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Volkswagen PL specs: 1.8L (109.8 ci) 4-cylinder, 81 x 86.4 mm (3.1890 x 3.4016 in) bore and stroke, 10:1 compression. Rated 123 hp, 1987–1989.
The Volkswagen EA888 (PL) is undersquare — the 3.4016" stroke exceeds the 3.189" bore by 6.3% — a layout that trades peak RPM for leverage and torque low in the range. The 3.4016" 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. Each of the 4 cylinders displaces 27.5 ci (450 cc).
10:1 on aluminum heads is in the range that usually runs on pump premium; aluminum sheds heat faster than iron, which makes the same number a little more forgiving.
It is one of 31 engines in the EA888 family, the smallest at 109.8 ci. 6 factory variants share these dimensions, rated at 123 hp across 1987–1989.
| Displacement | 109.8 ci / 1.8 L |
|---|---|
| Bore | 3.189" |
| Stroke | 3.4016" |
| Cylinders | 4 |
| Configuration | I4 |
| Compression ratio | 10:1 * |
| Bore/stroke ratio | 0.938 |
* Compression ratio from a single source; not yet cross-verified.
| Block material | cast iron |
|---|---|
| Head material | aluminum |
| Valvetrain | DOHC |
| Fuel type | gas |
| Advertised HP | 123 hp |
| Years | 1987–1989 |
| Year | Version | HP @ rpm | Torque @ rpm | Comp. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | PL net | 123 | — | — |
| 1988 | PL net | 123 | — | — |
| 1989 | PL net | 123 | — | — |
Factory specification sheet.
| Bore/stroke character | 0.938 — undersquare — stroke exceeds bore, which favours low-end torque |
|---|---|
| Mean piston speed at 6,000 RPM | 3,402 ft/min — conservative for a street engine |
| Displacement per cylinder | 27.4 ci |
| Static compression | 10:1 — in the range that usually runs on pump premium |
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 | — | PL |
| 1987 | 123 hp | PL |
| 1988 | — | PL |
| 1988 | 123 hp | PL |
| 1989 | — | PL |
| 1989 | 123 hp | PL |
3 factory vehicles, 1987–1989. Each year opens that model's engine table.