Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing. The author's lack of knoledge is showing.
Review: "Maximum Boost" is very readable, covers most aspects of turbo charging, and contains many simple-to-follow rules of do and don't regarding turbos and turbo installations. It is oriented at the less technical reader, and contains little theory - So far so good. Sadly, the book also contains a lot of misleading and simply incorrect information; I would estimate that about 50% of the technical recommendations in the book are wrong. The 'hard and fast' rules are particularly to be avoided - my own car, an average 80's turbo car, violates quite a few of them, in it's unmodified form. As an example, it is the author's opinion that water injection is 'worthless'. Anyone with any experience with turbos can appreciate just how ludicrous this claim really is.Despite it's downfalls, the book does cover most topics, and explains some difficulties in turbo installations. The recommendations for selecting kits are quite good. If you don't know anything about turbos, this book might be good to show the broad picture. If you want high quality technical information, look elsewhere ("Turbochargers" by Hugh MacInnes would be a good start). Danny Halamish
Rating: 
Summary: If you want to build a turbo...
Review: ...you can rely on this book like the really useful manual. Don't think you will have been answered about basic physical laws or rules - you had the time in school... This serious work from Mr. Bell was made for professionals, not for amateur. If you decided to install turbo system on your runabout or you are going to tune up your almost dead something eighties turbo car, it's for you. Merely you will know exactly what where when, and why so, in your engine occurs...
Rating:
Summary: A little knowledge . . .
Review: A little knowledge is a dangerous thing, expensive too. This book is safe for those who already know a lot about Turbocharging, but they won't need this book. For the beginner, this book isn't bad to get familiar with the subject, but I wouldn't try using it as a source of information or a "how to" book, too much mis-information. Don't get this book unless you also get the book by Hugh McInnes. Mr. Bell is either guessing about things he hasn't tried, or hasn't been able to implement things that work for others because of his lack of understanding or poor execution. Don't quit your day job Corky!
Rating: 
Summary: Robert Simpson
Review: A very eductional book. Will give you the basics about Turbosystems. Read it twice and you will have a very good understanding of what turbos are and all the parts and pieces of the system. Maybe a better or more detailed description of a hands on experience would have made it a bit more clear how things fit together.
Rating:
Summary: It's OK, but not too balanced
Review: After working through many of the formulas in this book, I wound up with performance numbers that didn't match the reality observed by other people with actual operating turbos. I guess that's what you get when the presented formulas are oversimplified. I found Joe Haile's Motorcycle Turbocharging ... book to be a much more balanced treatment of the subject, and the information isn't only applicable to motorcycles. On the upside, this book is certainly up-to-date and has some pretty good real-world examples of its own. It's clearly aimed at the person who wants to improve the performance of a daily-driver, as opposed to a car used for autocross, road racing, or other slightly more serious pursuits.
Rating:
Summary: Well written, very informative and easy to read
Review: An excellent book on turbocharging engines covering everything you need to know to get you started. I'm no mechanic but found the book very easy to read, all terminology and concepts well explained never ignoring the applications of what is being talked about. The book is a nice balance of theory and practice, showing what works, why and how and then giving you the ability to work out how it applies to your situation. The style of writing is excellent and the writer is always aware of his auidence - this isn't a school textboook written by a self-indulgent professor but an interesting and informative guide to the subject. Well worth the read
Rating:
Summary: Maximum Boost :
Review: Bell's book is a bible for those with turbocars. It's written in easy-to-understand language, it's organized logically, its materials are up-to-date. Real-world working turbocars such as the Ford 2.3T validate Bell's sizing, flow and power guidelines. Taken with the engineering data of MacInnes' book (which book is otherwise hopelessly out of date) one can build a working spreadsheet for sizing turbos, inlet tracts, intercoolers, and exhaust systems for upgrading a current installation intelligently. A must-buy.
Rating:
Summary: Practical knowledge of turbo installations for non-engineers
Review: Excellent book designed to lead both the novice and the experienced home mechanic around the pitfalls of turbo system design and installation. Many practical tips without delving too deeply into the arcane world of thermodynamics. The author has designed, built, and installed successful turbocharger systems for over 26 years and is very knowledgeable of the subject area. Also read MacInnes' book "Turbochargers" for additional knowledge; although dated, it contains good info if you are interested in gas laws and higher technical content. If you want practical knowledge of turbo systems that you can actually use, read "Maximum Boost". BTW, Corky Bell's turbo kits have never needed water injection because they are engineered correctly from the beginning!
Rating:
Summary: Boosted my knowledge
Review: For years I have heard about turbos and what they do. People often have suggestions about what to do if you have a turbocharged engine, or if you're planning to turbocharge a N/A engine. What alot of them cannot tell you is why you should or shouldn't do these things. 'Maximum Boost' gives these reasons and also exposes some of the false logics that you may have heard. It didn't just teach me about turbos, but a whole lot about modern engines in general. At the end of the day, I feel alot more confident about designing a turbocharger system to fulfill my personal needs in a safe and reliable manner. The only thing I would have added to this book (probably in one short chapter), is some more information on diesel engines. But for now I am satisfied. Bottom line: If you are into high-performance autos, get this book. Get Maximum Boost.
Rating:
Summary: Great insight to turbocharger systems and how they work
Review: I found this book to be very helpful in understanding turbocharger systems. It takes you from the basics to intermediate level. This is a great reference book for anyone wanting to boost their car! I highly recommend this to anyone interested in turbocharging their car!
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