where should i start if i want to learn about car engines so i can understand half the stuff on this forum and eventually start moding my car.

 

Take an Auto Mech class

 

+1 There is only so much that you can learn from reading books or listening to someone else tell a story. I have been on this site for a year and a half now and I learned more in my 6 week auto class than I have learned from this site.

This site is awesome and has some really good people with really good info but the best way to learn is to actually do it.

 

Yes the tech class is the best option. You will learn the best way of workin on your car as well, instead of some other shade tree mechanic style. Basically im saying that if you learn to do it right the first time then you wont spend the money the next time to fix it, you can use that money for more mods

 

Yep. On top of that: This site may be to teach people that have questions, but it wasn't made to explain everything to you from an in-depth perspective. This site does help in many ways though.

 

howstuffworks.com and just read the forums

 

read a lot, and get into your car and start learning from practise

 

you can start to read. take classes. pull up videos on youtube or something of the sort. like how to videos and they will point out what is what. usually if you go toa book store you can find a dvd of whatever it is you are wanting to know. how ever it is true that reading and watching won't get you near as far as if you were to work on it yourself. now if you like your car, i would suggest doing minor things on it. or go get a car from a junk yard, pay very little for it, and fix it up.