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David Vizard's How to Build Max-Performance Chevy Small-Blocks on a Budget

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Product Code: SA57
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David Vizard's How to Build Max-Performance Chevy Small-Blocks on a Budget

Your Price:
$34.95
Currently out of stock
There's a common thread that connects high-performance enthusiasts; they want horsepower at the most affordable price. Hot rodders have always searched for ways to save money and improve performance, which includes fabricating their own parts, buying prime used parts, searching classifieds, and combing swap meets looking for deals. These high-performance enthusiasts take pride in beating the next guy in a contest of speed while spending a lot less to do it. 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.

This book is an all-new color edition of a previous best seller. It contains the latest engine-building techniques, profiles current technology, and includes today's affordable parts and engines. Vizard performs ten engine builds, which include dyno charts and parts lists. And it's all done at a nominal cost. Don't throw away money on bogus parts and inflated horsepower claims. Get the real scoop with How to Build Max-Performance Chevy Small-Blocks on a Budget today!

Acknowledgments

Introduction 

Foreword by Roger Helgesen

 

Chapter 1: Engine Building Practices 

The Importance of Good Parts and Engine Building Practice 

Inspection 

Preparation 

 

Chapter 2: The Production of Power 

Flow Bench Relevance 

Heat Management 

Dynamometer Results 

Rating Standards 

 

Chapter 3: Cylinder Blocks 

Block Logic 

What to Look For 

Block Selection 

Casting Material 

Locating the Right Block 

Teardown and Cleaning 

Block Strip 

Pre-Machining Details 

Oil Return Holes 

Professional Cleaning and Checking 

Moving Bores 

Machining Operations 

Acquiring Your Performance Block the Easy Way 

Post-Machining Detailing 

 

Chapter 4: Cranks, Rods and Pistons 

Stock Cranks 

A Little Money, a Lot More Torque and Horsepower 

Fast Mover 

Clean Sheet 

Other Applications 

Buying a Forged or Billet Crank 

Bearings 

Strengthening Process 

Crank Vibration Dampers 

Connecting Rods 

Pistons: Type to Use 

Pistons: Aftermarket 

Piston Selection 

Rings 

Balancing 

 

Chapter 5: Lubrication Systems 

Losing ZDP 

Power Versus Oil Type 

Oil Temperaure 

Oil Filters 

Oil Pumps 

Oil Pan Design 

Top-End Oil Restriction 

Oil Movement 

 

Chapter 6: Cylinder Heads 

Factory Heads for Performance 

Production Head Overhaul 

Guide Inspection 

Valve Sizes and Seat Recession 

Correcting Excessive Guide Clearance 

Accommodating High-Performance Springs 

Basic Small-Block Chevy Head Porting 

Compression: The Budget Racer’s Big-Power Ticket 

Cylinder Heads Detailing and Assembly 

Porting 186/041-Style Head Castings 

Porting L98 Corvette Heads 

Porting L31 Vortec Heads 

Aftermarket Heads 

Port and Chamber Volume Selection 

Basic Porting Results

Iron Heads Compared 

Aluminum Heads 

 

Chapter 7: Cams & Valvetrains 

Basic Five 

Fuel Octane and Dynamic CR 

Overlap 

LCA Selection 

Duration 

Dual-Pattern Cams 

Lift Versus Output 

Lift Versus Wear 

Making a Cam Selection 

Springs 

Retainers 

Lifters 

Pushrods 

Timing in the Cam 

Installing a Roller Cam 

Finally Making a Cam Selection 

Read this Before You Make a Cam Selection 

 

Chapter 8: Induction Systems 

Sourcing and Filtering the Air

Carburetors 

Fuel Atomization 

Increasing Booster Signal and Airflow 

Calibration 

Manifolds 

 

Chapter 9: Exhaust Systems 

Exhaust Initiated Induction 

Low Budget and Basic Iron 

Pipe Diameters 

Headers and Low System Flow 

Pipe Lengths 

Headers and Quality 

Muffled Systems 

Muffler Flow 

Setting Functional Boundaries 

Required Flow 

Pressure Waves 

Noise Abatement 

Balance Pipes 

Summary 

 

Chapter 10: Ignition Systems 

HEI Shortcomings 

Basic Rebuild 

More Spark, More RPM 

Coil Test

Module Test 

Spark Test 

Plug Cables 

Mechanical Attributes 

Timing Controls 

Mechanical Advance 

Vacuum Advance and Mileage 

 

Chapter 11: Nitrous Oxide 

Effective Systems 

Problem Areas 

System Optimization 

More Optimal Engine Specs 

Nitrous Cams 

A Long Arm 

Combined Effects 

High-Output Systems 

How Much Power? 

 

Chapter 12: Ten Hot Engine Builds 

Engine 1: 350 Recon Special 

Engine 2: PP 186 Headed 350 

Engine 3: 6 Inch Rod 350 

Engine 4: Vortec Headed 350 

Engine 5: Zex N2O Injected 350 

Engine 6: Staged N2O Injected 350 

Engine 7: Dart Headed 383 (Entry Level) 

Engine 8: Dart Headed 383 

Engine 9: Dart/AFR Headed 408 

Engine 10: AFR Headed 434 

There's a common thread that connects high-performance enthusiasts; they want horsepower at the most affordable price. Hot rodders have always searched for ways to save money and improve performance, which includes fabricating their own parts, buying prime used parts, searching classifieds, and combing swap meets looking for deals. These high-performance enthusiasts take pride in beating the next guy in a contest of speed while spending a lot less to do it. 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.

