Chassis | Chassis Engineering: Chassis Design, Building & Tuning for High Performance Handling (4.5 / 5) Chassis Engineering is a great introduction to race car design. In a practical and down-to-earth way, it covers the fundamentals of how race cars handle and the requirements for designing and constructing a car. The book includes chapters on chassis design, suspension design, frame construction, aerodynamics and tuning. Overall it provides the reader with the foundation of how the key components of a race car work and interact together. Get "Chassis Engineering: Chassis Design, Building & Tuning for High Performance Handling": | Dynamics/Handling ( Basic) Dynamics/Handling ( Advanced) Chassis ( Basic) Chassis ( Advanced) Suspension ( Basic) Suspension ( Advanced) Aerodynamics ( Basic) | Bar Stool Racer Drag Racer (Junior Dragster) Drag Racer (Scratch-Built) Dune Buggy Formula (Non-wing) Formula (Winged) Kart Midget (Full Size) Midget (Quarter) Off-road Truck Pickup Truck (Scratch-built) Quad/ATV Rally Rider Mower Sport Racer/Sports Prototype Sprint (Full Size) Sprint (Micro) Stock Car (Scratch-built /Late Model) Street Rod Supercar CycleKart | Book Resource |
Chassis | Racing Chassis and Suspension Design: PT-90 (3.5 / 5) A compilation of 27 SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) papers selected by racing engineer legend Carroll Smith which focus on chassis and suspension design for pure race cars. These papers provide deep insights and practical and usable information for chassis and race car designers. Get "Racing Chassis and Suspension Design: PT-90": | Dynamics/Handling ( Basic) Dynamics/Handling ( Advanced) Chassis ( Basic) Chassis ( Advanced) Suspension ( Basic) Suspension ( Advanced) | Drag Racer (Scratch-Built) Dune Buggy Midget (Full Size) Off-road Truck Pickup Truck (Scratch-built) Quad/ATV Sprint (Full Size) Sprint (Micro) | Book Resource |
Chassis | The Race Car Chassis : Design, Structures and Materials for Road, Drag and Circle Track Open- and Closed-Wheel Chassis (4 / 5) Aspiring designers will find Forbes Aird's book on chassis design to be a good introduction to the fundamental purposes, structures and materials of race car (or road car) chassis. What the book might lack in formulas and design calculations, it makes up for in sheer breadth of chassis design and construction ideas. It provides sufficient information to the reader to leave them with a solid understanding of the various chassis types, materials and construction so they can make informed choices about designing their own chassis. Get "The Race Car Chassis : Design, Structures and Materials for Road, Drag and Circle Track Open- and Closed-Wheel Chassis": | Dynamics/Handling ( Basic) Chassis ( Basic) Chassis ( Advanced) | Drag Racer (Junior Dragster) Drag Racer (Scratch-Built) Dune Buggy Formula (Non-wing) Formula (Winged) Midget (Full Size) Midget (Quarter) Off-road Truck Pickup Truck (Scratch-built) Quad/ATV Rally Sport Racer/Sports Prototype Sprint (Full Size) Sprint (Micro) Stock Car (Scratch-built /Late Model) Supercar | Book Resource |
Driving | 4-Wheel Freedom: The Art Of Off-Road Driving (4.5 / 5) Teaches basics of 4 wheel drive vehicles and off-road driving techniques. Chapters on basics of 4 wheel drive, selecting a 4x4, customizing and upgrading, and off-roading techniques. Off-road techniques include crawling, hills, recovery/winching, snow, ice, mud, and crossing streams. Get "4-Wheel Freedom: The Art Of Off-Road Driving": | Dynamics/Handling ( Basic) Dynamics/Handling ( Advanced) Driving ( Basic) Driving ( Advanced) | Dune Buggy Off-road Truck Pickup truck (Custom Off-road) | Book Resource |
