How to Calculate the Engine Capacity of a Car
Introduction
Engine capacity, also known as engine displacement, is a measure of the volume of air and fuel that an engine can move in a single combustion cycle. It is usually measured in cubic centimeters (cc) or liters (L). Engine capacity is an important factor in determining the power and efficiency of an engine.
Calculating Engine Capacity
There are two ways to calculate the engine capacity of a car:
- Using the engine displacement formula:
The engine displacement formula is:
Engine Capacity = (Bore x Stroke x Number of Cylinders) / 1000
* Bore is the diameter of the piston in millimeters.
* Stroke is the distance the piston travels from top dead center to bottom dead center in millimeters.
* Number of Cylinders is the number of cylinders in the engine.
- Using a VIN decoder:
The VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) of a car contains a code that indicates the engine capacity. The code is usually the 10th character of the VIN.
The following table shows the VIN engine capacity codes:
| Code | Engine Capacity (cc) |
|---|---|
| A | 1000-1249 |
| B | 1250-1499 |
| C | 1500-1749 |
| D | 1750-1999 |
| E | 2000-2499 |
| F | 2500-2999 |
| G | 3000-3499 |
| H | 3500-3999 |
| J | 4000-4499 |
| K | 4500-4999 |
| L | 5000-5499 |
| M | 5500-5999 |
| N | 6000-6499 |
| P | 6500-6999 |
| R | 7000-7499 |
| S | 7500-7999 |
| T | 8000-8499 |
| V | 8500-8999 |
| W | 9000-9499 |
| X | 9500-9999 |
Example
Let’s calculate the engine capacity of a car with the following engine specifications:
* Bore: 80 mm
* Stroke: 88 mm
* Number of Cylinders: 4
Engine Capacity = (80 x 88 x 4) / 1000
= 2816 cc
Conclusion
Calculating the engine capacity of a car is a simple process that can be done using the engine displacement formula or a VIN decoder. Engine capacity is an important factor in determining the power and efficiency of an engine.