This book is an all-new color edition of a previous best seller. It contains the latest engine-building techniques, profiles current technology, and includes today's affordable parts and engines. Vizard performs ten engine builds, which include dyno charts and parts lists. And it's all done at a nominal cost. Don't throw away money on bogus parts and inflated horsepower claims. Get the real scoop with How to Build Max-Performance Chevy Small-Blocks on a Budget today!

Pages : 160
Size : 8.5 X 11 (inches)
Format : Paperback / softback
Illustrations : 290 color photos
Publisher : CarTech
ISBN : 9781932494846
Product Code : SA57

Acknowledgments

Introduction 

Foreword by Roger Helgesen

 

Chapter 1: Engine Building Practices 

The Importance of Good Parts and Engine Building Practice 

Inspection 

Preparation 

 

Chapter 2: The Production of Power 

Flow Bench Relevance 

Heat Management 

Dynamometer Results 

Rating Standards 

 

Chapter 3: Cylinder Blocks 

Block Logic 

What to Look For 

Block Selection 

Casting Material 

Locating the Right Block 

Teardown and Cleaning 

Block Strip 

Pre-Machining Details 

Oil Return Holes 

Professional Cleaning and Checking 

Moving Bores 

Machining Operations 

Acquiring Your Performance Block the Easy Way 

Post-Machining Detailing 

 

Chapter 4: Cranks, Rods and Pistons 

Stock Cranks 

A Little Money, a Lot More Torque and Horsepower 

Fast Mover 

Clean Sheet 

Other Applications 

Buying a Forged or Billet Crank 

Bearings 

Strengthening Process 

Crank Vibration Dampers 

Connecting Rods 

Pistons: Type to Use 

Pistons: Aftermarket 

Piston Selection 

Rings 

Balancing 

 

Chapter 5: Lubrication Systems 

Losing ZDP 

Power Versus Oil Type 

Oil Temperaure 

Oil Filters 

Oil Pumps 

Oil Pan Design 

Top-End Oil Restriction 

Oil Movement 

 

Chapter 6: Cylinder Heads 

Factory Heads for Performance 

Production Head Overhaul 

Guide Inspection 

Valve Sizes and Seat Recession 

Correcting Excessive Guide Clearance 

Accommodating High-Performance Springs 

Basic Small-Block Chevy Head Porting 

Compression: The Budget Racer’s Big-Power Ticket 

Cylinder Heads Detailing and Assembly 

Porting 186/041-Style Head Castings 

Porting L98 Corvette Heads 

Porting L31 Vortec Heads 

Aftermarket Heads 

Port and Chamber Volume Selection 

Basic Porting Results

Iron Heads Compared 

Aluminum Heads 

 

Chapter 7: Cams & Valvetrains 

Basic Five 

Fuel Octane and Dynamic CR 

Overlap 

LCA Selection 

Duration 

Dual-Pattern Cams 

Lift Versus Output 

Lift Versus Wear 

Making a Cam Selection 

Springs 

Retainers 

Lifters 

Pushrods 

Timing in the Cam 

Installing a Roller Cam 

Finally Making a Cam Selection 

Read this Before You Make a Cam Selection 

 

Chapter 8: Induction Systems 

Sourcing and Filtering the Air

Carburetors 

Fuel Atomization 

Increasing Booster Signal and Airflow 

Calibration 

Manifolds 

 

Chapter 9: Exhaust Systems 

Exhaust Initiated Induction 

Low Budget and Basic Iron 

Pipe Diameters 

Headers and Low System Flow 

Pipe Lengths 

Headers and Quality 

Muffled Systems 

Muffler Flow 

Setting Functional Boundaries 

Required Flow 

Pressure Waves 

Noise Abatement 

Balance Pipes 

Summary 

 

Chapter 10: Ignition Systems 

HEI Shortcomings 

Basic Rebuild 

More Spark, More RPM 

Coil Test

Module Test 

Spark Test 

Plug Cables 

Mechanical Attributes 

Timing Controls 

Mechanical Advance 

Vacuum Advance and Mileage 

 

Chapter 11: Nitrous Oxide 

Effective Systems 

Problem Areas 

System Optimization 

More Optimal Engine Specs 

Nitrous Cams 

A Long Arm 

Combined Effects 

High-Output Systems 

How Much Power? 

 

Chapter 12: Ten Hot Engine Builds 

Engine 1: 350 Recon Special 

Engine 2: PP 186 Headed 350 

Engine 3: 6 Inch Rod 350 

Engine 4: Vortec Headed 350 

Engine 5: Zex N2O Injected 350 

Engine 6: Staged N2O Injected 350 

Engine 7: Dart Headed 383 (Entry Level) 

Engine 8: Dart Headed 383 

Engine 9: Dart/AFR Headed 408 

Engine 10: AFR Headed 434 

David Vizard's How to Build Max-Performance Chevy Small-Blocks on a Budget

$34.95

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