Word of Caution

[litchy]

The clio is now superb after a very tough month. Cams and exhaust finally working in harmony and sounds immense.
However a word of caution for those entering into any serious moddin' of the clio. I feel it doesn't respond well to moddin' and you can have the world of problems if you change stuff without consulting first with someone in the know like Paul at RS Tuning.
WARNING
IMO. Enter into moddin' the clio at your peril. There is a grave yard and history on here of failed attempts to improve on what Renault have already gone close to the margins of.
It can be done but be prepared to lose some stuff, in order to gain. Theres no win' win' with these cars.

I now know why members have sold up after finally getting their Clio right, cause its not a pleasurable experience. I would be lying if I said it didn't affect my relationship with the car even though its now such a great car...The problem was it was of my own making.

 

[Richy200]

Very true and very wise words!!

It runs well now for me but the slightest thing and I get worried. Cams are amazing and the cars a monster but it wasn't easy to get here.

 

[dangerdaz]

Actually i disagree up to a point..
Mod your car as much as you like...just leave the engine alone! 8)

 

[Curley]

Good thread.

 

[Mentalpen]

Best mod I did was to buy a meg 265 trophy to go with it.

 

[fmp]

I fully agree with what your saying to a point. But it's more of a case of be prepared for issues to iron out when going so far.

All cars, generally have some issues when changing major components like cams.

I am on my way back from Le mans today after a Renaultsport track day. My Car ran well all day. Brakes went off at one point due to hot fluid, and have developed a slight knock that I need to investigate, otherwise car is perfect and I love it more than ever.

Not a bad result for something fairly heavily modified.

But certanely... Mod with caution and the right advice. Collect as much data and info as possible before diving in!

 

[RalphyBMW]

I would reiterate my findings with the X85 Cup ARB, a fine mod if you have already stiffened up the rear end, but in isolation bloody awful.

 

[dangerdaz]

@ Fmp...you running std disks?
Bet le mans was amazing!

 

[ben_r1]

You should be fine if you take it to reputable Renault specialists. General tuners haven a clue.

 

[Tom]

I've had several reservations about going down the cam route and this just adds strength to my concerns. Thanks for an honest insight to this.

 

[N0ddie]

@ Fmp...you running std disks?
Bet le mans was amazing!

Nope. He runs the PF 330mm 2 piece discs and RC6 pads. But as he said, it was the fluid that fudged up.

 

[sir_dave]

You should be fine if you take it to reputable Renault specialists.

Quoted for truth.

I know that people have an issue with the overall CS forum, but it is very worthwhile having a read on there (as well as on here) before doing anything engine wise to the 197/200, it is after all, a very similar setup to the 1*2.

With that in mind, there are only perhaps 3 or 4 people that i would even consider letting touch anything even remotedly timing related on my car.

In addition, be prepared to be disappointed if you expect big gains from cams/itbs/inlets, etc etc on the F4R. The gains are minimal, & the costs are high.

My thoughts? Sell the car, & buy something quicker. Or if you want to keep the clio, just dump an R26 engine in it, just dont expect the engine to sound particularly sonorous.

Having sold my M3 on Friday, I'll be collecting a 197 at the weekend, but the engine will be left well alone. Why? Well, when you've had a pretty quick car, that is generally unusable on the UK roads, you realise that its not just ultimate speed that makes a car fun ...

 

[MikeLYR27]

^^^^well said mate. My R27 is just a play toy now, love the way it drives etc, very happy. But my 182 is more usable on bumpy roads etc and easier to get on the limit with just prolines and a rear ARB, I'm amazed with it on track with such a basic setup! Both are fantastic cars out the box and a hell of a lot more capable than people think. The R27 I can't get close nor do I want to on the roads, with a charger, v3's and 888's it's mental! I love it tho, but some might find it to much, so how far you need to go with tuning these is debatable with what you ultimately want.

 

[MikeLYR27]

I've had several reservations about going down the cam route and this just adds strength to my concerns. Thanks for an honest insight to this.

I wouldn't let it put you off mate, the schricks me and litchy put in are very wild!! But I milder cam will be fine, bens run them for years without an issue. Think richy 200 just has a Friday car, or don't go to k tec lol?!

 

[knuckles]

The clio is now superb after a very tough month. Cams and exhaust finally working in harmony and sounds immense.
However a word of caution for those entering into any serious moddin' of the clio. I feel it doesn't respond well to moddin' and you can have the world of problems if you change stuff without consulting first with someone in the know like Paul at RS Tuning.
WARNING
IMO. Enter into moddin' the clio at your peril. There is a grave yard and history on here of failed attempts to improve on what Renault have already gone close to the margins of.
It can be done but be prepared to lose some stuff, in order to gain. Theres no win' win' with these cars.

