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Cadillac LC4 specs: 252 ci (4.1L) 6-cylinder, 3.965 x 3.40 in (100.7 x 86.4 mm) bore and stroke, 8:1 compression. Rated 125 hp, 1981–1982.
The Cadillac 252ci (LC4) is oversquare — the 3.965" bore exceeds the 3.4" stroke by 16.6% — a layout that favors airflow and RPM over leverage at the crank. The 3.4" stroke does not reach 4,000 ft/min of mean piston speed until about 7,050 RPM, so piston speed is not what limits this engine's revs — valvetrain and breathing are. Each of the 6 cylinders displaces 42.0 ci (688 cc).
8:1 is low by modern standards and generally happy on regular pump fuel.
4 factory variants share these dimensions, rated at 125 hp across 1981–1982.
| Displacement | 252 ci / 4.1 L |
|---|---|
| Bore | 3.965" |
| Stroke | 3.4" |
| Cylinders | 6 |
| Configuration | V6 |
| Compression ratio | 8:1 |
| Bore/stroke ratio | 1.166 |
| Fuel type | gas |
|---|---|
| Advertised HP | 125 hp |
| Years | 1981–1982 |
| Year | Version | HP @ rpm | Torque @ rpm | Comp. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | LC4 net | 125 @ 3800 | 210 lb-ft @ 2000 | 8:1 |
Factory specification sheet.
| Bore/stroke character | 1.166 — oversquare — bore exceeds stroke, which favours higher RPM and larger valves |
|---|---|
| Mean piston speed at 6,000 RPM | 3,400 ft/min — conservative for a street engine |
| Displacement per cylinder | 42.0 ci |
| Static compression | 8:1 — low by modern standards, generally happy on regular pump fuel |
Each link opens the calculator with this engine's specs already filled in.
These records share identical bore, stroke, displacement and compression. They differ by model year and factory power rating.
| Year | Advertised HP | Code |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | — | LC4 |
| 1981 | 125 hp | LC4 |
| 1982 | — | LC4 |
| 1982 | 125 hp | LC4 |
11 factory vehicles, 1980–1984. Each year opens that model's engine table.