Engine options for a Clio 197

[Brunoandrade98]

Hi all,

I am slowly reaching that point in ownership where I'd like to get a bit more power out of my car.

I think these cars make decent power, but are really lacking in torque, which makes me question:
With a new engine build, what are ways of increasing the torque curve, while keeping it N/A?

I am not disregarding a Mégane F4R conversion yet, but I'm given to understand that both engines feel completely different, and I quite like how mine feels, just not the power it makes (or doesn't) at lower revs.

Many thanks in advance.

 

[Beany]

Meg lump or supercharge are your options for power… or swap for a k20

These engines are shit and are maxed out unless you wanna drop £££

 

[DS197]

- Supercharge standard engine
- Supercharged K20 conversion
- Engine Dynamics 250 turbo conversion which keeps the N/A feel

 

[Brunoandrade98]

Meg lump or supercharge are your options for power… or swap for a k20

These engines are shit and are maxed out unless you wanna drop £££

Both of those have crossed my mind, but each have their disadvantages and might raise their own questions.

For example:

1. A Mégane conversion would be cheap and easy power and torque, but the engine wouldn't be as high revving (I like the high revs)
2. A K20 conversion would be far more expensive, but those engines are awesome. It seems like a good upgrade, but I assume there would be some caveats, such as the loss of certain functionalities that come with a F4R ECU (This is just my assumption, I could be completely wrong).

To be honest, there isn't an easy choice for me, but getting a completely different car is absolutely at the bottom of the list, because I do love it.

 

[Brunoandrade98]

- Supercharge standard engine
- Supercharged K20 conversion
- Engine Dynamics 250 turbo conversion which keeps the N/A feel

So, I've only recently ventured myself looking at engine builds and how different characteristics affect torque vs power, so I do have a few questions:

1. Will a standard 197 F4R take a supercharger well without affecting long term reliability too much?
2. How exactly will the Engine dynamics 250 turbo conversion keep the N/A feel with a turbo?

Apologies if these are silly questions :')

Many thanks in advance

 

[DS197]

So, I've only recently ventured myself looking at engine builds and how different characteristics affect torque vs power, so I do have a few questions:

1. Will a standard 197 F4R take a supercharger well without affecting long term reliability too much?
2. How exactly will the Engine dynamics 250 turbo conversion keep the N/A feel with a turbo?

Apologies if these are silly questions :')

Many thanks in advance

1. There are a couple of supercharged Clios, some used on track with no issues. This will be to a large extent dependant on how solid the engine is to begin with as they’re getting on now and the addition of a supercharger is only going to exacerbate existing issues. I’d stick a charger on mine until is goes bang and forge it at that point rather than from the offset but everyone has a different tolerance to risk/cost.

2. Engine dynamics put out a turbo kit for the 197 engine (can no longer find it on their site) which had a relatively linear torque curve and still revved to 7000 rpm. It made 250 bhp and similar torque (lbft). As an alternative you could do something similar for a lot cheaper using Meg/Clio MK2 parts:

https://www. facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1665209596976602&id=100048914605163

 

[theoldfella]

I had a 197, with a Megan 250 engine, with a mild tune, it ran 320bhp, was reliable once the inherited problems were fixed.