FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Are the books easy to read?

Our books were professionally edited by writing specialists for maximum ease of reading. Type is larger than normal also for ease of reading. Layout is professionally done for the best organization. Illustrations are next to text call-outs, not some distance away as often done in poorly organized publications. Instructions and explanations are throughout. Photos, data charts, and illustrations are throughout. Pages, sections, photos, tables, charts, and references are all numbered for ease of look up or recall.

Is there original information?

Almost all of the information in our books and manuals is original writings; all based on reliable or verifiable sources. All of our books are peer reviewed by experts in racing such as Gene Adams, Don Jackson, Jim Kinsler, Vern Tomlinson, and others; with some priceless input from several experts no longer with us: Pete Jackson, Kent Enderle, Smokey Yunick, Gordon Blair, Earl Gaerte, Danny Miller, and others.

We avoid reproductions of info commonly available through the racing manufacturers or other sources. Instead, we provide new informational presentations specific to the subject matter. We do all of our own research, and we use all available research references including the engineering sources, the internet, racing setup data directly from many racers, racing expert peer reviews and contributions, engineering, and racing tech publications from throughout the world. We often use highly specialized data and analysis methods from some of the most advanced racing such as Formula One.

Where are the books available?

We remain a factory direct supplier at this time. This means purchases can be made directly from our website.

Why is your phone number & email needed?

Please provide your phone number and email if you have one so that we may contact you in the event of an order problem.

Shipping and ordering questions

How can I order the book?

(a) Directly from this web site: You can order our books either by credit or debit card by clicking on our online store. Orders are processed by PayPal. However, you do not need a PayPal account to order through PayPal. Their system will process single new transactions without setting up a PayPal account.

(b) by phone using your credit card: by calling us at +1 (916) 400-3953 to give your credit or debit card info over the phone. We will process your order through our merchant account.

If you call and we are not in, please leave a return phone number in a careful, audible recitation.

(c) by check to our business address: by calling to arrange to send a check. If you call in for an amount of the order, you can mail a check. Checks must be made out to Bob Szabo. Send checks to Bob Szabo Publishing, PO Box 461, Rancho Cordova, CA 95741.

(d) by phone COD to US addresses only: you can call in a COD order for most US addresses.

Please note that our phone hours are from 8 am to 5 pm Pacific Standard Time.

If you order more than one book, is shipping cheaper?

Because of our expanded product line, we are now able to provide a flat shipping rate for any single or multiple book order. For shipments within the United States, shipping & handling is $6.50 per book order for one or more books. For Canada, $22.50 per book order for one or more books. For most international orders, $28.00 per book order for one of more books (although a few locations throughout the world may be higher). We will contact you in the event of higher shipping to your area. In that event, we may need additional payment, made through a donation field. Instructions will be provided. If you choose not to pay the added amount, your order can be canceled, with your authorization, without any cost. Shipping is usually first class (air mail over seas) or priority air mail.

Questions about the books

Who can benefit from your methanol book?

Although this book was written from the standpoint of a drag racer, it is applicable to anyone who uses methanol as a racing fuel. For example, circle & drag boat racing, tractor pulling, methanol go kart, land & water speed events, and jr dragsters are referenced in this book as well.

What is your methanol book about?

The science of methanol combustion for racing. Some sections of this book are simple while other sections are highly detailed. Two chapters are about the chemistry of racing methanol combustion to illustrate tuning practices. Numerous racing examples for carbureted & fuel injected applications are provided. Both normally aspirated & forced induction applications are covered. Low, medium, high, & ultra high-powered applications are described. The terms and names indexes can be downloaded from the product description page.

Can your fuel injection book help me tune my fuel injection system?

Yes. Mechanical fuel injection tune-up information is written in a simplified manner applicable to most installations: auto, motorcycle, boat, drag, circle, road race, high speed. Basic fuel injection component descriptions are provided for new tuners. Advanced bypass fuel routings, elimination of aeration, and jetting calculations are provided for the Pro’s.

