Renaultsport R27 0465
- Thread starter John Gordon
- Start date
Yeah, I'm not too sure on the colour with the blue. Would look nice on a darker coloured car perhaps?
I really like it John. Black is 'overdone'.
Looks great.
John Gordon
Paid Member
John Gordon
Paid Member
I started this thread in 2015.
I'd always wanted 197, it was my favourite of the Clio RS range. I just love the shape of it, it looks so purposeful.
I've lived with the car for a few years now. It's been an emotional rollercoaster. On the whole its been a pretty tough car. I use it every day to get me to and from work and its done around 5-6 track days a year (Far less than I thought it would).
Over the last year and a half though, it has been a pain in the ass. It developed a problem with the engine where the VVT failed and I spent 1000's on swapping out parts to try and fix it. Every single sensor on the engine is new, all the coils etc, etc. Multiple garages failed to diagnose it. It turned out to be the timing ring on the camshaft which moved out of place.
This really made me fall out of love with the car. Even after it was fixed I felt that it was a bit too loud in both sound and aesthetically. I decided it was time to change.
I test drove many cars in my quest for a replacement. Megane 250's, BMW 130i. I even had a serious nibble at getting myself a c63 AMG.
Nothing I drove made me feel excited. Perhaps I'm weird, but I feel at home in little tin shitbox's. Everything else I drove felt big and I didn't feel like I was connected. For all the faults of my little Clio, it still feels like a second skin. From parking to throwing it around race tracks, I really enjoy the connection.
I really want something the size of the 197, the same feelings of nimbleness and connection yet quieter, more powerful and a little more comfortable on the road.
I've settled on the only (In my mind) logical solution...
This...
Meg R26 engine, gearbox with Airtec everything (Intercooler, hard pipe, intake with breather and the expansion tank). Decat downpipe, sports-cat connected to the Pure Motorsport System I have in place.
I'm then going with the zero point one shifter.
Then to sort the ride out I'm going for this...
I drove a Suzuki swift around the ring with Ohlins and I knew from that day I wanted something with them on in the future. they Don't have a Road and Track Kit for the Clio so I'm having a kit built by Madeno who built the Bilstein setup I am running at the moment (If anyone wants that I'll let it go cheap once I've changed over)
The plan later is to remove the rear seats, fit the ktec boot mat and bolt in half cage with a set of harnesses (But I'll need to save up a bit after this spend.
I think 260-270 BHP with 300 torques will be plenty and easy to aim for. The car should be a lot quieter, more grown-up feeling with the longer ratio's and with the suspension, I'm confident it will be both super compliant on the road yet even more capable on the track.
And that will be it. My ultimate Clio. Sorry for the long post but I'm super excited and I don't have many 'car' friends that understand me spending a shit load of money on an old Renault Clio.
Really look forward to sharing build progress pics and some track days vids in the future.
I'd always wanted 197, it was my favourite of the Clio RS range. I just love the shape of it, it looks so purposeful.
I've lived with the car for a few years now. It's been an emotional rollercoaster. On the whole its been a pretty tough car. I use it every day to get me to and from work and its done around 5-6 track days a year (Far less than I thought it would).
Over the last year and a half though, it has been a pain in the ass. It developed a problem with the engine where the VVT failed and I spent 1000's on swapping out parts to try and fix it. Every single sensor on the engine is new, all the coils etc, etc. Multiple garages failed to diagnose it. It turned out to be the timing ring on the camshaft which moved out of place.
This really made me fall out of love with the car. Even after it was fixed I felt that it was a bit too loud in both sound and aesthetically. I decided it was time to change.
I test drove many cars in my quest for a replacement. Megane 250's, BMW 130i. I even had a serious nibble at getting myself a c63 AMG.
Nothing I drove made me feel excited. Perhaps I'm weird, but I feel at home in little tin shitbox's. Everything else I drove felt big and I didn't feel like I was connected. For all the faults of my little Clio, it still feels like a second skin. From parking to throwing it around race tracks, I really enjoy the connection.
I really want something the size of the 197, the same feelings of nimbleness and connection yet quieter, more powerful and a little more comfortable on the road.
I've settled on the only (In my mind) logical solution...
This...
Meg R26 engine, gearbox with Airtec everything (Intercooler, hard pipe, intake with breather and the expansion tank). Decat downpipe, sports-cat connected to the Pure Motorsport System I have in place.
I'm then going with the zero point one shifter.