Fasteners/Joining | High Performance Hardware: Fastener Technology for Racers and Enthusiasts (4 / 5) High performance hardware provides both theory and extensive practical information on hardware and fasteners. It covers material properties that relate to fasteners as well as pretty much every type of fastener used on a race vehicle. Get "High Performance Hardware: Fastener Technology for Racers and Enthusiasts": | Fasteners/Joining ( Basic) Fasteners/Joining ( Advanced) | Bar Stool Racer Drag Racer (Junior Dragster) Dune Buggy Kart Quad/ATV Rider Mower Street Rod | Book Resource |
Materials/Fabrication | Advanced Automotive Welding (5 / 5) Advanced Automotive welding teaches basic and advanced welding skills specifically geared toward race car construction. Joint types, metal types, and welding processes such as TIG, MIG, oxy-acetylene and stick welding are covered. Includes projects such as roll cage, seat supports, floor pan and others. Get "Advanced Automotive Welding": | Materials/Fabrication ( Basic) Fasteners/Joining ( Basic) Fasteners/Joining ( Advanced) Construction/Assy ( Basic) Construction/Assy ( Advanced) | Autocross/Solo (Entry-Level) Autocross/Solo (Top-Level) Autocross/Solo (Mid-Level) Bar Stool Racer Drag Racer (Junior Dragster) Drag Racer (Production-Based) Drag Racer (Scratch-Built) Dune Buggy Formula (Non-wing) Formula (Winged) GT Kart Midget (Full Size) Midget (Quarter) Off-road Truck Pickup Truck (Scratch-built) Quad/ATV Sport Racer/Sports Prototype Sprint (Full Size) Sprint (Micro) Stock Car (Scratch-built /Late Model) Stock Car (Production-Based) Touring Car | Book Resource |
Materials/Fabrication | Composite Materials: Fabrication Handbook #1 (4.5 / 5) Book 1 of the Composite materials series. Explains the basics of composites, their applications, workspace setup, tools and practical techniques. Includes projects to help the builder learn techniques of mold making, laminating, demolding and finishing. Includes many high quality color photographs to guide the reader. Get "Composite Materials: Fabrication Handbook #1": | Materials/Fabrication ( Basic) Materials/Fabrication ( Advanced) Fasteners/Joining ( Basic) Fasteners/Joining ( Advanced) Construction/Assy ( Basic) Construction/Assy ( Advanced) Bodywork ( Basic) Bodywork ( Advanced) | Custom Street/Import Drag Racer (Scratch-Built) Dune Buggy Formula (Non-wing) Formula (Winged) Kart Off-road Truck Pickup Truck (Scratch-built) Sport Racer/Sports Prototype Stock Car (Scratch-built /Late Model) Supercar | Book Resource |
Materials/Fabrication | Composite Materials: Fabrication Handbook #2 (4 / 5) Book 2 of the Composite materials series which gets builders started by explaining the practical techniques. Includes projects to help the builder learn techniques of mold making, laminating, demolding and finishing. Includes many high quality color photographs to guide the reader. Get "Composite Materials: Fabrication Handbook #2": | Materials/Fabrication ( Basic) Materials/Fabrication ( Advanced) Fasteners/Joining ( Basic) Fasteners/Joining ( Advanced) Construction/Assy ( Basic) Construction/Assy ( Advanced) Bodywork ( Basic) Bodywork ( Advanced) | Custom Street/Import Drag Racer (Scratch-Built) Dune Buggy Formula (Non-wing) Formula (Winged) Kart Off-road Truck Pickup Truck (Scratch-built) Sport Racer/Sports Prototype Stock Car (Scratch-built /Late Model) Supercar | Book Resource |
