How does cid make power?

Rat Bastid said
But you discount or ignore RPM. You get more firing cycles with more RPM. RPM IS horsepower. That is the central theme of engine building. Torque does NOT make a car quicker or faster. That takes RPM.

If you have more RPM (and can feed it) you can use more gear. More gear is a longer lever to move a car. Gear ratio is a far more effective lever than an increase in stroke is.
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....but what if you don't want 3800 rpm on the freeway (like my a12 was) or a soft, soft lower end , just to get some rpm?
I'd rather have 550 lb/ ft, and 550hp, than 350lb ft, and 650 hp.
Agreed, the 650 hp will be quicker/faster. But it might take 5.38s to get past my 3.91s.
I don't want 5.38s in my street car.....