Video: Tiny Supercharged V8 Screams at 8,000 RPM

Working entirely from scratch and using only manually operated machine tools, Don Baker built this quarter-scale V8 that includes a functional Roots blower and revs to 8,000 rpm.

 

There’s no denying that we’ve got a thing for miniature engines here at Mac’s Motor City Garage. For us these tiny machines are marvels of craftsmanship and creativity, and we’ve been thrilled to post a number of them here, from a Gnome WWI-era rotary in 1/5 scale to a 1/3-scale Ardun V8 with an exhaust roar just like the real thing. You can check out more of these hand-built masterpieces using the “Related” boxes toward the bottom of this page.

Don Baker (visit his YouTube channel here) built the engine we’re featuring here in approximate 1:4 scale, working entirely from scratch and using only manually-operated machine tools. Heads, block, and other major components were milled from 7075 aluminum bar stock, while the cylinder sleeves and piston sleeves were machined from cast iron.

With a one-inch bore and a one-inch stroke, the displacement works out to 6.28 cubic inches, and the engine can easily rev to 8,000 rpm (real rpm, not scale rpm). Lubrication is via a full-pressure dry sump system, and Mr. Baker says elements of the engine’s internal architecture were borrowed from the Chevy LS V8. One recent addition is a scaled Roots-style blower which he based on the famed GMC 71-series unit. Now see and hear this—video below.

 

14 thoughts on “Video: Tiny Supercharged V8 Screams at 8,000 RPM

  1. Really enjoyed the article and video. Thanks for posting. Also, not being smart and all but I think the blower name is spelled Rootes. Not Roots. FYI.

    • No, it’s definitely spelled Roots. Rootes would make no sense to begin with. FYI

  2. Eh… My 750cc race bike revs to 14000 rpm and makes 140hp. Great model, but i do like to experience the fruits of labor…. With a ride

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