Thursday, March 3, 2011

Automotive Wiring and Electrical Systems

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Product Details
Automotive Wiring and Electrical Systems (Workbench Series)

Automotive Wiring and Electrical Systems (Workbench Series)
By Tony Candela

List Price: $24.95
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Product Description

Often, wiring and electrical work intimidates automotive do-it-yourselfers the most. It's not mechanical, and therefore, it's unfamiliar territory. Electrons are invisible, and they can do unpredictable things in an untrained enthusiast's eyes. Finally, there is an enthusiast's guide that takes the mysteries and misunderstandings out of automotive electrical design, modification, diagnostics, and repair.
Automotive Wiring and Electrical Systems is the perfect book to unshroud the mysteries of automotive electrics and electronic systems. The basics of electrical principles, including voltage, amperage, resistance, and Ohm's Law, are revealed in clear and concise detail, so the enthusiast understands what these mean in the construction and repair of automotive electrical circuits. All the tools and the proper equipment required for automotive electrical tasks are covered. In addition, this in-depth guide explains how to perform more complex tasks, such as adding new circuits, installing aftermarket electronics, repairing existing circuits, building your own wiring harness, and troubleshooting. Author Tony Candela explains how to complete popular wiring projects, such as adding late-model electronic accessories and convenience items to earlier-model cars, installing relays, designing and assembling multi-function circuits and harnesses, and much more.
With this book in hand, you will be able to assemble, design, and build single- and multi-function circuits and harnesses, troubleshoot and repair existing circuits, and install aftermarket systems and electronics. Automotive Wiring and Electrical Systems is your essential guide for wiring a hot rod from scratch, modifying muscle car electrical circuits for cooling fans and/or power windows, or adding a premium stereo and other conveniences to modern performance cars.



2009 IAMA Bronze Award, Technical: how to do it category

Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #7443 in Books
  • Published on: 2009-04-15
  • Original language: English
  • Number of items: 1
  • Binding: Paperback
  • 144 pages

Features

  • ISBN13: 9781932494877
  • Condition: New
  • Notes: BRAND NEW FROM PUBLISHER! BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed

Editorial Reviews

Review
A non-brand-specific reference book that's an ideal teaching text for those who've never worked on electrical systems before-or those who want to improve their skills. All the tools and the proper equipment required for automotive electrical tasks are covered. -----Corvette Fever, reviewed by Scott Ross, September 2009

We love picking up the latest automotive performance and repair book as much as the next car person, but Automotive Wiring and Electrical Systems just went to the top of our list of 'must have' books in your reference library. -----Modified Mustangs and Fords, September 2009

With this book as your guide, assembling, designing, and troubleshooting electrical systems is no longer an intimidating task. --Cars & Parts, reviewed by Jim Hinckley, December 2009
About the Author
Tony Candela is an electronics and car audio veteran with more than 20 years of experience. He has worked as a car stereo installer and sales rep. In his current position at Rockford Fosgate, he creates training and application materials for car-based electronic systems and also conducts training seminars. In his free time, Candela owns and works on his two muscle cars. Presently, he resides in Chandler, Arizona.

Customer Reviews

Excellent, well-written book on automotive wiring5
I've read just about every automotive book on the bookstore shelves and this is one of the best. The information is accurate and well written, photos support the written material with good clear color shots, and the information is easy to understand. This is the only book I know of that goes into any level of detail concerning DMMs for automotive use and why you should use them instead of a traditional test light. It also contains very good details on proper use of relays including circuit protection with clamping diodes (if you dont know what that is you will after reading about them in this book). Fuses, fusible links, wire, grounding, harnesses, its all here.

Often when reading automotive books, I get the feeling that the author knows what they are talking about but does a poor job of putting it into words that the reader can understand. Other times, the author doesn't know what they are talking about or they are just outright wrong. This book is NOT an example of either of those. This author understands what he is talking about and knows how to explain it clearly.

If you purchased other automotive books and need one on wiring, you will be happy with this one. I am looking forward to a 2nd edition containing more projects. I'd love to see this author write a book on Engine Management (ECUs) with custom installations and tuning written in the same style as this book.
Highly recommended5
This book is great. Having worked in the automotive field for many years now, I have read more then my share of electrical guides. Not one can compare to the content in this book.

The book covers everything from basic principles to tools, connections, installations, and troubleshooting; all of which are explained using real world situations and solutions with easy to read diagrams and pictures. Nearly every scenerio that someone could run into in the field is covered. Many myths in the 12 volt field are also laid to rest.

This book would be great for anyone with any level of electronic experience. Like I said earlier, I have been in the field for a while now....and even I learned a thing or two.


