Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. — George Santayana
Most of the books listed here are old. That's partly because 2-stroke engine development has not been a hot topic of research for a long time. It's also because I'm unwilling to spend $200 to $500 on new textbooks for what is essentially a hobby.
I expect this section will expand over time as I enhance the reviews. For now, I'll focus briefly on some that I can recommend. I've purchased a few dogs over the years and will eventually offer a warning on those. You truly can not judge a book by its title or its price! That is part of why I am including a page count. If there are multiple authors, I just list the first because it is sufficient to identify the book.
I'm listing these more or less in the order I would recommend acquiring/reading them. The list starts at a level accessible to the hobbyist, and progresses to a level more suitable for the practicing professional.
Shipman, Motorcycle Tuning for Performance, 1973, softcover, 174 pages. Although not exclusively 2-stroke content, it does comprise a large fraction of the book. This book provided my early access to technical information about engines, and was a stepping stone. If it turns out to be impossible to find, skip ahead to Jennings.
Jennings, Two-Stroke Tuner's Handbook, 1973, softcover, 156 pages. It's hard for me not to love this book! It was my introduction to something approaching the science of engine building. Jennings was the consummate thinker and tinkerer. He studied then-current SAE papers and presented the information in a way that a vast number of motorcycle enthusiasts could comprehend. Although written in the age of the slide rule, an understanding of trigonometry will still be helpful in the age of the calculator/computer/spreadsheet.
Bell, Two-Stroke Performance Tuning, 1983, hardcover, 229 pages. Ten years have elapsed since Jennings, and the engines are getting more sophisticated. This was a heady time for 2T development.
Robinson, Motorcycle Tuning, Two-Stroke, 1994, softcover, 169 pages. Another decade elapses and further advancements. This is a very practical book.
Dixon, The High-Performance Two-Stroke Engine, 2005, hardcover, 290 pages. This is probably the most recent work I have devoted to two-strokes. The author lectured in mechanical engineering, so it's starting to get more into theory rather than just practice. If I could have only one 2T book, this would be it. It is simpler than a textbook, but more rigorous than popular books.
Heywood & Sher, The Two-Stroke Cycle Engine, 1999, hardcover, 451 pages. This is firmly in the arena of the engineering student or practicing professional.
Nuti, Emissions From Two-Stroke Engines, 1998, hardcover, 283 pages. As the title suggests, this book covers a very specific topic. But it also provides a foundation for understanding why things are the way they are.
Blair, Design and Simulation of Two-Stroke Engines, 1996, hardcover, 623 pages. I'm listing this one last because it will be very expensive, but will be invaluable if you intend on doing any work with an engine simulator. The author's BASIC software is not part of the book, but was sold separately by the SAE. The much less expensive 1990 version The Basic Design of Two-Stroke Engines would also be a possibility, and it includes BASIC code printed in the book. But the 1996 version is preferable.
SAE, PT-69 Two-Stroke Engines: Technology and Emissions, 1998, hardcover, 706 pages. If you are only going to own one SAE compilation on 2-strokes, make it this one.
SAE / Blair, PT-33 Advances in Two-Stroke Cycle Engine Technology, 1989, hardcover, 485 pages. With the hobbyist-level books, I recommend starting earlier in history. With the SAE publications, working backwards may be better. It somewhat depends on what era of engine you are most interested in developing.
SAE, PT-26 Two-Stroke Cycle Spark-Ignition Engines, 1982, hardcover, 457 pages. This is the earliest SAE 2T compilation I have (papers going up to 1980). There are a few papers from the early 1970s and even the famous 1966 Taguchi paper that Gordon Jennings referenced.
Draper, The Two Stroke Engine, Design and Tuning, 1968, hardcover, 127 pages. This book is very dated. I included it in the list mostly as an historical reference.
Note that all the older textbooks will deal exclusively in US Customary units. If that offends you, look elsewhere.
Warhaft, An Introduction to Thermal-Fluid Engineering, 1997, hardcover, 241 pages. I'm starting with this book to two reasons: 1. It's written at the level of a first-year student in science/engineering and provides a basic introduction to heat transfer and fluid mechanics. 2. You'll be much more concerned about Global Warming after reading it.
