Building a V8 engine with your own hands is a desire that unites all mechanical lovers. Of course, not everyone has access to handling large engine blocks, and even less “getting their hands on” legendary engines like the 454 Chevy V8, the fourth generation of the Big Block that was only produced for a few years in the early 1970s and was the heart of vehicles like the Chevy Corvette, El Camino, Chevelle, Caprice, and GMC Sprint.
This 7.4 L (454 cubic inch) engine, according to its configuration, delivered powers that could range from 400 to 500 HP. Although it was produced for a short time, it is considered one of the most iconic engines in the history of General Motors, and for that reason a fan recreated it in LEGO pieces and not only that, but also made it move.
Stock 454 Big Block V8 engine
Measuring approximately 1,220mm long, 457mm tall and 610mm wide, this creation isn’t that small, actually almost the same size as the original 454, though Being made of plastic, it weighs only 18 kg compared to the approximately 300 kg that the original block weighs.
Beyond the showy The cutest thing about this LEGO V8 is that it moves. To do it, its builder included pistons, camshafts, and timing gears, plus a fully functional transmission even with a clutch and a flywheel, allowing you to change gears and even reverse gear.
The software was written in BASIC by the same builder on an old Laser 128 PC from the 1980s.
LEGO usually surprises with complex products to assemble, but in this case, the great thing is that this V8 454 was put together from scratch, without instructions or guides of any kind. Obviously we are dealing with a real nerd on the subject, since the person who put it together used vintage LEGO electronics from the 1980s that can time the distributor and spark plugs and as if that weren’t enough, using BASIC for the code, the builder can also use an old computer to program how the engine “works”.
Why build a plastic engine? Because beyond its usefulness, it is gratifying to do what one sets out to do. Watch the video below to appreciate how it works.
