World’s Smallest Production V8 Is the Most Epic Gift for the Die-Hard Petrolhead

Eight cylinders are equally distributed on two banks arranged in a V-shape, all actuated by a common crankshaft. This configuration was born in the early 1900s in France and soon, it would take over the automotive world. Cadillac was the first carmaker to mass produce one in 1914 (the L-Head), while Ford helped boost its popularity nearly two decades later with the introduction of the Flathead.

From that point on, the V8 became a legend. It defined the original muscle car era, powered some of the most legendary road-legal exotics, and stood at the heart of many successful race cars.

These days, it’s still around, but with rising gas prices, stricter emission regulations, and the rise of electric vehicles, it’s on the brink of extinction. Some companies are making an effort to keep it alive by developing versions that can gobble up hydrogen but, sadly, it’s hard to believe that such prototypes will be cleaner and cheaper to mass produce than mainstream battery-electric powertrains.

With the V8 becoming a critically endangered species of the automotive realm, fans of the eight-cylinder icon can have a fully functional one displayed in their living room without requiring a lot of space or alienating their better half in the process.

This is where we meet the Toyan FS-V800, a 1.7-ci (0.02-liter) bundle of pure petrolhead joy that runs on R/C nitro fuel. Dubbed the world’s smallest production V8, it comes from China and, although that might raise some concerns in terms of quality, it’s developed by a manufacturer that’s known for building very good four-stroke R/C engines, as well as high-quality, fully functional 1:10 scale replicas of an inline-four and a V4.

Available either ready to run or as a kit that you can build yourself, the FS-V800 is a mind-blowingly accurate replica of a real, old-school V8. That means it comes with every single component that you would find in a full-size, naturally aspirated eight-cylinder engine.

At its core, it features a block with a classic 80-degree V angle between the banks. The cylinders measure 0.656 inches (16.67 mm), while the bore stands at 0.66 inches (17 mm).

Inside the block, a cross-plane crankshaft with tiny conrods connected to equally minuscule pistons equipped with rings.

On top, there are two cylinder heads that house one belt-driven cam and eight valves per bank making the engine a classic 16-valve V8. Like a conventional, full-size engine, it boasts intake and exhaust valves independently actuated through individual rockers. Even more impressive, the exhaust valves push the gasses out through metal manifolds, each equipped with its miniature muffler. As you can see (and hear) in the video below by RC Tanks & Trucks 24/7, it sounds nothing like a conventional R/C engine, as it rumbles at idle and roars like a much bigger engine when revved up to its limit.

Between the cylinder heads, Toyan engineers have placed two carburetors on top of which sits an old-school air filter box.

There’s even a functional cooling system complete with a mechanical, belt-driven water pump that’s actuated by the crankshaft. The system is said to be able to keep temperatures at bay even during prolonged, high-rpm operation. According to its manufacturer, the small FS-V800 can make about 4.3 hp and rev up to a staggering 12,500 rpm.

Weighing 4.51 pounds (2.05 kg), it measures 4.85 inches (123.4 mm) in length, 1.25 inches (32 mm) in width, and including the air box, it sits 5 inches (127.3 mm) tall. This means that it can be easily displayed in your living room, and if you’re an R/C fan, you can also use it to power your custom 1:10 scale build, as it comes with all the components needed to mate it to the drivetrain, such as a flywheel.

Its only drawback is the price, which stands around $1,500 -depending on the retailer. Yes, that can be more expensive than a used, full-size V8 (or in some cases, more than a V8-powered vehicle), but for such a complicated, scaled-down engineering masterpiece, it’s well worth it.

I’m in awe of the complexity and precision of the FS-V800 as well as its awesome sound. It currently tops my Christmas list and after reading this article, I’m sure it will find its way on top of many V8 enthusiasts’ lists. If you’re willing and able to pay the steep price, this amazing miniature engine is guaranteed to be the most epic gift that a petrolhead can receive.