Heywood, Internal Combustion Engine Fundamentals, 1988, hardcover, 930 pages. Undoubtedly a classic, and probably the most well known book on the topic. But I think the average 2-stroke enthusiast will be better served by some long-forgotten works. In general, I find the older textbooks much more readable. It's not that they eliminate the mathematics, but instead make you care about it first. None of these books have much 2-stroke content, and when they do, it's about diesels. I'll present a lot of options in the hope you can find something inexpensive. But maybe, like me, you'll get hooked and start collecting them!
Rogowski, Elements of Internal-Combustion Engines, 1953, hardcover. I don't have a page count because I gave this one away — not because it's bad, but because it is excellent. The book was written to introduce topics generally applicable to first-year science/engineering students. An added bonus is that it uses the internal combustion engine to do just that. This one really is the best way to get your feet wet regarding university textbooks on IC engines.
Obert, Internal Combustion Engines & Air Pollution, 1973, hardcover, 740 pages. I found this in a used bookstore and fell in love with it because it's so much more accessible than Heywood. The next two by Obert are equally good, and not completely redundant. The older the version, the more straightforward and to-the-point it is.
Obert, Internal Combustion Engines, 1950, hardcover, 595 pages + appendices.
Jennings & Obert, Internal Combustion Engines, Analysis and Practice, 1944, hardcover, 471 pages.
Schmidt, The Internal Combustion Engine, 1965, hardcover, 579 pages. This one was translated from German, so it has a different flavor than the other books listed here.
Fraas, Aircraft Power Plants, 1943, hardcover, 472 pages. A wonderful insight into the world of piston aircraft engines. Incidentally, this is where all the pioneering research on internal combustion engines occurred – automotive and motorsports applications were just trickle-down applications. I enjoyed this so much I sought out this next book by Fraas.
Fraas, Combustion Engines, 1948, hardcover, 439 pages. The information presented is typical of other IC engine books about this time, but with the author's own unique insights from WWII aviation engines.
SAE/Harralson, PT-53 Design of Racing and High Performance Engines, 1990, softcover, 265 pages. Harralson, a professor at UC Sacramento, taught a popular course in ICE design. He kept a folder of SAE papers in his office that students referred to as “the best of SAE”. They were eventually compiled into this very popular book.
Kas, EGT Systems, 1989, hardcover, 171 pages. This was specifically written for light 4-stroke airplanes where exhaust gas temperature is of paramount importance to performance and longevity — just as it is with any 2-stroke engine.
Patterson, Emissions From Combustion Engines and Their Control, 1972, hardcover, 355 pages. This is fabulous introduction to the chemistry of combustion. It is written so that an engineer could understand the chemistry, as opposed to a chemist who needed to understand the engineering.
Owen & Coley, Automotive Fuels Handbook, 1990, hardcover, 684 pages. If you have only a single book about fuels, make it this one.
Goodger, Hydrocabron Fuels, 1975, hardcover, 270 pages. Good university introduction to fuel chemistry; thermochemistry; combustions; properties; tests; and more.
Goodger, Petroleum and Performance in Internal-Combustion Engineering, 1953, hardcover, 295 pages. Basically a treatise on how fuels affect IC engine performance from the 1950s point of view.
Larew Carburetors & Carburetion, 1967, hardcover, 165 pages. If I could have only one book about carburetors, this would be it.
Shoemark, Motorcycle Carburettor Manual, 1980, softcover, 113 pages. Yes it's old, but if you are working with bikes of that vintage it could be invaluable. And, of course, all the principles are still valid. There are sections on theory; history; tuning; overhaul; and fault-finding. Also, lots of exploded views of carbs from that period.
Fisher, Carburation Vol 1, 1963, hardcover, 309 pages. I also have Carburation Vol 2 Spark-Ignition Engines: Fuel Injection Development, 1966, hardcover, 224 pages, and Vol 4 Carburettors: Their Installation and Tuning, 1969, hardcover, 311 pages. I passed on Vol 3 Fuel Injection Systems (which is presumably about mechanical injection).
