As a pandemic project, I built a nearly life-size Chevrolet 454 V-8 engine and four-speed transmission with reverse, entirely from 1970s-1980s "Expert Builder" series Lego parts. It represents the kind of car engine that you'd find in an American muscle car of that period, such as a Corvette, Chevelle, or even a pick-up truck.
Winner: Best Mechanical, Brickworld Chicago, 2023, Best Mindstorms, Brickfair Virginia, 2022, Best Technic Creation, Brickfest Philadelphia, 2021
Q. Which set is this? A. It's not a Lego set. I designed and built it.
Q. How long did it take to build? A. One pandemic. :)
Q. How many parts are there? A. I didn't count. It's several thousand!
Q. Are you going to build the rest of the car? A. No.
Q. How much horsepower does it make and can it go in a real car? A. Nope! It's only a toy!
Q. How does it compare to a real 454? A. Read about the real 454.
Q. Is it for sale? A. No, but I'll build you one for the right price. Email me: evan(at)snarc.net.
Q. Do the numbers on the black box show how much power the engine makes? A. No. They show its power consumption in volts, amps, and watts.
Q. Why is there an old computer? A. It controls the distributor and spark plugs (lights) on the engine.
Q. What kind of computer? A. It's a Laser 128, which is a clone of an Apple //c. It is from my childhood in the 1980s.
Q. What programming language did you use? A. BASIC. It's a simple language from the 1980s, similar to how kids code in Python today.
Q. What are the two boxes with all the wires? A. Those are Lego parts from the 1980s called Interface A. They connect the computer to the motors, lights, and sensors in the engine. They're the grandfather of Mindstorms, which is Lego's modern computerized system.
Q. Is it really the "world's biggest" Lego V-8 engine? A. Who knows? Show me a bigger one!
Q. Are you on social media? A. Yes. My links are in the header of this website. Scroll up. :)
