Do-It-Yourself High-Performance Car Mods is designed to help you modify cars and light trucks for improved performance. While there are many books on individual systems on a car, this practical step-by-step guide provides you with a thorough working knowledge of ALL the systems in a single resource.

Automotive journalist and experienced engineer Matt Cramer has created an invaluable reference for readers regardless of age or experience. Whether you're a hobbyist new to the world of performance cars or a veteran car enthusiast looking to take the next step, you will become better equipped to drive off in the car of your dreams.

There's never been a simpler, more practical approach to modifying cars and light trucks, so you can do-it-yourself--and ultimately end up in the winner's circle!

Do-It-Yourself High-Performance Car Mods includes valuable information on:

~ How car systems work

~ Simple ways to improve performance

~ Getting more power out of your engine

~ How to find reliable sources

~ Separating marketing hype from reality

~ Adjusting the engine components and controls for best performance

~ How improving one area may impede another

Table of Contents:

Preface -- Acknowledgments -- Unit Conversions -- Planning -- Getting a Clearer Vision of the Car of Your Dreams -- Looking for a Car -- How Old? -- Drivetrain Layout -- Trim Level -- Budgeting Money and Time -- Setting Goals -- Dealing with Dealerships, Laws, and Other Pesky Issues -- Ending a Project -- Car Events -- Drag Racing -- Autocross -- Track Days -- Wheel-to-Wheel Racing -- Car Shows -- Researching -- Separating Marketing Hype from Reality -- Seat of the Pants -- Dynamometers -- The Dragstrip -- Handling Measurements -- Smartphones and Testing -- Researching Mods -- Visiting Race Events -- Car Clubs -- Books -- Magazines -- The Internet -- Hired Gurus -- Spotting a Bogus Mod -- Sizing Up a Supplier -- Doing Your Homework to Ace the Tests -- Wrenching -- Tools You'll Need and How to Use Them -- Jacks and Jackstands -- Wrenches -- Screwdrivers -- Other Basic Tools -- Containers and Organization -- When Bolts Stick -- Presses -- Electrical Basics -- Electrical Tools -- Connecting Electrical Parts -- Timing Lights -- Fabricating Tools -- Tube Tools -- Torches and Welding -- Suspension Tools -- And More -- Engine-Intake and Exhaust -- Simple Ways to Get More Power and Better Sound out of Your Engine -- Intake System -- Intake Modification -- Exhaust System -- Exhaust Modification -- Fuel System -- Supplying More Fuel -- Engine-Internal Work -- Getting Inside the Motor for Bigger Power Gains -- Cylinder Heads and Camshafts -- Aftermarket Camshafts and Valvetrains -- Cylinder Head Mods -- Engine Blocks -- Upgrading Pistons, Rods, and Crankshafts -- Ignition System -- A Better Spark -- Cooling System -- Cooling System Upgrades -- Oiling System -- Performance Oil Mods -- Wasting Less Power -- Words of Caution -- Engine Swaps -- Ultimate Horsepower -- Turbocharging, Supercharging, and Nitrous Oxide -- Superchargers -- Turbochargers -- Boost Controls -- Intercoolers -- Combining Forced Induction with Other Mods -- Nitrous Oxide -- Deciding Which One You Need -- Engine Tuning -- Adjusting the Engine Components and Controls for Best Performance -- Telling Which Adjustments the Engine Needs -- Tuning Computers -- Carburetor Tuning -- Spark Timing -- Drivetrain -- Putting as Much Power to the Road as Possible -- Gear Ratios -- Manual Transmissions -- Shifters -- Flywheels -- Clutches -- Automatic Transmissions -- The Mysterious Torque Converter -- Driveshafts and U-joints -- Gearing -- Differentials -- Axles and Halfshafts -- Engine Mounts -- Suspension -- Tuning It to Best Fit Your Driving Style -- Understeer and Oversteer -- Underdamping -- Bump Steer -- Just Plain Worn Out -- Other Handling Issues -- Suspension Tuning Basics -- Weight Transfer -- Body Roll and Traction -- Tire Basics -- Tire Sizes -- Tire Types -- Wheels -- Wheel Sizing -- Springs -- Shock Absorbers -- Coil-over Conversions -- Air Bag Suspensions -- Anti-roll Bars -- The Chassis and Chassis Braces -- Alignment -- Suspension Designs -- Traction Bars -- Bushings -- Drivetrains and Handling -- Lowering Done Right -- Tuning Suspensions -- Problem: Not Enough Grip -- Problem: Too Much Body Roll -- Problem: Understeer -- Problem: Oversteer -- Problem: Suspension Feels Vague, Bouncy, or Floaty -- Problem: Car Feels Unstable on Rough Pavement -- Problem: Car Feels Unstable, Even on Smooth Pavement -- Problem: Car Does Not Keep All Four Wheels on the Ground While Cornering -- Problem: Car Bottoms Out -- Problem: Not Enough Traction off the Line -- Driving Classes -- Brakes -- Optimizing Your Stopping Power -- Tires and Brakes -- Anatomy of a Braking System -- Brake Rotors -- Brake Pads -- Calipers -- Drum Brake Upgrades -- Swapping Drums for Discs -- Brake Fluid -- Brake Lines -- Proportioning Valves -- Line Locks -- Master Cylinders -- ABS Controls -- Cooling the Brakes -- Interior -- Safety, Function, and Style -- Rollover Protection -- Harnesses, Restraints, and Seat Belts -- Fire Extinguishers -- Gauges -- Seats and Upholstery -- Trim and Color -- Exterior -- Aerodynamics, Lighting, and Appearance -- Drag Racing -- Road Racing -- Top Speed Racing -- Rally Racing -- Importing Inspiration -- Mod Materials -- Metals -- Composites -- Plastics -- Aerodynamic Mods -- Wings -- Spoilers -- Front Bumpers, Airdams, and Splitters -- Ground Effects -- Truck Bed Covers -- Scoops -- Extractors and Louvers -- Fitting Oversized Wheels -- Paint -- Graphics and Decals -- Lighting -- Gearhead Glossary -- Further Reading -- Index.