Phenomenal!5
When I originally ordered this book, Amazon quoted me 2 weeks longer than it arrived. Needless to say it arrived earlier than expected!

Absolutely phenomenal product here folks. It is written in a manner anyone can understand. The layout is just right, and the pictures match the content perfectly. If you're doing ANYTHING with electrical in a car, then this book will be a godsend. One of the best reasons to get this book, is the explanation of the author's journey by learning from trial-and-error, and proper warnings throughout each chapter so that the reader doesn't make the same mistakes the first time around (which can often be expensive to fix).

This is gold. I strongly recommend this book.

Engine Management: Advanced Tuning

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Engine Management: Advanced Tuning

Engine Management: Advanced Tuning
By Greg Banish

List Price: $24.95
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Product Description

As tools for tuning modern engines have become more powerful and sophisticated in recent years, the need for in-depth knowledge of engine management systems and tuning techniques has grown. Tuning engines can be a mysterious art, all engines need a precise balance of fuel, air, and timing in order to reach their true performance potential. This book explains how the EFI system determines engine operation and how the calibrator can change the controlling parameters to optimize actual engine performance. Engine Management: Advanced Tuning takes engine-tuning techniques to the next level. It is a must-have for tuners and calibrators and a valuable resource for anyone who wants to make horsepower with a fuel-injected, electronically controlled engine. Author Greg Banish is a calibration engineer with extensive aftermarket performance calibration experience. He has a BSME from GMI Engineering and Management Institute (Kettering University). With over a thousand unique calibrations performed over five years, he has worked with enthusiasts and OEMs alike to improve the performance and driving behavior of a wide range of vehicles. The book contains detailed equations, graphs, and illustrations. Also included are valuable and practical examples, including real-world examples based upon the author’s experience that will help more advanced readers apply this new information to situations that are commonly seen during calibration.

Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #10743 in Books
  • Published on: 2007-06-01
  • Original language: English
  • Number of items: 1
  • Binding: Paperback
  • 128 pages

Features

  • ISBN13: 9781932494426
  • Condition: New
  • Notes: BRAND NEW FROM PUBLISHER! BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed

Editorial Reviews

Review

Hemmings Muscle Machines, reviewed by Terry McGean, April 2007

"In Engine Management: Advanced Tuning, author and calibration engineer Greg Banish provides the reader with the insight required to understand and tune modern EFI systems."


Performance in Motion, August/September 2007

"If you are willing to spend the time learning the technology this will be a great book for your library
About the Author

Greg Banish is a mechanical engineering graduate of GMI Engineering and Management Institure who works as an OEM calibrator by day and professional engine tuner in his spare time. He founded his own performance shop outside of Detroit.









Customer Reviews

Best tuning book I've found, by far5
I've looked wide and far, and this is one of the few books that I have come across that seem like they try to address the actual subject of how to tune a car using a modern engine management system. Besides this book, I've also read another book you will find here on Amazon with "Engine Management Systems" in its name and a Ford Focus on the cover. Let me tell you, this book is far better because it gives you much more practial information. The other positive note is, this is probably the most recent book on the subject (that's worth reading) to come out.

To begin with, this book is a much easier read. The word count per page is not too high, it has some nice illustrations to break things up and help you visualize different concepts, and the author doesn't ramble on and on repeating the same stuff 5+ times throughout the book(like some other book I know). This book breaks the tuning process into several different stages surrounded with concepts that an aspiring tuner needs to understand and address about their particular vehicle before even getting to a dyno.

For some reviewers who said this book is incomplete and never gets to the good stuff, or that it's engineer b.s., I have a feeling that those people were looking for a book that's going to hold their hand for their particular engine management system and tell them if they have mods x, y, and z then to put 22 degrees of ignition timing in at a certain spot of their map. Not gonna happen.

I feel Mr. Banish is as clear and specific as he can possibly be in a book that appeals to everyone, without coming to your house to figure out the actual settings to input for you. He even concludes the book with a very nice summary that illustrates what the overall process is to correctly tune a car from the time you first modify the car until months after you had your dyno time. A plan of attack if you will, that should keep even a newbie on track.

I myself was not a novice before reading this book, not a professional either, but more of an experienced hobbyist. This book inevitably covers a few things most of us have heard before, but I even learned some new tricks and came to understand some concepts better than before (things that I even thought I understood fully before). A few things the author talks about are somewhat advanced/abstract, so if you don't have any first-hand experience with a standalone (like Power FC, like I have) or an intricate piggyback (such as E-manage), then a few things will likely fly over your head.

