A. Graham Bell's most recent book - Forced Induction Performance Tuning - is a comprehensive and, at times, hands-on guide to building and tuning forced induction engines. It is very much a modernised version of the 'classic' turbocharging/supercharging books (such as Supercharging and Turbocharging Manual by John D. Humphries) with the addition of a few practical how-to tips.
First published in 2002, the B5 sized hard cover book contains 464 pages of content with a good number of photographs, drawings and illustrations. All illustrations are, however, black and white. Produced by Hayes Publishing, the book can be bought through Beven D. Young Automotive Books and Software (+61 8 8298 5548) for $A69.95 plus postage.
In the first few chapters (of a total of 24) Bell covers some engine and forced induction principles and looks to some forced induction race and mass-production vehicles from the past. There is an excellent section dedicated to the 1980s turbo Formula One cars, along with rallying, drag racing and a brief discussion of the awesome Porsche 917 twin-turbo.
Approaching current times, the chapter on turbocharger developments highlights topics such as ceramic turbines, VNTs, turbo blade profiles, multiple and sequential turbo operation and ball-bearing centres.
And now get down to the more hard-core stuff...
Like many of the classic turbocharging books, Forced Induction Performance Tuning includes some theory on pressure ratios, compressor maps and throws in the calculations that are essential for determining the efficiency of any forced induction system. Bell also dispels a few myths on selecting the correct static compression ratio for a forced induction engine and, in later chapters, there are pages dedicated to combustion behaviours and ignition; one page tells how Bell disconnects the knock sensor from his car's ECU, instead wiring it to a dash light and buzzer.
The subject of boost control - for turbo and superchargers - is discussed in a good length chapter. The turbo section covers everything from the early approaches (intake and exhaust restrictions) to today's more common ways of controlling boost pressure - including one Australian workshop that uses MoTeC systems to open BOVs on the post-compressor air inlet. Mr Bell is obviously an acquaintance of Simon Gischus from Nizpro!
Draw from a number of how-to ideas on relocating the wastegate pressure source and ways to modify or fool the actuator into giving more boost.
Following on, the often-misunderstood concept of anti-lag systems is explained in detail, together with a practical how-to on setting up such a system - where appropriate... The pages describing an interesting soft rev limiter might also catch your eye.
From here, focus is more on superchargers.
Topics such as blower selection and efficiency maps, types of blowers and their advantages/disadvantages are covered over the next few chapters. Issues such as camshaft overlap when using a positive displacement blower, drive systems, lubrication and the effect of hydraulic lifter are also raised.
A chapter on lubrication describes oil standards, change intervals and lists the power output of a Subaru Liberty RS running various different oils. Bell also describes how to baffle a sump - ideal for track work or serious street use. Likewise, there is also a chapter dedicated to the cooling system.
Keeping the charge-air cool is the subject of another good length chapter. Bell starts with some calcs for determining charge air density and projected power increases and goes on to explain the fundamental differences between air-to-air and water-to-air intercooling. From a practical perspective, Bell highlights the differences and pros/cons of bar-and-plate and tube-and-fin cores, explores intercooler plumbing and numerous set-up and design considerations. Water injection set-ups and benefits are also explained in good detail. All of the related charge-air cooling topics are pretty well covered - except, oddly, you won't find any mention of the word "heat sink" for example. Some real-life examples of adding an intercooler would also help give the chapter a bit more 'punch'. Oh, and make sure you don't flick past the terrific photo of the Renault F1 turbocar with its water-to-air and air-to-air intercooling arrangement.
The anti detonation issue progresses with a detailed chapter covering fuels - everything from basic RON and MON ratings to molecular structure and mixing fuels. Some quite interesting comparative figures are also given using an Impreza WRX as the mule.
Required fuel flow and how to set up the necessary fuel system is well discussed - the book includes info on fuel pressures, extra injectors and where they should be placed and more. There is also a handy injector flow chart. Interestingly, Bell suggests not taking certain brands of injectors past specific duty cycles - we're not sure exactly how those figures were determined though... Bell also gives you a tip how to check your car's fuel system pressure at home in the driveway.
The all-important intake and exhaust mods are covered in two specific chapters.
The Intake chapter suggests use of a manometer and gives some interesting intake system pressure drop data for the Subaru Liberty RS and Mitsubishi Lancer GSR. Bell describes how certain airflow meters can be modified, how to streamline an existing throttle and suggests appropriate throttle sizes. The idea of making a progressive throttle can is also raised. Other interesting reading show the effect of various aftermarket filters fitted to a Suzuki Swift GTi.
From there, the book changes up a gear to describe designing and modifying intake manifolds, details on modifying the cylinder head(s), valves and cam selection.
Bell makes a good point about how fitting a high-flow exhaust on a modern turbocar can make tremendous gains. The book recommends certain pipe diameters for certain road applications, a paragraph on cat converters and mufflers (some more detail in this area would be nice), and some interesting views on turbo dump design. More nitty-gritty detail runs to location of an external wastegate, modifying an internal wastegate, exhaust manifolds and headers for supercharged vehicles.
Interestingly, nitrous is covered in quite good detail. The book highlights the gains possible, how it's easy to destroy an engine and explains how to set up a system with consideration of bottle angle, temperature, fuelling and timing requirements and more. As you may or may not know, nitrous is a topic relatively few people understand - let alone to the point of writing authoritatively on it.
The chapter on engine management systems talks about some typical functions of factory ECUs and then takes an aftermarket view. The MAF, speed-density and throttle mapping approaches to tuning are described and the functions of a couple of example programmable systems are touched on - even Kalmaker Delco tuning software gets a favourable mention. Piggyback computers and interceptors are also mentioned with a page on each.
Bell makes the comment, though, that the tuning process is crucial. He also says "unfortunately, engine tuners don't know much about software. If they did they would be in that industry making a lot more money"...
The final chapter gives some real-world examples of modifying a factory turbo or supercharged vehicle. Power figures are provided for a Nissan S15 200SX progressively fitted with an exhaust, intake and intercooler, and similarly the small turbo'd '99 model Subaru WRX. In addition, a supercharged V6 Holden is used as a power-up mule - and with interesting results. A couple of pages also illustrate what can be done when performing engine conversions, using a RB20DET into a S13 as an example.
As mentioned, Force Induction Performance Tuning is very up to date in most respects; the only modern focus topic it neglects is emissions. Given increasingly stringent EPA regulations, the total lack of information relating to tailpipe emissions is quite curious.
But don't let that put you off. Bell's new book gives a good balance of theoretical and design information, together with some practical hands-on recommendations for keen DIY-ers. Much of the content is Australian based and Bell's writing style is quite relaxed - it's very easy to absorb. For the dedicated turbo or supercharger enthusiast this is an essential book to add to your library. Such books don't come along too often...
Contact:
Beven D. Young Automotive Books and Software
+61 8 8298 5548
www.bevenyoung.com.au
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