How to Convert CC to HP (Different Methods + Formulas)

Cars, motorcycles, ATVs, and other vehicles have many different measurement units, especially in their engines. You should know about cubic centimeters and horsepower, which are two of the most common ones. To understand how engines work, you also need to know how to change cc to HP.

However, how can You convert CC to HP? Cubic centimeters (cc) and horsepower (HP) are two separate quantities that might alter the power of your engine. There are two easy ways to convert cc to HP, depending on your engine size. However, the results you acquire are rough estimations.

Let’s go over the methods for converting cc to HP and HP to cc in detail to see how the two influence engine performance. We’ll also go through cc and HP in greater depth so you can learn more about these important engine measurements. These facts will assist you in selecting the best automobile for your specific demands and lifestyle.

CC Vs. HP

Cubic Centimeter (CC)

Cc, often known as engine capacity or displacement, is a unit of volume that measures the total fuel or air volume mixture displaced by the engine’s pistons. Low-powered engines can displace power ranging from 1,000—2,000 cubic centimeters, whereas high-powered engines generate around 7,500 and 8,200 cubic centimeters.

Since some manufacturers use liters to indicate engine capacity, some of you may be more comfortable with this measurement. In light of this, you can also convert cc to liters by dividing cc by 1000 or multiplying liters by 1000cc, or vice versa.

How To Compute for Engine Capacity?

You need to apply the following calculation to determine the engine capacity of your vehicle:

• V = π/4 x (D)² x H x N

Where:

• V: Cylinder Volume or CC
• π: 3.14
• D: Bore’s Diameter
• H: Stroke’s Length
• N: Number of Cylinders

The user’s handbook and manufacturer’s website contain information about the car engine’s bore, stroke, and the number of cylinders.

Why is CC Important?

The cubic capacity of the engine will have an impact on the following:

• Power

The size or capacity of your engine affects how much torque and horsepower it has. Most of the time, a high-capacity engine will pull more air into its cylinders, increasing the air in the engine. The amount of gas in your car’s engine will then go up. So, it would require more power to burn the fuel already there.

So, the engine’s power output is directly related to how much it can hold. When an engine has a lot of power, it means that it has a lot of capacity.

• Gas Efficiency and Mileage

As mentioned, as the power output increases, fuel consumption also increases. On the contrary, as this happens, there is a reduction in fuel mileage. Meaning fuel mileage and efficiency is inversely proportional to the engine’s cc.

• Horsepower (HP)

A horsepower is a unit of measurement for the amount of work done by a car engine, taking into consideration its efficiency. James Watt invented hp based on his assessment that an average horse performs 33,000 foot-pounds of work in 60 seconds.

As a result, one horsepower generated by an engine is equal to 33,000 foot-pounds. So, if your engine has 500 horsepower, it produces 16,500,000 foot-pounds of effort.

How To Compute for Engine HP

To calculate horsepower, use the following formula:

• Horsepower = (T x RPM) / 5,252

Where:

• T: Torque
• RPM: Speed

Why is Horsepower Important?

The horsepower of your vehicle’s engine is very important because of the effects it has on the following:

• Speed

The calculation above shows that horsepower is proportional to speed. That is, the greater the hp, the faster the vehicle. Your particular demands and lifestyle will determine whether you require a low or high-speed mode of transport.

• Haul Performance

Torque and horsepower are both related to the power of the engine or automobile. Therefore, a vehicle with a high horsepower rating can haul objects more effectively than those with a low hp rating. This is also the reason vehicles that weigh more have high horsepower ratings.

Therefore, you should think about one with a high horsepower rating if you intend to tow a trailer, connect a bicycle carrier rack, a hitch mount cargo carrier or other pieces of equipment for your trips. It also means that if you travel with your family often, you should look at the vehicle’s HP rating and load capacity.

• Gas Efficiency and Mileage

As previously stated, the engine would require more fuel in the cylinder to boost horsepower. This indicates that a larger HP rating will harm the engine’s fuel efficiency and mileage, which is equivalent to engine capacity.

How to Convert CC to HP

You are already aware that cc and HP are not similar. Furthermore, their interaction is complex and difficult to pin down because it depends on various factors. For example, HP is determined by the design, capacity, size, fuel type, timing, and valves of your car engine, whereas cc is determined by your engine’s bore, chambers, and design.

Converting one unit to another may appear insignificant or pointless. However, as a responsible car owner, learning about aspects other than the standard external and interior features is essential. Knowing and comprehending your vehicle’s specifications can help you understand how it functions.

