Custom Street/Import Quick Start Learning Guide
Get started on your race car project today with this Quick Start Learning Guide to help you choose books that will provide the best initial value, information and guidance.
Tips On Choosing Custom Street/Import Books
Custom street and import cars present a great opportunity for creative design. Modifications to the interior, suspension, engine, bodywork and nearly ever other component are possible. If you are looking to modify your vehicle’s performance, we suggest a first book that focuses on vehicle dynamics (How a vehicle behaves in motion) . This will provide a baseline understanding of how your modifications may affect your vehicle’s performance. Next, we would suggest books specializing in the components you are adding or modifying.
If you are looking at primarily off-the-shelf non-performance modifications, then we suggest books that focus on planning, selecting and installation of the components.
If you are interested in custom fabrication of composite or metal parts, we suggest seeking out books specialized in the materials and fabrication techniques needed. Some include examples and help in designing custom bodywork or interiors.
| Book Category | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aerodynamics |  Amateur Car Aerodynamics Sourcebook: For everyone interested in road car aerodynamics  (4 / 5)A DIY guide to aerodynamics changes to road cars. It includes basic theory on aerodynamic lift and drag, testing techniques, flow visualization and a number of projects to modify aerodynamics by using aerodynamics devices. Get "Amateur Car Aerodynamics Sourcebook: For everyone interested in road car aerodynamics":    | |||
| Bodywork |  Automotive Bodywork & Rust Repair  (4.5 / 5)Provides instruction on repairing damaged and rusty bodywork. Covers tools, preparing/cleaning sheet metals, fabricating sections and patches, welding options, fitting and smoothing, metalworking and finishing. Get "Automotive Bodywork & Rust Repair": | |||
| Bodywork |  How to Paint Your Car on a Budget (4.5 / 5)Practical instruction on equipment, preparation and painting techniques on a budget. Covers decision making around painting, bodywork repairs before painting, equipment and paints, preparation, sanding, masking, and painting techniques. Get "How to Paint Your Car on a Budget": | |||
| Electrical |  Automotive Wiring and Electrical Systems (4.5 / 5)Covers electrical theory, automotive electrical systems, troubleshooting, construction of new and modification of existing vehicle electrics. Instructions on tools, adding new circuits, installing electronics and vehicle wiring. Several project are documented including adding a stereo, electric windows and electronic accessories. Get "Automotive Wiring and Electrical Systems": | |||
| Vehicle Dynamics/Handling |  Fundamentals of Vehicle Dynamics (R114) (4.5 / 5)For production road vehicles instead of pure race cars, this book provides a comprehensive and in-depth study of vehicle dynamics. Understanding motion and vehicle effects is fundamental to developing good race cars and road vehicles and this book is considered one of the best introductory textbooks that balances usable theory and principles with additional mathematics. Get "Fundamentals of Vehicle Dynamics (R114)": | |||
| Vehicle Dynamics/Handling |  High-Performance Handling for Street or Track: Vehicle dynamics, suspension mods & setup (4.5 / 5)Provides advice on planning modifications, installing components and tuning the handling characteristics of street vehicles. Includes an overview of vehicle dynamics and advice on selecting aftermarket components such as brakes, wheels, camber adjusters, anti-roll bars, springs, shocks and bushings. Also includes tire and wheel selection. Get "High-Performance Handling for Street or Track: Vehicle dynamics, suspension mods & setup": | |||
| Vehicle Dynamics/Handling |  How to Make Your Car Handle  (5 / 5)Teaches how to improve vehicle handling through suspension and chassis modifications and understanding vehicle dynamics. Includes basic suspension theory on roll centers, roll axis, camber change, bump steer, anti-dive, ride rate, ride balance as well practical chassis modifications. Get "How to Make Your Car Handle": | |||
| Whole Car (Preparation) |  Showroom Stock Race Car Preparation (4 / 5)200 step-by-step technical illustrations and information on preparing a stock production vehicle for racing. Get "Showroom Stock Race Car Preparation": |
More Information
For complete information on the design and construction of the Custom Street/Import race car type and a full listing of books and learning resources, see our Custom Street/Import race car type article.
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