Actual examples are provided for drag race setups and applicable to most other setups since most all racing involves a drag race out of the turn or from the start. Examples include actual jetting from various flow bench tests, a 900 horsepower injected gas dragster, a 2,700 horsepower Top Alcohol Funnycar, and a 3,000 horsepower Nostalgia Top Fuel Dragster. Unique info is provided about part throttle operation. Complete tune-up specs are provided for a 6 second Bracket Drag Race vehicle — including drive line, clutch, and engine specs.

Other examples: Hilborn Nozzle flow calculations, Ron’s Fuel Injection CFM’s, Enderle component details, Roots blower details, and various throttle assemblies for injected and supercharged setups. This reference provides new and all original tune-up information that is helpful for doing your own setup and tuning.

Information is provided for both normally aspirated and blown setups. The terms and names indexes can be downloaded from the product description page.

General questions

What else are you working on?

As of Mar. 2009, we finished our first new book about mechanical fuel injection JETTING for the normally aspirated SMALL BLOCK V-8 on methanol. Our next book about jetting for the normally aspirated BIG BLOCK V-8 on methanol followed soon after.

We worked with our web developer, Jennifer Szabo, to set up weather correction methods for various race tracks in an on-line air density web site.

We developed a prototype FI jetting & nozzle calculator from thousands of FI setups. Jennifer developed that into an on-line jetting & air to fuel ratio calculator.

We also developed a fuel injection setup & tuning service, ProTune & ProTune Advance to provide custom assistance.

We developed a simplified method of analysis of fuel injection pressure from total jet area, fuel pump flow, and RPM.

We developed and wrote about tuning for ram air.

We developed and wrote about tuning for air density and altitude.

We researched and wrote about tuning with spark plug readings.

We assist Jennifer Szabo in research & racing tech writings for Racingjunk.com, Engine Labs, Dragzine, Engine Builder, and other media publications.

We are now a recognized promotional partners with Racingjunk.com and a recognized media / photo resource for SEMA, the Performance Racing Industry Organization, Team Boddie, Stockton Circle Track, Stockton 99, Kingdon Racing, AutoRama, Good-Guys, World Racing Group (World of Outlaws & Dirt Racing Group), & NHRA.

*We developed oxygen to fuel ratio for nitromethane methanol fuel mixtures.  That numerical value was added to our calculator, ProCalc.

*We expanded procedures in our calculator, ProCalc, for gasoline fuels, for idle air to fuel ratio, launch air to fuel ratio, and staged large volume setups for ultra high horsepower turbocharged engines with mechanical fuel injection.

*We participated in an extensive analysis of port size vs boost level.  The purpose was to determine how much boost can be put into an engine based on its intake port and valve size.  Beyond a certain point, increases in boost will not make more power.  Those limits were identified.

What will you do in the future?

We are continually researching racers and suppliers for more technical racing info. For example, we are accumulating a data base on superchargers. We are also accumulating a data base on nitromethane as well. If you have any ideas or requests, let us know what you think.

We are developing technology to expand our calculator to carburetor jetting.

We are developing racing applications for the Budak cycle, the Miller cycle, and the Atkinson cycle.  These advance changes to camshaft timing are now being used in several new vehicles.  They have superb applications in some racing categories.  More info will follow.

If you have a technical racing question, can you get an answer?

Fill out our contact form. We try hard to answer all inqueries. If you are pleased with the answer, please let us know with a followup email.

If you are in a hurry, you can call (916) 400 3953. We are happy to answer your technical question calls if we are not impacted. Please keep your calls between 8 to 5 Pacific time. Please respect our time and keep them brief. If you call with a technical question and we are not in, leave a message.  Speak clearly with the contact info.

Technical question & answers may be posted on our web site

If you do contact us about a technical question, we would appreciate any technical information that you have in exchange to share with others (unless you say otherwise). We especially appreciate fuel injection or carburetor jetting setups that were successful as well as unique test results or any important insider industry/racer news.