Latest news with #JohnnyQ90
The Drive
6 days ago
- Automotive
- The Drive
This RC Truck's 44cc V8 Sounds Like a Rowdy Small-Block Chevy
The latest car news, reviews, and features. A lot of folks argue that pickup trucks should have V8s. This RC build is for them. There's a whole niche of small—nay, tiny engine builders who get a kick out of miniature V8s. JohnnyQ90 on YouTube is one such person, as he's developed a massive following by modifying these petite power plants. His channel has nearly two million followers, and it's because he creates awesome projects like this 1/10-scale Squarebody Chevrolet. Supposedly, it's the world's smallest V8 RC truck. The engine itself is a 1/6-scale Cison model with 44cc of displacement—a real small-block, if you will. Anyone can buy it online for *checks notes* $2,099. What? That's insane. In any case, JohnnyQ90 has modified this one and even manufactured tiny upgrades for it himself. He has an entire set of pint-sized machining tools, plus a spot welder. That's just the kind of fella he is—and better yet, he doesn't say a word in his videos. He just tinkers. It's tuned to run on 95-octane gas, and it even has a nasty chop at idle. The sound that pumps through the dual exhausts is better than any RC car engine I've ever heard. Check it here: After getting it running and driving a few months back, JohnnyQ90 swapped transmissions for one with taller gearing. He also went through the rest of the drivetrain, adjusting shaft angles to help it run more smoothly. It's a lot like a full-size lifted truck, in that sense. Even with the taller gearing, the Chevy tops out at just 18 miles per hour. That's OK, though, considering it sounds like a thumping drag car at pretty much any speed. And this thing is made for crawling anyways. It'll sling a rooster tail of dust with the best of 'em. I have big respect for anyone who can turn a model meant for a desktop into a runner driver. Sure, there are kits out there to help with this kind of project, but it still takes a lot of resourcefulness and ingenuity. JohnnyQ90 clearly takes it seriously—he even has a dyno for these scale engines—though you can tell it's all in the name of fun. I just have to make sure my six-year-old doesn't see it, or else I'll be coughing up a chunk of change for Christmas. Got a tip or question for the author? Contact them directly: caleb@
Miami Herald
05-07-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Watch This Mini V8-Powered RC Chevy Roar Like the Real Thing
The world of radio-controlled (RC) vehicles is driven by passion, and it's gained serious traction over the past few years among hobbyists. YouTube creator JohnnyQ90 stands out in this space, with nearly two million subscribers and a knack for building shockingly realistic, fully functional microscopic machines. In one of his latest videos, he showcases a working RC Chevy truck powered by a tiny 44cc V8 engine. To most people, an RC car is just a small toy with a minuscule electric motor, barely fast enough to outrun a walking person. Johnny's V8-powered micro truck is the exact opposite. It has a top speed of 29 kph (18 mph), which is faster than the average human can run. And like any real car, it needs regular maintenance. The video begins with Johnny cleaning off the dust and performing a routine oil change. After draining the old oil, he fills it with 25 ml of 5W-50. It's a little ritual any gearhead can appreciate, even if the car only weighs 8.8 kg (19.4 lbs) and fits on a table. Powering his Chevy truck is a water-cooled, four-stroke 44cc OHV small-block V8 made by CISON Gasoline. It puts out around 4.8 horsepower, revs up to 10,000 rpm, and weighs just 1,700 grams (3.75 lbs). Despite its tiny size, it sounds shockingly similar to a full-size American V8. Engines this intricately engineered don't come cheap. The CISON V8 costs $2,099 on its own, and that price climbs quickly once you factor in the body, tires, and potential upgrades like a six-speed transmission or alternator. This isn't a budget-friendly RC build; it's a mechanical work of art, meant for enthusiasts. Sure, it sounds ridiculous on paper: watching a grown man drive a toy truck back and forth. But bear with us. This isn't just a toy. Watching Johnny clean, maintain, and drive his mini V8 truck is oddly satisfying. There's something undeniably charming about seeing a scale model treated with the same love and care as a full-sized car. Between CISON's attention to detail and JohnnyQ90's passion for his build, it's easy to get lost in the realism. And the occasional moment where the truck flips over because it's too fast for its own good? That's just the cherry on top. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Auto Blog
05-07-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Watch This Mini V8-Powered RC Chevy Roar Like the Real Thing
By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. The world of radio-controlled (RC) vehicles is driven by passion, and it's gained serious traction over the past few years among hobbyists. YouTube creator JohnnyQ90 stands out in this space, with nearly two million subscribers and a knack for building shockingly realistic, fully functional microscopic machines. In one of his latest videos, he showcases a working RC Chevy truck powered by a tiny 44cc V8 engine. Small Truck, Serious Engineering To most people, an RC car is just a small toy with a minuscule electric motor, barely fast enough to outrun a walking person. Johnny's V8-powered micro truck is the exact opposite. It has a top speed of 29 kph (18 mph), which is faster than the average human can run. And like any real car, it needs regular maintenance. The video begins with Johnny cleaning off the dust and performing a routine oil change. After draining the old oil, he fills it with 25 ml of 5W-50. It's a little ritual any gearhead can appreciate, even if the car only weighs 8.8 kg (19.4 lbs) and fits on a table. The $2,099 Small-Block Heart Source: YouTube @ JohnnyQ90 Powering his Chevy truck is a water-cooled, four-stroke 44cc OHV small-block V8 made by CISON Gasoline. It puts out around 4.8 horsepower, revs up to 10,000 rpm, and weighs just 1,700 grams (3.75 lbs). Despite its tiny size, it sounds shockingly similar to a full-size American V8. Engines this intricately engineered don't come cheap. The CISON V8 costs $2,099 on its own, and that price climbs quickly once you factor in the body, tires, and potential upgrades like a six-speed transmission or alternator. This isn't a budget-friendly RC build; it's a mechanical work of art, meant for enthusiasts. Why We Can't Stop Watching This V8-Powered Toy Source: YouTube @ JohnnyQ90 Sure, it sounds ridiculous on paper: watching a grown man drive a toy truck back and forth. But bear with us. This isn't just a toy. Watching Johnny clean, maintain, and drive his mini V8 truck is oddly satisfying. There's something undeniably charming about seeing a scale model treated with the same love and care as a full-sized car. Between CISON's attention to detail and JohnnyQ90's passion for his build, it's easy to get lost in the realism. And the occasional moment where the truck flips over because it's too fast for its own good? That's just the cherry on top. About the Author Marnus Moolman View Profile
