See other engines in this family
Oldsmobile LC4 specs: 252 ci (4.1L) 6-cylinder, 3.965 x 3.40 in (100.7 x 86.4 mm) bore and stroke. Rated 125 hp, 1983–1984. Used in the Buick Regal. OHV.
The Oldsmobile 252ci (LC4) is oversquare — the 3.965" bore exceeds the 3.4" stroke by 16.6% — a layout that favors airflow and RPM over leverage at the crank. The 3.4" stroke does not reach 4,000 ft/min of mean piston speed until about 7,050 RPM, so piston speed is not what limits this engine's revs — valvetrain and breathing are. A rod ratio of 1.753 is long by production standards — less side-load on the cylinder wall and gentler piston acceleration around TDC, the geometry that tolerates high RPM. Each of the 6 cylinders displaces 42.0 ci (688 cc).
It is one of 2 engines in the Oldsmobile 252ci family, all of them 252 ci — the differences between them are in compression, heads and rating, not displacement. 2 factory variants share these dimensions, rated at 125 hp across 1983–1984.
| Displacement | 252 ci / 4.1 L |
|---|---|
| Bore | 3.965" |
| Stroke | 3.4" |
| Cylinders | 6 |
| Configuration | V6 |
| Rod length | 5.96" |
| Rod ratio | 1.753 |
| Bore/stroke ratio | 1.166 |
| Block material | cast iron |
|---|---|
| Head material | cast iron |
| Valvetrain | OHV |
| Fuel type | gas |
| Advertised HP | 125 hp |
| Years | 1983–1984 |
| Bore/stroke character | 1.166 — oversquare — bore exceeds stroke, which favours higher RPM and larger valves |
|---|---|
| Mean piston speed at 6,000 RPM | 3,400 ft/min — conservative for a street engine |
| Rod ratio | 1.753 — long — less side loading on the cylinder wall, favours high RPM |
| Displacement per cylinder | 42.0 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 1983 | 125 hp | LC4 |
| 1984 | 125 hp | LC4 |