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Chevrolet 97ci specs: 97 ci (1.6L) 4-cylinder, 3.228 x 2.98 in (82 x 75.7 mm) bore and stroke, 9.64:1 compression. Rated 65-74 hp, 1979–1983.
The Chevrolet 97ci is oversquare — the 3.228" bore exceeds the 2.98" stroke by 8.3% — a layout that favors airflow and RPM over leverage at the crank. The 2.98" stroke does not reach 4,000 ft/min of mean piston speed until about 8,050 RPM, so piston speed is not what limits this engine's revs — valvetrain and breathing are. A rod ratio of 1.611 is in the range most production engines fall in. Each of the 4 cylinders displaces 24.3 ci (397 cc).
9.64:1 is in the range that usually runs on pump premium.
It is one of 5 engines in the Chevrolet 97ci family, all of them 97 ci — the differences between them are in compression, heads and rating, not displacement. 6 factory variants share these dimensions, rated from 65 to 74 hp across 1979–1983.
| Displacement | 97 ci / 1.6 L |
|---|---|
| Bore | 3.228" |
| Stroke | 2.98" |
| Cylinders | 4 |
| Compression ratio | 9.64:1 |
| Rod length | 4.8" |
| Rod ratio | 1.611 |
| Bore/stroke ratio | 1.083 |
| Piston deck clearance | 0.005" |
| Induction | 1-2 |
|---|---|
| Advertised HP | 65–74 hp |
| Years | 1979–1983 |
| Bore/stroke character | 1.083 — oversquare — bore exceeds stroke, which favours higher RPM and larger valves |
|---|---|
| Mean piston speed at 6,000 RPM | 2,980 ft/min — conservative for a street engine |
| Rod ratio | 1.611 — moderate — the range most production V8s fall in |
| Displacement per cylinder | 24.3 ci |
| Static compression | 9.64:1 — in the range that usually runs on pump premium |
| Intake valve diameter | 1.54" |
|---|---|
| Exhaust valve diameter | 1.365" |
| Chamber volume | 41 cc |
| Rocker ratio | 1.6:1 |
| Lifter type | hydraulic |
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 | 70 hp | — |
| 1980 | 70 hp | — |
| 1980 | 74 hp | — |
| 1981 | 70 hp | — |
| 1982 | 65 hp | — |
| 1983 | 70 hp | — |