Engineering Explained on MSN

Compression ratio - explained

What is compression ratio? An explanation of compression ratio; what it means and why it is important. Why some cars need premium fuel, and the advantages of a diesel engine.
At first glance, the concept of engine compression is simple enough:It's the ratio of the volume of the combustion chamber and bore when thepiston is at bottom dead center (BDC) versus when it is at ...
Assuming a properly tuned engine, there are three factors that contribute to poor streetability: long cam duration, high compression ratios, and excessive cruise rpm. Since cam selection is largely ...
As you may know, an engine's compression ratio is directly linked to its combustion efficiency. All else being equal, higher-compression engines tend to make more power while offering better fuel ...
A political firestorm has been brewing in Formula 1 in recent weeks and months over whether engine manufacturers have found a loophole in the new 2026 technical regulations. Mercedes and Red Bull may ...