I now know why members have sold up after finally getting their Clio right, cause its not a pleasurable experience.

care to elaborate on those sorry? and so i dont have to dig through threads

i.e what mods have you done, what has been lost and what problems did you come across?

and that last bit just explained why people charge 1*2's and sell up after 6 months lol!

 

[litchy]

care to elaborate on those sorry? and so i dont have to dig through threads

i.e what mods have you done, what has been lost and what problems did you come across?

and that last bit just explained why people charge 1*2's and sell up after 6 months lol!

care to elaborate on those sorry? and so i dont have to dig through threads

i.e what mods have you done, what has been lost and what problems did you come across?

and that last bit just explained why people charge 1*2's and sell up after 6 months lol!

I guess for me I didn't have a clear plan and at time made rash decisions or was 'sheep like' in my thinking without considering the consequences. This approach can leave you open to mistakes. The worse being letting a non renaultsport mechanic do my cambelt. Although like Paul says, common mistake.

For example,
V6 airbox is a great mod. No real downside but by the time you've bought the box (if you can find one) pipe, plate and relocated battery in boot, theres no change out of £500.
Throttle body. Another good mod. The problem being is you really need to remap car cause if feels like it pushes the power further up the rev range. So a £80 mod now needs a £300 remap. Alright if you've not had one.
Remap. One of the first things you do when buying a clio. So you remap, £300. Then you decided you want a V6 airbox so another £300, then you decide to fit TB...you see where I'm going if you don't have a plan and patience...
Decat. Great mod but does create a flatsport thats hit and miss to remap out. Change the airbox or TB, you notice it more...yep another remap.
Cams. The clio should have come with them standard. Forget the idea of its only 10-15bhp. Its not the point. Not about power. Makes driving the car so much better I can't tell you but its £1500 big ones.

Its been one crazy ride and love the NA experience. Just wished I had more patience and a better plan. Hindsight is an exact science though. I would encourage those to do the same with caution but the finished product makes driving it a pleasure.

 

[luke3]

Almost as if you purchase all the required parts and fit it in one big hit maybe? And then a remap?
Not always that easy though mind you!
Fair play to people who go about moddin' there Clio but its not for me!

 

[Roger200]

Good Thread!

Never seen the point in spending huge amounts on tuning. Ive got exhaust, remap, filter and brakes are getting done on saturday. All of it will have cost about £1k and i dont plan to do any more to it as the gains are minimal for the amount you have to spend.

Better to spend money on doing stuff WITH the car rather than TO it!!!

 

[Tom]

Never seen the point in spending huge amounts on tuning. Ive got exhaust, remap, filter and brakes are getting done on saturday. All of it will have cost about £1k and i dont plan to do any more to it as the gains are minimal for the amount you have to spend.

That's exactly what my plans are. Exhaust, filter and remap - simple, less problems, good sound, better drive.

 

[knuckles]

I guess for me I didn't have a clear plan and at time made rash decisions or was 'sheep like' in my thinking without considering the consequences. This approach can leave you open to mistakes. The worse being letting a non renaultsport mechanic do my cambelt. Although like Paul says, common mistake.

For example,
V6 airbox is a great mod. No real downside but by the time you've bought the box (if you can find one) pipe, plate and relocated battery in boot, theres no change out of £500.
Throttle body. Another good mod. The problem being is you really need to remap car cause if feels like it pushes the power further up the rev range. So a £80 mod now needs a £300 remap. Alright if you've not had one.
Remap. One of the first things you do when buying a clio. So you remap, £300. Then you decided you want a V6 airbox so another £300, then you decide to fit TB...you see where I'm going if you don't have a plan and patience...
Decat. Great mod but does create a flatsport thats hit and miss to remap out. Change the airbox or TB, you notice it more...yep another remap.
Cams. The clio should have come with them standard. Forget the idea of its only 10-15bhp. Its not the point. Not about power. Makes driving the car so much better I can't tell you but its £1500 big ones.

Its been one crazy ride and love the NA experience. Just wished I had more patience and a better plan. Hindsight is an exact science though. I would encourage those to do the same with caution but the finished product makes driving it a pleasure.

aaah cheers... tbh i knew most of that lol

any work that needs doing (mods or service) i will run by paul and have him carry out.

i wouldnt bother with a v6 airbox... on the 182 it gains around 2bhp but loses torque (standard car) and i couldnt be arsed moving the battery.

i knew about the car needing a map, but, im going to wait until i get bored of it before i touch the engine...

then the plan is to exhaust, cam and map it (and since joining here get a bored out TB). 10-15bhp is amazing imo... since for 10-15bhp on a 1*2 you're looking at £4k lol! (exaggeration but you get what i mean)

not being cheeky but how did you not know about having to map it after the mods? or did you do one with no intention of doing another?

Almost as if you purchase all the required parts and fit it in one big hit maybe? And then a remap?
Not always that easy though mind you!
Fair play to people who go about moddin' there Clio but its not for me!

my plan