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Dodge 6G72 specs: 181 ci (3.0L) 6-cylinder, 3.587 x 2.992 in (91.1 x 76 mm) bore and stroke, 8.9:1 compression. Rated 136-150 hp, 1987–2000.
The Dodge 6G72 is oversquare — the 3.5866" bore exceeds the 2.9921" stroke by 19.9% — a layout that favors airflow and RPM over leverage at the crank. The 2.9921" 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 6 cylinders displaces 30.2 ci (494 cc).
8.9:1 on aluminum heads is low by modern standards and generally happy on regular pump fuel.
It is one of 6 engines in the Dodge 181ci family, all of them 181 ci — the differences between them are in compression, heads and rating, not displacement. 14 factory variants share these dimensions, rated from 136 to 150 hp across 1987–2000.
| Displacement | 181 ci / 3 L |
|---|---|
| Bore | 3.5866" |
| Stroke | 2.9921" |
| Cylinders | 6 |
| Configuration | V6 |
| Compression ratio | 8.9:1 |
| Bore/stroke ratio | 1.199 |
| Block material | cast iron |
|---|---|
| Head material | aluminum |
| Valvetrain | DOHC |
| Fuel type | gas |
| Firing order | 1-2-3-4-5-6 |
| Advertised HP | 136–150 hp |
| Years | 1987–2000 |
| Year | Version | HP @ rpm | Torque @ rpm | Comp. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | net | 142 @ 5000 | 173 lb-ft @ 2400 | 8.9:1 |
| 1997 | net | 150 @ 5200 | 176 lb-ft @ 4000 | — |
| 1999 | net | 150 | 176 lb-ft | — |
Factory specification sheet.
| Bore/stroke character | 1.199 — oversquare — bore exceeds stroke, which favours higher RPM and larger valves |
|---|---|
| Mean piston speed at 6,000 RPM | 2,992 ft/min — conservative for a street engine |
| Displacement per cylinder | 30.2 ci |
| Static compression | 8.9:1 — 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | 136 hp | 6G72 |
| 1988 | — | 6G72 |
| 1989 | — | 6G72 |
| 1990 | 142 hp | 6G72 |
| 1991 | 142 hp | 6G72 |
| 1992 | 142 hp | 6G72 |
| 1993 | 142 hp | 6G72 |
| 1994 | 142 hp | 6G72 |
| 1995 | 142 hp | 6G72 |
| 1996 | 150 hp | 6G72 |
| 1997 | 150 hp | 6G72 |
| 1998 | 150 hp | 6G72 |
| 1999 | 150 hp | 6G72 |
| 2000 | 150 hp | 6G72 |
1 factory vehicle, 1987–2000. Each year opens that model's engine table.