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Chevrolet 138ci specs: 138 ci (2.3L) 4-cylinder, 3.625 x 3.35 in (92.1 x 85.1 mm) bore and stroke, 11.9:1 compression. Rated 180 hp, 1990–1991. OHV.
The Chevrolet 138ci is oversquare — the 3.625" bore exceeds the 3.35" stroke by 8.2% — a layout that favors airflow and RPM over leverage at the crank. The 3.35" stroke does not reach 4,000 ft/min of mean piston speed until about 7,150 RPM, so piston speed is not what limits this engine's revs — valvetrain and breathing are. A rod ratio of 1.734 is in the range most production engines fall in. Each of the 4 cylinders displaces 34.5 ci (565 cc).
11.9:1 on iron heads is high for a production gasoline engine; running a ratio like that on pump fuel depends on chamber design and fuel delivery rather than the number alone.
2 factory variants share these dimensions, rated at 180 hp across 1990–1991.
| Displacement | 138 ci / 2.3 L |
|---|---|
| Bore | 3.625" |
| Stroke | 3.35" |
| Cylinders | 4 |
| Configuration | I4 |
| Compression ratio | 11.9:1 |
| Rod length | 5.81" |
| Rod ratio | 1.734 |
| Bore/stroke ratio | 1.082 |
| Piston deck clearance | 0.037" |
| Block material | cast iron |
|---|---|
| Head material | cast iron |
| Valvetrain | OHV |
| Fuel type | gas |
| Advertised HP | 180 hp |
| Years | 1990–1991 |
| Bore/stroke character | 1.082 — oversquare — bore exceeds stroke, which favours higher RPM and larger valves |
|---|---|
| Mean piston speed at 6,000 RPM | 3,350 ft/min — conservative for a street engine |
| Rod ratio | 1.734 — moderate — the range most production V8s fall in |
| Displacement per cylinder | 34.5 ci |
| Static compression | 11.9:1 — high enough that pump premium or better is normally required |
| Intake valve diameter | 1.442" |
|---|---|
| Exhaust valve diameter | 1.245" |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 180 hp | — |
| 1991 | 180 hp | — |