How to Find CC of Engine

When it comes to understanding the performance and specifications of an engine, one term that frequently arises is “cc.” But what does cc stand for in engines, and why is it important?

What Does CC Stand For in Engines?

CC stands for cubic centimetres. It is a unit of measurement used to describe the engine displacement or capacity. Engine displacement refers to the total volume of all the cylinders in an engine. This measurement is crucial because it directly correlates with the power output and efficiency of an engine. A higher cc typically indicates a larger engine that can produce more power, while a lower cc suggests a smaller engine with less power.

Understanding what cc means is essential for anyone looking to buy a vehicle or modify their existing one. It helps you gauge how much power you can expect from an engine and how fuel-efficient it may be.

Why Is Engine CC Important?

The cc rating of an engine plays a significant role in various aspects:

1. Power Output: Generally, engines with higher cc ratings can produce more horsepower and torque than those with lower ratings. This is because larger engines can burn more fuel and air mixture within their cylinders.
2. Fuel Efficiency: While larger engines may produce more power, they often consume more fuel as well. Smaller engines (lower cc) are usually designed for better fuel efficiency, making them ideal for city driving or daily commutes.
3. Vehicle Classification: In many countries, vehicles are classified based on their engine size (cc). This classification can affect insurance rates, taxes, and licensing requirements.
4. Performance Modifications: If you’re considering modifying your vehicle for better performance, knowing your engine’s cc will help you make informed decisions about upgrades such as turbocharging or supercharging.

How to Find the CC of Your Engine

Finding out the cc rating of your engine can be done through several methods:

1. Check the Owner’s Manual

The easiest way to find out your vehicle’s engine displacement is by referring to the owner’s manual. Most manufacturers provide detailed specifications about their vehicles in this document, including the cc rating.

2. Look Under the Bonnet

If you don’t have access to your owner’s manual, you can check under the bonnet (hood) of your vehicle. Many manufacturers place a label on or near the engine that includes vital information such as model number and displacement in cubic centimetres.

3. Research Online

If you’re unable to locate your owner’s manual or any labels on your vehicle’s engine bay, conducting an online search can be beneficial. Websites dedicated to automotive specifications often provide detailed information about various makes and models, including their respective cc ratings.

4. Use Engine Codes

Most modern engines have specific codes that indicate their specifications; these codes may include information about displacement as well as other features like fuel type and configuration (e.g., inline-four or V6). You can usually find these codes stamped on metal parts of the engine block itself.

5. Contact Your Manufacturer

If all else fails and you still cannot determine your vehicle’s cc rating, consider contacting your manufacturer directly or visiting a dealership service department where they should have access to all necessary specifications based on your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

Calculating CC Manually

For those who enjoy hands-on learning or need precise measurements for custom applications (like building an aftermarket performance car), calculating cubic centimetres manually might be necessary:

If you’re looking to up your engine size then this handy calculator will determine your engine displacement depending on the stroke of crankshaft and the bore of the barrels and pistons.

Engine total displacement is calculated by this calculation:

Bore x Bore x Stroke x 0.0031416

BORE

The bore of the engine is the size of the pistons. The larger the diameter the piston the more cubic capacity (cc’s) it has. A 1300cc to 1600cc crankcase can fit up to an 87mm Piston without the need for any machining. Any larger than this will require your crankcase to be machined.

Standard Piston Sizes

1200cc – 77mm

1300cc – 77mm

1500cc – 83mm

1600cc – 85.5mm

Big Bore Piston Sizes

If you want to install Big Bore Barrels and Pistons onto your engine then you will need to machine your crankcase and cylinder heads to a larger bore in order to install them.

If you have a 1300cc , 1500cc or 1600cc crankcase then you can install slip in Barrels and Pistons without any machining required to the crankcase.

87mm and 88mm Slip In – 90mm Bore in Crankcase – 93.8mm Bore in Cylinder Head

90.5mm and 92mm Machine In – 96mm Bore in Crankcase – 98mm Bore in Cylinder Head

94mm Machine In – 97.25mm Bore in Crankcase – 101.1mm Bore in Cylinder Head

Barrels and Pistons

1200cc Barrel And Piston Kit - 77mm Bore Type 1 Engines - For 87mm Bore Case

1300cc Barrel And Piston Kit - 77mm Bore Type 1 Engines - KS

1384cc Barrel And Piston Kit - 83mm Bore Type 1 Engines (For Use On 1200cc Engines With 87mm Crankcase Hole)

1500cc Barrel And Piston Kit - 83mm Bore Type 1 Engines - KS

1600cc Barrel And Piston Kit - 85.5mm Bore Type 1 Engines

1641cc Barrel And Piston Kit - 87mm Bore Type 1 Engines

1776cc Barrel And Piston Kit - 90.5mm Bore Type 1 Engines

1835cc Barrel And Piston Kit - 92mm Bore Type 1 Engines

1914cc Barrel And Piston Kit - 94mm Bore Type 1 Engines

1776cc Stroker Barrel And Piston Kit - 90.5mm Bore Type 1 Stroker Engines

1835cc Stroker Barrel And Piston Kit - 92mm Bore Type 1 Stroker Engines

1914cc Stroker Barrel And Piston Kit - 94mm Bore Type 1 Stroker Engines

STROKE

The measurement of the centre of the crankshaft to the centre of the connecting rod is called the ‘throw’. Multiply this number by two and it will give you the stroke of the engine.

A 1200cc engine uses a 64mm stroke crankshaft. All other Type 1 engine sizes use a 69mm stroke crankshaft as standard.

Longer stroke crankshafts are used to increase the engine displacement. When the stroke is longer, more torque is developed at lower RPM but the issue with larger strokes is a reduction in top end RPM. Maximum stroke in an Aircooled VW crankcase is 84mm (any larger would not fit in the case) this does not cause an issue. So the larger the stroke the better!

Crankshafts

69mm Crankshaft - Type 1 Engines (NOT 1200cc)

69mm Counterweighted Crankshaft - Forged 4140

74mm Counterweighted Crankshaft - Forged 4140

78.8mm Counterweighted Crankshaft - SCAT Volkstroker 3 - Cast

84mm Counterweighted Crankshaft - Forged 4340

Hopefully this information has helped you to calculate your engine displacement. If however you are still unsure then please do not hesitate to contact us.  You can email us at sales@coolairvw.co.uk, Facebook Message us or call our shop on 01322 335050