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Volkswagen 120ci (1980–1983) specs: 2.0L (120 ci) 4-cylinder, 94 x 71 mm (3.7008 x 2.7953 in) bore and stroke. Built 1980–1983.
The Volkswagen 120ci (1980–1983) is oversquare — the 3.7008" bore exceeds the 2.7953" stroke by 32.4% — a layout that favors airflow and RPM over leverage at the crank. The 2.7953" stroke does not reach 4,000 ft/min of mean piston speed until about 8,600 RPM, so piston speed is not what limits this engine's revs — valvetrain and breathing are. Each of the 4 cylinders displaces 30.0 ci (492 cc).
It is one of 5 engines in the Volkswagen 120ci family, all of them 120 ci — the differences between them are in compression, heads and rating, not displacement. 4 factory variants share these dimensions across 1980–1983.
| Displacement | 120 ci / 2 L |
|---|---|
| Bore | 3.7008" * |
| Stroke | 2.7953" * |
| Cylinders | 4 |
| Bore/stroke ratio | 1.324 |
* Bore and stroke from a single source; not yet cross-verified.
| Fuel type | gas |
|---|---|
| Years | 1980–1983 |
| Bore/stroke character | 1.324 — oversquare — bore exceeds stroke, which favours higher RPM and larger valves |
|---|---|
| Mean piston speed at 6,000 RPM | 2,795 ft/min — conservative for a street engine |
| Displacement per cylinder | 30.0 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | — | — |
| 1981 | — | — |
| 1982 | — | — |
| 1983 | — | — |
1 factory vehicle, 1980–1983. Each year opens that model's engine table.