How to Make Your Car Handle

by Fred Puhn

To make your car handle, design a suspension system, or just learn about chassis, you’ll find what you need here. Basic suspension theory is thoroughly roll center, roll axis, camber change, bump steer, anti-dive, ride rate, ride balance and more.How to choose, install and modify suspensions and suspension hardware for best springs, sway bars, shock absorbers, bushings, tired and wheels. Regardless of the basic layout of your car—front engine/rear drive, front engine/front drive, or rear engine/rear drive—it is covered here.Aerodynamic hardware and body modifications for reduced drag, high-speed stability and increased cornering spoilers, air dams, wings and ground-effects devices. How to modify and set up brakes for maximum stopping power and handling.The most complete source of handling information available. “Suspension secrets” explained in plain, understandable language so you can be the expert.

Genres: Racing, Cars, Engineering, Technical

200 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 1987

Reviews

[Charlie Han · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every gearhead should have read this book at least once and the hardcore automotive enthusiasts should have a worn out copy in their library. It covers a lot of aspects of vehicle handling and suspension geometry as well as setups. This may be a very old book and some of the tech seems dated by today’s standards but physics is physics and Newtons laws will hit you like a brick wall. Even if you’re not interested in racing or modifying your car, this book will hopefully give you a better understanding of why your grocery getter handles the way it does.

[Rich Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very informative. I liked it a lot.