See other engines in this family
Chevrolet LX8 specs: 151 ci (2.5L) 4-cylinder, 4.00 x 3.00 in (101.6 x 76.2 mm) bore and stroke. Rated 86-90 hp, 1979–1980. Used in the Oldsmobile Starfire.
The Chevrolet 151ci (LX8) is oversquare — the 4" bore exceeds the 3" stroke by 33.3% — a layout that favors airflow and RPM over leverage at the crank. The 3" stroke does not reach 4,000 ft/min of mean piston speed until about 8,000 RPM, so piston speed is not what limits this engine's revs — valvetrain and breathing are. Each of the 4 cylinders displaces 37.8 ci (619 cc).
It is one of 11 engines in the Chevrolet 151ci family, all of them 151 ci — the differences between them are in compression, heads and rating, not displacement. 2 factory variants share these dimensions, rated from 86 to 90 hp across 1979–1980.
| Displacement | 151 ci / 2.5 L |
|---|---|
| Bore | 4" |
| Stroke | 3" |
| Cylinders | 4 |
| Configuration | I4 |
| Compression ratio | 8.2–8.3:1 (published figures vary) |
| Bore/stroke ratio | 1.333 |
| Block material | cast iron |
|---|---|
| Head material | cast iron |
| Valvetrain | OHV |
| Fuel type | gas |
| Advertised HP | 86–90 hp |
| Years | 1979–1980 |
| Bore/stroke character | 1.333 — oversquare — bore exceeds stroke, which favours higher RPM and larger valves |
|---|---|
| Mean piston speed at 6,000 RPM | 3,000 ft/min — conservative for a street engine |
| Displacement per cylinder | 37.8 ci |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 1979 | 90 hp | LX8 |
| 1980 | 86 hp | LX8 |
3 factory vehicles, 1978–1980. Each year opens that model's engine table.