I am a mechanical engineer by education (BS & MS) and have a bit better than average knowledge and understanding of internal combustion engines and perhaps an average knowledge of forced induction, but...not any practical application. My car tinkering days are long passed. This book is beyond me, but that's not why I requested it from CarTech through LibraryThing. My son is a certified GM mechanic and he and his wife own two of the ten Z/28 Camaros in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. And to be sure, this book is not for "tinkerers".

I think the introduction might enlighten the curious, and perhaps even enthusiasts, with the quick history and micro-encyclopedia descriptions of the different LS engines, and the definitions of terms used. Then the depth hits. Kluczyk spends two chapters on the basics and differences (and more history) of superchargers and turbochargers, type, how to select, some math for the geek engineer, elementary challenges associated with each forced induction type. Turbo is obviously the more efficient, but the power enthusiast isn't really looking for efficiency (yes, she is, but...not really, right?)

Kluczyk, goes into comprehensive detail with good illustrative color photographs on disassembling and prepping an engine for a kit. I liked the "Important Safety Tips" that the TLDR would be well advised to read and pay attention to (tapping an oil return hole using grease to capture the shavings - something experience would surely have already filed in the mental toolbox, but may be a new concept for the novice).

In the in depth chapters on installing a couple of supercharger kits and turbocharger kit/custom system, the format shifts to step by step photos and instruction captions, avoiding a confusing side narrative. A little more than midway through the book, Kluczyk profiles an owner who built and installed a turbo system on a Chevy Silverado on the "cheap". For $1500 in mostly used parts (a few were free), the owner got 503 hp dragging his heavy truck down a strip in 12.9 seconds and 114 mph. Might not seem like much, but...heavy truck {wink}.

In reading this, it is obvious this is not for an amateur. After discussing tuning, Kluczyk talks in a couple of chapters about a block up construction/modification customization specifically intended for forced induction (as opposed to bolting on - yes, that's a deliberate understatement - the system to a stock engine.)

Most of the books I read have a jumping off point, another book I need to find and this has one (but I'll never read it!): recommended by the author, Greg Banish's book Engine Management Advanced Tuning seems something necessary to help get the optimum performance out of the modifications.

I asked my son to read this and give me his thoughts. He said:

Very well written in that it provides excellent background info on how the systems work, WHY they work, and how you can learn more as you go. Lots of pictures with detailed captions are provided, with good step by step instructions for each procedure described. This should get someone who is reasonably competent with LS based engines a chance to learn the basics, but it definitely is not for someone who hasn't ever worked on this style of system before.

This is a very useful book that I will refer to later on down the road when I start building again.

Additionally, they go into good detail on the different systems, provide good tech data specs for each different "style" of stock LS engines (family etc) and what works with each one best. Good explanations and theories around the cookie-cutter, mix-and-match ability of LS-based engines.

So...for the LS owner, this is recommended. ( )

How to Supercharge and Turbocharge GM LS-Series Engines by Barry Kluczyk is another great book by Cartech in the Performance How to Series. Filled with tons of color photos and step by step instructions this is a must have for anyone working on or rebuilding the GM LS-Series Engine. By far the best guide out there. ( )

GREAT Reference to learn how to boost your LS engine!

Provides the history of the LS, and discusses the parts interchangeability between the LS families.
Then walks through in detail the parts you need, including the finer points like gaskets and fasteners, depending on how mild or wild you want your build to be and your purpose Street or Full Race. Provides an example of each at the end with parts lists. Very thorough, you can’t go wrong with this. ( )

How to Supercharge & Turbocharge GM LS Series Engines by Barry Kluczyk is a very detailed book with lots of text and plenty of photos to guide you. It appears you can never go wrong buying a CarTech book. I received How to Supercharge & Turbocharge GM LS-Series Engines as part of LibraryThing's Early Reviewer program. ( )

The information in the book is detailed and easy to follow. This is absolutely one book that anyone interested in supercharging or turbocharging an LS engine must have. Very informative and complete!
I received a copy as a win from LibraryThing from the publishers in exchange for a fair book review. My thoughts and feelings in this review are my own ( )