Wade Motorcycle Fuel Injection Handbook 2004 softcover, 159 pages. This is a popular book written at a fairly basic level. It gives a good introduction to the topic and an overview of early 2000s technology. If you are new to EFI, start with this before moving on to Bosch.
Lynch Troubleshooting GM Fuel Injection Systems & ECUs, 1991 soft, 300 pages. Although written from the automotive point of view, this is a good reference to have for repair. Yes, it is very old, but most of the concepts are still valid. It could fit almost as well under the Electrical Systems/Ignitions heading.
Bosch, Gasoline-Engine Management 2nd ed, 2004, hardcover, 418 pages. I also had the 1st edition of this book. Both are excellent, although newer will obviously contain more up-to-date information. It was probably written for the automotive design engineer, but automotive technicians would find it equally appealing.
Tranter, Motorcycle Electrical Manual, 1993, softcover, 197 pages. This is primarily for older motorcycles. The author starts with breaker-points ignition and magnetos but goes all the way up to fuel injection. A lot has changed in the intervening years, but the basics are still relevant — like how to read a wiring diagram, or use a multimeter.
Brown, How to Read & Interpret Automotive Oscilloscope Patterns, 1985, hardcover, 190 pages. Although intended for the automotive repair technician using a Sun Electric Corporation analyzer, the waveforms could be observed on a standard oscilloscope with the right signal conditioning hardware. The value of this book is in seeing typical waveforms, but you'll need plenty of knowledge in electronics to do any testing.
The next two books are fairly equivalent with the one by Graf being better. They are quite dated, but if you are starting from nothing (or working with old systems) they will help build a good foundation. To delve deeper into this subject, a look at ignition-system patents will probably be required.
Graf, Solid State Ignition Systems, 1974, softcover, 136 pages. There are six chapters, roughly covering fundamentals, conventional ignitions, semiconductor theory, solid-state ignitions, CDIs, and troubleshooting.
Tepper, Electronic Ignition Systems, 1977, softcover, 101 pages. There are eight chapters, roughly covering automotive ignitions, conventional, semiconductors, points-triggered, magnetic pickup, CDIs, conversions, and troubleshooting.
Plint, Engine Testing Theory & Practice, 1995, hardcover, 295 pages. This book seems much newer than it is. If you are building a dyno, or a test facility, or are just curious about dyno testing at the manufacturer level, this is the book to have.
SAE, SP-582 Engine Testing, 1984, softcover, 141 pages. Older and less useful than Plint. There are lots of topics on automation and the burgeoning use of computers in testing. Of particular interest to me was the extensive investigation into use of a zirconia sensor to measure air-fuel ratio.
Benson, Internal Combustion Engines, Vol 1 & Vol 2, 1979, softcover, 430 pages total. The softcover editions were split into two volumes. They cover thermodynamics and thermochemistry of internal combustion and contains Fortran source code.
Many of the general IC engine textbooks contain some information on automotive balancing. But it's been difficult for me to find affordable textbooks specifically about engine balancing.
Thomson, Fundamentals of Automotive Engine Balance, 1978, softcover, 96 pages. I found this one disappointing. It's neither highly technical nor extraordinarily practical. So maybe it will be just the right level for someone seeking something in the middle?
Norton, Design of Machinery, 1993, hardcover, 714 pages. This is a classic text that includes excellent chapters on balancing and engine dynamics. My copy came with a 3.5" diskette of programs written for DOS. If you can deal with that, the book is a real bargain.
Heldt, High-Speed Combustion Engines (Design, Production, Tests) 1941, hardcover, 774 pages. An amazing book for the time!
Heldt, The Gasoline Automobile, Volume IV Fuels and Carburetors, 1925, hardcover, 374 pages. This book is shockingly good! If you find a copy without paying the antiquarian bookseller price — buy it!
Peabody, Thermodynamics of the Steam Engine, 1909, hardcover, 543 pages. This is the oldest book in my collection. I found it at a used bookstore and bought it for a single chapter. But it's made fascinating reading. The thing that surprised me, but probably should not have (given Sadi Carnot and all), was the depth of thermodynamic understanding that predated the IC engine.
There are potentially dozens of others, but more pressing topics await….