How to Make Your Muscle Car Handle: Revised Edition

I was somewhat disappointed in this book. It is not quite detailed and comprehensive enough to be considered a reference for all the suspension modifications that are possible, or why you should choose one over the other. There is a decent discussion of basic concepts in suspension kinematics and how to relate those ideas to observable attributes of you car. There is a short section on tuning strategies that I wish was longer. And then there is a lot of space devoted to discussion of particular vendor's solutions; with a thinly disguised emphasis on the author's own company's products, and those of a few others; but, without a comprehensive index of everything that is available. To his credit, the author states explicitly that he has not set out to write that kind of book -- he just wants to write something the average car guy can access. His avoidance of engineering jargon is successful, but every time he gets close to making a general conclusion that might be useful and actually teach something to the average car guy, he backs off and invokes the I-am-a-suspension-guru-and-you-should-just-believe-me attitude so common in the popular automotive press. The result is an unsatisfying stew of inconsistently-justified, anecdotal solutions for particular cars (mostly GM) that adds little to the advertiser-driven product hype that can be found in any number of specialty magazines. Not a total waste of money... but that's mostly because it didn't cost that much.

This book does a good job of going over the majority of upgrades to positively impact handling on classic cars. The book gives good insight into what is in the market, and also explains how these parts can be used to provide resolution to problems with the stock suspension. The book does dive into some of the aspects of how to determine suspension geometry, but is not so involved that you need to pull your engineers cap on to understand. There are also section specifically dedicated to the three major domestic car manufacturers, which will help in building a game plan of developing your own suspension for your classic car. The book did not really go into a great detail about the benefits of aftermarket frames for full frame cars such as the GM A-body cars, but does give enough information to help guide the reader in the types of questions to ask when considering the benefits of such an endeavor.

If you're building a "Pro-Touring" type muscle car - and ESPECIALLY if it's a GM A-Body car (though other cars are also addressed here) then this book should be required reading before you ever start. I've worked with the author directly and used many of the recommendations found in this book. The result is a 1966 Pontiac that has demonstrated an ability to outhandle and outperform new Corvettes, Mustangs and Camaros. Not a wild claim - these are at events that are well run, timed and documented. The proof is there, and this book helps to provide the foundation for understanding how to plan your build - whether you just want to make driving your muscle car more pleasant, or if you want to do what I did and hammer the car on open road racing courses and autocross courses.

Written so that anyone with decent mechanical ability can understand steering geometry and suspension. Mark explains the unsafe and inherent steering, and suspension design flaws of older muscle cars. He then explains in detail how to correct the poor design issues using parts that are currently available in the market place right now. If you own a Chevy A-body this book is worth every penny. The 66, 67 Chevelle is really covered well. Mark also covers other GM makes such as the GM G-body years, 81 to 88, and the GM 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gen. F-bodies. Also covered in the book are Ford Fox Bodies 74 to 93, and Mopar muscle cars.Learn about Front End Geometry, Rear Suspension Geometry, Springs, Rates and Shocks. Aftermarket A-Arms, Sway Bars, Wheels, and Tires. It will also help you to understand what is required to achieve the stance you have been looking for in your car.I recommend this book for anyone who is building a Resto-Mod or a Pro Touring car. This book can also help owners who just want to update their old cars so that they ride, and steer better, with improved safety.

Lots of good information, I'm quite knowledgeable about most things automotive and also understand how much manipulation the publishers place on an author, that said, there's a lot of good, basic discussion on muscle car suspension dynamics.

Just finished reading the book, I did skip the chassis specific tips since my project isn't one of them, but found it very well written and helpful. The author does a good job sticking to the point, he doesn't go overboard on theory or minute details when not necessary. Other chassis specific books seem to be solely race oriented this book offers many tips on making older cars streetable as well as corner carvers. I have read several other books about chassis and suspension building and found this one to be by far the easiest to comprehend. The fact that the book was written recently means you are getting up to date information.I would definetely recommend for someone starting a car project where suspension modifications will be made.

Very good Book. Full of on point info. Will certainly help me sort what I need to bring a 69 El Camino into the 21st Century.

Excellent book, covered all the basics and did in such a way that the average car guy could understand. If you want to really understand how you suspension works, plus get tips on how to set up and adjust your system this is the book for you.I especially liked the range of aftermarket components covered, and showed me where I should look for parts on my next build.

I have read several books about chassis building/modification and suspension modification and while the other books were helpful, this book is, with doubt, the best. Mr. Savitske has written a thorough but accessible exploration of the myriad concepts and principles involved in building a muscle car that handles and coupled that with practical suggestions. I finished the book with a much better understanding of what must be considered to plan and build a superior muscle car suspension.

I learned a TON of stuff from this book that I haven't found elsewhere. You will learn a lot about the pros and cons of stuff like a torque-arm setup vs. triangulated 4-link, or what is involved in running coilovers on an application not designed for them, things like that. Very informative and a good mix of practical vs. theoretical. Some product info is slightly out of date, but the internet can fill in those gaps.

Bought this for my pro touring 1980 Trans Am. Bit of a cop out when the other states "if your disappointed there isn't more info on 2nd gen f body's, it means you've picked an already great car". Now...that is true :). But it did go over leaf springs in great detail, as well as three and four link suspensions and everything you'd want to know about front end suspension. Extremely glad I bought it. It covers what you need to know, though it just lists the info in suspension sections, not model section (for second gen body's at least).

Worth the money to me as I'm going to builda 1934 2-door Coupe over the next year.Thank You.

Very good read, i found the book to be informative and the perfect place to start if someone is considering updating their muscle car suspension. I would have given it a higher rating if they had included the IRS options.