How Much CC gives you Horsepower?

In terms of converting cc to horsepower, there is no straightforward method. It would require several conversions, calculations, and approaches. To convert 1000 cc to HP, you don’t need to be a mathematician or master sophisticated formulas. All you need are fundamental mathematical concepts such as multiplication and division.

Method 1: Range

Several examples to demonstrate the minor relationship between HP and cc of different engine sizes and kinds show that one HP is around 15cc to 17cc. These are the numbers you can employ in this conversion method.

• Step 1: Divide your vehicle engine’s capacity by 15.
• Step 2: Divide your vehicle engine’s capacity by 17.

The result is the approximate horsepower range of your vehicle engine. Step #1 yields the estimated maximum HP, whereas step #2 yields the approximate minimum HP.

Let’s look at two examples to understand the calculation better.

Example 1: How Much HP is 2500 cc?

• Step 1: 2500cc/15 = 166.7HP
• Step 2: 2500cc/17 = 149HP

As a result, a 2500cc or 2.5L engine has an estimated HP range of 149 to 166.7.

Example 2: How Much HP is 3000 cc?

• Step 1: 3000cc/15 = 200
• Step 2: 3000cc/17 = 176.5

The results above mean that a 3000cc or 3L engine will likely have an HP range of 176.5 to 200.

Aside from the approach described above, you can also use online CC to HP converters, which will produce an HP estimate after you enter the capacity of your engine.

Method 2: Approximation

This HP to CC conversion method is designed for four-cycle compact engines. According to experts, a 32.2cc four-cycle engine produces one horsepower, giving us this formula:

HP = Engine capacity/32.2

Let’s look at some examples using the formula above.

Example #1: How Much HP Is 300 cc?

300cc/32.2 = 9.37HP

As a result, a 300cc or 0.3L four-cycle engine produces around 9.37 horsepower.

Example #2: How Much HP Is 400 cc?

400cc/32.2 = 12

As a result, a 400cc or 0.4L four-cycle engine has an estimated horsepower of 12.

How to Convert HP to CC

To convert horsepower to cubic centimeters, all you have to do is reverse the calculations presented above. That is, multiplying the known number or HP instead of dividing it.

Method 1: Range

This conversion consists of two steps:

• Step 1: Multiply your vehicle engine’s HP by 15.
• Step 2: Multiply your vehicle engine’s HP by 17.

The product of steps 1 and 2 is the approximate maximum engine capacity, whereas the product of steps 3 and 4 is the approximate minimum engine capacity. Here are two examples of converting HP to cc using this method.

Example 1: How Many CC Is a 250HP Engine?

• Step 1: 250 x 15 = 3750cc
• Step 2: 250 x 17 = 4250cc

As a result, a 250HP engine will have an engine capacity ranging from 3750cc (3.75L) to 4250cc (4.25L)

Example 2: How Many CC Is a 500HP Engine?

Step 1: 500 x 15 = 7500cc

Step 2: 500 x 17 = 8500cc

According to the data, a 500HP engine will have a capacity ranging from around 7500cc (7.5L) to 8500cc (8.5L).

Method 2: Approximation

For a small four-cycle engine, multiply the horsepower by 32.2. Here are two examples to help you understand the illustration better.

Example 1: How Many CC Is a 5 HP Engine?

Estimated Capacity = 5 x 32.2

Estimated Capacity = 161

Based on the preceding results, we can predict that a 5HP engine will have a total capacity of 161cc (0.161L).

Example 2: How Many CC Is an 8 HP Engine?

Estimated Capacity = 8 x 32.2

Estimated Capacity = 193.2

The following calculation indicates that an 8HP engine will have a total capacity of around 257.6cc (0.258L).

Conclusion

The performance of an engine is determined by a variety of parameters, such as its capacity or displacement and horsepower. These two are measured in separate units, but they are related since they affect the engine’s total power, gas mileage, and efficiency.

Even though you can get HP to cc and cc to HP conversions or calculators, as well as these values in the user’s handbook or on the manufacturer’s website, it’s always best to do the conversion yourself. This way, you’ll better understand your car, motorbike, speedboat, and ATV specs, which is essential if you plan to buy any of the forms of transportation.

The conversion methods or formulas described above are only estimates, so there is room for error. Remember that method one is intended for medium to large engines, whereas method two is intended for small, four-cycle engines. When converting, make sure you apply the correct formula for your unit’s engine.