Hmmm. Interesting.
"WE'RE EVOLVING! STAY TUNED AS WE CHANGE OUR FOCUS FROM CRATE ENGINE BUILDING TO COMPONENT SALES, INFORMATION, AND THE OCCASIONAL CUSTOM BUILD."
I have both books. I think a bit high priced for what you get, only about 75 pages, but all the photos are color which can increase costs of any book and probably why the higher price. These books are by no means a complete guide on how to rebuild a Pontiac as other books do that. They are a good read for the novice or someone with a little engine experience who is just getting into Pontiac engines, or the guy who wants to understand on how parts work and how to match them together for a good build. I think the 2 books compliment each other. The 1st is the lead in and somewhat basic but informative as it's aim is the stroker engine. The 2nd is a little more meaty in what parts are needed/selected to make your HP/TQ level build from a 350CI to a 488CI stroker.
Building Pontiac Torque And Power is focused on building a stroker engine and what to do for prep and parts selection/numbers that he must use, machining, assembly tips, & tuning, plus a couple dyno sheets. So this book is what I would term "generic", but good basic info which can be expanded on when it comes time to build, or have built, a stroker engine.
Building a Strong Pontiac Combination for the Street is on optimizing the engine based on the level of HP/TQ you look to get out of it. The choices are broken down into Stock, Sleeper (stock appearing/sounding but big TQ/HP), Bad-ass (has got the sound you know you are coming and higher RPM's 600+HP/TQ), and Ricky Bobby ( higher RPM's & 630-650HP). Then there are parts selection and clearances to use. Next the engines are grouped as short blocks ranging from 350CI to 488CI. Then each category of short block has recommended parts and part numbers to fit each of the 5 levels of build above. Then heads are gone through and each engine category is given a head suggestion/build based on the 5 levels of the build - chamber cc's, valve lengths, cam lifts, rocker arm ratios, and a few specs are provided.
Cam recommendations, intake recommendations, exhaust recommendations, ignition recommendations, and trans/converters are included. Assortment of photos/examples. Then a couple pages of engine builds/specs from 350CI to 488CI for each of the 5 levels of build.
Sandoval seems to like having the pistons stick above the bore/deck .005" on his builds which appears to be his trademark. So these books give you an insight into how Sandoval builds his engines and the parts he uses - he basically has a proven build that he uses to obtain the 5 HP/TQ levels a customer may want out of whatever cubic inch engine they have or want to have. I don't see any real "trick" work being done/shown.
BUT, with the statement found on his website, it appears he is steering away from engine builds and leaning more into the parts supply business.
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