Car Hacks & Mods for Dummies

donour (Donour Sizemore) writes "I recently bought a high-performance automobile that has a reputation for its tuning potential. Before making the purchase, I joined several online forums for enthusiasts in order to get a good reading on how happy people are with the particular model. I was amazed at the vibrant communities built around websites such as evolutionm.net and nasioc.com. A wealth of information is available, but the data is surrounded by noise. For every knowledgeable enthusiast, there are many more misinformed or incorrect speculators whose opinions usually spring from personal preference or a need to hear themselves talk. Enter David Vespremi's Car Hacks & Mods for Dummies." Read on for the rest of Sizemore's review.

Car Hacks & Mods for Dummies
author	David Vespremi's
pages	384
publisher	Wiley & Sons
rating	9
reviewer	Donour Sizemore
ISBN	0764571427
summary	Presents the big-picture view of car mods that have to do with making the car stop, go, turn, and keep the occupants safe.

In general, I steer myself and others away from the "for Dummies" book series since I believe a lot of material at this level can be found on the internet for free. HOWTOs and tutorials abound for using and modifying most consumer products. In this case, the time saved from filtering online discussion is well worth it. The book is well organized, with separate sections devoted to handling, power, braking, engine management, safety, and cosmetics. There are 26 chapters spread across 360 pages. As you can see, chapters are short and can be tackled easily during lunch or a short taxi ride to retrieve your broken car.

Slashdot readers may be surprised to learn that there is no discussion of entertainment electronics such as stereos or car-mounted computers. This should not be confused with engine management units (ECU). ECUs are discussed at length. Car Hacks & Mods for Dummies main focus is making your car go, stop and turn. Sections were added for safety and cosmetics, but performance is by far the emphasis.

The book does not actually explain how to do any specific modifications whatsoever. Instead it serves as a guidebook to learn what options are out there and compare one upgrade path to another. For example, there is a great explanation of the differences between a turbocharger and a supercharger, but you're not going to get an analysis of the mods required to support your brand new 10.5cm hotside. Instead there are careful treatments of the pros and cons associated with almost any upgrade car car enthusiast may be considering. The coverage of jargon and rating systems used for various products is especially useful. Whenever a new subject or car component is mentioned, the author goes over regulating and standardizing bodies (the DOT, EPA, and SAE) as well as explains how parts, pieces, and fluids are rated. While this is useful when thinking about a new project, it isn't the information someone would want to rely on once they begin such an undertaking itself. The author clearly states, "this book is not intended to be an instruction manual."

The author gets high marks for addressing safety -- both the driver's and the vehicle's -- before any modification. The emphasis on maintaining legal and effective safety devices on a tuner car is something you are not likely to get during an argument about which upgrade path is optimal, nor is it obvious that many safety 'upgrades' -- 4-point harnesses, flashy roll-bars -- actually decrease driver safety when used on the street. In addition the author consistently gives warning when introducing a mod that could put added stress on a vehicle.

If you are a professional mechanic, this book is not for you. You already know most of the contents. Mechanics would be better served by product literature and shop manuals. If you are thinking about modifying your car, but don't have any idea where to start, this is probably a good place. Just be sure to read the first chapter. Car modding quickly becomes expensive, and jumping in without knowing the attached costs (which this book addresses) can be a financial nightmare.

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You can purchase Car Hacks & Mods from bn.com. Slashdot welcomes readers' book reviews -- to see your own review here, read the book review guidelines, then visit the submission page.

Install a larger fan for modding?

[Anonymous Coward]

Do I need to install a really big fan on my car to mod it?

Type R

[Grayden]

Does the book cover proper application of Type R decals?

Sweet

[Nickdawwg]

I'd like the Speed racer kit please.

And I thought it only happend on /.

[RealAlaskan]

For every knowledgeable enthusiast, there are many more misinformed or incorrect speculators whose opinions usually spring from personal preference or a need to hear themselves talk.

