Opinion Please.

[NickD]

My RS200's engine is knocking and so needs replacement. I am looking at several cars on salvage auction sites. I have a choice of a straight forward engine swap or a R26 car.
I am using the car as an all round vehicle, but not a full time daily. It will see the track, but not as a track day car in that I want to blast round for hour on end, however I am also an instructor so is an ideal car for private tuition.
Having talked to a couple of people in the industry they have cautioned me that the turbo units can "melt" if over stretched. I am not looking to go beyond what Renault did with the car originally, so "stock" is fine, what ever that is.
The reason for considering this is that the original car felt down on power, the top end feeling asthmatic, it did need remapping, I know that, but it did not survive long enough to get there. The turbo engine seems a tempting solution.
What would you do?

 

[kevlar]

Not sure i qualify to answer you as I dont own my 200 anymore sadly, I would SERIOUSLY think about it!

The R26 option sounds great, but I am sure it will be very expensive and will you get the money back when you sell? I seriously doubt it looking at converted cars being sold recently - plus I think your then making a niche car even more niche...then there is the insurance issue.

That said I dont know your situation so money may not be a consideration, in which case I would go for it - I loved my 200 and after modifying it it was much more fun to drive. Having owned an R26 and a 200 the hybrid of the two must be fun, but at a cost.

Sorry for the non clio owning serious post - I am sure normal service will be resumed shortly...

 

[NickD]

Not sure i qualify to answer you as I dont own my 200 anymore sadly, I would SERIOUSLY think about it!

The R26 option sounds great, but I am sure it will be very expensive and will you get the money back when you sell? I seriously doubt it looking at converted cars being sold recently - plus I think your then making a niche car even more niche...then there is the insurance issue.

That said I dont know your situation so money may not be a consideration, in which case I would go for it - I loved my 200 and after modifying it it was much more fun to drive. Having owned an R26 and a 200 the hybrid of the two must be fun, but at a cost.

Sorry for the non clio owning serious post - I am sure normal service will be resumed shortly...

Thank you for the reply. My view is cars cost money. If I buy a new one, I have lost more money than this the second I drive it off the forecourt. Having had the first engine "refreshed" at similar money only to have it knocking within 1,000 miles I am more looking for it to work than sell it.

 

[Dumdum]

as an instructor I would be hesitant in using something as explosive as a 230 r26 conversion for tuition, a nice steady build to a peak is a good transition and very predictable whereas a turbo with zero power to boost and a real kick wont be so nice I wouldn't think...

a standard turbo engine on the road will have a lot less thrash than a track day tuition car also and potentially I see a 200 lump being more reliable long term being very honest

I also wouldn't consider a 200 lacking in the top end? its a very nice top end having driven many fast cars with a variety of cams/mods/levels of tune, doesn't seem asthmatic at all

 

[Sean197]

Nothing unreliable about the megane conversion, just a case of doing it properly. Plenty of people on here, including me, who ragged the conversion round a track with no issues. I drove a 2500 round trip to Spa and Paris, thing never missed a beat. Engine is still going strong in another clio.
@Pav @youngarthur @Big Ben @trackspec197 @nick's

 

[lewishunter98]

Top end is where the clio comes alive!

 

[Beany]

Rebuild the current engine... forged & cams.. get it somewhere near 215bhp

 

[youngarthur]

Nothing unreliable about the megane conversion, just a case of doing it properly. Plenty of people on here, including me, who ragged the conversion round a track with no issues. I drove a 2500 round trip to Spa and Paris, thing never missed a beat. Engine is still going strong in another clio.
@Pav @youngarthur @Big Ben @trackspec197 @nick's

Would be nice, to meet on a track day, maybe next year?.

 

[NickD]

Would be nice, to meet on a track day, maybe next year?.

If you were at the Renault day at Rockingham, I was one of the instructors there.

 

[Sean197]

Would be nice, to meet on a track day, maybe next year?.

Would love to but unfortunately my clio is long gone!

 

[youngarthur]

If you were at the Renault day at Rockingham, I was one of the instructors there.

I did not attend, as my car is in for Cam belt, and some other work in a weeks time, and I would not do any more track days, until it was done.

 

[Big Ben]

Hi Nick.

I had my R26 conversion done professionally by Beaniesport. Has done 4000 hard miles and suits me perfectly. Much better as a daily as it’s easier to keep up with traffic without having to rev the tits off it like the n/a engine.
Get the R26 gearbox as well it comes with an LSD.
I have zero regrets about my conversion. I wouldn’t have wanted to put any more money into my old na engine/gearbox.
Just my two Penney’s worth. Not everyone will agree

Ps I run standard turbo

 

[trackspec197]

Turbo is the logical step for more power. As much as people like the F4R motor in the Clio, it isn’t the best in the small very heavy car unless you keep it on the boil and use every inch of the track and keep both your entry and exit speeds up.

Don’t waste your money chasing more power with the F4R 830 it’s a complete waste of money and you will spend a lot more than a turbo conversion making it a lot less reliable, less driveable and slower than a relatively modest turbo motor.

I’ve raced for almost 20years and prefer the characteristics of a NA motor but if you want more power and maintain a good level of reliability turbo is a no brainer. It’s the way everything has gone for a reason. Turbo engines aren’t what we remember they were back in the 80’s and early 90’s when they usually went bang after 5minutes they have come on very well and are extremely good these days.

The Megane motor is very good as long as you do not go chasing figures and keep it inside it’s limits unless you go forged. High 200’s is a nice usable and reliable power figure if done properly.

 

[Pav]

best of both worlds mate..just do it..easier to drive around town too..

 

[lewishunter98]

Could always go the route of supercharging too

Sent from my ONEPLUS A5010 using Tapatalk

 

[Sean197]

Could always go the route of supercharging too

Sent from my ONEPLUS A5010 using Tapatalk

Good shout and actually a lot 'easier' too. All that's needed is the 'charger plus a universal bracket to fit, custom piping, a cooler and a clutch. Standard ecu mapped with some 630s and around 300 bhp with 230ish lb/ft

 

[lewishunter98]

Good shout and actually a lot 'easier' too. All that's needed is the 'charger plus a universal bracket to fit, custom piping, a cooler and a clutch. Standard ecu mapped with some 630s and around 300 bhp with 230ish lb/ft

Yep! Same kinda characteristics too just with a bit more oomph haha! That's the goal for me one day i think.

 

[NickD]

Gent's (assuming that is the case) thank you all for your replies. I have been watching several salvage cars. Was exceptionally tempted by a Megane with 67K and currently sitting at £1,200 ending in about 20 minutes, through several Clio's and a 2010 RS250. But in the end simplicity ruled. I have been down the engine modification route before with MX-5s. I was the first person in the UK to fit a Rotrex way back in about 2006 and it just makes cars difficult to live with as there is always something that needs doing. The turbo did appeal, but it would have cost more just to install, and I have not had the full potential out of the existing set up yet, so hopefully, with the 50K engine I have just bought and a decent map on it, all will be well for a while.
Thank you .

 

[DAN@ADRIAN FLUX]

Hi.
If you do come across any issues with insurance for an engine swap then please feel free to drop me a line.
Regards,
Dan.

 

[NickD]

Hi.
If you do come across any issues with insurance for an engine swap then please feel free to drop me a line.
Regards,
Dan.

Thank you Dan. I'm sure my REIS company policy will see me OK though.