V8 engines, with their signature roar, are synonymous with automotive power. Thanks to the balanced arrangement of two banks of four cylinders in a V configuration, V8 engines produce less vibration than six cylinder engines, allowing for a larger engine with greater horsepower. Motorheads and modeling enthusiasts have been asking us for years for a complex engine model, and here it is: the Ugears V8 Engine!
The V8 Engine is a 1:6 scale model that operates using either an electric motor or by turning a knob, allowing you to watch the mesmerizing workings of this iconic internal combustion engine. The model fully replicates all main mechanisms in a real V8, including eight cylinders with pistons moving in cycle, with two cylinders "firing" for every 90 degrees of crankshaft rotation, 16 spring-loaded valves opening and closing as they are pushed by heads on the rotating camshafts, crankcase and valve train components linked with a timing chain, and a throttle valve on the intake manifold. The model is powered by an electric motor styled as a generator. A serpentine belt connects the crankshaft pulley to various pulleys representing engine accessories like the A/C compressor, alternator, power steering pump and water pump. Connect the model to a power source using a USB-C cable, then flip the on/off switch to "on" to watch your engine come to life, or manually set the V-8 engine in motion by twisting the knob located under the on/off switch.
Other amazingly realistic details include stylized exhaust manifolds, spark plugs, oil pan, dipstick, and caps on top for oil and brake fluid. The model is assembled in stages—first the cylinder block, then the valve blocks, allowing you to better understand the workings of the engine. The rubber band on the front of the engine can be replaced easily, while the throttle rubber band can also be replaced by removing the intake manifold. The timing chain has 32 links, and its tension can be adjusted using two tensioners, ensuring that the chain is not too loose or too tight.
Our team is made up of people who simply have to know how things work, and we want to help others learn too. Inspire the next generation of engineers and mechanics when you give the V8 Engine as a gift to a young modeler, or when you take it down from a shelf in your home, garage or shop and show it to a curious child, grandchild or neighbor or let them play with it. Put the vroom in your room with the V8 Engine from Ugears!