Motorbooks Workshop

A large part of enjoying your classic Corvette is the weekends spent tinkering before a Sunday drive. Whether updating to a modern brake or suspension system, repairing wear and tear, or installing a custom audio system, it's these projects that make your 'Vette unique and enjoyable. Tom Benford's Weekend Projects for Your Classic Corvette walks you through a year's worth of projects (52), step-by-step, explaining the special tools, tips, and tricks involved. Each project takes no more than a weekend and can be accomplished by enthusiasts of all skill levels.

Suspension is probably the most misunderstood aspect of motorcycle performance. This book, by America's premier suspension specialist, makes the art and science of suspension tuning accessible to professional and backyard motorcycle mechanics alike. Based on Paul Thede's wildly popular Race Tech Suspension Seminars, this step-by-step guide shows anyone how to make their bike, or their kid's, handle like a pro's. Thede gives a clear account of the three forces of suspension that you must understand to make accurate assessments of your suspension's condition. He outlines testing procedures that will help you gauge how well you're improving your suspension, along with your riding. And, if you're inclined to perfect your bike's handling, he even explains the black art of chassis geometry. Finally, step-by-step photos of suspension disassembly and assembly help you rebuild your forks and shocks for optimum performance. The book even provides detailed troubleshooting guides for dirt, street, and supermoto--promising a solution to virtually any handling problem.

This thorough how-to manual helps the off-road motorcycle enthusiast get the most out of their machine. This one-stop reference covers everything from basic maintenance to performance modifications, including: • Engine rebuilding • Transmission rebuilding • Clutch repair and rebuilding • Big-bore kits • Cam kits and valve timing and tuning • Tuning stock suspension • Suspension revalving and kits • Jetting and tuning carburetors • Tuning electronic fuel injection • Wheels, tires, and brakes • Chains and sprockets • Cooling systems • Electrical systems

For many people, a well-maintained automobile is a source of pride and peace of mind. But for others, the idea of routine maintenance is daunting. How to Make Your Car Last Forever will guide you through the minefield of preventative maintenance, repair, extended warranties, and magic elixirs that claim to cure everything from oil consumption to male-pattern baldness! Author, car repair expert, and host of satellite radio show America's Car Show with Tom Torbjornsen, Tom Torbjornsen has seen it all in his 40 years in the automobile industry. Let him show you how to extend the life of your car indefinitely. In How to Make Your Car Last Forever, he explains the what, when, and why's of automotive maintenance and repairs in easy-to-understand terms. Simple how-to projects supplement the learning with step-by-step instructions that will save you time and money. While you may not want your car to last forever, Torbjornsen's advice will help you preserve it indefinitely while maximizing resale value down the road. Preventative maintenance is the key to the automotive fountain of youth. Let Tom Torbjornsen show you the way!

Since its introduction in 1998, the water-cooled Porsche 911 has earned a reputation as one of the world's greatest sports cars-equal to, if not better than, the legendary air-cooled 911 it replaced. The 911 is a true driver's car, and it offers its greatest driving rewards when properly maintained, tuned, and modified. One of the principal drawbacks to owning a Porsche is the relatively high cost of maintaining it. You can literally save thousands of dollars in mechanic's costs simply by performing some of the work yourself. With 101 Projects for Your Porsche 911, 996 and 997, 1998-2008, written by renowned Porsche author Wayne Dempsey, you'll be able to get into the garage and work on your 911 with confidence. Created with the weekend mechanic in mind, this highly illustrated Motorbooks Workshop title offers 101 step-by-step projects designed to help you maintain, modify, and improve your late-model 911. Focusing on the water-cooled 996 and 997 models, this book presents all the necessary knowledge, associated costs, and pitfalls to avoid when performing an expansive array of projects. And besides the savings, when you personally complete a job on your Porsche, you get the added satisfaction of having done it yourself.

In GM LS-Series Engines: The Complete Swap Manual, expert Joseph Potak walks you through all the steps involved in installing an LS engine into any vehicle, from concept to completion. Variants of GM's groundbreaking family of LS engines are installed in everything from the company's most mundane panel vans to its earth-shaking Corvette ZR1. First underhood in the 1997 Corvette, the LS1, and its successors have proven powerful, reliable, and amazingly fuel efficient. Since that time, more than a dozen variants have been produced, ranging from bulletproof, iron-block 4.8-liter workhorses to the supercharged 7.0-liter LS7. Performance enthusiasts have embraced this remarkable V-8, and it has quickly become a favorite for engine swaps. Why? Because the versatile engine offers fantastic power, a compact design, and light weight, and it responds very well to performance modifications. The key to this performance is a sophisticated electronics package that can intimidate even the most adventurous hot rodder. In GM LS-Series Engines: The Complete Swap Manual, professional LS-series engine specialist and technician Joseph Potak details all the considerations involved in performing this swap into any vehicle. With clear instructions, color photos, diagrams, and specification tables, Potak guides you through: ·Mounting your new engine ·Configuring the EFI system ·Designing fuel and exhaust systems ·Sourcing the correct accessories for your application ·Transmission, torque converters, and clutches ·Performance upgrades and power-adders ·Troubleshooting, should problems ariseThis is the ultimate guide to installing an LS in your project car.

