Ok, so the car is back up and running with the Megane engine. However, it's a low-mileage 225 engine rather than the 250 engine above. Long story short, the 250 engine I bought turned out to be nothing more than scrap. Luckily paypal found in my favour after I opened a dispute, despite the seller arguing that the engine was "running when I took it out the car" - this was a bloody joke as when we opened it to fit the arp rod bolts we found piston number 3 was sitting in bits in the sump! However, every cloud etc., paypal told me I didn't have to send the engine back, so I got my money back and got a Megane 250 turbocharger for nothing, as well as a 250 cat which I will be selling on ebay
The Megane engine has transformed the way the car drives. In general driving (around town etc.) I've found myself barely revving past 2k, but when I need to go, jesus it goes. The first few drives felt a little strange to say the least, having so much torque compared to n/a. Also the turbo flutter when changing gear takes some getting used to.
Simple things like pulling out of junctions or overtaking at 50mph are no longer filled with the high-revving engine-screaming drama of old, but there is still plenty of enjoyment to be had when pushing on, you just happen to be pushing on a hell of a lot faster! To say I'm pleased is an understatement, it pulls like a train now so I'm eagerly awaiting the planned upgrades in the Spring.
So, as it stands the spec of the car is as follows:
Engine
Megane 225 engine
ARP rod bolts
Milltek Megane exhaust downpipe (wrapped)
Milltek Megane exhaust link pipe
K-Tec Clio 197/200 200-Cell sports cat
K-Tec Clio 197 cat-back exhaust system
Ramair filter
Silicone inlet hose
Relocated 197 header tank with silicone hoses
Custom intercooler hard-pipe kit with ebay Chinese intercooler
197 radiator
Powerflex torque mount, upper engine and lower engine mount
Gearbox
Megane 225 gearbox
Megane R26R Clutch
Engine Dynamics Single Mass Flywheel
Engine Dynamics quickshift
Suspension
Bilstein B14 coilovers
Brakes
Standard Brembo discs and pads
HEL braided brake lines
The plan is to run it in this configuration until March/April, and then upgrade to a Forge intercooler, 630cc injectors, and Megane 250 turbo, followed by a remap at RS Tuning.
Before then, I want to move the battery to the boot (replacing the standard battery for a smaller Varley one) and either fit a Clio/espace v6 airbox or build some kind of carbon airbox in the space vacated by the battery, nearer the font of the car.
A Megane radiator has been bought and I'll look into fitting that in the new year, although so far the temps haven't risen past the 3rd line on the gauge, but I'll be able to keep more of an eye on that when I get my Scangauge installed this weekend. I'll also be looking into buying another bonnet and having subtle louvres stamped into it to help with heat dissipation (I don't want a bonnet vent, but if I have to then I have to I suppose).
I won't be aiming for silly power figures, I'm thinking around 290/300bhp and around 280-290lb/ft to keep it safe and still driveable day-to-day.
I will also be buying and fitting some adjustable top mounts, refurbing my 8J Cup racer Speedlines in dark anthracite, painting my calipers, and adding a few carbon bits and pieces.
Photobucket seems to be down so I'll try to get pics up later.
