what are people talking bout when they say "its a 387" or whatever, are they talking about the horsepower or cubic inches? can someone just please explain and elaborate on it

 

cubes

 

Definition of the term newb.

They are referencing cubic inches of displacement. If someone says 3.4, 3.0, etc etc they are referencing liters of displacement.

 

hey, we all gotta start somewhere!

 

Haha yep, not knocking anyone...I remember asking the same question actually! I think I was 6 though...

 

They are refering to the cubic inches of air/fuel mix the engine displaces through one entire cycle of strokes.
A 5.7 liter "350" v8. (Most engines arent exactly the size they say they are. Manufacturers round them or lie to sell better.)

A 350 cubic inch v8, 4 stroke (intake ((down)), compress((up)), power((down, post spark)), exhaust((up)) ) will intake and "use" about 350 cubic inches of air and fuel mix after all 8 cylinders have gone through their 4 strokes. 5.7L refers to the same thing.