Then to sort the ride out I'm going for this...
I drove a Suzuki swift around the ring with Ohlins and I knew from that day I wanted something with them on in the future. they Don't have a Road and Track Kit for the Clio so I'm having a kit built by Madeno who built the Bilstein setup I am running at the moment (If anyone wants that I'll let it go cheap once I've changed over)
The plan later is to remove the rear seats, fit the ktec boot mat and bolt in half cage with a set of harnesses (But I'll need to save up a bit after this spend.
I think 260-270 BHP with 300 torques will be plenty and easy to aim for. The car should be a lot quieter, more grown-up feeling with the longer ratio's and with the suspension, I'm confident it will be both super compliant on the road yet even more capable on the track.
And that will be it. My ultimate Clio. Sorry for the long post but I'm super excited and I don't have many 'car' friends that understand me spending a shit load of money on an old Renault Clio.
Really look forward to sharing build progress pics and some track days vids in the future.
Love this post John. I’m excited for you!!
Came to a similar conclusion and got my car converted also. Better to live with as a daily and much faster on track. Winner winner.
Please review that new suspension.
Came to a similar conclusion and got my car converted also. Better to live with as a daily and much faster on track. Winner winner.
Please review that new suspension.
Keen to see this process! Lots of exciting bits coming
Sent from my ONEPLUS A5010 using Tapatalk
Sent from my ONEPLUS A5010 using Tapatalk
John Gordon
Paid Member
I copied your Modeno setup and top mounts as they looked amazing and now I want to copy your Ohlins setup too.
Will be an amazing car with a R26 setup and that suspension setup.
Yeah, the B14 kit has been great to be honest. I love the guys at Madeno, they make some seriously sexy kit. I've been back to have mine checked and serviced and they did the swivel hubs for me.
They build suspension for LMP endurance cars and all kinds of race and rally stuff. Always an adventure visiting their workshop.
petercronin
Paid Member
I’m looking forward to hearing your options on the kit, I’d got a quote a while ago for a similar kit and decided against it. Did they answer those questions you asked in the email photo you posted?
petercronin
Paid Member
I've just looked again and god knows how I didn't see it but to answer my own question yes they did answer you. Doh! I'm still very much looking forward to hearing your opinion on the kit.
John Gordon
Paid Member
I'm not going to lie, I'm having serious doubts on the spend. The turbo conversation has cost me a bit more than I thought it would (gone for single mass flywheel, R26-R clutch and and other bits and bobs for more "reliability").
For the money I'm spending I could have something far more exotic with a lot more street cred.
All my friends think I'm mental.
But Ohlins though... And torque's.
For the money I'm spending I could have something far more exotic with a lot more street cred.
All my friends think I'm mental.
But Ohlins though... And torque's.
I had a serious look round at alternatives for a track toy/weekender after totting up what I was going to spend on converting. I came round to the fact that selling my car and adding £6k wouldn’t get me anything that was as quick on track or as good at B road blasting. Add in the fact that I’m a RenaultSport fan and love the Clio then it was a no brainer for me.
Plus it’s nice to be the underdog and surprise a lot of “better” cars imo.
Zero regrets
John Gordon
Paid Member
Some progress, the engine is ready to go in.
John Gordon
Paid Member
Mark_L
Platinum Member
Did you keep the std turbo or go the 250 15T?
Mine has cost me a pretty penny, just on the conversion. Now forged!
I was a little unfortunate with the package I bought initially which hasn't helped.
One little tip if you haven't already, remove the gear selector from the top of the box, the pin goes through 2 nylon bushes, make sure it is clean and free, some people drill out the bushes to 10mm. Easier before all the battery etc goes in.
I had this on both my gearbox's. Also a short shift conversation helps. (gearbox end)
Mine has cost me a pretty penny, just on the conversion. Now forged!
I was a little unfortunate with the package I bought initially which hasn't helped.
One little tip if you haven't already, remove the gear selector from the top of the box, the pin goes through 2 nylon bushes, make sure it is clean and free, some people drill out the bushes to 10mm. Easier before all the battery etc goes in.
I had this on both my gearbox's. Also a short shift conversation helps. (gearbox end)
John Gordon
Paid Member
I don't think they have put a heat shield as yet. Will have to ask about that. I know we've wrapped the downpipe/cat.
Mark_L
Platinum Member
John Gordon
Paid Member
I'll do a full update soon. Been a few bumps but engine side is done for now.
