Hi all,
Firstly apologies if this is in the wrong section. I wasn't entirely sure where it would sit best really, as it isn't a full on technical post.
I've had my 200 for a little while now, and having done A LOT of reading on the forums (I tend not to post much, but if this gets going I'll try a bit harder). As of yet all I have done to the car is new inner & outer steering rack arms, new drop links and anti rotation links, new shocks, new springs, new top mounts. Just to firm things up as it felt a bit sloppy, and not as Renault intended. As much as I'm sure some of you will be disgusted with this I've used all OE Renault parts. After all Renault didn't spend all that money in R&D to develop on of the best handling cars on the road just for me to come along with some coilovers etc and totally change the handling (I know it isn't that simple, but for now with a standard engine etc it seemed like the most sensible option, and a mate supplied me all the parts for just under £300). But also because this is a daily, and unlikely to really see a track it's nice to have some compliance over the quite frankly hideously surfaced bumpy back roads of Oxfordshire.
I've previously had a 205 with MI16 engine on TB's, stand alone management, stripped out, coilovers, NOS etc etc you get the picture. To the untrained eye though it looked like a slightly lowered standard car. I'm a real fan of the 'sleeper'. But it crossed the line between road car & track car and tbh it was horrible to drive on the roads around here.
I've been tussling with the idea of a supercharger for more ooomph, but having read about, it seems to get one of these fitted and running that isn't more fragile than an Alfa in the rain is a rarity, and as my car has just ticked over 107k I'm not entirely sure the extra stresses on the engine/gearbox won't see it melt like chocolate in a microwave.
So this brings me back to a Meglio conversion, as that seems to be the most documented and certainly seems to be a fairly reliable option (well as reliable as you can get in a French car). It also reminds me of my youth running the 205 which I quite like
I'm in South Oxfordshire, so not a million miles from Beaniesport, and I've dropped Chris a line. Just waiting for a reply. But I'm very much in the research stage at present and don't want to waste his time (well not yet anyway haha).
The reason for my post though is to see if anyone has any resources for Megane engines (aside from eBay which doesn't seem to throw much up). I appreciate buying a secondhand lump brings it's own possible issues, so would any of you guys with a more mechanical mind recommend anything in particular when sourcing an engine?
I'm not looking for massive power, as like I said this is a daily fast road 'sleeper' NOT a full on track beast. So is it worth forging it, or just having the cylinders compression tested, new belts, clutch full on serviceable items checked etc. I'm assuming the megane lump will bolt straight onto the Clio gearbox, or would that need replacing & messing about with as well?
It seems that 300bhp is the magic number for these units, and although there are lots of people running these, how was that achieved? I'm assuming it's not that straight forward, and a lot of work would be needed both internally & externally to the main engine to strengthen it up? Bigger turbo, custom exhaust and manifold?
I think I'd rather a 'reliable' slightly lower power to stop the car breaking every 2 minutes and me having to cycle to work! haha
Sorry so may questions, just not really sure where to start on this one as I've been out of this loop for a while (I'm getting on a bit!).
I'm also curious as to the costs of something like this. There seems to be lots of documented conversions, but nobody has really discussed the costs involved? Is this because you all don't want the other half to see exactly what your spending on your cars should she get hold of your laptop Or just where people have lost track of how deep the money pit is getting. I know there would be a vast difference in costings based on exact specs/engine costs etc. Surely some cost can be recouped by selling the OE Clio engine? Is there much call for them?
Thanks in advance for any help
Steve
Firstly apologies if this is in the wrong section. I wasn't entirely sure where it would sit best really, as it isn't a full on technical post.
I've had my 200 for a little while now, and having done A LOT of reading on the forums (I tend not to post much, but if this gets going I'll try a bit harder). As of yet all I have done to the car is new inner & outer steering rack arms, new drop links and anti rotation links, new shocks, new springs, new top mounts. Just to firm things up as it felt a bit sloppy, and not as Renault intended. As much as I'm sure some of you will be disgusted with this I've used all OE Renault parts. After all Renault didn't spend all that money in R&D to develop on of the best handling cars on the road just for me to come along with some coilovers etc and totally change the handling (I know it isn't that simple, but for now with a standard engine etc it seemed like the most sensible option, and a mate supplied me all the parts for just under £300). But also because this is a daily, and unlikely to really see a track it's nice to have some compliance over the quite frankly hideously surfaced bumpy back roads of Oxfordshire.
I've previously had a 205 with MI16 engine on TB's, stand alone management, stripped out, coilovers, NOS etc etc you get the picture. To the untrained eye though it looked like a slightly lowered standard car. I'm a real fan of the 'sleeper'. But it crossed the line between road car & track car and tbh it was horrible to drive on the roads around here.
I've been tussling with the idea of a supercharger for more ooomph, but having read about, it seems to get one of these fitted and running that isn't more fragile than an Alfa in the rain is a rarity, and as my car has just ticked over 107k I'm not entirely sure the extra stresses on the engine/gearbox won't see it melt like chocolate in a microwave.
So this brings me back to a Meglio conversion, as that seems to be the most documented and certainly seems to be a fairly reliable option (well as reliable as you can get in a French car). It also reminds me of my youth running the 205 which I quite like
I'm in South Oxfordshire, so not a million miles from Beaniesport, and I've dropped Chris a line. Just waiting for a reply. But I'm very much in the research stage at present and don't want to waste his time (well not yet anyway haha).
The reason for my post though is to see if anyone has any resources for Megane engines (aside from eBay which doesn't seem to throw much up). I appreciate buying a secondhand lump brings it's own possible issues, so would any of you guys with a more mechanical mind recommend anything in particular when sourcing an engine?
I'm not looking for massive power, as like I said this is a daily fast road 'sleeper' NOT a full on track beast. So is it worth forging it, or just having the cylinders compression tested, new belts, clutch full on serviceable items checked etc. I'm assuming the megane lump will bolt straight onto the Clio gearbox, or would that need replacing & messing about with as well?
It seems that 300bhp is the magic number for these units, and although there are lots of people running these, how was that achieved? I'm assuming it's not that straight forward, and a lot of work would be needed both internally & externally to the main engine to strengthen it up? Bigger turbo, custom exhaust and manifold?
I think I'd rather a 'reliable' slightly lower power to stop the car breaking every 2 minutes and me having to cycle to work! haha
Sorry so may questions, just not really sure where to start on this one as I've been out of this loop for a while (I'm getting on a bit!).
I'm also curious as to the costs of something like this. There seems to be lots of documented conversions, but nobody has really discussed the costs involved? Is this because you all don't want the other half to see exactly what your spending on your cars should she get hold of your laptop Or just where people have lost track of how deep the money pit is getting. I know there would be a vast difference in costings based on exact specs/engine costs etc. Surely some cost can be recouped by selling the OE Clio engine? Is there much call for them?
Thanks in advance for any help
Steve