Materials/Fabrication | Composite Materials: Fabrication Handbook #3 (Composite Garage Series) (4.5 / 5) Book 3 of the Composite materials series. Expands on mold making, advanced mold systems, one-off fabrication methods and computer design. Includes hands-on projects such as a body panel, camper shell and hollow body guitar to help the reader learn and practice techniques. Also includes composite repairs. Get "Composite Materials: Fabrication Handbook #3 (Composite Garage Series)": | Materials/Fabrication ( Basic) Materials/Fabrication ( Advanced) Construction/Assy ( Basic) Construction/Assy ( Advanced) Bodywork ( Basic) Bodywork ( Advanced) | Custom Street/Import Drag Racer (Scratch-Built) Dune Buggy Formula (Non-wing) Formula (Winged) Kart Off-road Truck Pickup Truck (Scratch-built) Sport Racer/Sports Prototype Stock Car (Scratch-built /Late Model) Supercar | Book Resource |
Materials/Fabrication | How To Weld (4.5 / 5) A complete guide for beginner welders on the history, safety, equipment and techniques for welding. The book covers metal fabrication tools, types and properties of metals, welding joint designs, gas welding, brazing, arc welding (MIG, TIG, stick) and cutting. It also includes sample exercises to help the reader practice what they have learned. | Materials/Fabrication ( Basic) Materials/Fabrication ( Advanced) | Autocross/Solo (Entry-Level) Autocross/Solo (Top-Level) Autocross/Solo (Mid-Level) Bar Stool Racer Drag Racer (Junior Dragster) Drag Racer (Production-Based) Drag Racer (Scratch-Built) Dune Buggy Formula (Non-wing) Formula (Winged) GT Kart Midget (Full Size) Midget (Quarter) Off-road Truck Pickup Truck (Scratch-built) Quad/ATV Sport Racer/Sports Prototype Sprint (Full Size) Sprint (Micro) Stock Car (Scratch-built /Late Model) Stock Car (Production-Based) Touring Car CycleKart | Book Resource |
Materials/Fabrication | Metal Fabricator's Handbook (4 / 5) Teaches welding techniques, metal forming, hammerforming and practical metal fabrication projects. Project include forming custom body panels, tanks, roll cages/safety cells and exhaust headers. Get "Metal Fabricator's Handbook": | Chassis ( Basic) Chassis ( Advanced) Materials/Fabrication ( Basic) Materials/Fabrication ( Advanced) Fasteners/Joining ( Basic) Fasteners/Joining ( Advanced) | Autocross/Solo (Entry-Level) Autocross/Solo (Top-Level) Autocross/Solo (Mid-Level) Bar Stool Racer Custom Street/Import Drag Racer (Junior Dragster) Drag Racer (Scratch-Built) Dune Buggy Formula (Non-wing) Formula (Winged) Kart Midget (Full Size) Midget (Quarter) Off-road Truck Pickup truck (Custom Off-road) Pickup Truck (Scratch-built) Quad/ATV Rally Rider Mower Sport Racer/Sports Prototype Sprint (Full Size) Sprint (Micro) Stock Car (Scratch-built /Late Model) Stock Car (Production-Based) Street Rod Supercar CycleKart | Book Resource |
Materials/Fabrication | Racer's Encyclopedia of Metals, Fibers and Materials (5 / 5) Provides introductory and more advanced information about metals, metal fatigue, composite fibers and the uses of a wide variety of materials in race cars. Get "Racer's Encyclopedia of Metals, Fibers and Materials": | Materials/Fabrication ( Basic) Materials/Fabrication ( Advanced) Fasteners/Joining ( Basic) Fasteners/Joining ( Advanced) | Dune Buggy GT Kart Off-road Truck Pickup truck (Custom Off-road) Quad/ATV Rally Stock Car (Production-Based) Street Rod Supercar Touring Car | Book Resource |
Powertrain | Engine Builder's Handbook (5 / 5) Explains how to troubleshoot and rebuild all types of engines. Provides tips, techniques and detailed information on engine inspection, teardown, the short block, cylinder heads, assembly and camshaft theory. Get "Engine Builder's Handbook": | Powertrain ( Basic) Powertrain ( Advanced) | Autocross/Solo (Top-Level) Autocross/Solo (Mid-Level) Custom Street/Import Drag Racer (Production-Based) Drag Racer (Scratch-Built) Dune Buggy Formula (Non-wing) Formula (Winged) GT Midget (Full Size) Midget (Quarter) Off-road Truck Pickup truck (Custom Off-road) Pickup Truck (Scratch-built) Rally Sport Racer/Sports Prototype Sprint (Full Size) Stock Car (Scratch-built /Late Model) Stock Car (Production-Based) Street Rod Supercar Touring Car | Book Resource |
