Just finished? How about "In progress?" I'm still planning on getting my first edition out next month (on or after 15DEC2004 at the moment...) but I've still got a lot of contacts outstanding with vendors and manufacturers! I am getting requests back, and I've also been getting a lot of enthusiasm for this project, so it looks good.
It's going to be an "updatable" book that I'm going to print and publish myself, so don't expect a slick product like you'll get from S-A, HPBooks, or Bentley. However, you're getting a book written by a guy who started building engines when he was a kid (for my uncle's Corvette collection...) who built street rod and bracket/drag engines, and has a pretty good idea what works and what doesn't.
The reason for all teh vendor contacts running around is primarily legal - if you get permission beforehand, they'll leave you alone later. Besides, the more co-operation I can get from vendors, the more information I can get into the book and the better it will be. In fact, I've got another half dozen or so sitting in front of me to take to the mailbox for the morning's post.
So far, I've got a good writeup on general engine building practices, including all the little details that often go missed, a couple REALLY good ways to run-in an engine, the MOST complete list of AMC/Jeep I6 cams I've seen anywhere, and I'm working on the sections on strokers, superchargers, turbochargers, nitrous injection, and electrical mods. This is - and will always be - a work in progress. It will ship in a 3-ring binder, making it easy to get the updates and plug them into your copy.
It's not heavy on pictures - but it IS going to be heavy on information, and it will have something most other engine books don't have - tech support from the author! I've started a Yahoo! group for this book (and the next two I plan on writing for the Jeep world...) at groups.yahoo.com/group/JeepPower. Sign up and watch for updates - starting with an availability notice that should happen next month. Membership is open, and so are my ears. If there's anything you think you'd like to see in this book, post it there or email it to
[email protected]
So far, I've started opening lines of communication with:
Clifford Performance
Kenne Bell Supercharging
HESCO, Inc (they're producing the FIRST aftermarket 242 head!)
Accurate Power and Machine
Erson Cams
Crane Cams
Schneider Racing Cams
Lazer Cams
Isky Cams
Crower Camshaft & Equipment Company
Whipple Superchargers
Avenger Superchargers
Automotive Racing Products
Factor X Engineering
Comp Cams
Electromotive, Inc (Aftermarket Standalone Engine Controls)
ACTIA Corp (last listed owners of the RENIX system and specs)
Rhoads Lifters
Goodson Shop Supplies
And a few others that are on the other page of my mailing log (the one I'm not looking at right now...)
I had originally planned on selling this book to a regular publisher after I had gotten it written - but I decided that it would ever be an "unfinished" project, since I'm also hoping it will kickstart the I6 aftermarket into a higher gear, and therefore require that I update my book at intervals. Thus, shipping it in a 3-ring binder.
Yes, I have sent out ONE copy for review as of about three weeks ago, and it was received by the very soul of discretion himself, so I don't expect any leaks there. Considering the responses I have gotten from vendors to date, I expect that I will succeed in creating not only the FIRST book dedicated to AMC/Jeep I6 performance as a whole (yes, I know about
Jeep Engines, I have a copy,) but THE book on AMC/Jeep I6 performance as well.
I also hope this first edition will take off to the point where I can begin work on one of the next two projects I have on the board - either
The Cherokee/Comanche Technical Manual or
The Jeep Parts Interchange Guide - I haven't decided which.
I also have an essay submission out with Jp Magazine on the Califonia Emission Control Programme (a/k/a "Smog Check") and I'm hoping that will make it into print as well.
As far as what I know about superchargers and the like - you'll have to wait for the book now - I've got more room there and I like to get technical when I get started...
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