Find Your Perfect Model Engine

A 14 cc inline four-cylinder, four-stroke petrol engine that you assemble yourself. Rated at 3.05 hp between 3,200 and 13,500 rpm, with CDI ignition, an electric start and combined water and air cooling. The full set includes the starting harness, fuel tank, radiator and a battery, so almost everything you need to run it is in the box apart from the fuel.

Toyan's 28 cc OHV V8 at 1/10 scale is the cheapest genuine gasoline V8 we found at either specialist retailer. Water-cooled, with its own oil-pump lubrication, a brushless starter motor and CDI ignition with a distributor, rated at 3.85 ps between 1,950 and 8,650 rpm. The $1,099 kit is the engine only: the retailer states that ignition, starting and water-cooling parts are bought separately, and sets that include a starter kit and stand cost up to $1,449 as a kit or $1,549 pre-assembled.

The see-through engine kit that started it all: a 1:4-scale, 314-piece V8 about 12 inches long, with its own engine stand. Turn the hand crank and you watch the crankshaft drive the connecting rods and pistons while the camshaft works the rocker arms and valves. It also has a working fan and pulleys, a distributor with plug wires and a carburettor with air cleaner. Revell rates it skill level 5.