Tom's Track Car - BMW E46 -Engine Number 3

Awesome attention to detail, presentation, research and application. ‘Proper’ conversion in every sense of the word. And I wouldn’t have expected any less....

‘Dissapointed’ to see another turning their back on the true DNA of the stock Clio - but if you are gonna do it....then this is pretty much the benchmark. And your reasons are obvious and the performance benefits: documented and huge.

Keep the updates coming Tom.
 
Looking forward to seeing this finished. as I've said in other threads, use the 250 turbo and you don't lose any of the F4R n/a characteristics, well apart from the horrendous low-down driveability and lack of torque of course :wink:
 
Looking forward to seeing this finished. as I've said in other threads, use the 250 turbo and you don't lose any of the F4R n/a characteristics, well apart from the horrendous low-down driveability and lack of torque of course :wink:

A friend who has just got a 275 was surprised how much better the top end is compared to his previous R26.
 
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A friend who has just got a 275 was surprised how much better the top end is compared to his previous R26.

yeah I think the only difference between the two turbos is the compressor wheel is slightly bigger in the 250/265/275 which allows it to hold boost for longer, making it feel more like a large capacity n/a engine.
 
great update Tom..everything is coming together nicely..hope the weather isnt slowing you down too much...
 
Awesome attention to detail, presentation, research and application. ‘Proper’ conversion in every sense of the word. And I wouldn’t have expected any less....

‘Dissapointed’ to see another turning their back on the true DNA of the stock Clio - but if you are gonna do it....then this is pretty much the benchmark. And your reasons are obvious and the performance benefits: documented and huge.

Keep the updates coming Tom.

Thank you for the comments. I've never wanted to buy a conversion that someone has already done as I know it wouldn't be done the way I wanted it to be. I know It's a massive shame to turn back on N/A. I'm building it up a bit of a project and don't really have a deadline for it to be done. I was going to try and get it done for the beginning of June. Starting it when I got back from Spa at Easter. However I'm looking at Changing my van so will have to use the Clio a little bit as the daily so the engine might be paused for a while till the transport situation is sorted.

yeah I think the only difference between the two turbos is the compressor wheel is slightly bigger in the 250/265/275 which allows it to hold boost for longer, making it feel more like a large capacity n/a engine.

I've been considering getting my turbo machined and the compressor size increased for that reason. Going to have a look at what it's going to cost, maybe something I'll do when I've got it in the car running, then swap the turbo before I start moving towards having the car remapped with bigger injectors and FMIC. Watch this space and see what happens :smile:
 
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same as me on this Tom..the part where you getting things/parts yourself is a learning curve which i loved..
 
Thank you for the comments. I've never wanted to buy a conversion that someone has already done as I know it wouldn't be done the way I wanted it to be. I know It's a massive shame to turn back on N/A. I'm building it up a bit of a project and don't really have a deadline for it to be done. I was going to try and get it done for the beginning of June. Starting it when I got back from Spa at Easter. However I'm looking at Changing my van so will have to use the Clio a little bit as the daily so the engine might be paused for a while till the transport situation is sorted.



I've been considering getting my turbo machined and the compressor size increased for that reason. Going to have a look at what it's going to cost, maybe something I'll do when I've got it in the car running, then swap the turbo before I start moving towards having the car remapped with bigger injectors and FMIC. Watch this space and see what happens :smile:

Bear in mind the only reason to go for 630cc injectors is due to the relatively low fuel pressure from the clio pump. If you can get a 225 fuel pump to fit, and it can be done, then standard megane injectors are fine for high-200 bhp.
 
So things have been a little bit quiet on here for the past month. Been waiting for Spa to arrive. In the mean time I've sold my van and ordered a new one from VW which will be arriving at some point during June.

Final bits of prep for the two track days coming up at Spa Francorchamps. Started off last week with some fresh rubber fitted to the track wheels, cleaned and wrapped up in some wheel bags ready to be loaded up.

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Friday - Van all loaded up on it's last trip away. Clio all loaded onto the trailer ready to depart from the North West at 4pm.

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Jumped on a ferry from Dover to Calais at 1am Saturday morning and slowly made our way through France into Belgium. Grabbing a couple of hours sleep between 5-7am. Made it to the town of Francorchamp around 11am. Calling into the circuit to look at the Fun Cup racing for the afternoon.

3 track cars parked on the drive way of the house in Francorchamps 5 minutes from the circuit.
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Sunday - After a chilled start to the morning we took the afternoon to do a track walk around the whole 7km circuit watching the racing and getting a good view of the whole track. Good to walk around the whole track with some people who are pretty seasoned on the track, giving some pointers and tip along the way.
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The elevation change and the scenery around the track walk was amazing! It's been great to get out here 3 days before the actual trackdays and have a few days to our selves relaxing and exploring.

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Monday - Started off with a explore around Stavlot and the motorsport museum before going back to the circuit to watch a public driving day for a few hours.
Spent this evening washing all the track cars to get rid of all the road grime from the 550 miles driving over here in poor conditions.
Ready to get out around the Circuit in the morning!
 
Great pics..looks like you are making most of it..have a great time and enjoy your track time
 
Great video Tom, car is going really well, very smooth driving mate, love it.

Nige is so quick isn't he? Should try and follow him at the Ring, I gave up haha.
 
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the track looks amazing..such a smooth lap too..think i need to do this onve in my lifetime...:thumb:
 
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