Caroline, (yea really, that's the name of my Clio) has done around 100 laps of Zandvoort since the conversion.
I really want to give an honest account of the conversion for people who are thinking of going ahead, whether for a track car or a road car.
Also, I want to dispel a few myths that I've come across along the way on mods.
The first thing I've learned is a painful thing to accept. But I'm going to throw it out there. The Clio is not as good in the twisty stuff as we like to think. Well, it's subjective really. What are you comparing it to? In its class, it's top. But even an E46 has a more efficient platform for a track based toy.
The Clio outperforms itself for sure, but once you start modding like for like, you need a bigger bag of skill to start making the difference. Due to my relatively small bag of skill, this became evident quite quickly. I'm hoping a push to 235 section may help, but the most efficient track weapon sleeper the Clio is not unless you're Ragnotti.
The Megane engine. Each of us has slight variations on our engine configs and programming. I miss the NA. I really do. Car is faster no doubt, in fact, I can tell you it's around 3 seconds a lap faster around Zandvoort.
Power delivery is just no good for me as mine stands. It's flat towards the top. The curves on the graphs are normal for a "stage 2" map and since fitting the
actuator it's stronger at the top. But the Megane engine was set how many French turbo cars we're designed from the Peugeot XU10s and maybe earlier..they try to replicate a budget v6. They love their leggy torque type engines to waft around French lanes with a chassis capable of stable cornering so they don't spill their wine in the bends as they drive one-handed (hence the torque, no hands for gear changes and why Clio and meg are auto now)
Clio 3 is about wringing the kneck out of the engine and having a chassis more than capable of dealing with that and the most ham-fisted of pilots. Not coughing and sputtering at 6k onwards.
And this is my next point. To get the 225 engine up to spec is work. Yes cheapest starting point, but avoid it. They are old and slightly off point. If you're going Megane conversion, start with 250 engine. Already Renault addressed the lazy v6 feel and gave you some more revs to play with and it's way more eager to get there.
To get the 225 engine to perform as well you need a 250 turbo, 630 injectors and a remap. Then if you listen to the internet you've got a ticking time bomb as the torques will convert the rods to Scientology and so they shall do their best to leave the block to join the flock. (I hate saying this, famous last words. My 230 lump has had the shit kicked out of it with 330+ torques since conversion...touches all the wood)
Hot. Engine temps are great. Basically, I can drive on track until my fuel level gets to the point where I get fuel surge coming out of the banked corner before the straight at Zandvoort. Around 30 laps. Heat soak is a big problem though. All the cats in the neighbourhood love my car, warm for days. Problem is getting the air out.
Fuel system. It's pants when you combine 225+197/200. Needs changing. I've had fuel surge cuts on track several times on the track. The
fuel rail on the 225 is terrible and the weaker Clio pump exacerbates this.
TLDR: 225 engine sounds attractive at face value on cost. In reality, you're better starting with 250 engine.