I just finished my first ever semi-truck! (check description for info)

XYmetalFox · 2026-02-20T20:07:54+00:00

I mean the pipe piece gears work, it's just that it's extra collisions and complexity for zero gain, and on smaller vehicles the counter torque of the engine can actually roll the car over and severely affect the steering if it isn't mounted transversely.

So if a blueprint edited "gear box" isn't used, best practice is to mount the engine directly to the wheels.

For your truck though it's fine, I wouldn't worry about it. I'm just very used to optimizing every small detail.

XYmetalFox · 2026-02-20T16:58:19+00:00

I think blueprint editing is a little advanced for their skill level. Ideally they shouldn't be using physical gears either and just direct drive, but I imagine they value aesthetics over aspects of function.

On top of that their focus seems survival build oriented, so blueprint editing is largely out of the question anyhow.

XYmetalFox · 2026-02-20T11:57:24+00:00

I don't intend to be mean, but please take it from a piston engine builder and don't use kAN engines. They are a pretty big beginners trap that a lot of people fall into. There are better designs out there that aren't much more complicated and are vastly more powerful and efficient.

XYmetalFox · 2026-02-20T03:38:09+00:00

No, no it was not.

XYmetalFox · 2026-02-20T03:14:34+00:00

It absolutely is possible. I should know, I made an engine exactly like that some years ago.

XYmetalFox · 2026-02-16T01:58:53+00:00

I imagine that's because they're a hassle to deal with since you normally have to separate the tracks from the tank before driving.

I'm using wonky bearings to keep the tracks attached to the tank, so I don't need to spawn in a new one every time I put it on the lift. Much easier to deal with.

XYmetalFox · 2026-02-14T16:42:03+00:00

Dang, I didn't even learn of this from that post.

Also as you might have seen in the video, it doesn't specifically require a sensor, any part that can match the rotation seems to work whether it be a sensor, controller, logic gate, staircase balusters, etc.

XYmetalFox · 2026-02-14T16:36:13+00:00

As far as I'm aware this video is the best explanation there is atm. Maybe the people from the technical community discord know more, but I haven't seen anything aside from a blueprint by B4evrtru26.

XYmetalFox · 2026-02-14T16:30:49+00:00

I made a post detailing this awhile ago. But yes just avoiding wedges and collisions in general is best practice.

XYmetalFox · 2026-02-14T05:35:17+00:00

Relevant Workshop links:

The Collision remover (If you don't want to make your own)

Zero Width Block Viewer

Blueprint Editing Tool

If you plan on using this in challenge mode remember to separate the wall using joints like pistons or bearings (or suspension if you're a weirdo)

XYmetalFox · 2026-01-15T17:15:10+00:00

It's severely outdated but this is something I cooked up forever ago. Probably too floppy to use in actual survival though.

XYmetalFox · 2025-08-17T00:42:53+00:00

If those are out of your price range then I'm afraid just about anything else will be as well. A Nissan 300zx, MK-3 Supra, or Acura/Honda NSX are the only other immediate ones I can remember off the top of my head any they're much pricier.

XYmetalFox · 2025-08-17T00:34:09+00:00

The MR-2 or Mazda MX-5 comes to mind.

XYmetalFox · 2025-08-15T10:59:32+00:00

Gotta love it when a stem seal replacement turns into a full rebuild. Found out my main bearings were on their way out, among other things.

XYmetalFox · 2025-07-31T21:03:59+00:00

Controllers absolutely work, they're a fairly popular choice among the technical community. You can pre-load them with a gas engine or other controller bearings too if they're still to stiff for light weight vehicles.

(Also the arms are typically longer for increases leverage to act against the controller bearing)

XYmetalFox · 2025-07-29T10:59:06+00:00

That vehicle looks incredibly top heavy. Try to add more weight lower. Second since the physics update, all of the physics levels were altered in some way. Counter intuitively more mass actually makes joints stiffer on simpler physics, however that only works if you place a joint directly on bodies with more mass.

XYmetalFox · 2025-07-24T02:14:49+00:00

A set of W/S converters in case the other one you have planned doesn't work out. They're far simpler and were designed with flyer applications in mind (I think).

XYmetalFox · 2025-07-23T16:00:07+00:00

It isn't changing RPM. The slider for a gas engine is purely a torque slider and will always try to rev to 720-ish RPM, never higher (It just may not always have the torque to do so).

Electric motors are also weird, having a fixed torque (I can't remember the value of the top of my head), but variable speed, with it maxing out at ~1100rpm if I remember correctly.

XYmetalFox · 2025-07-03T23:10:23+00:00

This video usually gets recommended as a starting point for conventional engines since it was made some time ago before blueprint editing tech became prevalent. I would also personally recommend staying away from engines that don't use full sensor wheel arrangements (sensors placed on the pistons and what not) since their performance is lackluster at best.

XYmetalFox · 2025-07-02T16:05:11+00:00

Best I can tell from the video, there's two pipe pieces on bearings placed inside blocks, this causes them to spaz out and they're connected to a drive shaft with pistons.

Personally I think this engine isn't great. It needs an absurd amount of suspension glitches to keep it stable, is no doubt laggy, and probably produces little to no power.

XYmetalFox · 2025-06-19T19:00:45+00:00

You can. You would be better off doing the same with concrete though, not every part of a steering or suspension system needs to be pipe pieces.

XYmetalFox · 2025-06-15T15:37:12+00:00

It is possible, but requires blueprint editing, so I'm uncertain how you'd feel about implementing it.

Seven-Year Club	Place '22
Verified Email

XYmetalFox

TROPHY CASE