This kit has nearly everything you need to build your own model V8 engine (you just need to supply the batteries and a smartphone or tablet if you want to use the augmented reality and digital content), see how it works and learn about the different components and their functions within an engine. Tech, gadgets, car accessories and other products tested. Christmas 2023 gift guide Nextbase iQ review: The world's smartest dash cam 5 best ice scrapers to buy › More here... The Machine Works Haynes V8 Model Engine Kit is a comprehensive but manageable kit of a simplified replica working engine that does not require any glue to assemble. Once completed the battery-powered engine model can be turned on to reveal moving parts, lights and sounds. Encased in a transparent housing so that you can see how the engine works and with the aid of a special interactive augmented reality app on your tablet or smartphone. Not only an excellent model building kit but an educational kit to see and learn how an internal combustion engine works and powers a car. Secondly, the parts. There are more than 250 parts and whilst at first can seem quite a daunting task, the manual has a complete parts list and isn’t as daunting as it seems (as long as you don’t just put everything into one big pile).

Build a fully functional, motorised model of a V8 petrol engine. This model is a greatly simplified version of a real V8 car engine featuring realistic V8 sound and illuminating spark plugs. Contains over 250 pieces and all that you need to assemble the model. Comes with a Haynes style manual giving you step by step instruction as well as interesting information about V8 engines. IF YOU have a son or daughter who is interested in tinkering with engines, don’t let them loose under the bonnet of your Ford Mondeo this Christmas. Consider instead the Build Your Own V8 Engine kit from Haynes, a publisher best known for its car maintenance manuals.Once built, that isn’t the end. The model engine looks great on display, housed in its plastic transparent casing but add 3x AA batteries and you will now have a V8 engine where the spark plugs light up, the pistons move up and down and the crankshaft rotates. And as it is all in a transparent case you will see it all working. Do you love engines? Are you fascinated by all the pistons and gears moving around? Wouldn’t it be nice having a cool model engine in your living room, garage, office, or shop? An engine you built by yourself? When I was a child growing up, I loved playing with construction and model building toys such as LEGO. I loved following instructions and building the models as well as creating my own. These kinds of “toys” are not only fun to build but as I know now, help children develop their dexterity skills, cognitive skills such as planning, problem solving and logical thinking, being able to read and follow instructions and other skills such as patience. Now as an adult I enjoy helping the kids – when they were younger it was simple marble runs that got more complex and now LEGO sets (which the kids display rather than play with). Therefore, I was delighted when I was sent the Machine Works Haynes V8 Model Engine Kit complete with Digital and Interactive Augmented Reality to work on. Stories and advice about our beloved classics Are these the 23 ugliest cars ever made? Alan Mann unveils electric Ford Mustang restomod Goodwood Revival's cutest race? Yes and no › More here...

All in, it took 2 hours and 45 minutes to complete our model (that’s Christmas morning sorted, then). It turned over as promised, though the nature of the plastic pieces made it far from smooth when it ran — this is no Mercedes-AMG V8. Some extra time spent on fine-tuning might have helped. Firstly, the instruction/assembly manual. This is very well put together and has step-by-step illustrated diagrams. It is easy to follow and makes assembly straightforward. The engine is designed as a gasoline engine but works with a 5V electric motor instead of gasoline so you can run it and see all the parts moving. This kit is as close to a real assembly line process as you can get. Overall, the Machine Works Haynes V8 Model Engine Kit an excellent bonding experience for any parent/child or grandparent/grandchild. It requires several hours of your time to assemble but is great fun and the interactive app adds to the fun and is very educational. It is a perfect STEM product for car enthusiasts and model builders with curious minds.Like a Haynes manual brought to minature life, this is a model of the classic V8 configuration engine, similar to ones you’ll find in everything from 1930s Fords to modern Ferraris and McLarens. Rather than being just a static model however, once properly constructed, this V8 actually works – or at least moves with a little help. The stars and their cars Giorgetto Giugiaro, legendary car designer Gran Turismo star on fatal Nurburgring crash Duke of Richmond Q&A: 75 years of Goodwood › More here... The Machine Works Haynes V8 Model Engine Kit is a comprehensive but manageable kit of a simplified replica working engine. It doesn’t require any special tools or even glue to assemble and once it is fully assembled, the battery-powered engine model can be turned on to reveal moving parts, lights and sounds. To show it off, it is encased in a transparent housing so that you can see how the engine works and with the aid of a special interactive augmented reality app on your tablet or smartphone you can see what parts are and what they do. Not only is it an excellent model building kit but an educational tool to see and learn how an internal combustion engine works and powers a car. The easy to read manual and assembly instructions are easy to follow. Some bits can be fiddley to assemble and require patience, but it is fun to put together and the screws used are all the same size so no putting the wrong one in the wrong place.

In the box there are over 250 parts that need to be assembled. When looking at all the parts filled with parts it does look like quite a daunting experience but fear not it does come with a comprehensive Haynes style manual and a screwdriver – everything that you need to assemble it and no extras, like glue, needed. The Machine Works Haynes V8 Model Engine Kit with Digital and Interactive Augmented Reality is a really cool construction project and bonding experience that is so much more than assembling parts. I have really enjoyed building it and learning more about how it works. Highly recommended educational fun.

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The best clips on Driving Video: Ford Supervan EV races up Pikes Peak Video: Ferrari SF90 XX walkaround Giorgetto Giugiaro, legendary car designer › More here... It doesn’t operate as an actual engine of course - it can’t burn fuel or produce power, but when you provide it with 4 x AA batteries and turn it on, it springs into life. The crankshaft spins, the pistons go up and down and the whole valvetrain moves as it should. Having already built it you’ll know how these parts mesh together, but with power running through it you can see how they all interact. It even pipes through some authentic V8 sounds recorded from a real engine, although these are somewhat drowned out by the sound of the plastics parts themselves.

The app works by scanning the completed model. You can switch between normal, x-ray and exploded views. The app also has a How It Works section explaining how different components work and what their functions are. Also in the app is a digital copy of the manual complete with parts list and assembly instructions. This 357 pcs, four-cylinder engine is a true masterpiece. When we first saw this model, we were blown away by its level of detail. This kit will keep you occupied for hours. Extremely well made with high-precision parts in stainless steel and aluminum alloy. The most popular advice topics — we've got you covered 2035 petrol and diesel car ban: 12 things to know

Get under the skin of cars over months rather than days Extended test: Honda HR-V 2023 review Extended test: Skoda Kamiq 1.0 TSI Extended test: Dacia Jogger review › More here... On opening the box, you are faced with a selection of bags all with different parts in them. I have to say it was a little daunting but nothing ventured, nothing gained! Well, here’s a collection of the 10 best and coolest engine model kits you could build. #1. 4 Cylinder Metal Engine To help you discover how internal combustion engines work a special augmented reality App is available via your smart phone. This creates an interactive experience with the finished model so you can see an exploded view of the engine with 5 animations of key components and detailed descriptions of 11 different engine parts plus the engine sound. Brings the workings of the V8 engine to life! Overall, the Machine Works Haynes V8 Model Engine Kit with digital and interactive augmented reality is a fun construction kit that will show what the engine looks like but also how it works with its moving parts and app interaction – it even has engine sounds. It would make the perfect gift, especially with Christmas coming up, for people that like to build models and explore how things work.