Performance engines

This GM Engine Performance Techbook gives the home mechanic an in-depth look at specific areas of auto with easy to follow text and hundreds of photos. The mysteries of the versatile LS series engines are unlocked in this GM Engine Performance Techbook. Covering everything from engine overhaul, cylinder head selection and modification, induction and fuel systems, camshafts and valve train, to beefing-up the bottom end, turbo and supercharger add-ons, engine swaps and extreme builds, this…

When first introduced in the 1997 Corvette, GM's LS1 engine shook the performance world. Its combination of massive power, light weight and impressive fuel economy set new precedents for performance engines--and continues to do so generation after generation. The latest version, the LS9, makes some 638 hp from just 6.2 liters, far eclipsing even the mightiest big-blocks from the muscle car era--while meeting modern standards for emissions and fuel economy. It?s no wonder, then, that the LSX…

Ford FE engines, which were manufactured from the late 1950s all the way through the mid-1970s, were designated as the large-displacement engines in the Ford lineup. FE means Ford Edsel, and reflects an era when Ford sought to promote the Edsel name. The design of these engines was implemented to increase displacement over its predecessor, the Y-Block engines of the previous decade. Early models were fairly modest in displacement, as were most big-blocks of the era, but they grew quickly to…

To extract maximum performance, an engine needs an efficient, well-designed, and properly tuned exhaust system. In fact, the exhaust system?s design, components, and materials have a large impact on the overall performance of the engine. Engine builders and car owners need to carefully consider the exhaust layout, select the parts, and fabricate the exhaust system that delivers the best performance for car and particular application. Master engine builder and award-winning writer Mike…

The photos in this edition are black and white. The venerable Chevy big-block engines have proven themselves for more than half a century as the power plant of choice for incredible performance on the street and strip. They were innovators and dominators of the muscle car wars of the 1960s and featured a versatile design architecture that made them perfect for both cars and trucks alike. Throughout their impressive production run, the Chevy big-block engines underwent many generations of…

The GM LS Gen IV engine dominates the highperformance V-8 market and is the most popular powerplant for engine swap projects. In stock trim, the Gen IV engines produce class-leading horsepower. The Gen IV’s rectangular-port heads flow far more air/fuel than the Gen III cathedral-port heads. However, with the right combination of modification procedures and performance parts, you can unlock the performance potential of the Gen IV engines and reach almost any performance target. Engine…