could use some pointers for learning about cars

i'm 20 years old and have very good technical knowledge of computers. i think i've taken that love as far as i want to for now though. i'm looking to learn more about cars from a technical point of view. i'm interested in knowing cars inside and out like i do computers. so i did some quick googling and wound up with this place among others.

could anyone here point me in the right direction on some sites that would teach me the functional process of the components of automobiles?

thx in advance.

Buy a Haynes, Chiltons, or Bentley shop manual for your vehicle. Some of the stuff is pretty advanced, but they walk you through a complete disassembly and reassembly of an entire car, including engine and transmission teardowns. Its a bit specific, but it might answer some questions while also educating you on your car.

The Dummies and Idiot's guide books have a few on basic auto repair. They do a good job of explaining why things work the way they do instead of just instructions for Tab A/ Slot B repairs.

Also, hands on knoweledge helps too. Try obtaining an old lawnmower engine or small engine, you can usually get one for free (if they don't run). Then take it all apart - and put it back together. It teaches you about engine internals from the most visual point of view.

also if you wantto learn about forced induction, corky bell's maximum boost is a really good guidefor that, it teaches all about turbochargers. if you have any extra questions that you couldn't find an answer on those other pages, do a search in this forum and the forced induction forum, if it's not there, start a new thread about it. there have been many discussions about alot of stuff on this site and there's alot of knowledge to be had.

also if you wantto learn about forced induction, corky bell's maximum boost is a really good guidefor that, it teaches all about turbochargers. if you have any extra questions that you couldn't find an answer on those other pages, do a search in this forum and the forced induction forum, if it's not there, start a new thread about it. there have been many discussions about alot of stuff on this site and there's alot of knowledge to be had.

The problem with Corky Bells "Maximum Boost" and similar books is that they is explaining everything at such a basic level that everything isn't correct. On the other side, if you want a good detailed book you should have a basic understanding of mechanics and thermodynamics first.

There are also no book that is covering everything, dependning if one is interrested in aerodynamics, engines, suspensions, supercharging and so on you need a specific book on each subject to be really covered. A good book about say engines are usually about 1000 pages or so, and even they lacks some information. The best book about turbocharging is likely "turbocharging the internal combustion engine", that one is 600 pages and is just covering turbocharging.

Bosch automotive handbooks cover quite a wide area though, simple and correct description of everything from headlights to turbochargers.

On the internet I can always recommend the encyclopedia www.wikipedia.org

get an old pickup like an eighties chevy or something... they are simple and theres lots of room to work on them... plus a rusted out one is dirt cheap. you can learn pretty much all the basics from that...