Turn your VW into a high-performance machine. Chad Erickson explains everything from low-buck bolt-ons to CNC-machined mods. Learn how to choose, install, tune, and maintain performance equipment for Golfs, GTIs, Jettas, Passats, and more. This book will help improve your VW's engine, transmission and clutch, ignition, carburetion/fuel injection, suspension and handling, brakes, body, and chassis. In its 3rd edition, Water-Cooled VW Performance Handbook is now updated to include new engines, body styles, and modifications for the 1986—2008 model years.

In How to Build a High-Performance Mazda Miata MX-5, author, MX-5 expert, and Flyin' Miata co-owner Keith Tanner offers thorough instruction to help readers select the best parts and modification to tune their Miata to best achieve their motoring goals.

If you have a hankering for the sand and mud, this thoroughly updated edition of The Four-Wheeler's Bible is your ultimate resource for overland adventures, both close to home and farther afield. Whether you are a seasoned veteran or a four-wheeling novice, you will find the information you need to maximize your enjoyment of your next off-road excursion. Author and four-wheeling experts Jim Allen and James Weber begin with a primer on emergency preparedness before combing through all considerations you should take aboard, from trail etiquette to the latest technologies. Allen and Weber explain the concepts of four-wheel-drive systems in easy-to-understand terms and go on to suggest modifications to make off-road rigs more capable, comfortable, and dependable for intended application. This third edition is completely redesigned and updated to offer explanations of the latest electronic GPS and communications gadgetry, advice and techniques for planning and negotiating overland routes, and updates for new off-road vehicles that will help you get the most from your four-wheeling experience. With you machine up to snuff, you will be ready to hit the trails. Allen and Weber demonstrate the correct way to handle countless common off-road situations. And because everyone makes a mistake eventually, they also show how to get out of a variety of sticky situations. There's more to the four-wheeling experience than modifying and driving a vehicle, and the authors leave no rock unturned, ensuring that you are equipped to handle nearly any trip, no matter how far into the wilderness you choose to venture. The Four Wheeler's Bible is an indispensable piece of gear if you're planning to hit the trails!

Solvent-based paints have been used in automotive applications since the days when automobiles were called "buggies" and the horsepower was provided by, well, horses. But recent EPA regulations have restricted solvent-based paints for use only in approved professional paint booths, meaning that do-it-yourselfers can no longer use them-and it won't be long before their use is banned entirely. Paint manufacturers have raced to develop water-based paints as a replacement for the solvent-based paints previously used. These new water-based automotive paints are of very high quality, but they require different methods and techniques for proper application, virtually rendering previous automotive paint books obsolete. Automotive Paint from Prep to Final Coat is the first book to provide instruction in these new paints. In addition to this critical information, author and top professional painter JoAnn Bortles covers all the techniques necessary to get the great results your car deserves. From initial body-panel preparation, to troubleshooting common problems, to application of the final coat, and all steps in between, this book is the only reference you will need to ensure your DIY automotive paint job is done right the first time.

Since its introduction in 1997, the Porsche Boxster has earned a reputation as one of the world's greatest sports cars, as well as a huge, loyal following of devoted drivers. This book is aimed at those owners of Boxsters who want to improve their machines while avoiding thousands of dollars in mechanic's costs. Clearly and simply written, with straightforward illustrations, this manual offers 101 projects to help you modify, maintain, and enhance your Porsche. Focusing on the 986 and 987 Boxster models, 101 Projects for Your Porsche Boxster presents all the necessary information, associated costs, and pitfalls to avoid when performing a wide array of projects. In a word, it makes owning a Porsche Boxster an unqualified thrill.

In this updated edition of the definitive pinstripe how-to, acclaimed veteran striper Alan Johnson shows you how to get started, further your mastery of the form, and create solid designs. Even before the heyday of Von Dutch and Ed "Big Daddy" Roth, the ultimate way to personalize your car or motorcycle was to lay some wicked lines on top of the paintwork. Done with a steady hand and an eye for style, pinstripes speak volumes. In How to Pinstripe, Alan shows you everything you need to know about tools and materials, getting started, practicing and mastering the form, and understanding how a good design comes together. Following a primer on the history and evolution of pinstriping, How to Pinstripe launches into a step-by-step guide to the pinstriping process. While stressing the importance of finding your own style and having fun with the hobby, Johnson covers: • Choosing paint and brushes that suit your style and abilities • Preparing surfaces • The basics of color theory • Experimenting with symmetrical and asymmetrical designs • Striping freehand • Using grids and patterns • Unique considerations for antique and collector cars, hot rods and customs, and motorcycles And now, updated material includes primers on the pinstripe-associated gearhead art forms of lettering and gold leaf, making How to Pinstripe a comprehensive resource. For more advanced pinstripers, there's also tried-and-true advice on apprenticing and working car shows. Illustrated with color photography throughout, How to Pinstripe is the perfect source for beginners and veterans alike.

