Glossary / General

compression ratio

37 Episode Mentions

Too Afraid to Ask

It’s like squeezing a balloon tighter; the more you squeeze, the more force it can produce when released. Engines with higher compression ratios can do more work from the same amount of fuel.

Technical Definition

Compression ratio is the ratio of the maximum to minimum volume in an engine’s cylinder. Higher ratios generally mean more power and efficiency but require stronger components to handle the increased pressure.

Hear It Discussed

"...this is a long time ago. I think eight and a half to one compression and in other places at nine to one."
Randy Pobst, Live Special Guest! — The Carmudgeon Show w/ Jason Cammisa & Derek Tam-Scott — Ep 182 The Carmudgeon Show 18:53

"The US spec car had been adjusted, of course. The compression ratio came down slightly, the VTEC crossover point was recalibrated..."
S2 Ep9: The Golden Era of JDM: The Forbidden Japanese Cars The US Demanded Past Gas 15:53

"...with a 13-to-1 compression block in it. I've been dealing with this problem for quite a while..."
More Talk About Cars and Automotive Stuff Under The Hood show 08:43