Learning about mechanical engineering...

[IchII3D]

I have always being a fan of Motorsport but as I have gotten older I have had more urge to gain understanding of vehicles and how they work. I have this really ambitious dream of some day making my own car. Its a lofty ambition and won't happen for decades, I haven't even got a driving licence or a car. But its a dream none the less.

With so many technical people on this website and a wealth of knowledge I was wondering if anyone could recommend some good books related to vehicles, how they work and how they are built. I'm interested in everything from combustion to aerodynamics, even the electric engine.

Thanks for all your help.

[N12ck]

I have always being a fan of Motorsport but as I have gotten older I have had more urge to gain understanding of vehicles and how they work. I have this really ambitious dream of some day making my own car. Its a lofty ambition and won't happen for decades, I haven't even got a driving licence or a car. But its a dream none the less.

With so many technical people on this website and a wealth of knowledge I was wondering if anyone could recommend some good books related to vehicles, how they work and how they are built. I'm interested in everything from combustion to aerodynamics, even the electric engine.

Thanks for all your help.

the way I learned, go out and play with vehicles, take them apart, look at every part, race karts!

[IchII3D]

I have always being a fan of Motorsport but as I have gotten older I have had more urge to gain understanding of vehicles and how they work. I have this really ambitious dream of some day making my own car. Its a lofty ambition and won't happen for decades, I haven't even got a driving licence or a car. But its a dream none the less.

With so many technical people on this website and a wealth of knowledge I was wondering if anyone could recommend some good books related to vehicles, how they work and how they are built. I'm interested in everything from combustion to aerodynamics, even the electric engine.

Thanks for all your help.

the way I learned, go out and play with vehicles, take them apart, look at every part, race karts!

Yeah completely agree, can't wait to get started and get my licence. But unfortunately I currently live in the city centre and don't even have a parking space. It will change over the years but just looking for some random bed time reading to give me a bit of random knowledge between A Song of Ice and Fire books.

[Caito]

I believe I'm doing a pretty decent and well understood/thought buggy. We completely disassembled and reassembled the engine and designed lots of parts. We started with 20 years old, we're now 22 (university makes it go slow).

So, you don't need decades to learn mechanics, but you do need a lot of time. Going to a course might help, but nothing is better than doing it by yourself.

[Jeffsvilleusa]

A book I have heard recommended on this forum several times is called 'Tune to Win' by Carroll Smith. There are others by the same author called 'Engineer to Win' and so on. I am thinking about getting a copy myself. You can find them on amazon.

[IchII3D]

A book I have heard recommended on this forum several times is called 'Tune to Win' by Carroll Smith. There are others by the same author called 'Engineer to Win' and so on. I am thinking about getting a copy myself. You can find them on amazon.

Awesome, will take a look. Thanks dude,

Like everyone else is saying its defiantly better to get your hands dirty learning and I would love to. But unfortunately its out of my grasps at the moment.

[she_spools_180]

Another good book is the Bosch Automotive Handbook

I don't know if it makes good reading though, it could be better for referencing individual topics. But either way, worth looking into.

[Lycoming]

Tune to win and Engineer to win are good places to start if you're interested in motorsport.

If you want more depth, look for Racecar Vehicle Dynamics by Milliken. Its a bit of a hefty read, geared towards somebody who wants to actually build a good racecar.

[cheapracer]

HP Books are good for starting out ...

http://www.hrpworld.com/index.cfm?form_ ... n=category

Try some second hand book stores for them or search the net for e-book copies.