How to Restore Farmall Tractors, the only Farmall restoration guide, is back in print and packed with hundreds of helpful step-by-step photographs, proven tips and techniques, and money-saving advice from restorers who know what works... and what doesn't. Tharran Gaines' expert DIY guide walks you step by step through the complete restoration of your red machine, from disassembly to engine rebuild, electrics, painting, and final detailing. Find detailed instructions on these and more topics: • Troubleshooting tips and how to evaluate a tractor that runs • Engine repair and rebuilding • Clutch, transmission, and PTO • Brakes and steering • Hydraulic, electrical, fuel, and cooling system repair • Tire, rim, and wheel removal, repair, and restoration • Paint removal, sheet metal repair, and painting There are even handy sections on choosing a tractor, shop setup, and parts sources. After all that hard work, get details on showing off the fruits of your labor at shows, demonstrations, games, and pulls. Whether you favor International Harvester Farmall's iconic Letter Series, Cubs, or Number Series tractors, with Gaines' guidance, you will be well on your way to showing off a shiny "new" classic!

Scan your own codes to save money, fix problems, or get the best performance out of your ride! Scanning the code to determine why your "check engine" light has come on is frequently more costly than the repair itself! Scanning automotive systems at home can save you money and only requires the ability to plug a phone or tablet into an easily accessible port on the car. With the right dock, it is possible to perform diagnostic checks in your very own garage. From handheld, dedicated units to software that turns PCs and portable devices into powerful diagnostic scanners, today's auto enthusiasts can access and analyze their vehicle's on-board diagnostic systems. This is great news, and not just for repairs. With the right information, these scanners can be used as low-budget data acquistion systems and dynamometers to maximize your vehicle's performance. How to Use Automotive Diagnostic Scanners teaches you how to choose the right scanner for your application and how to use it, with a comprehensive list of what each code means. Photos and diagrams help you understand OBD-I and OBD-II systems (including CAN) and the scanners that read the information they record. From catalytic converters and O2 sensors to emissions and automotive detective work, this is the complete reference for keeping your vehicle EPA-compliant and on the road!

Best-selling custom-painting author JoAnn Bortles presents a wealth of knowledge and photography showing you how to tackle all types of paint and graphics. How to Design and Create Automotive and Motorcycle Paint and Graphics covers the most popular custom painting stylesand techniques in an easy-to-understand format. Step-by-step examples of projects are accompanied by handy tips and tricks features, as well as photo galleries to provide examples and inspiration. Writing for hobbyists and professionals alike in an accessible, easygoing style, author and award-winning custom painter JoAnn Bortles presents both traditional and modern techniques and tools, from low tech to high tech, making it easier than ever to obtain professional results on your hot rod, muscle car, truck, or motorcycle. In addition, Bortles includes content that has not been properly addressed in existing custom painting books, with chapters devoted to painting muscle car rally stripes, lowrider graphics, and creating plotter-ready vector drawings for stencil work. With details on tools and materials as well as how to design paint jobs and test paint techniques, you will learn how to create and apply: • Both traditional and realistic flames • Ghost effects • Multilayered graphics • Two-tone paint for cars and motorcycles • Lace paint • Gold leaf • Free-hand and tape pinstriping • Patina effects • Logos and lettering • Clearcoats • Troubleshooting All the information is designed to enlighten both automotive and motorcycle applications and includes the most popular paint and graphics out there. Whether you are experienced with an airbrush and masking tape or simply aspire to lay unique paint and graphics on your vehicle, How to Design and Create Automotive and Motorcycle Paint and Graphics is the ultimate one-stop resource for instruction, ideas, tips, and techniques. The Motorbooks Workshop series covers the topics that engage and interest gearheads. Written by authorities in the subject matter and illustrated with color photography, Motorbooks Workshop is the ultimate source for how-to know-how.

