---
title: "A Fully Functional 9cc V-Twin Engine Is a Great Way to Blow $600"
description: "The miniature engine runs on gasoline, produces less than one horsepower, and revs to 8,000 rpm."
date: "2022-01-25"
modified: "2022-01-25"
authors:
  - name: "Peter Holderith"
    job_title: "Contributor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/peter-holderith"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/44012/a-fully-functional-9cc-v-twin-engine-is-a-great-way-to-blow-600"
categories:
  - "Culture"
  - "News"
---

# A Fully Functional 9cc V-Twin Engine Is a Great Way to Blow $600

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2022/01/tiny-9cc-vtwin-engine-lead.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

Even if California's enthusiasm for small engines is waning, I'm all about microscopic powerplants*.* From [tiny diesel-powered slot cars](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/33536/slot-cars-used-to-have-tiny-diesel-engines-that-could-hit-60-mph>) to [handmade wooden V8s,](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/39986/this-intricate-wooden-car-with-working-v8-engine-and-gearbox-was-built-by-a-crazy-smart-teen>) I enjoy motors that can fit on a desktop. That makes this 9cc V-twin engine with less than one single horsepower incredibly appealing to me.

To be clear, this is a fully functioning engine complete with what appears to be the world's smallest spark plugs. It's a model V-twin called the CISON FG-VT9, and it's offered for sale by [a number of retailers.](<https://www.stirlingkit.com/products/cison-fg-vt9-9cc-v-twin-engine-four-stroke-air-cooled-motorcycle-gasoline-engine?variant=42443843862741>) What could you use it for? Well, anything.

![message-editor%2F1643127791415-tiny9ccvtwinengineinlinea.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1643127791415-tiny9ccvtwinengineinlinea.jpg>)
**NDA Hack via YouTube**

Typically, engines such as this—if they have a purpose besides entertainment—are used in model aircraft. This one doesn't seem intended for that sort of use, however. It has a flywheel not designed to fit a propeller, mounting points unlike a model [aircraft](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/38555/wide-streets-massive-garages-meet-the-neighborhoods-designed-for-pilots-and-small-planes>) engine, and its power output—about three-quarters of a horsepower—is on the low side for its weight. It doesn't mean it's not possible to rig up this 3.3-pound engine into the nose or tail of a tiny plane, it just means it's probably not intended for that.

Despite its aeronautical applications being uncertain, this tiny V-twin is still sweet. Featuring a [pint-sized carburetor,](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/40297/nascar-legend-handbuilt-a-miniature-carburetor-that-works-on-a-full-size-ford-v8>) tiny copper tailpipes, and a redline of 8,000 rpm, it makes all the right chopper noises—just in miniature. Similar to a full-sized [Harley-Davidson engine,](<https://www.thedrive.com/motorcycles/18228/harley-davidson-would-like-to-remind-you-its-bikes-are-very-customizable>) the FG-VT9 is air-cooled, although it does not feature a proper lubrication system for its valvetrain. In the video below, you can see the rocker arms and timing gears are both simply greased up, while the all-important crankshaft appears to run on a tiny sealed ball bearing.

https://youtube.com/embed/JAfbMeYchZU

Besides that, the engine features a stroke of 21mm, a bore of 16.6mm, and it has to be started with a drill, or something along those lines. How much does it cost for all of this palm-sized power? $600, which is actually pretty good all things considered.

It's also worth noting that 45 degrees is actually the ideal bank angle for a V16. So if you're willing to shell out the cash for eight of these things and sort through all of the foibles involved with combining a bunch of little engines together, you could have—for all intents and purposes—a more complicated version of a [Briggs & Stratton,](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/37269/this-youtuber-combined-a-dozen-briggs-stratton-motors-to-create-a-wacky-h12-engine>) but with less torque. Sign me up.

*Got a tip or question for the author? You can reach them here**: peter@thedrive.com*

## Author
Peter Holderith is a former staff writer for The Drive. He enjoys covering the regular news cycle, writing reviews, and hunting down long features on obscure pieces of automotive history.

### Author social links  
[LinkedIn](<https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-h-5ba447192/>)  
[Twitter](<https://twitter.com/_baldtires>)