Newbie Question

I'm seeing alot of performance intake manifolds and throttle bodies, and I'd like to get more into improving my engine, but I'm not totally sure how I would go about installing them. Could someone share a link with me as to how to install common engine upgrades? e.g. headers, etc. Anything that would be useful to replace from stock I'd appreciate instructions for how to do.

ty

That is a very broad question that can't really be answered in a concise manner. Check out www.howstuffworks.com (http://www.howstuffworks.com/) and click on the autos link. You'll see how much info there is.

The real grit here is that those add-on parts might not add any power depending on your current engine setup. Its hard to explain, but all of the parts of an engine are tuned together. The factory makes compromises based on noise, MPGs, reliability, etc, but for the most part they are very well tuned and matched. Adding those parts might add 5 hp, but they'll remove drivability and low-RPM power production if you're not careful. Those external modifications don't do much without the internal modifications to match. Depending on the engine you'll have a $2000 engine that makes 15 more HP and makes a lot of noise.

I recently posted about airflow characteristics in a thread that might partly explain it. Changing the external airflow characteristics only helps minimally unless you alter the interior parts in a way that requires that extra airflow.

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=2801372&postcount=16

I've read through almost all of that. Are there any books you recommend?

ty

HP Books, Haynes, and Chiltons (I think) make techbooks that outline some good theories. Are we talking about sport/import? If so, they all make books on sport/import tuning. You can also pick up books that outline performance modifications to specific popular American engines. I build a 454 and found seven or eight publications just for big block chevy. Not only do they list brand-specific power expectations, they spend the first several chapters explaining why they work and how they work. Take an afternoon and go to Borders, Chapters, Barnes and Noble, or similar store in the "transportation" section and thumb through some books. If you don't find what you want at the store, go to Amazon and see what they turn up.

Good publications come from several companies, but the ones I can think of off the top of my head: Krause, HP books, Chiltons, Haynes, Bentley, and Motorbooks International. You should find at least four or five that suit your reading style and level of involvement. You might get some good info, too by reading one of the "dummies" or "idiots" books on car repair. They aren't specifically geared toward your goal, but they do offer a little window into understanding.

[QUOTE=curtis73] You might get some good info, too by reading one of the "dummies" or "idiots" books on car repair.[QUOTE]

They are really good books for beginers. I have Auto Repair for Dummies and after reading that I got the genreal idea of how a car runs and works it isn't too in depth but it isn't so genreal you don't get anything out of it. That combined with a couple hours a week on this site just searching stuff that I wanted to know about and searching other sites like http://stealth316.com/1-tech.htm I can proudly say I am getting to know alot about cars. And I really have to thanks everyone here on these forums for being so informative and helpful even if you are new to the automotive world. One of other good books that explains things really well is Modern Automotive Technology. THat book gets really in depth and tells you ALOT, and there is little excerises at the end of the chapters to see if you understood what they were talking about. Like at the end of the chapter that explains how a car makes power, they ask you to draw an engine and draw out all the places that the power is transfered to until you get to the wheels and then label them all, then you can go back and see if you were right or if you missed something.