Engineering Street Rods

Nothing matches the sense of achievement gained from building your own street rod! Before you "dig in" it is important to have a basic understanding of the engineering principles involved. Hands-on hot rodder Larry O'Toole provides you with a complete understanding of the engineering fundamentals involved in building a safe and reliable street rod. Be secure in the knowledge that the components you use in your car and the way they're fitted are perfect in every way.

Building your own Street Rod is a most rewarding experience. Nothing quite matches the sense of achievement gained from having “done it yourself†. Not everyone has the time or ability to do all or even a major portion of the work on their own street rod. It is still important to have at least a basic understanding of the engineering principles involved in building a safe and reliable vehicle. From this book the average street rodder will gain a more complete understanding of what it takes to build his or her own street rod, secure in the knowledge that the components used in the car, and the way they are fitted, is in line with safe engineering principles. While this book wonâ€(TM)t turn you into a fully qualified engineer, it will help you understand at least the basics of good street rod engineering.

In most forms of racing, cornering speed is the key to winning. On the street, precise and predictable handling is the key to high performance driving. However, the art and science of engineering a chassis can be difficult to comprehend, let alone apply. Chassis Engineering explains the complex principles of suspension geometry and chassis design in terms the novice can easily understand and apply to any project. Hundreds of photos and illustrations illustrate what it takes to design, build, and tune the ultimate chassis for maximum cornering power on and off the track.

In How to Build Hot Rod Chassis, highly regarded hot rodding author Jeff Tann covers everything enthusiasts need to know about designing and building their new chassis and suspension system. It thoroughly explores both factory and aftermarket frames, modified factory solid-axle suspensions, and aftermarket independent front and rear suspension setups. No matter what design a reader may be considering for his own car, How to Build Hot Rod Chassis delivers a wealth of information on the pros and cons of all systems available.

Though the line between hot rods and street rods is often blurred, street rodders are quick to point out the difference. Early hot rods were built for pure speed while today's street rods are crafted for looks, comfort, and performance.It's not uncommon to see street rods sport Jaguar or Corvette independent rear suspensions, Camaro front sub frames, four-on-the-floor transmissions, power steering, or fuel-injected engines. There is no limit to the ingenuity and engineering one can put into a street rod-anything goes!The Street Rod takes readers on a tour of the interiors, exteriors, and engines of 11 of these rolling sculptures with details on everything from upholstery and paint jobs to suspensions and transmissions. Street rodder and author Tom Benford covers common street rod jargon and makes a stop at Posies Rods & Customs, a well-known Pennsylvania custom shop.Welcome to the wild and wonderful world of The Street Rod. Buckle up-you're in for quite a ride!

Street Rodder magazine has been the leading resource for street rod enthusiasts for decades. The experts at Street Rodder have now compiled a comprehensive handbook on the most critical areas of street rodding—the chassis. Proper chassis building is complex—an area where many enthusiasts make mistakes. By learning the fundamentals of chassis building and suspension design, you may avoid costly errors. The information in this book will give you some of the knowledge to help you properly design and build your chassis and hang your suspension. Sections covered include: · Frame design & building · Hanging suspensions · Independent front ends vs. solid · Independent rear ends vs. solid · All about steering systems · All about driveshafts · Brakes, shocks & springs · And much more!

From one of the true legends in hot rodding comes the most complete and up-to-date guide to building hot rod chassis ever offered. Applicable to any make car or pickup truck, this guide covers frame repair, modification and construction, how to correctly install independent front and rear suspensions, solid front and rear axles, how to select springs, shocks, brakes and steering, how to make your hot rod handle, and more.

From street rodders building traditional '32 Fords with straight axles and buggy springs, to hot rodders and street racers looking to update the stock suspension and brakes on a '55 Chevy or early Mustang, thousands of men and women work every day to build and update the chassis for their particular style of hot rod. This book answers the questions that hot rod builders have as they choose the best style of suspension for their particular vehicle and work to install a straight axle or complete front suspension kit. An established author of both books and columns, VanDervort owns Fat Man Fabrications, one of the world's leading suppliers of suspension components and kits to street rodders, hot rodders, racers, and restoration experts. To help choose the best suspension components and install them correctly, a good chassis book needs theory and how-to information. This book provides both: information that explains the pros and cons of an independent suspension versus a straight axle, as well as detailed step-by-step sequences that show how best to install those new components.

The most outrageous hot rods in the world are featured in Radical Hot Rods by Larry O'Toole. All the color and spectacle of the top end of hot rodding comes together in this full color book. Monstrous blown engines, huge wheels and tires, extreme styling and exotic, advanced engineering are the ingredients that combine together to become the radical hot rods of the modern era. These are the hot rods that stop you in your tracks, not necessarily practical, but certainly spectacular. Dozens of the best examples in the world are shown in full color mini-features throughout the book.

Brent VanDervort, gives new and experienced hot rodders the information they need. Whether it's help installing Air Bags, or planning the construction of a new Hot Rod, the answers that current car builders need are all here.