Table of Contents
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
