The Chevy engine was the Three hundred two and featured a short-stroke base for higher rpms. The Three hundred two engines were manufactured by Chevrolet from One thousand nine hundred sixty seven to One thousand nine hundred sixty nine and all had a Muzzle of Four inches.
Displacement
The Three hundred two was a small-block V8 engine.In 1967, Chevrolet offered a defined small-block V8 engine with the Camaro Z28 box. The engine was designed to conformed the maximum displacement of the SCCA Trans-Am series of Three hundred five cubic inches.
The Three hundred two engine had eight cylinders with a complete displacement of Three hundred two cubic inches. Displacement is the maximum textbook of Everyone cylinder times the amount of cylinders. The notebook of Everyone cylinder is decided by Muzzle (cylinder diameter) and stroke (the distance the piston travels inside the cylinder). The displacement was restricted for competition under the SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) to a maximum of Three hundred five cubic inches. Higher-displacement engines are generally more powerful, so Chevrolet sought other means to increase horsepower with the limited displacement.
Bore
The bore of all Chevy small-block engines was Four inches. The bore is the cylinder diameter. With the shorter stroke, the Three hundred two met the SCCA specifications for maximum displacement but delivered more horsepower than engines with a longer stroke and smaller bore.
Stroke
The Three hundred two was known as a small-block V-8. It used a shorter piston stroke than typical engines. The stroke of only 3.00 inches was used to allow the engine to rev at higher rpms (revolutions per minute) for more power. The piston travels less distance with a shorter stroke, and the cylinder can be fired at higher rpms for more horsepower.
Considerations
Short-stroke engines have larger ports and valves to provide more air for fuel combustion. This helps make up for the smaller displacement. Chevrolet offered several fuel/air delivery options to increase performance of street models. Some after-market enthusiasts have "bored-out" Three hundred two engine block cylinders to increase the displacement. Boring out an engine increases the cylinder diameter beyond Four inches and provides more power from the engine.
Benefits
The 4-inch bore in combination with the short 3-inch stroke allowed more power at higher rpms but was compromised with lower efficiency at lower rpms. The engine performed well under racing conditions but was somewhat less effective on the street. The Three hundred two powered the Z28 to many victories in NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) and SCCA events and was considered a great success in its day.