And I thought it only happend on /.

well G'ah

[geekoid]

Hmmm, you went to forums for people who are fans of something, and they all liked it!
why, color me surprised.

And you say there were people who were unifirmed, but still gave an opinion! jeez, what is the world coming to.

I think we are all very fortunate that slashdot doesn't have those things.

Car annoyances

[Profane MuthaFucka]

Is there a discussion of common car annoyances such as fart pipes, chain-link license plate frames, spoilers on family sedans, ill-fitting aftermarket plastic body kits, and drivers of any type of Pontiac?

Re:Type R

[ebooher]

What are you talking about!? I have Sw33t Type-R decals on my Chevrolet Cavalier sedan. You're just jealous of those more l337 than you.

Re:Install a larger fan for modding?

[Solder Fumes]

I'm going to go all-out l337 and install a water-cooling kit!

seems familiar

[octal666]

For every knowledgeable enthusiast, there are many more misinformed or incorrect speculators whose opinions usually spring from personal preference or a need to hear themselves talk.

I have nightmares about an unmodded slashdot...

colors... yellow in specific

[ryane67]

the book's gotta say something about painting parts yellow to make your car go faster..

So it's basically

[OverlordQ]

"A Dummys Guide to Ricing" instead of an O'Rielly "Car Computing"

Re:Car annoyances

[ebooher]

spoilers on family sedans, ill-fitting aftermarket plastic body kits, and drivers of any type of Pontiac?

Man it's hilarious to see downforce spoilers/wings on front wheel drive cars. I may make a lot of people angry with this statement, but I can't help but laugh my white arse off when I see posers trying to lift their drive wheels off the ground. Absolutely hilarious.

Duh! Me

[EmbeddedJanitor]

So far the dummy books deal with non-lethal issues. The thought of encouraging a dummy-level person to dick with the steering, braking and engine of a lethal killing machine does not help one sleep well at night. I hope, but I doubt, that the book has only one page: "If you're a dummy then don't dick with your car!"

tuning potential

[Anonymous Coward]

I recently bought a high-performance automobile that has a reputation for its tuning potential

you just got a new Minivan??? sweet!

Re:Noises

[lashi]

>Cars, in most cases, are the second most expensive asset a person's going to get (after a supercomputer),

Most people would say house, but we are on slashdot so I am glad you have your priority straight.

Some bumper stickers I want to have made

[wowbagger]

I want to make some bumper stickers for the ricers - after all, we should help these people feel "special"

THE BIGGER THE PIPE, THE SMALLER THE PENIS
HIGH WING, LOW IQ
TYPE-Retarded!

Oh, the fun I could have in your average mall parking lot....

Re:Spoliers!

[dykofone]

You've obviously never taken any aerodynamics classes. The point of the spoiler isn't for traction, it goes along with the basic understanding that an airfoil will provide a significant horsepower increase. Your typical spoiler on a Civic will increase horsepower 40 to 60 percent.

Take airplanes for instance. They need a large amount of thrust to get off the ground, so aircraft engineers went ahead and put TWO big airfoils on each side, as well as some smaller ones in back.

It's all simple engineering really. Let me guess, you think that stickers are purely aesthetic, and don't serve their main purpose of abrateable heat sheilding during fast runs?

Re:Install a larger fan for modding?

[EtherAlchemist]

I'm going to go all-out l337 and install a water-cooling kit!

Ha! Mine CAME with liquid cooling!

High performance...

[dj245]

I recently bought a high-performance automobile that has a reputation for its tuning potential.

You've got the Civic DX too eh?

Re:Spoliers!

[DogDude]

You've obviously never taken any aerodynamics classes. The point of the spoiler isn't for traction, it goes along with the basic understanding that an airfoil will provide a significant horsepower increase. Your typical spoiler on a Civic will increase horsepower 40 to 60 percent.

