Chevy Big-Blocks: How to Build Max Performance on a Budget

Good reference book.

Nice reading

This sets the standard for books on BBC performance. Vizard is the guru. I wish this was published 2 years ago. If it had been my last engine build would be different!!

I will start off by saying that I ordered two big block books, this one was on backorder, and after reading the other one that arrived first I was dissapointed in the other book. I have only built 3 big blocks myself along with a few other engines, and I usually do my homework before I build them, and the first book I read I felt I didn't learn anything, I feel I could of written it. Then there is this book, now that has arrived I am pleasantly surprised. It was packed full of new information that I would of never thought of. I wrote down many things to include in my next build that will improve performance in both hp and torque. He goes into great detail on free block mods,(some old, some new), piston mods, rings, bore finish, lifter sizes, new main seals, balancers, lubrication and windage, pushrods, springs, cam overlap (LCA), etc. David included a wealth of knowledge in this book from his decades of experience, and after reading it, I have decided to buy the first one as well. He not only explains his theories, he also backs them up with real world dyno results to show you what you might expect from the extra effort. I will say this book assumes you have already build some big blocks and are simply looking to improve your performance/skills. If you have never built a big block, you may want to also purchase a book or assembly manual that shows you how to assemble it. However, if you have built some before and want more info, then you will really like this book. If there was one thing I was a little dissapointed about, it would have to be the cam specs. He goes into great detail of how much LCA he believes you need and why, however, doesn't go into much detail about the other cam specs. He mainly recommends you pay $50 or simply buy a cam from his friends engine service using David's COS Spec cam software he wrote after years of engine testing and development. Granted I am sure this is an excellent service that took years of hard work to offer, and if you buy the cam from them the $50 fee is waived, but I was hoping to learn more from the book to help me select the cam myself like I usually do. On the other hand, after he spent all the time and money developing the software, I do believe that is what he uses himself to select a cam, and he is simply offering that service to the public, rather than offering the software to the public. With that said, this book is still 5 stars because of all the info he does pack into it. This book is not just a rewrite of old tips and tricks, this book is worth the read and I feel even a pro engine builder would benefit from it. I have built several engines, seen a lot more engines inside and out, and have family that races for a living and yet I haven't seen many of the tricks and info he puts into this book.

As I anticipated, Max-Performance Chevy Big-Blocks on a Budget by David Vizard is superb. If you have read anything else by Vizard, you would expect nothing less, but I was a little apprehensive because the other titles that I have read by Vizard are general performance, while this covers just one engine. I was concerned that this book might end up being "How to Build Horsepower" with pictures and dynos of just Big Chevies. Just three pages in, I knew that would not be the case. This book is simply sensational. The level of specificity is absolutely stunning. This book should be a guide to all other authors who intend to write books on a particular engine. For example, Vizard details in both words and pictures casting lumps that impede airflow. He gives precise measurements for critical tolerances such as minimum allowable cylinder wall thickness. Unlike most books which give generalities such as most blocks being capable of a .030" overbore, Vizard says sonic check the walls and go with the biggest bore that leaves you with .200" wall thickness or more. He even details where on the bore you should check and goes so far as to tell you the locations with the highest loads are so that if one cylinder would be .190" in a certain spot, you can judge the true level of risk. While many authors understandably shy away from giving manufacturer names, Vizard does not. I understand it must be hard for an author to find the balance between providing the best information and biting the hand that feeds you (trashing the manufacturer), yet Vizard does it superbly. He doesn't tell you to skip brand X but he does say, "here are the brands I have used with success, and while I have tried many others, only those on the list do I recommend buying." Even for those on the good list he is not shy about pointing our faults and shortcomings. Furthermore, the breadth of brands he covers is truly impressive. He clearly has more experience with some than others, but I think most readers will be able to shop for parts with greater confidence after reading this book. I do have a few small critiques. 1. The coverage on the oiling system is extremely sparse. I understand that the BBC is mostly a drag engine and therefore unlikely to be subject to the rigors seen in some other forms of motorsport that involve lateral acceleration, but even so, I would have liked to see Vizard provide greater detail on this critical system. 2. The section on exhaust is lacking. Given the importance Vizard places on proper scavenging, this is really unfortunate. Specifically, he explains how header primary lengths aren't all that important and how secondary (collector) length can have a much larger influence. Yet, the two are given the same amount of space in the book. Buy David Vizard's How to Build Horsepower (SA Design) if you want the complete picture. 3. As you can see in the picture above, the cover says Advice for Nitrous Oxide, Supercharging and Turbocharging. There is a whole chapter for nitrous, but almost nothing for blowers or turbos. I am not sure how a blown big block is ever going to be "On a Budget" as promised by the title, but given the horsepower per dollar delivered by the naturally aspirated examples Vizard shows, I would have liked to see him give it a try. 4. Coverage specific to the last production big block, the Vortec 8100, is almost non-existent. While there is obviously a huge amount of crossover, these engines are now prime junkyard material and I think the book would benefit from one buildup using a low mileage, late model 8.1L take-out as a starting point. Net, these negatives are minor compared to the positives the book delivers. It truly sets the standard for engine performance books of this kind. As this book was based on years of dyno testing, I doubt we will see a similar effort for a different engine in the near future, but I sincerely hope that Vizard (already nearing 70 years of age) lives for a long time so that he has the opportunity to publish many more books like this on whatever engines he wants. No matter which engine he covers, I'll buy it.