See other engines in this family
Volkswagen ME specs: 1.6L (98 ci) 4-cylinder, 76.5 x 86.4 mm (3.0118 x 3.4016 in) bore and stroke, 23:1 compression. Rated 52 hp, 1985–1991.
The Volkswagen 98ci (ME) is undersquare — the 3.4016" stroke exceeds the 3.0118" bore by 11.5% — 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 24.5 ci (401 cc).
At 23:1 this is a compression-ignition engine: the ratio is the heat source that lights the fuel, not a knock limit to be managed.
It is one of 2 engines in the Volkswagen 98ci family, all of them 98 ci — the differences between them are in compression, heads and rating, not displacement. 9 factory variants share these dimensions, rated at 52 hp across 1985–1991.
| Displacement | 98 ci / 1.6 L |
|---|---|
| Bore | 3.0118" |
| Stroke | 3.4016" |
| Cylinders | 4 |
| Configuration | I4 |
| Compression ratio | 23:1 * |
| Bore/stroke ratio | 0.885 |
* Compression ratio from a single source; not yet cross-verified.
| Fuel type | diesel |
|---|---|
| Advertised HP | 52 hp |
| Years | 1985–1991 |
| Year | Version | HP @ rpm | Torque @ rpm | Comp. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | ME net | 52 @ 4800 * | 71 lb-ft @ 2000 * | — |
Factory specification sheet. * Not yet cross-verified.
| Bore/stroke character | 0.885 — 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 | 24.5 ci |
| Static compression | 23:1 — high enough that pump premium or better is normally required |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 1985 | — | ME |
| 1985 | 52 hp | ME |
| 1986 | — | ME |
| 1986 | 52 hp | ME |
| 1987 | — | ME |
| 1989 | — | ME |
| 1989 | 52 hp | ME |
| 1990 | 52 hp | ME |
| 1991 | 52 hp | ME |
2 factory vehicles, 1985–1991. Each year opens that model's engine table.