So, assuming that you have a Civic that will go 120 MPH +, how exactly does downward pressure on the back end accomplish adding horsepower? And I'm sorry, I only took a few college level physics classes, but from what I remember, air flow around a vehicle doesn't have shit to do with the amount of power the engine puts out.

As someone who's also owned a car that could have used a spoiler, I always assumed that a spoiler added downward pressure on the back of the car, helping to maintain traction when accelerating rapidly. I've never, ever, ever, ever seen a Civic's back tires smoke. Ever.

But more imporantly, how about providing a simple explination as to how a piece of plastic on the back of a car, in no way attached to the engine, increases the engine's output.

Re:Watch out, they see you coming!

[Jens_UK]

But we're not doing our job:

Currently Active Users: 1712 (973 members and 739 guests)

Most users ever online was 6057, 01-18-2004 at 10:35 AM.

Re:Install a larger fan for modding?

[DeDmeTe]

Nope, just a HUGE wing, tons of stickers (they add about 5hp a piece) and the biggest, most obnoxious sounding coffee-can exhaust pipe you can find. Extra points for "cutting" your own springs for a lower ride. To increase handling, make sure to get the oversized 18" rims with 1" low-pro tires, make sure you get a few spares, and keep that jack handy! Oh.. and don't forget to get the carbon fiber hood. Before you know it.. your Chevy Cav will be blowing the doors off of Z's, RX8's, Vette's, Vipers... you will 0wn the road..dude.

Re:Car annoyances

[Profane MuthaFucka]

Nothing is wrong with Pontiacs, except that they could lose all the plastic trim pieces, generally handle like dogs, and their owners actually think they're driving a car that's better than a Chevy.

Not that there's anything wrong with an inexpensive un-fancy car. I drive one myself, but don't have any illusions about it. Europe has a similar phenomenon with people who drive Alfa Romeos. They are always weaving around in traffic, revving the engine, looking like morons, because when you get right down to it it's no better than a Fiat.

Re:Type R

[Anonymous Coward]

Type-R, phesh, whatever... I have a "Maserati" sticker across my windshield. ... I drive a rusty late 80's 4-door Cavalier with the paint peeling off, the next sticker is going to be "2fast4paint".

Re:Spoliers!

[FXSTD]

You forgot the thrust generated from the "fart can" style muffler. The rythmic pulse generated will induce a thrust coefficient similar to what a turbo would effect. Sure the sound is nice but the extra 50hp is the real gain. Tinted windows also reduce cabin temp allowing for increased ignition timing without detonation. Lets not forget how VTEC technology has brought hydraulic roller lifters into the spotlight. The reduced friction coupled with boost potential from the carbon fiber bling items have maximum rev potential.

Cosmetics?

[superdan2k]

That whole chapter should have been nothing more than a warning regarding the "Gay Batmobile Effect"...which can only be explained by example. In this case, the example is a kid who lived not far from my now-ex-girlfriend when I lived out in Philly.

Specifically, a Hydundai Tiburon. Metalflake purple, with ground effects. Gold rims. Big non-functional scoop on the hood. Type-R stickers everywhere. And two -- yes, two spoilers, stacked one on top of the other. Some sort of bad airbrush art on the hood. When I first saw the thing, my first words, were, "Jesus Christ! It's the Gay Batmobile!"

"Sticker-Charging" -- The missing chapter!

[JonTurner]

>>Does the book cover proper application of Type R decals?

Somehow this critical chapter was left out... editors these days! (sigh)

Addendum.
Chapter 31: "Sticker-charging" your Rice Rocket
Subtitled: If you can't go fast, make up for it by looking silly.

To increase the co-efficient of drag, add weight, reduce ETs and gain street cred with your peeps consider plastering your POS ragged-out pathetic bomb of an economy car with stickers. More is better, especially on four-door models. Our testing has found that stickers containing deliberate misspellings or pictographic words in an Asian lauguage you cannot speak are of particular, uh, "value."
(End of chapter)