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Volkswagen 1.6 gas (EE/EJ/FN) specs: 1.6L (97 ci) 4-cylinder, 79.5 x 80 mm (3.1299 x 3.1496 in) bore and stroke, 8.2:1 compression. Rated 71-78 hp, 1976–1980.
The Volkswagen 1.6 gas (EE/EJ/FN) is close to square: 3.1299" bore against 3.1496" stroke, within 0.6%, which splits the difference between a high-revving layout and a torque layout. The 3.1496" stroke does not reach 4,000 ft/min of mean piston speed until about 7,600 RPM, so piston speed is not what limits this engine's revs — valvetrain and breathing are. Each of the 4 cylinders displaces 24.3 ci (397 cc).
8.2:1 is low by modern standards and generally happy on regular pump fuel.
It is one of 4 engines in the Volkswagen 97ci family, all of them 97 ci — the differences between them are in compression, heads and rating, not displacement. 3 factory variants share these dimensions, rated from 71 to 78 hp across 1976–1980.
| Displacement | 97 ci / 1.6 L |
|---|---|
| Bore | 3.1299" |
| Stroke | 3.1496" |
| Cylinders | 4 |
| Configuration | I4 |
| Compression ratio | 8.2:1 |
| Bore/stroke ratio | 0.994 |
How to tell which you have: Gasoline engine with spark plugs; engine code letters (EE, EJ, FN) stamped in front of the serial number on the block pad beside the distributor (1,588 cc).
| Fuel type | gas |
|---|---|
| Advertised HP | 71–78 hp |
| Years | 1976–1980 |
| Bore/stroke character | 0.994 — square — bore and stroke are within 5%, a balanced compromise |
|---|---|
| Mean piston speed at 6,000 RPM | 3,150 ft/min — conservative for a street engine |
| Displacement per cylinder | 24.3 ci |
| Static compression | 8.2:1 — 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 1976 | 71 hp | 1.6 gas (EE/EJ/FN) |
| 1977 | 78 hp | 1.6 gas (EE/EJ/FN) |
| 1980 | 76 hp | 1.6 gas (EE/EJ/FN) |
2 factory vehicles, 1976–1980. Each year opens that model's engine table.