Powertrain | High-Performance Differentials, Axles, and Drivelines (4.5 / 5) This book explains how to select and match driveline components to engine power output to minimize or eliminate driveline breakages. Also covers gear ratio selection, differential rebuilding and driveline components. Get "High-Performance Differentials, Axles, and Drivelines": | Powertrain ( Basic) Powertrain ( Advanced) | Drag Racer (Production-Based) Drag Racer (Scratch-Built) Dune Buggy GT Midget (Full Size) Off-road Truck Pickup truck (Custom Off-road) Pickup Truck (Scratch-built) Rally Sprint (Full Size) Stock Car (Scratch-built /Late Model) Stock Car (Production-Based) Touring Car | Book Resource |
Powertrain | Modern Engine Blueprinting Techniques: A Practical Guide to Precision Engine Building (5 / 5) Explains the engine blueprinting process through illustrations and detailed procedures. Includes professional techniques on how to balance, make true and match components as an optimized group. Components include block, crank, connecting rods, pistons, rings, cylinder heads, intake manifolds, camshafts. Get "Modern Engine Blueprinting Techniques: A Practical Guide to Precision Engine Building": | Powertrain ( Basic) Powertrain ( Advanced) | Drag Racer (Production-Based) Drag Racer (Scratch-Built) Dune Buggy GT Midget (Full Size) Midget (Quarter) Off-road Truck Pickup truck (Custom Off-road) Pickup Truck (Scratch-built) Sprint (Full Size) Stock Car (Scratch-built /Late Model) Stock Car (Production-Based) Touring Car | Book Resource |
Powertrain | | Powertrain ( Basic) Powertrain ( Advanced) | Dune Buggy Formula (Non-wing) Formula (Winged) Kart Quad/ATV Sport Racer/Sports Prototype Supercar | Book Resource |
Vehicle Dynamics/Handling | How to Make Your Car Handle (5 / 5) Teaches how to improve vehicle handling through suspension and chassis modifications and understanding vehicle dynamics. Includes basic suspension theory on roll centers, roll axis, camber change, bump steer, anti-dive, ride rate, ride balance as well practical chassis modifications. Get "How to Make Your Car Handle": | Dynamics/Handling ( Basic) Dynamics/Handling ( Advanced) Chassis ( Basic) Suspension ( Basic) Suspension ( Advanced) Powertrain ( Basic) Aerodynamics ( Basic) Construction/Assy ( Basic) Construction/Assy ( Advanced) | Autocross/Solo (Entry-Level) Autocross/Solo (Top-Level) Autocross/Solo (Mid-Level) Custom Street/Import Dune Buggy Formula (Non-wing) Formula (Winged) GT Kart Midget (Full Size) Midget (Quarter) Off-road Truck Pickup truck (Custom Off-road) Pickup Truck (Scratch-built) Rally Rider Mower Sport Racer/Sports Prototype Sprint (Full Size) Sprint (Micro) Stock Car (Scratch-built /Late Model) Stock Car (Production-Based) Street Rod Supercar Touring Car | Book Resource |
Vehicle Dynamics/Handling | Race Car Vehicle Dynamics (R146) (5 / 5) A comprehensive book on the vehicle dynamics of race cars (and applicable to road cars). Includes the most in-depth theoretical knowledge about vehicle handling, suspension and dynamics available in a single book. Along with clear explanations of principles there is a large mathematical component for engineering design. Can be used as a university textbook for vehicle engineering/Formula SAE/Student. Get "Race Car Vehicle Dynamics (R146)": | Dynamics/Handling ( Basic) Dynamics/Handling ( Advanced) Chassis ( Basic) Chassis ( Advanced) Suspension ( Basic) Suspension ( Advanced) | Autocross/Solo (Top-Level) Autocross/Solo (Mid-Level) Custom Street/Import Drag Racer (Scratch-Built) Dune Buggy Formula (Non-wing) Formula (Winged) GT Midget (Full Size) Off-road Truck Pickup Truck (Scratch-built) Rally Sport Racer/Sports Prototype Sprint (Full Size) Sprint (Micro) Stock Car (Scratch-built /Late Model) Supercar Touring Car | Book Resource |
