This RC truck's 44cc V8 emits a raucous sound reminiscent of a spirited small-block Chevy.

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      Many people believe that pickup trucks should come with V8 engines. This RC build is aimed at that audience.

      There's a specific group of small—rather, tiny—engine creators who enjoy building miniature V8s. JohnnyQ90 on YouTube is one of them, amassing a large following by modifying these small power plants. His channel has nearly two million subscribers, thanks to impressive projects like this 1/10-scale Squarebody Chevrolet, believed to be the world's smallest V8 RC truck.

      The engine is a 1/6-scale Cison model featuring a displacement of 44cc—a genuine small-block, if you will. It can be purchased online for *checks notes* $2,099. That’s outrageous.

      Nevertheless, JohnnyQ90 has enhanced this particular model and even crafted tiny upgrades himself. He possesses a complete set of miniature machining tools and a spot welder. That's just his nature—and notably, he doesn’t speak in his videos. He simply tinkers away.

      It's tuned to operate on 95-octane gas and even produces a wicked chop at idle. The sound emitted from the dual exhausts surpasses any RC car engine I’ve encountered. Check it out here:

      After getting it operational a few months back, JohnnyQ90 replaced the transmission with one featuring taller gearing. He also refined the drivetrain, adjusting shaft angles to improve its smoothness. In that regard, it resembles a full-size lifted truck.

      Even with the taller gearing, the Chevy has a maximum speed of only 18 miles per hour. That’s acceptable, since it sounds like a roaring drag car at nearly any speed. Plus, this model is designed for crawling. It can kick up a cloud of dust with the best of them.

      I have immense respect for anyone who can transform a model intended for a desk into a functioning vehicle. Sure, there are kits available to facilitate this type of project, but it still requires a considerable amount of creativity and resourcefulness. JohnnyQ90 is clearly passionate about it—he even owns a dyno for these scaled engines—though it’s evident that it’s all in the name of enjoyment.

      I just need to ensure that my six-year-old doesn't see it, or I might find myself spending a lot for Christmas.

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