1. What is Piston Displacement?

Piston displacement, also called engine displacement, is the total volume of all the cylinders in an internal combustion engine. It's a key specification that indicates an engine's size and power potential.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the piston displacement formula:

Where:

• \( bore \) — Diameter of the cylinder (inches)
• \( stroke \) — Distance the piston travels (inches)
• \( \pi \) — Mathematical constant (~3.1416)

Explanation: The formula calculates the volume of a cylinder (πr²h) where radius is half the bore, and height is the stroke length.

3. Importance of Displacement Calculation

Details: Engine displacement directly relates to an engine's power output and fuel consumption. Larger displacements generally produce more power but consume more fuel.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter bore diameter and stroke length in inches, and number of cylinders. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What units should I use for bore and stroke?
A: The calculator uses inches, but the formula works with any units as long as you're consistent (results will be in cubic units of your input).

Q2: How does displacement relate to engine power?
A: Generally, larger displacement means more potential power, but actual power depends on many factors like compression ratio, fuel system, and engine design.

Q3: What's the difference between single cylinder and total displacement?
A: Single cylinder displacement is for one piston, while total displacement multiplies this by the number of cylinders in the engine.

Q4: How do I convert cubic inches to liters?
A: Multiply cubic inches by 0.016387 to get liters (1 liter = 61.02 cubic inches).

Q5: Why is displacement important for vehicle classification?
A: Many regions tax vehicles or classify them based on engine displacement, as it correlates with potential emissions and performance.