Review: 41351 Creative Tuning Shop

Not enough go in your go-kart? Bring it to the Creative Tuning Shop and we'll put some go-go in your go-kart.

This set was provided by the AFOL Engagement of The LEGO Group for the purpose of sharing set details with fans. Opinions provided here solely reflect those of our reviewer. Photographs are property of FriendsBricks and are not directed by TLG in any fashion.



Front of the box comes in the racing subtheme design. There is a checkered flag. The Friends are wearing racing outfits with Andrea holding a trophy. In the background is a Heartlake race track.



The back of the box shows some of the play features of the set and possible ways of customizing the go-karts. There is a better picture of the Friends's racing outfits. Emma has the trophy now instead of Andrea.



The sides of the box have more pictures and a 1:1 scale of Emma. There are also warnings in multiple languages and graphic. The UPC Code is covered by a NOT FOR SALE sticker. No reselling this set!



The flange of the box has doodle racing artwork of tools, trophy, battery, wheels.



Inside the box we have 2 8x16 tan plates, 4 numbered bags, 1 instruction manual, and a crumbled sticker sheet. Fortuately, it didn't affect the stickers ability to stick to the bricks.



Here we see the front of the instuction booklet. We can see more of Heartlake City in the background. Nice sunset. From my experience, when you're working on cars, you could be working well into the night.



The back of the manual has Emma version 1.0 promoting give feedback for a chance to win a cool prize.



This page shows the sets in the racing series. Collect them all.



Here we have some examples of how the go-karts can be customized. Also how to use the go-kart launcher.







These pages provide a parts listing. There is a warning not to shoot in the eye with the red stud shooter.



Example of the easy to follow along build instructions.



Here is the sticker sheet under a pane of glass and LEGO train weights to flatten it out for the camera. Smile sticker...



Here are the contents of bag #1. The dark pink 2X2X2/3 plate w. bow is new for 2018. The purple spoiler is only available in two other sets.



Here are the contents of the small bag 1. The 5 petal 1x1 plates are new for 2018.



Small bag 2 has the tools. <3



Finishing bag #1, we have a tool cart, go-kart and launcher.



Let's take closer look at the minidolls. Emma's torso is new for 2018 and found only in this set. Her pants are new for 2018 too and in 5 other sets.



Emma's aqua helmet with pony tail is new for 2018 and only in this set. It is a two part mold. There is hard ABS plastic and a softer rubbery plastic for the hair piece.



Dean appears to be a new character for 2018. His torso and pants are new. There is a hole on the back of his shirt. I get those too from crawling under cars.



Here's Emma's cat Chico who has been in a few other sets with Emma.



Moving on to bag #2. The aqua 1x6x5 corrugated panels, purple 6x6 plate w. bow, purple 6x12 plate, and dark pink 2x4 tile appear to be new for 2018.



In the small bag, we get Technic gears and gear racks. Our gearheads would like that.



Completing bag #2, we have the showroom and working garage door. Turning the yellow Technic cross axle extension opens and closes the door. There are spray bottles of polish to detail the go-karts and tool holders.



Shifting to 3rd gear, I mean bag #3. Dark pink 1x4x1 1/3 bricks and purple inverted 1x3 roof tile are new for 2018.



Here's what's in the small bag. The aqua/purple pens are new for 2018 and currently in 3 other sets. The red shooter is available in one other set.



Completing bag #3, we have the 2nd floor office and the wrench/spray can logo on the roof. Time to grab a cookie and banana snack.



Break time over. To bag #4 we go.



Here's the small bag's content. The teal 1x2x2/3 roof tile is new for 2018. The orange 1x2 plates w. bow are available in one other set.



Finishing bag #4, we have the parts rack, a working go-kart lift, and a go-kart to customize.



There are the left over pieces. What does it say on the 1x1 printed yellow tile?



Let's visit the creative tuning shop. Emma and Dean welcome us in the showroom. There is a turntable to shows off their trophy winning go-kart.



In the design office, Dean shows us what tires he thinks we should use and Emma is coding the tuning parameters for our ECU on her computer.



Open the blast door (Star Wars fan alert). Emma brings in a go-kart for tuning. The working garage door is great way to demonstrate linear motion using gears and gear rack. It is like the steering rack in a real car.



Our go-kart is raised on the lift and Dean and Emma get to work. Dean has a modified paint spray gun. Spraying on a clear coat will make it all shiny. Chico is the shop supervisor.


This set offers some creative ways to build your own go-kart and personalize to your heart's content. It has functional mechanisms to learn about gears and levers and Technic building techniques. Assembly was easy. The crunched sticker sheet didn't pose a problem. It would have been nice if it came with a second launcher to race a friend. Overall it is an enjoyable fun set.




Need for speed? Use the finger Force hyper speed drive.

Thanks for reading!

Note: All exclusive parts mentioned in the colours noted were applicable at the time this review was posted. Parts may be available in other colours and sets after the post of this review. Brickset and BrickLink were used to verify this information.