In the old days all a person needed to build a killer custom motorcycle was a bike, a set of tools, a little know-how, and a creative vision. But with the rise of the high-dollar, haute moteur Gucci choppers, the true custom bike has gotten out of most riders' reach, right? Dead wrong. In this book Jose de Miguel, a custom builder from way back, sets out to prove that those good old days never ended. In the clearest and simplest terms, he shows readers how they can turn odds and ends found around the shop into one-off motorcycle parts--and make a cheap, run-of-the mill custom build into a drop-dead show stopper. Following de Miguel's lead, along with his straightforward illustrations, any resourceful owner with rudimentary mechanical skills, a basic tool kit, and--most importantly--a modicum of imagination can build the bobber of his dreams for less than the price of a new bike.

Everything you need to know to restore or customize your classic Japanese motorcycle. Whether you want to correctly restore a classic Japanese motorcycle or create a modified, custom build, you need the right information about how to perform the mechanical and cosmetic tasks required to get an old, frequently neglected, and often long-unridden machine back in working order. How to Rebuild and Restore Classic Japanese Motorcycles is your thorough, hands-on manual, covering all the mechanical subsystems that make up a motorcycle. From finding a bike to planning your project to dealing with each mechanical system, How to Rebuild and Restore Classic Japanese Motorcycles includes everything you need to know to get your classic back on the road. Japanese motorcycles have been the best-selling bikes in the world since the mid-1960's, driven by the "big four": Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, and Kawasaki. Of course certain bikes have always had a following - Honda CB750, 305 Hawk, CB400-4, Benly; Suzuki GT750, Katana, GS1000S; Yamaha XS650, RD400 Daytona, TZ; Kawaski H1, H2, Z1R - and these have now become the blue-chip Japanese bikes leading collectors to seek out more common (and now more affordable) alternatives. This is the perfect book for anyone interested in classic Japanese motorcycles, as well as prepping a bike to build a cafe racer, street tracker, or other custom build.

The ultimate Ford flathead resource for hot rodders and restorers. The last commercially produced Ford Flathead V-8 was cast over 60 years ago. Simple by today's high-tech standards, during its performance reign from the late '30s through the mid '50s, the flathead was unsurpassed for go-fast power on the cheap. It spawned the modern aftermarket speed-equipment industry and became a favorite of bootleggers, dry-lakes racers, dirt trackers, street racers, and a whole generation that just wanted fast cars. Whether you're restoring a classic Ford, building a traditional hot rod, or creating a period custom car, you'll want to get the most out of its vintage flathead V-8. In How to Rebuild & Modify Ford Flathead V-8 Engines, authors Mike Bishop and Vern Tardel, two of the most highly-regarded experts in hot rodding, give you the detailed and accurate information you need to build, restore, or just daydream about the engine that gave birth to hot rodding. Every aspect of buying, building, and owning a flathead V-8 engine is extensively covered. Go through the basics of selecting the right engine for the right project, building and rehabilitating engines, and final tuning. Diagrams and color photos bring these legendary engines to life for the hands-on hobbyist, collector, and aficionado. Keep it mild or build it wild, but either way, How to Rebuild & Modify Ford Flathead V-8 Engines will help ensure your flathead is delivering the power you need.

Drawing on a wealth of knowledge and experience and a background of more than 1,000 magazine articles on the subject, engine control expert Jeff Hartman explains everything from the basics of engine management to the building of complicated project cars. Hartman has substantially updated the material from his 1993 MBI book Fuel Injection to address the incredible developments in automotive fuel injection technology from the past decade, including the multitude of import cars that are the subject of so much hot rodding today. Hartman's text is extremely detailed and logically arranged to help readers better understand this complex topic.

How to Paint Your Car reveals the techniques, tricks, and technology behind automotive painting through 400 color photos, clear captions, detailed text, and step-by-step how-to sequences. You'll learn the latest information about paint chemistry, waterborne paints, spray guns, body fillers, surface prep, site prep, as well as respirators and other safety gear that every automotive painter must know. With step-by-step detail, you'll learn how to properly prepare your car for paint work, including minor bodywork, surface preparation, rust removal, masking, priming and final coating. How to Paint Your Car also includes information about custom touches and effects as well as how to care for your paint after application, including information on buffing compounds, waxes, and other care products. Everything you need to know to feel comfortable and confident in undertaking your own paint project, whether a touch-up job or a complete respray, is covered in How to Paint Your Car.

Turn your daily driver, weekend fun ride, or track car into a corner-carving performance machine.From planning a course of modifications to installing parts to tuning handling characteristics, High-Performance Handling for Street or Track will have you cranking out high-g cornering forces on your favorite twisty course.Topics covered include: An overview of vehicle dynamics include: How to tune handling for differing applications; Guidance for selecting aftermarket components, including anti-roll bars, springs, shocks, bushings, chassis braces, camber adjusters, wheels, and brakes; Tire and wheel selection advice. Whether you'rebuilding a high-performance street car, an autocrosser, or a track-day machine, High-Performance Handling for Street or Track will help you create an integrated suspension system and tune it for maximum performance.