American performance and the V-8 engine are inextricably linked. Ever since the first mass-produced automobile V-8 was introduced by Cadillac in 1914, the V-8 has been the engine of choice for America's most powerful vehicles—race cars, luxury cruisers, hot rods, and pick-up trucks. This is particularly true for the post WWII period, which is the focus of Ultimate American V-8 Engine Data Book. Every American V-8 ever produced for passenger car use since 1949 is covered in this exhaustive guide, which presents complete listings of V-8 specifications through the 2009 model year. Each listing provides general specs for the engine, as well as part numbers for basic engine components—for vehicles from that first Cadillac to the latest star of NASCAR. The book includes details on displacement, horsepower, torque, carburetion and fuel injection, compression ratio, internal dimensions, and virtually every other specification of value to collectors, mechanics and builders, and enthusiasts.

Arm yourself with this ultimate guide to V-8 engines containing complete listings of V-8 specifications from 1949 to the mid 1970s. Each engine listing shows general specs of the engine, plus part numbers for basic engine components. Comprehensive listings reveal bore, stroke, horsepower, torque, displacement, valve sizes, VIN letter codes, body application, and part numbers for manifolds, cylinder heads, and other basic items. Applicable to Chevrolet, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Buick, Cadillac, GMC, Packard, Studebaker, AMC, Chrysler, DeSoto, Imperial, Dodge, Plymouth, Ford, Mercury, Edsel, Lincoln and International.

American Performance V-8 Specs: 1963-1974 (Second Edition) provides extensive information on all the performance V-8 engines in Muscle Cars, Pony Cars, and Supercars. Also included are sports cars such as Corvette, Cobra, GT40, and Pantera. Numerous tables and charts display engine information in a clear and concise style. This data-packed book is a valuable resource for automotive enthusiasts. Says automotive writer Diego Rosenberg: “This book is laid out in a manner that embraces your interest and keeps you entertained with historical takes on the era. It’s a seminal piece of automotive history that should be a mandatory reference for every enthusiast.” Each chapter is dedicated to a manufacturer and contains five sections: (1) Engine specs including bore, stroke, horsepower, torque, compression ratio, carburetion, rod length, bore spacing, block height, valve size, journal diameters, and firing order, (2) Engine application charts for American muscle car and sports car models, (3) Road test results from automotive magazines of the 1960s and 1970s (over 1,000 total tests), (4) Additional engine details and historical background, and (5) Gallery of color photographs (over 400 total photographs).

Chrysler's Hemi is one of the most revered engines in automotive history. Since its introduction in 1951, the Hemi has cast a spell on its owners and fans. Over five decades of production, the Hemi has moved from strength to strength and continues to be the engine of choice for muscle cars everywhere. Hemi: The Ultimate American V-8 takes you through the evolution of the Hemi, from its initial development through its first installment into Chrysler's cas, to its heyday in the popular muscle cars of the 1960's and 1970's. Robert Genat’s vivid photographs bring these engines and the cars that housed them racing to life. Chock full of facts and fascinating details on this remarkable engine and the muscle cars it powered: Charger, Road Runner, Superbird, Challenger, Barracuda, Super Bee and the rest.

The traditional Oldsmobile V-8 powered some of the most memorable cars of the muscle car era, from the 442s of the 1960s and early 1970s to the Trans Ams of the late 1970s. These powerful V-8s were also popular in ski boats. They have found a new lease on life with the recent development of improved aftermarket cylinder heads, aggressive roller camshafts, and electronic fuel injection. Author Bill Trovato is recognized as being one of the most successful Oldsmobile engine experts, and he openly shares all of his proven tricks, tips, and techniques for this venerable power plant. In this revised edition of Oldsmobile V-8 Engines: How to Build Max Performance, he provides additional information for extracting the best performance. In particular, he goes into greater detail on ignition systems and other areas of performance. His many years of winning with the Olds V-8 in heads-up, street-legal cars proves he knows how to extract maximum power from the design without sacrificing durability. A complete review of factory blocks, cranks, heads, and more is teamed with a thorough review of available aftermarket equipment. Whether mild or wild, the important information on cam selection and Olds-specific engine building techniques are all here. Fans of the traditional Olds V-8 will appreciate the level of detail and completeness Trovato brings to the table, and his frank, to-the-point writing style is as efficient and effective as the engines he designs, builds, and races. Anyone considering an Oldsmobile V-8 to power their ride will save time, money, and headaches by following the clear and honest advice offered in Oldsmobile V-8 Engines: How to Build Max Performance. Plenty of full-color photos and step-by-step engine builds showcase exactly how these engines should be built to deliver the most power per dollar.