Competition Engine Building: Advanced Engine Design and Assembly Techniques

John Baechtel

Jan 2012 · CarTech Inc

About this ebook

The needs of a true competition engine are quite different than those of the engine under the hood of a typical commuter car. From the basic design needs, to the base component materials, to the sizes of the flow-related hardware, to the precision of the machining, to the capabilities of each pertinent system, very few similarities exist. Many books exist showcasing how to make street-based engines more powerful and/or durable. This book is different, in that it focuses purely on the needs of high rpm, high durability, high-powered racing engines. It begins by looking at the raw design needs, and then shares how these needs are met at the various phases of an engine's development, assembly, testing and tuning.

This book features reviews of many popular modern tools, techniques, products, and testing/data collecting machinery. Showing the proper way to use such tools, how to accurately collect data, and how to use the data effectively when designing an engine, is critical information not readily available elsewhere. The special needs of a competition engine aren't commonly discussed, and the many secrets competition engine builders hold closely are openly shared on the pages here.

Authored by veteran author John Baechtel, Competition Engine Building stands alone as a premier guide for enthusiasts and students of the racing engine. It also serves as a reference guide for experienced professionals anxious to learn the latest techniques or see how the newest tools are used. Baechtel is more than just an author, as he holds (or has held) several World Records at Bonneville. Additionally, his engines have won countless races in many disciplines, including road racing and drag racing.

About the author

John Baechtel is a former editor of Car Craft and Hot Rod magazines and was the founding partner of the Westech Performance Group engine dyno testing facility. He is also a member of the Bonneville 200 MPH club, holding both SCTA and FIA International speed records. He drove the first production-based Mustang Cobra past the 200-mph mark in 1993 and was the driving force behind the restoration of the Summers Brothers Land Speed Record car for The Henry Ford museum. With more than 34 years of high-performance engine and vehicle testing under his belt, he is still passionate about engines and high-performance technology. He currently serves as a technical consultant to several performance aftermarket companies while pursuing his interest in land speed racing and grooming his extensive collection of land speed model cars and memorabilia.