Early last year, HPBooks contracted me to re-write/update Hugh MacInnes’ book “Turbochargers.” A ton of research and countless sleepless nights later, an entirely new book was created; today it arrives on the (virtual) shelves of Amazon.

I realize this post is somewhat spam-like and I apologize to those offended. I’m not specifically looking for advertising by posting here; rather, I’m hoping to get knowledgeable turbo rotor-heads to take a look at the book and then provide criticism and suggestions to me for future improvements. The book was written with the help of over 50 turbo experts and professionals, but future editions will get better primarily through input from folks like you in the trenches. I really would appreciate any and all feedback.

For those interested, the book can be found here:

http://tinyurl.com/mey3m

Now I'll shut up and go back into my normal lurker mode.

-Mark Warner
bugeyebug@gmail.com
PS. Brian Feldman's turbo 13b rotary-powered Datsun 510 is featured in the book.

 

ill have to take alook at it. for the price. why not.

 

how advanced do the topics get?

 

I like the cover.

 

yey a new book! im ordering this tonight

 

Good question. As the author, it's kind of hard for me to see the forest through the trees. I had a dozen experts and turbo pros review the manuscript prior to submittal, and they all told me in one way or another that it strikes a good balance between technical detail (lots of formulas and theory) and practical applications (e.g., how-to, rules of thumb, etc). But that's them, and this is you. In fact, this is one of the things that I'd love feedback on; i.e., what should I tweak for the second edition?

In any case, this might give you more of an idea on what's included:

Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
Introduction

Part I: Power Basics
Chapter 1: Internal Combustion Basics
How Power is Made
The Engine as an Air Pump
The Four Ways to Increase Airflow
Sidebar: Stoichiometry and Air-Fuel Ratios

Chapter 2: Turbocharger Basics
Forced Induction
Turbochargers
Asking Some Hard Questions
Evaluating Your Car and Engine
Kits vs. Custom System

Chapter 3: Pressure, Temperature, and Airflow
Measuring Pressure
Pressure Ratios and Boost
Temperature
Density Ratios
Engine Displacement
Volumetric Flow Rates
Air Density and Mass Flow Rates
Horsepower
Sidebar: Heat, Energy, and Engines

Part II: Turbocharger Components
Chapter 4: Compressors
Compressor Basics
Compressor Efficiencies
Compressor Maps
Sizing a Compressor
Plotting Map Points
Other Points on the Curve
Compressor Summary

Chapter 5: Turbines
Turbine Basics
Turbine Housings
Wheels, Trims, and Clips
Sidebar: Divided Entry Turbines

Chapter 6: Center Housing and Rotating Assemblies
Oil Journal Bearings
Ball Bearings
Oil Supply Systems
Oil and Water Lines
Sidebar: Turbo Timers

Chapter 7: Exhaust Systems
Exhaust Basics
Turbo Exhaust Manifolds
Materials
Downstream Exhaust

Chapter 8: Boost Control
Turbine-Side Boost Control
Internal Wastegates
External Wastegates
Wastegate Boost Controllers
Manual Boost Controllers
Electronic Boost Controllers
Compressor-Side Boost Control
Blow-Off Valves
Bypass Valves
Sidebar: Boost Creep

Chapter 9: Intercoolers
Intercooler Basics
Intercooler Math
Air-to-Water Intercoolers
Intercooler Performance
Piping and Connections
Sidebar: Heat Transfer

Chapter 10: Water Injection
Water Injection Basics
Water vs. Methanol
Injection Systems
Sidebar: Water Injection or Intercooling?

Chapter 11: Fuel Injection
Injector Basics
Duty Cycles
Sizing Fuel Injection Systems
Fuel Pressure
Injector Pulse Widths
Intake Manifolds
Plenums and Throttle Bodies
Injector Placement, Fuel Rails, and Fittings
Sidebar: Carburetors and Turbochargers
Draw-Through Systems
Blow-Through Systems

Chapter 12: Control Systems
Fuel Control Basics
Determining Airflow Rates
Mass Airflow Systems
Conditional Open-Loop Systems
Closed-Loop Systems
Injector Timing
Ignition Control Systems
Sidebar: MegaSquirt

Chapter 13: Engine Components
Engine Blocks
Crankshaft and Connecting Rods
Pistons and Coatings
Compression Ratios
Cylinder Heads and Gaskets
Camshafts and Valves
Engine Cooling
Putting It All Together
Sidebar: Turbocharger Gauges

Chapter 14: Dynamometers and Tuning
Dyno Basics
Testing on a Dynamometer
Before The Chassis Dyno Session
During The Chassis Dyno Session
After The Chassis Dyno Session
Sidebar: EFI University

Part III: Ten Turbo Transformations
Toyota MR2
Datsun 510
Datsun 510 - Rotary
Honda Civic DX
Ford Mustang GT
Chevrolet Camaro
Toyota Supra Turbo
Dodge Dakota - Diesel
Suzuki Hayabusa
RV6A Airplane

Part IV: Appendices
Appendix A: Exhaust Manifold Construction
Appendix B: Intercooler Fabrication
Appendix C: Remote-Mount Turbo Systems
Appendix D: Single vs. Twin Turbochargers
Appendix E: Carbureted Turbocharger Systems
Glossary
Index

 

hey do u plan to do any books for highly modified RX7?

 

i think Dale Clark, Arron Cake, Icemark and the others need to collaberate and make a book,

 

It would of been nice to see an FD or any rx7 for that matter used as a transformation in the book, since its a popular modification to these cars. Anyway its nice to see that more updated info is getting out there. Forums like this are GREAT, but it also helps to read a book that gives you a guide on how to do things. Like turbo charging. I have a few question. The part of the book that gets into exhaust manifold construction, how in depth is it? Does it talk about flow charataristics, size of runners, advantages and disadvantages?

Thanks
Diego

 

yeah, it will be great for them to collaberate on the RX7 book since they have the most experiences on the car which i'm sure that it will generate a lot of interest from future rotaries.

 

I think i already own that one... along with 1001 High performance tech tips, superchargers, turbochargers, & nitrous oxide & a few others. I highly recommend HP Books (shameless plug) as they move the topics from basic to advanced in a very understandable manner. I'd also recommend the calculators on Ray Hall Turbocharging (www.turbofast.com.au) although using them with a RE requires some conversion.

 

I just both it , $45 delivered in my house in Chile, South America , excelent.

Please let me know if you consider the wankel engine in you book? cause I know that all the size calculation and heat numbers , are quite different