One of the all-time favorite engines of the hot rodder, drag racer, and car enthusiast, the big-block Chevrolet engine has been in existence for over 30 years. During this period, literally millions of these engines have been modified, resulting in an extensive body of knowledge, both good and bad, regarding the best ways of building a high performance version of the power plant. Author Staffel is a full-time race engine builder specializing in preparation of high performance Chevy big-block engines. He provides the reader with the very latest theories, techniques, and supplier information, ensuring the preparation of an up-to-date high-performance engine.

The photos in this edition are black and white. Skylarks, GSXs, Grand Nationals, Rivieras, Gran Sports; the list of formidable performance Buicks is impressive. From the torque monsters of the 1960s to the high-flying Turbo models of the '80s, Buicks have a unique place in performance history. During the 1960s, when word of the mountains of torque supplied by the big-inch Buicks hit the street, nobody wanted to mess with them. Later, big-inch Buicks and the Hemi Chryslers went at it hammer and tongs in stock drag shootouts and in the pages of the popular musclecar magazines of the day. The wars between the Turbo Buicks and Mustang GTs in the 1980s were also legendary, as both cars responded so well to modifications. How to Build Max-Performance Buick Engines is the first performance engine book ever published on the Buick family of engines. This book covers everything from the Nailheads of the '50s and early '60s, to the later evolutions of the Buick V-8 through the '60s and '70s, through to the turbo V-6 models of the '70s and '80s. Veteran magazine writer and Buick owner Jefferson Bryant supplies the most up-to-date information on heads, blocks, cams, rotating assemblies, interchangeability, and oiling-system improvements and modifications, along with details on the best performance options available, avenues for aftermarket support, and so much more. Finally, the Buick camp gets the information they have been waiting for, and it's all right here in How to Build Max-Performance Buick Engines.

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.

"10 best engine combos." "Short block preparation; cranks, rods & pistons; cams & valvetrain; intakes & exhausts; cylinder heads; nitrous oxide; ignitions; setup & tuning; power theory"--Cover.

Naturally aspirated Mopar Wedge big-blocks are quite capable of producing between 600 to 900 horsepower. This book covers how to build Mopar's 383-, 400-, 413-ci, 440-ci engines to these power levels. Discussed is how to select a stock or aftermarket block for the desired performance level. The reciprocating assembly is examined in detail, so you select the right design and material for durability and performance requirements. Cylinder heads and valve train configurations are crucial for generating maximum horsepower and torque and this volume provides special treatment in this area. Camshafts and lifters are compared and contrasted using hydraulic flat tappet, hydraulic roller and solid flat tappet cams. Also, detailed engine builds at 600, 700, 800, and 900 horsepower levels provide insight and reveal what can be done with real-world component packages.

GM's LT1/LT4 engines represented the highest level of small-block V-8 develop-ment for the period between the legendary small-block Chevrolet and the introduction of the LS-series V-8. They powered all of the hottest production vehicles of the 1990s, including the Corvette, Camaro/Firebird, and Caprice/Impala SS. These enhanced small-blocks were reliable and strong, and can be built to impressive performance levels on a relatively small budget, with the right upgrades. This book guides you through the factory and aftermarket components of the LT1/LT4 engines, offering sound performance advice and recommendations. Additionally, complete engine buildup recipes are provided, along with their respective horsepower and torque levels. You can follow the advice of experts and achieve targeted results for your own project.

The Chevy big-block has been installed in millions of cars and trucks over the past 50 years, including Camaros, Chevelles, Corvettes, Impalas, and a multitude of trucks. Extracting maximum performance has been the pursuit of engine builders ever since this engine was new in 1964. As a follow-up title to his How to Build Max-Performance Chevy Big-Blocks on a Budget, master engine builder David Vizard takes big-block Chevy engine building to the next level and shows how to build these extreme high-performance engines without breaking the bank. It goes well beyond the basic performance techniques and delves into exceptional detail on each component group of the engine. Vizard shows you how to build the ultimate big-blocks for the street: engines that are up to 850 hp on 91-octane pump gas, which is a monumental achievement. The Chevy big-block has been substantially under-valved, and the key to getting the best performance from this engine is to deal effectively with this design limitation. Vizard explains how to minimize intake-valve shrouding, reveals the science behind all cam-timing events, and explains how to arrive at the correct valve overlap for maximum efficiency. Vizard also covers the nuances of piston ports, rings, and connecting rods so the rotating assembly is strong and working at its peak. Finally, a special section presents a number of max-performance big-block sample builds. This volume includes a huge range of cutting-edge aftermarket parts and advanced tuning techniques. If you're serious about building a max-performance Chevy big-block engine for the street or track, you owe it to your engine and yourself to include this book in your automotive library.