Advanced timing and info of that nature

[Thurber]

Hello,

I've been an avid reader/member of this forum for a few years now as well as e30tech, and r3vlimited.  I've also done my fair share of reading articles online concerning as many topics regarding the function and performance of the m42 and engines in general.  I'm currently a full-time student with zero background in any sort of automotive work (none of my family members or friends could care less about my mild obsession with my car).  I'm not saying I'm incompetent.  I'm a quick learner and have can accomplish most jobs on the m42. I'm interested in keeping her fairly stock, though I am interested in some of the more (to me, that is) complicated concepts required to properly modify the performance of the car.  I'm talking about things like "stroking", advancing the time of the camshafts (forgive me if that phrase is completely nonsensical), increasing compression ratio.  I want to know everything there is to know about this engine and it's potential. I want to know the pros and cons of some of these more complicated engine components in order to get exactly what I want.

Yeah, so what? Why are you rambling on like this?

I'm curious as to where you smart guys learn all your stuff.  I realize that a number of you work for shops or in related fields, so obviously that is incredibly beneficial to understanding these concepts.   Some of you have family/friends who are knowledgeable about this stuff and that's a really great thing as well.  

However, I don't have that opportunity (at least at this point).  

Moral of the Story: To any of you smart guys, where or what would be the best source for learning this stuff.  I feel like forums are really great tools but I find myself finding contradicting information on different forums or even people completely opposed to some concept in the same thread.  I want information that I can rely on.  Information that is standard, that will not confuse or mislead me.

I hesitate to participate in threads sometimes just in order to not pollute it with misinformation.

Perhaps, I'm asking for something that doesn't really exist the way I want or expect it would.  Maybe it's just a "figure it out, you're kind of on your own" thing.  But maybe it's not.  

Thanks in advance if you made it to the end of this long-winded and perhaps strange question.

Best of Luck,
Eric

[318isfolife]

its kinda like "figure it out, but your not on your own" because you have all of these wonderful people to help you out. but at the same time the best way to figure something out is do it your self. then ask your self did that change anything or did I just make it worse.

the only way you will get better is with experience and the only way that will come is time and lots and lots of patience.

also don't hesitate to jump in a thread and ask something stupid. or say something that you think is wrong. often the best way to learn is messing something up or having someone with more experience correct you. then my friend you will never forget because you can reflect back and know exactly whats going on.

by the way are you in maryland i saw your location said howard county i'm down in mo. co.

[Thurber]

I appreciate the response.  It's frustrating being at school when I'm dying to get back and get my hands dirty (as well as take a break from school in general).

After I refresh my coolant components and figure out my steering fluid leak, I plan to go out for my first summer of autocross.

318isfolife, do you participate in the autocross events? I believe they're just outside DC.
I moved to MD just a bit ago so I don't really know it very well. How far away is MOCO from HOCO?