In conclusion, I can't recommend this book any more strongly if you plan on having any type of engine management on your car.
Everything you wanted to know about tuning but were afraid to ask5
I found the book to be most informative relative to the fundementals of Engine tuning and explained the major components and their functionality in a simple, easily understood way. Highly recommend for new or medium level tuners, or even just "enquiring minds" who want to know how the technology works. It leaves you with a strong foundation to build on.
Excellent book for the novice or advanced tuner5
This book is very well written and easy to understand and follow. It starts out explaining the basics of automotive engines, controls, sensors, etc then gets into how these systems interact with each other and then how to look at the different engine paramaters to determine how to alter controls and sensors related to pressures, speeds and temps to increase engine performance. Good read for the novice as well as the advanced tuner.

XiTech XR7 Bluetooth ELM

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Product Details
XiTech XR7 Bluetooth ELM, Droid, & Torque Compatible

XiTech XR7 Bluetooth ELM, Droid, & Torque Compatible
From XITECH

List Price: $89.99
Price: $49.00 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details


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Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #155 in Automotive
  • Brand: XITECH
  • Model: XR-7 BT

Features

  • Andriod, Torque, & backwards compatible with ELM.
  • Bluetooth Connection, No Batteries, Cables, or Switches.
  • View live engine data on your Android phone - Connect to your vehicle ECU
  • Retrieve Fault Codes (DTCs) and clear Check Engine lights.
  • Can also be used with a PC with a Bluetooth Card.

Customer Reviews

XiTech XR7 Bluetooth ELM, Droid, and Torque Compatible5
Works very well. Very pleased with the quality and the ease of operation. Easy hook up to vehicles and easy to swap between vehicles. The Torque app is great. Love that this thing works! Has helped decipher problems already. Thank you XiTech!
works great5
i've had no problems with this, im able to monitor the conditions of my car, know when it's warmed up enough to start driving, using it with torque for the android. i once had a problem where my phone wouldnt connect to the device but it turns out the software i was using on my phone(rom) was buggy and it wasnt because of the interface. does seem like a re-branding of the cheaper china versions but i guess i got lucky because mine worked and i didnt have to spend 100 bucks for the 'for sure' option.
vehicle no start1
I believe this is a prettier re-brand of other ones, they even have the same disk. They have horrible reviews elsewhere.

This caused a crank but no start condition on my vehicle.



I'm Going to spend 50$ more on a good PLX adapter.

Neiko Tools Torque Angle Gauge

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Product Details
Neiko Tools Torque Angle Gauge

Neiko Tools Torque Angle Gauge
From Neiko

List Price: $19.99
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Product Description

Measures angle of rotation after pre-torque in torque-angle applications

Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #27964 in Home Improvement
  • Brand: Neiko

Features

  • Measures angle of rotation after pre-torque in torque-angle applications

Customer Reviews

recycled merchandise1
part arrived in stapled and broken package. Looks like a return that they dumped on me. I would have returned if postage did not eat up half the cost of item.
You get what you payed for!!!5
Well made and easy to use. I use it to re-torque the head bolts on high performance engines. First torque the head bolt to the manufactures specification than add 90 degrees. Easy, easy. The more expensive torque wrenches like Snap-on have the angle gauge built in.

Fel-Pro 61436 Throttle Body Gasket

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Product Details
Fel-Pro 61436 Throttle Body Gasket

Fel-Pro 61436 Throttle Body Gasket
From Fel-Pro

Price: $7.81


Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Ships from and sold by StockWiseAuto


Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #39545 in Automotive
  • Brand: Fel-Pro
  • Model: 61436

Lisle (LIS65600) Broken Spark Plug Remover for Ford Triton 3 Valve Engines From Lisle

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Product Details
Lisle (LIS65600) Broken Spark Plug Remover for Ford Triton 3 Valve Engines

Lisle (LIS65600) Broken Spark Plug Remover for Ford Triton 3 Valve Engines
From Lisle

List Price: $109.95
Price: $59.95


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Product Description

This tool set removes broken spark plugs from 2004 and newer Triton 3 valve per cylinder engines. The set includes a unique porcelain pusher tool and a tapered left-hand thread remover for removing the broken spark plug without leaving the porcelain in the engine cylinder. Porcelain pusher is used to press the porcelain piece, without breaking the porcelain, farther into the plug tip. This provides space for the left hand thread remover to bite into the stainless steel plug tip so it can then be pulled. Blow-molded storage case included.

Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #269 in Automotive
  • Brand: Lisle
  • Model: 65600
  • Dimensions: 1.50" h x 4.30" w x 7.75" l,

Features

  • This tool set removes broken spark plugs from 2004 and newer Triton 3 valve per cylinder engines
  • Porcelain pusher is used to press the porcelain piece, without breaking the porcelain, farther into the plug tip
  • Blow-molded storage case included
  • This provides space for the left hand thread remover to bite into the stainless steel plug tip so it can then be pulled
  • Package dimension is 5.38 inches width by 8.56 inches height by 2.13 inches depth

Customer Reviews

Work Perfectly!5
I just bought one of these and it worked perfectly!

I changed the plugs in my 2005 Ford Expedition. I had access to the Ford Technical bulletin regarding removing the spark plugs. I followed the bulletin to the letter but still broke three spark plugs during removal. One head had one broken plug and the other plug had two broken plugs. I thought I was going to have to remove both heads to get the plugs out!

To compound my troubles, each plug was broken a different way. One just left the metal sleeve in the head. One had a cleanly broken ceramic. One had a jagged broken ceramic piece that extended almost 1/4" above the metal sleeve. I thought for sure I would have to remove both heads.

I looked around the internet and found this tool. At first I thought it was expensive but after reading comment on various boards, I realized it was a real bargain if it worked even for one of the heads. New gaskets cost more for one head than the cost of this tool. Many people have spent thousands to remove broken spark plugs.

I used the tool and it worked like a dream! The first time I used it, it was a little hard to get started but after that it was perfect. It even worked on the plug with the jagged, extended ceramic. The tool broke the ceramic on the top and pushed the piece down as designed. I wish I would have thought to put some grease on a cloth strip and shove it down in the plug hole with a long screwdriver to pick up the broken ceramic. However, I think I got the whole thing cleaned pretty well.

This is an excellent tool and does a near perfect job of removing broken spark plugs from Ford heads. I recommend it to anyone without hesitation.

Erik Salo
Ford 3V Spark Plug Removal4
The Lisle 65600 tool easily removes the spark plug ground electrode shield left behind when the instructions of the Ford Technical Service Bulletin 08-7-6 fails to help in removing the spark plugs in one piece. When I removed the first plug I noticed that the self tapping screw of the removal tool was starting to gall, and I questioned its ability to adequately perform on all 8 plugs. From this point on I applied a thin coating of nickel based anti seize compound to the screw and inside of the plug's ground electrode shield, and this prevented further galling. On 3 of the plugs, when the ceramic was driven down and broke the metal loop of the ground electrode shield pieces of ceramic broke off and fell into the cylinder. I vacuumed this out through the spark plug hole using a shop vac and small hose. The Ford garage wanted $722 for parts and labor to replace the spark plugs. I spent $65 for the tool and $136 for the "improved design" Champion 7989 spark plugs (gap to .045"), saving myself $521.
Great Tool with small improvement needed4
I bought one of these tools before attempting to remove the plugs from my 5.4 Triton engine at 68K Miles which is considerably sooner than fords recommended service interval. I am glad I did, because even after following Fords Technical Service Bulletin for plug removal, I broke one of the plugs. This was due to plug design, not mechanic error. I am a good mechanic, and take my word for it, you need this tool, unless you like playing Russian Roulette. I would not have been able to remove the remaining parts without the Lisle tool, or something like it. You could jury rig something but why bother at this price, which is less than a tank of gas? The reason that I am giving the tool 4 stars, instead of 5 is that I feel it should come from Lisle the way I "Upgraded" mine. I could not get the left handed thread to grip the sleeve that remained in the head, so I took out my trusty Dremel and cut 3 longitudinal grooves in the threads, making the threaded portion into a sort of left handed tap. The tool then worked perfectly. It grabbed the sleeve so well that I actually had a heck of a time getting it off the tools threads.

Like other Triton owners, I am still amazed that Ford would design such a condition, and then pretty much ignore their faithful followers, except to produce a TSB covering their recommended plug removal procedure. ( Do any of you ever recall needing a "Procedures Manual" to change spark plugs?) This was my 5th ford truck, and I am used to swearing by them, not at them.

I would like to add that anyone attempting to tackle this project should make sure that they clear each cylinder with compressed air before and after removing each plug, and immediately install each new plugs after clearing its cylinder. Do this to prevent leaving any dirt, carbon, or ceramic remnants in the cylinders. These would surely tear the hell out of your cylinder walls. Make sure you use some rigid tubing and get down to the top of your pistons, and really blast them well at full pressure. This also removes any remaining solvent you are supposed to use to soften the carbon that builds up along the sleeve. (Plastic ice maker tubing works great) And please wear safety goggles, That same ceramic will also tear the hell out of your eyes.

God Bless, JimA