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Chevrolet LC9 specs: 97 ci (1.6L) 4-cylinder, 3.228 x 2.98 in (82 x 75.7 mm) bore and stroke. Rated 74 hp, 1985–1988. Used in the Chevrolet Nova.
The Chevrolet 97ci (LC9) 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).
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. 4 factory variants share these dimensions, rated at 74 hp across 1985–1988.
| Displacement | 97 ci / 1.6 L |
|---|---|
| Bore | 3.228" |
| Stroke | 2.98" |
| Cylinders | 4 |
| Configuration | I4 |
| Rod length | 4.8" |
| Rod ratio | 1.611 |
| Bore/stroke ratio | 1.083 |
| Fuel type | gas |
|---|---|
| Advertised HP | 74 hp |
| Years | 1985–1988 |
| 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 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | 74 hp | LC9 |
| 1986 | 74 hp | LC9 |
| 1987 | 74 hp | LC9 |
| 1988 | 74 hp | LC9 |