1. What is Engine Displacement?

Engine displacement is the total volume of all the cylinders in an internal combustion engine. It's typically measured in cubic inches (ci) or liters (L), and indicates the total air/fuel mixture an engine can draw in during one complete engine cycle.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the engine displacement formula:

Where:

• \( \pi \) — Mathematical constant (~3.14159)
• \( \text{bore} \) — Diameter of each cylinder (inches)
• \( \text{stroke} \) — Distance piston travels (inches)
• \( \text{cylinders} \) — Number of cylinders in the engine

Explanation: The formula calculates the volume of a single cylinder (πr² × height) and multiplies by the number of cylinders.

3. Importance of Engine Size

Details: Engine displacement is a key factor in determining an engine's power potential, fuel efficiency, and torque characteristics. Larger displacements generally produce more power but may use more fuel.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter bore and stroke in inches, and the number of cylinders. All values must be positive numbers (bore > 0, stroke > 0, cylinders ≥ 1).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between bore and stroke?
A: Bore is the diameter of the cylinder, while stroke is the distance the piston travels from top to bottom.

Q2: How do I convert cubic inches to liters?
A: Multiply cubic inches by 0.016387 to get liters (1 cubic inch = 0.016387 liters).

Q3: What's a typical engine size for a passenger car?
A: Modern passenger cars typically range from about 90-400 cubic inches (1.5-6.6 liters).

Q4: Does larger displacement always mean more power?
A: While generally true, factors like forced induction, engine design, and efficiency can allow smaller engines to outperform larger ones.

Q5: What's the largest production engine displacement?
A: The Chrysler Hemi 426 was 426 cubic inches (7.0L), while modern supercars may exceed 500 cubic inches.