'Bore', when used in the context of
piston engines, is a measurement of the diameter of the holes bored into the engine block for use as
cylinders. The ratio of
stroke to bore is a major factor in defining the characteristics of an engine. Generally, bigger bore yields fast-revving engines with low
rotational mass and therefore higher
rev limits with later
torque peaks and overall higher top end power at the expense of torque throughout the operating range. Smaller bore with longer stroke tends to make higher torque engines with lower rev-limits, with the increased rotational mass leading to slower reving.
Engine displacement is calculated by:
: