How To Build Horsepower

Extracting maximum torque and horsepower from engines is an art as well as a science. David Vizard is an engineer and more aptly an engine building artist who guides the reader through all the aspects of power production and high-performance engine building. His proven high-performance engine building methods and techniques are revealed in this all-new edition of How to Build Horsepower. Vizard goes into extreme depth and detail for drawing maximum performance from any automotive engine. The production of power is covered from the most logical point from the air entering the engine all the way to spent gasses leaving through the exhaust. Explained is how to optimize all the components in between, such as selecting heads for maximum flow or port heads for superior power output, ideal valvetrain components, realizing the ideal rocker arm ratios for a particular application, secrets for selecting the best cam, and giving unique insight into all facets of cam performance. In addition, he covers how to select and setup superchargers, nitrous oxide, ignition and other vital aspects of high-performance engine building.

How to Build Horsepower - Volume 1 gives you an inside look at the techniques expert engine builder David Vizard uses to build horsepower in engines from 4 cylinders to big-block V-8s. With over 40 years of experience in tracking down the subtle factors that add up to big power improvements, David explains how you can get these same results in your workshop. This volume covers major engine components including: the short block, cylinder heads, camshafts, induction, carburetion, ignition, headers, and exhaust systems. Get the most from any engine with this clearly-written book.

Honda performance enthusiasts all have one basic question when it comes to making their cars faster: "What parts work, and what parts don't?" The only way to answer that question is to install various parts on a car and test the power output on a dynamometer (dyno). Richard Holdener has done that in High Performance Honda Dyno Tests. Holdener's extensive testing provides dyno-proven data for all popular Honda performance parts, from air intake systems to exhausts, cams and cylinder heads to nitrous, turbos, and superchargers. There is even a chapter on engine build-ups. In addition, dyno tests on nearly every Honda model, from the single-cam DX to the 2.2L Prelude, are included. Acura models are covered as well, from the 1.8L LS through the GSR and Type R all the way up to exotic NSX. There is no better place to find performance answers than in this book.

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.

How to build small-block Chevy engines for maximum performance. Includes sections on heads, cams, exhaust systems, induction modifications, dyno-tested engine combinations, and complete engine build-ups.

The 4.6- and 5.4-liter modular Ford engines are finally catching up with the legendary 5.0L in terms of aftermarket support and performance parts availability. Having a lot of parts to choose from is great for the enthusiast, but it can also make it harder to figure out what parts and modifications will work best. Building 4.6/5.4L Ford Horsepower on the Dyno takes the guesswork out of modification and parts selection by showing you the types of horsepower and torque gains expected by each modification. Author Richard Holdener uses over 340 photos and 185 back-to-back dyno graphs to show you which parts increase horsepower and torque, and which parts don't deliver on their promises. Unlike sources that only give you peak numbers and gains, Building 4.6/5.4L Ford Horsepower on the Dyno includes complete before-and-after dyno graphs, so you can see where in the RPM range these parts make (or lose) the most horsepower and torque. Holdener covers upgrades for 2-, 3-, and 4-valve modular engines, with chapters on throttle bodies and inlet elbows, intake manifolds, cylinder heads, camshafts, nitrous oxide, supercharging, turbocharging, headers, exhaust systems, and complete engine buildups.

Learn how to get the most horsepower out of the tried-and-true small-block Chevy platform in this all-new full-color guide. Whether you are a hot rodder, a custom car owner, or a muscle car guy, you are always going to be looking for the latest and greatest Chevy small-block performance information. This book is a valuable resource on all the latest for the Chevy small-block owner. How to Build Killer Chevy Small-Block Engines covers all the major components, such as blocks, crankshafts, rods and pistons, camshafts, valvetrain, oiling systems, heads, intake and carburetor, and ignition systems. In addition, this book contains a large section on stroker packages. Also featured are the latest street heads from AFR, Dart, RHS, World Products, and other prominent manufacturers. While the design is more than 60 years old, the aftermarket for this powerplant is still developing. An in-depth, highly detailed example of a popular build format is featured, offering a complete road map to duplicate this sample build. This build achieved over 700hp from 422 cubic inches! While the GM LS engine family has earned a strong following and is currently the hottest small-block in the enthusiast market, the Gen I Chevy small-block engine retains a strong following with the massive number of these engines still in use throughout the hobby. They are durable, affordable, and a very well-supported platform.

Hemi. The word conjures up visions of racing and street domination. Widely regarded as one of the greatest American V-8s ever produced, Chrysler released its third-generation version of the engine in 2003 and installed it in a wide range of Chrysler cars and trucks. Through the years, the 5.7, 6.1, 6.2 Hellcat, and 6.4 Hemi engines have established an impressive high-performance reputation that builds on the proud heritage of the engine family. Most stock Hemi engines produce an impressive one horsepower per cubic inch, but they can make substantially more torque and horsepower for specific applications. Fitted with the right high-performance parts, these powerful engines can produce far more horsepower and torque than stock. Selecting the ideal parts for the engine and application is essential. Veteran author and dyno testing expert Richard Holdener has done the research, gathered the data, and provided a detailed analysis of the results. Within the pages of this book, heads and camshafts, headers and exhaust, intakes, throttle bodies, manifolds, electronic engine controls, forced-air induction, and nitrous oxide are all tested. Using this comprehensive information and the dyno results, you can select the best performance parts for your engine and application. Each test provides a thorough description of the parts, test engine, and testing conditions, plus evaluation and insight into the results. Tests from budget to high-end engine builds are conducted to fit a wide spectrum of applications, so you can apply the testing data and results to your specific build project. Horsepower and torque graphs illustrate dyno test results for clear comparisons. In turn, it takes all the guesswork out of selecting parts, which saves you time and money. Although the New Hemi produces excellent performance in stock form, it’s just the starting point. With the right parts, you can build the most potent street, street/strip, or full-race engine. Whether you’re building a mild street Hemi, a race engine, or something in between, this book is a valuable resource.