Everybody know it is nice to have some special books about Diesel tech next to your Factory service manual.
This thread is about books you recommend as nice to have or a must read.

Show us what you have in your shelf and what might be good for our members! Even a pdf, a comparison chart or anything about diesel knowledge is welcome.

Please do not post anything else than recommandations in this thread.



Important note:
I do not get any advantage or compensation for recommending these books. In the past years I simply found out they offer best value for the money and a solid base of knowledge.

 

This is my favourite:





Taken from the sa design web site:
"High-Performance Diesel Builder’s Guide is the first book to explain how modern diesel engines work and how to safely enhance power and performance.

The book covers all aspects of the modern turbocharged diesel engine: intake system, camshaft, cylinder heads, fuel system, combustion chambers, transmissions, and gearing. In addition, this book provides advice on many aspects of tuning your diesel engine from Gale Banks. Author Joe Pettitt, Banks, and other industry experts guide novice and expert diesel enthusiasts alike. The book covers airflow components, including the turbocharger and intercooler, using electronic tuners, and choosing between nitrous oxide and propane injection. An in-depth chapter focuses on engine thermodynamics, using simple terms, diagrams, and charts to explain and illustrate the concepts and principles."

Popular turbo diesel engines are covered including Ford Power Stroke, GM Duramax, and Dodge Cummins B and ISB.


Why this book has such a value to me:

I do like this book because it allows me to search for numbers and comparison values you wouldn't find in the internet. It's written very short and understandable. The complete principle of increasing diesels performance is opened to the reader with alot of examples.

 

This is an absolute must have:
No bull, just facts- it's a data collection as a a reference book.



Bosch Automotive Handbook, 7th Edition
Edition: 7
"This best-selling, industry favorite has been updated and features a wealth of reliable technical data, as well as insight into state-of-the-art automotive technology, comprehensive coverage of hundreds of automotive subjects, and over 1,000 illustrations, diagrams, tables, and sectional drawings."



Table of Contents
Published By: Robert Bosch
Published: November 2007
Pages: 1200
Binding: Softbound
Product Code: BOSCH7
Product Status: Available

In my opinion this book offers all you need to know about diesels- it also covers gasser and electric and electronic. Did you ever wonder about a myth you were told? You find the real facts in here! No bull, just facts! You find all you ever wanted to know about lubricants, chemistry and mechanics.

Now you know how to calculate heat transfer and critical material combinations. You also find how bosch IP pumps are operating inside.
Must have!

 

You want to step up with more horsepower? You want to switch to a bigger turbocharger? You can do the math with the assistance of this book.





Turbo: Real World High-Performance Turbocharger Systems

by Jay K. Miller

"Turbochargers are incredibly appealing to performance enthusiasts because of their ability to add “free” horsepower – and lots of it – to almost any engine or vehicle. Today, it seems easier than ever for the average gearhead to harness the incredible power-building capability of turbochargers. Those who want to increase the performance of their existing turbo system, or those who want to add a turbo to an existing engine, have never had so many components, vendors, and resources to choose from.

Unfortunately, this wealth of options and opinions can be hard to understand and navigate. That's where Turbo: Real World High-Performance Turbocharger Systems comes in. This book is the most complete, detailed, up-to-date resource on anything and everything to do with turbochargers. Whether you're running gas or diesel, 4, 6, 8, or more cylinders, this book will teach you to test, install, and maintain your high-performance turbo system. You'll learn how turbochargers work, how to choose the right turbo or turbos for your engine by reading flow maps, and how to tune your engine to run perfectly with your turbo system."


My opinion:
If you want to find sources on turbo data you have a problem. There is nearly no data available...
If you find the data you don't know what to do with it.
I love this book because crunching the numbers is easy. Many examples allow you to follow and to understand. So you get educated and can make decisions when choosing. No need to listen to statements like: I have heard, that...

If in doubt- check it. This book gives you the knowledge!
5 stars in my opinion.

 

I've got that last book. It's pretty nice because it has a lot of Holset compressor maps which are hard to find.

 

That would be great if I could ever figure out how to understand those d@mn things.

 

It takes some getting used to. If you go to Garretts website. (turbobygarrett.com) they have a pretty good tutorial on reading compressor maps.