Recommended books for Gearheads....

First off, most info you will find is non-Miata specific. Don't worry about that, the main idea is to get the principles down. If you get the principles down then it allows you to call "foul” on bogus/useless speed parts, and on internet urban legends. Secondly, no one knows everything about speed parts, nor can it all be memorized. So I'm hoping this will help some of you in your pursuit of speed.

Forced induction:

Hugh MacInnes "Turbochargers", HP books. This is an older book, but in my opinion gives you an idea of what turbocharger kits really should be, a reliable source of added horsepower. The info is from the early 80's but that was about the same time auto manufacturers started to really turbo their cars (280zx/Starion etc.). It covers everything from Tractor pulling to Motorcycles.

Corky Bell "Maximum Boost", Bentley Publishers. Okay, if there was going to be a "Bible" for Turbo charging street cars, this would be it. Want to know how large of an intercooler you need, the formula is in the book. Want to install an FMI on your 93 Miata, chapter 18 shows you how. Generic enough to keep you interested while reading, but specific enough to be able to design you own turbo kit, maybe even build it if you are talented with a welder.

Mark Warner, P.E., "Street Turbocharging", HP books. To me this was an 2006 version of MacInnes's "Turbochargers", with the exception that it is more automobile focused. All the turbo info is updated and it does help you start to understand EFI tuning, something you will need if you are getting serious about big horsepower. If you have already completed a turbo car, or are trying to get the last "nth" out of your setup, this is a good book to have.

Tom Monroe "Engine builders Handbook" HP books.
Before you go out to build that 9,000 rpm NA screamer, get this book BEFORE you visit the machine shop. A good understanding of what an engine builder does will help you find out early on in your discussion with your builder if he is Albert Einstein or Cletus from the Dukes of Hazard!

Naturally aspirated:

Hot Rod magazine's "Horsepower Handbook", Motorbooks Workshop.
In the 30's if you wanted to make a car fast, you asked a Moonshiner who his mechanic was. In the late fifties, through the sixties, you asked a Drag racer. Nowadays, the best tricks come from the Nascar engine builders. Looking for the next trick is what they get paid for, and in a racing class so limited by specs, you can bet they have a few tricks up their sleeves. (Honestly an F1 engine builder would be best, but it would take big bucks just to say "Hi" to one of those guys. They are all overseas!) This book is mainly about good ol' american iron, but many of the tricks they apply can be applied to import engines. Has good general info on how to stroke an engine, picking pistons, cam basics and connecting rods. Lots of pics keeps it from being boring, and the Pro vs. Cons chapter on power adders is great.

Advanced books:
The next couple of books can be dry, may induce binge drinking, and the need for a hug from a significant other when your ego gets bruised. If you don't understand the material, just start the book over, no one will know. (Just kidding about the binge drinking)

Forbes Aird "Automotive Math Handbook" MBI publishing.
Just what the title says....want to know how hot your brakes will get in an 100-0 stop, the formula is in the book. Want to take your dyno results and figure out how efficient each cylinder in your motor is...its called Mean Effective pressure, and yes it's in this book. Has chapters on suspension, chassis, and cornering math. Absolute must have for racers.

Carroll Smith "Nuts, Bolts, Fasteners, and Plumbing Handbook" MBI publishing.
The book reading gets harder, but the titles get simpler, go figure! Anyways, this is serious territory here. Okay, say you bought an Autometer non- electric Water temp. gauge. You are going to install it into a tee fitting on the thermostat housing of your Miata. One problem, the temp probe is NPF threads, and the Miata is metric threads. You go to your local speed shops and they give you the "another ricer" look. Fast forward to a local import speed shop and they give you the "ya shoulda bought our mega dollar neon temp/volt/blood pressure gauge" speech. So what do you do? You go back home, pull out your Nuts, bolts handbook do some searching, and voila, it gives you the hint you need. Earls fittings makes conversions for damn near anything. Back to the local speed shop, book in hand, clerk give you the "not again" look as you open the door. You get to counter open the book and say with authority I need an Earls fitting to convert X to Y. Clerk entire disposition changes before your eyes. You order your part, pick it up the next day, and finish the job! True story, happened to me ONCE, never since. Save yourself a headache and tank of petrol, get this book.

Tom Monroe "The Racing Engine Builders Handbook" HP books (notice a trend?).
At some point the serious guys feel the need to take matters into their own hands. Your cross-town rival has been putting the smack down every time you meet. The last time you met he Batista bombed your a$$. You are not gonna wait to get "Stone Cold, Sweet Gin Music, or the Figure Four leg lock" put on your car the next time. You’re gonna let him "SMMMEEELLLL what the Rock is cookin"! Time to man up, and design your own engine specs. No more this oughta do it speeches from the machinist. Now it is your time to say this is what you will do for me TO the machinist. In all seriousness, this is the book for all or nothing guys and those trying to make a living racing. Very technical, and very in depth descriptions of balancing, blueprinting, stroking motors, and overboring.

Jon Lawes "Competition Car Electronics" Haynes publishing.
Help to those having to rewire, replace, or upgrade their electrical systems due to racing class rules or reliability issues. Very short, sweet, and to the point. Great book.

A. Graham Bell "Four Stroke Performance Tuning" Haynes publishing.
Okay the previous joke about drinking, I'm not joking on this book. I needed a beer a couple of times trying to grasp the ideas in this book. A tough, but very rewarding read. Four hundred sixty nine pages, very few pictures compared to other contemporaries. Plan on at least six months of study to get a grasp of this one. This one is the book for the Muhammad Ali's of the city/club racers. If you wanna be the one that "shook up the world", this will get you there. =D>

Moderator Edit : Made this a Sticky Post, thanks!

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Gee