Why are engine ‘sizes’ measured in litres?

Question

I.E what does the volume actually reflect? What’s the difference between a 2.4L engine and a 7.3L?

In: Engineering

Answer 1

It’s the overall volume of empty space inside the cylinders when the pistons are at bottom dead centre.

The space is filled with a fuel air mix that goes bang forcing the pistons round/down.

They are usually measured in cubic centimetres or “CC’s” which has a direct translation into litres because they are metric. eg a 2500cc engine is 2.5 liters.

Generally speaking the bigger the volume of fuel/air you can make go bang, the fast or more powerful an engine will be.