Whole Car (Design and Build) | Baja Bugs and Buggies: How to prepare VW-based cars for off-road fun and racing (4.5 / 5) Provides information on how to modify and build off-road buggies from a VW base. Include frames, roll cages, skid plates, engine/transaxle mods, suspension mods, tires, wheels, brakes, lights, electrical, fuel tanks, off-road breakdown solutions and driving/safety tips. Get "Baja Bugs and Buggies: How to prepare VW-based cars for off-road fun and racing": | Dynamics/Handling ( Basic) Chassis ( Basic) Chassis ( Advanced) Suspension ( Basic) Suspension ( Advanced) Powertrain ( Basic) Powertrain ( Advanced) Safety/Ergo/Interior ( Basic) | Dune Buggy | Book Resource |
Whole Car (Design and Build) | | Chassis ( Basic) Construction/Assy ( Basic) Construction/Assy ( Advanced) | Dune Buggy | Book Resource |
Whole Car (Design and Build) | How to Build a Dune Buggy (3.5 / 5) As general guide to dune buggy construction. Includes steps and illustrations to guide the builder on selecting a frame, selecting and installing suspension and steering components, powertrain, fuel and electrical. This is not a design book but does provide some insights to those interested in dune buggy design. Get "How to Build a Dune Buggy": | Chassis ( Basic) Suspension ( Basic) Powertrain ( Basic) Safety/Ergo/Interior ( Basic) Construction/Assy ( Basic) Construction/Assy ( Advanced) Electrical ( Basic) | Dune Buggy | Book Resource |
Whole Car (Design and Build) | How to Build Motorcycle-engined Racing Cars (4 / 5) How to design and construct a motorcycle engine powered race car. This book explains how select and integrate the engine into a car as well as the design of the other aspects such as chassis, powertrain, brakes, fuel, coolant and electrics. Get "How to Build Motorcycle-engined Racing Cars": | Chassis ( Basic) Chassis ( Advanced) Suspension ( Basic) Suspension ( Advanced) Powertrain ( Basic) Powertrain ( Advanced) Aerodynamics ( Basic) Materials/Fabrication ( Basic) Fasteners/Joining ( Basic) Electrical ( Basic) | Drag Racer (Scratch-Built) Dune Buggy Formula (Non-wing) Formula (Winged) Kart Midget (Quarter) Quad/ATV Sport Racer/Sports Prototype Sprint (Micro) | Book Resource |
Whole Car (Design) | Race Car Engineering & Mechanics (5 / 5) Paul Van Valkenburgh's guide to understanding how the many components of the entire race car fit and work together. He provides design theory and practical information on tires, wheels, suspension geometry, springs, anti-roll bars, brakes, aerodynamics, handling, engine supports, chassis, safety and even racing operations such as testing and pit lane procedures. Get "Race Car Engineering & Mechanics": | Dynamics/Handling ( Basic) Dynamics/Handling ( Advanced) Chassis ( Basic) Chassis ( Advanced) Suspension ( Basic) Suspension ( Advanced) Powertrain ( Basic) Powertrain ( Advanced) Aerodynamics ( Basic) Aerodynamics ( Advanced) Safety/Ergo/Interior ( Basic) Safety/Ergo/Interior ( Advanced) Fasteners/Joining ( Basic) | Autocross/Solo (Top-Level) Custom Street/Import Drag Racer (Junior Dragster) Drag Racer (Scratch-Built) Dune Buggy Kart Midget (Full Size) Midget (Quarter) Pickup Truck (Scratch-built) Sprint (Full Size) Sprint (Micro) Stock Car (Scratch-built /Late Model) Stock Car (Production-Based) | Book Resource |