for you. If only Joe Pettitt can come out with a coresponding how to book it would be nice. One other thing that would have been nice is if he included a performance parts list where he lists the mid to top parts required and estimate price on a honda/acura engine buildup. Overal great informational guide.

I read the book from front to back and found that it was insightful in theory but lacked information on the technical aspect of engine building. I understood what the author was trying to say, but it didnt help me any in doing anything to my engine by myself. Basically, the book gives you information on what to do, but not really how to do it yourself. There are some pictures and sections which attempt to show you what to do, but they are way too vague to depend on the book as a reference if you were to attempt some of the mods detailed in the book.

Joe obviously knows his sh-t. The power I got after I was done, was totally amazing and after a few races it really surprised me not to have any engine problems. If I could kiss him on the mouth, I would ha! Ha!Ha! No, seriously this guy really is good. Joe if you read this, Thanks.

you can get the same information in a $4 magazine or for free on the internet, big waste of money.