VW Engine Displacement Calculator
Understanding Your VW Engine's Size
For any air-cooled Volkswagen enthusiast, understanding engine displacement is fundamental. Whether you're restoring a classic Beetle to its stock glory or building a high-performance Type 1 engine for a Baja Bug, the combination of cylinder bore and crankshaft stroke determines the total size, or displacement, of your engine. This calculator helps you quickly determine the final displacement based on these two key measurements.
How to Use the Calculator
Simply enter the measurements for your engine's components into the fields above:
- Cylinder Bore (mm): This is the diameter of the engine's cylinders. Enter this value in millimeters.
- Crankshaft Stroke (mm): This is the distance the piston travels up and down within the cylinder, determined by the crankshaft. Enter this value in millimeters.
Click "Calculate Displacement," and the tool will instantly provide your engine's total size in both cubic centimeters (cc) and liters (L).
Key Components Explained
Cylinder Bore
The bore is the diameter of each cylinder in the engine block (or in the case of a VW, the individual cylinders). A larger bore means a wider cylinder, which allows for a larger piston and more air/fuel mixture, generally leading to more power. Common air-cooled VW bore sizes include:
- 85.5mm: Stock size for a 1600cc engine.
- 90.5mm: A popular "slip-in" performance upgrade.
- 92mm: Another common upgrade, often requiring case machining.
- 94mm: The largest common piston/cylinder set, requiring significant machine work to the engine case and heads.
Crankshaft Stroke
The stroke is the distance the piston travels from the very top of its movement (Top Dead Center) to the very bottom (Bottom Dead Center). This is determined by the design of the crankshaft. A longer stroke (a "stroker" crank) increases displacement and typically boosts torque. Common VW crankshaft strokes include:
- 69mm: The stock stroke for 1300cc, 1500cc, and 1600cc engines.
- 74mm, 76mm, 78mm: Popular stroker cranks for performance builds.
- 82mm, 84mm: Larger stroker cranks used for high-displacement racing or street performance engines.
Example Calculation 1: The Classic 1915cc
A very popular and reliable performance engine combination is the 1915cc (often referred to as 1914cc). This is achieved by using a stock crankshaft with larger pistons and cylinders.
- Cylinder Bore: 94mm
- Crankshaft Stroke: 69mm (stock)
Using the formula for the volume of a cylinder (π * (bore/2)² * stroke) and multiplying by four cylinders, we get a total displacement of 1914.5cc, which is universally rounded to 1915cc.
Example Calculation 2: A Powerful 2276cc Stroker
For those seeking more power, a stroker motor is the way to go. A 2276cc engine is a common large-displacement build that combines large-bore pistons with a stroker crankshaft.
- Cylinder Bore: 94mm
- Crankshaft Stroke: 82mm
This combination results in a total displacement of 2275.8cc, which is known in the community as a 2276cc engine. This setup provides a significant increase in both horsepower and torque over a stock motor.
Why Does Displacement Matter?
Engine displacement is a direct measure of the volume of air and fuel an engine can draw in during one cycle. In simple terms, a larger displacement generally means the potential for more power and torque. By using this calculator, you can experiment with different bore and stroke combinations to plan your perfect VW engine build before you ever purchase a part.