Big-Block, Little Bricks: Check Out This Full-Scale Lego 454

The act of building an engine is a rite of passage for many enthusiasts. The first startup, when something you created from parts comes alive and produces power on its own, is often an emotional moment. Of course, there are people who revel in the process rather than the result, and I have never seen a better example than this nearly full-scale replica of a Chevrolet 454 engine made exclusively from Lego bricks.

According to the builder, Evan Koblentz, this was a project he undertook in 2020 and 2021 just to see what was possible. The result is a relatively functional representation of an engine that captures many of its more complex parts, and well, at that.

It’s not a perfect 1:1 scale, but that likely would not be possible, given that Koblentz limited himself to the use of 1970s and 1980s-era “Expert Builder” bricks to achieve his vision. This meant that rounded shapes were all but out: The “pistons,” for example, are flat, square plates. The limited choice of bricks doesn’t stop the pistons from reciprocating: The crankshaft rotates, driven by small electric motors mounted to the front of the engine model.

Above the crankshaft is a brick-built camshaft that lifts a set of sixteen pushrods that actuate 16 valves. Interestingly, the distributor is one of the items that is closest to the real thing, as it holds switches that control eight small LED lights that light up as if they were spark plugs firing. The model even has electronic ignition: The sensors and LEDs that replicate the ignition system are switched on and off by a Lego control panel that uses code running on a 8-bit computer.

As if building the engine model were not enough, Koblentz also assembled a working flywheel and clutch setup, along with a four-speed transmission with reverse. The transmission shifts pretty easily through all the gears thanks to the hand-operated clutch, and the ratios even look pretty accurate.

If this whole project has you wondering when it will go into a car made of the same dimpled bricks, don’t hold your breath. In the frequently asked questions portion of his website, which is dedicated to Lego projects, Koblentz has a clear “no” next to the idea of building more parts or pieces to add to this model. Should he decide to, we suggest an 8-71 blower on top. After all, that’s the same thing we’d love to see on a real big-block.

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