Discussion
Hi All,
First post in a long, long time - so long I've completely forgotten my old username yet alone my password! Thought a few may appreciate this.
I've had this 172 Cup for several years. It spent a lot of time sat on stands outside work occasionally having bits pinched off it but a few weeks back I decided to resurrect it, the only decision was what engine to put in it. I had some bits kicking about and decided boost was a cheap and easy way to give it some poke, unfortunately it's not as simply as dropping in a Megane 225 F4RT but it's fairly straight forward to build one using mostly salvaged Megane/Laguna bits! The target for this engine is only 260bhp/210ftlbs so by using mostly OE bits you end up with something that has nigh on OE reliability and in a light car like the Mk2 Clio returns 40mpg driven gently.
Here's the bottom end built, really simple spec comprising of an F4R73X block with standard crank, Megane 225/F4RT rods and pistons and OE Renault big end, main and thrust bearings. Main caps and big end caps are on with ARP fasteners as they're cheaper than stock Renault! Red block obviously worth 20bhp and not just because there was only a can of red VHT kicking about and all the stock black enamel fell off in the hot wash.
With the head fitted. Cylinder head is completely standard and straight off a Megane R26.R. It's a straight bolt on to the F4R73X block and requires no modifications.
As the car will primarily be a track toy and it never hurts to have a bit of crank case vacuum we nailed on an F3/FR2.0 dry sump, also means I can drop the engine a bit in the chassis (as much as the gearbox allows) and stick the oil tank in the boot to help with weight distribution. Turbo oil return is just a simple -10 welded to the rear of the sump.
Close up of the FEAD, water pump is stock albeit with the OE pulley mount pressed off and the smaller FR/F3 water pump pulley pressed on. Cam drive pulley is stock with FR ancil drive pulley. No room for PAS pump with this setup (the block has the PAS pump mounts machined off to clear the oil pump drive) but that's no issue as there is a DCI rack to go in to covert it to manual.
Pulleys on, could only find one vernier spare but it's on stock Megane cams so no biggy as the exhaust timing won't need playing with!
Bits left to do include making a lower mount for the JC5 gearbox, finding a Megane RS250 turbo, finding a Megane/Laguna turbo inlet manifold and throttle body and sticking the belts on.
It will run the standard DBW throttle body as it makes lots of torque reduction related bits easy to do (like PLSL, TCS etc.)
The shell is a bit well used but that just means it's less obvious. The intercooler tucks up under the bumper bar nicely and their will be an oil cooler sat on top of it once done. Both need painting black to make them less obvious though! It has various spherical bearings in the suspension and KWs but is mostly standard.
Interior wise I need to find a couple of seats and it will run a Farringdon/Stack steering wheel/display with TCS/MAP pots and P2P button etc.
I'll keep you all informed as it progresses/stalls/gets broken for bits
First post in a long, long time - so long I've completely forgotten my old username yet alone my password! Thought a few may appreciate this.
I've had this 172 Cup for several years. It spent a lot of time sat on stands outside work occasionally having bits pinched off it but a few weeks back I decided to resurrect it, the only decision was what engine to put in it. I had some bits kicking about and decided boost was a cheap and easy way to give it some poke, unfortunately it's not as simply as dropping in a Megane 225 F4RT but it's fairly straight forward to build one using mostly salvaged Megane/Laguna bits! The target for this engine is only 260bhp/210ftlbs so by using mostly OE bits you end up with something that has nigh on OE reliability and in a light car like the Mk2 Clio returns 40mpg driven gently.
Here's the bottom end built, really simple spec comprising of an F4R73X block with standard crank, Megane 225/F4RT rods and pistons and OE Renault big end, main and thrust bearings. Main caps and big end caps are on with ARP fasteners as they're cheaper than stock Renault! Red block obviously worth 20bhp and not just because there was only a can of red VHT kicking about and all the stock black enamel fell off in the hot wash.
With the head fitted. Cylinder head is completely standard and straight off a Megane R26.R. It's a straight bolt on to the F4R73X block and requires no modifications.
As the car will primarily be a track toy and it never hurts to have a bit of crank case vacuum we nailed on an F3/FR2.0 dry sump, also means I can drop the engine a bit in the chassis (as much as the gearbox allows) and stick the oil tank in the boot to help with weight distribution. Turbo oil return is just a simple -10 welded to the rear of the sump.
Close up of the FEAD, water pump is stock albeit with the OE pulley mount pressed off and the smaller FR/F3 water pump pulley pressed on. Cam drive pulley is stock with FR ancil drive pulley. No room for PAS pump with this setup (the block has the PAS pump mounts machined off to clear the oil pump drive) but that's no issue as there is a DCI rack to go in to covert it to manual.
Pulleys on, could only find one vernier spare but it's on stock Megane cams so no biggy as the exhaust timing won't need playing with!
Bits left to do include making a lower mount for the JC5 gearbox, finding a Megane RS250 turbo, finding a Megane/Laguna turbo inlet manifold and throttle body and sticking the belts on.
It will run the standard DBW throttle body as it makes lots of torque reduction related bits easy to do (like PLSL, TCS etc.)
The shell is a bit well used but that just means it's less obvious. The intercooler tucks up under the bumper bar nicely and their will be an oil cooler sat on top of it once done. Both need painting black to make them less obvious though! It has various spherical bearings in the suspension and KWs but is mostly standard.
Interior wise I need to find a couple of seats and it will run a Farringdon/Stack steering wheel/display with TCS/MAP pots and P2P button etc.
I'll keep you all informed as it progresses/stalls/gets broken for bits
Have done a few more bits this evening. First original engine is out of the shell, tomorrow I'll bolt the front suspension back up and wheel it outside to jetwash the bay. All the old loom and PAS lines have been stripped out too, new loom will be DR25 over type 44 but no ASs etc. as it's a budget build 
Fitted the oil cooler take off plate. I need to drill this to take the pressure sensor, not going to bother with oil temp as I can infer this in software from RPM/Coolant Temp/Pressure with sufficent accuracy to tell if it's over cool or too hot.
Renault badge gutted out and bumper relieved to make room for the oil cooler, Renault badge recess is now the oil cooler duct.
Oh and I have painted the IC and OC black to make them blend in a bit more. Not got bored yet but I do have the car equivalent of ADHD so we'll see.....
Fitted the oil cooler take off plate. I need to drill this to take the pressure sensor, not going to bother with oil temp as I can infer this in software from RPM/Coolant Temp/Pressure with sufficent accuracy to tell if it's over cool or too hot.
Renault badge gutted out and bumper relieved to make room for the oil cooler, Renault badge recess is now the oil cooler duct.
Oh and I have painted the IC and OC black to make them blend in a bit more. Not got bored yet but I do have the car equivalent of ADHD so we'll see.....
Strange question but are the pics taken on an industrial estate near kimbolton by any chance? it looks just like where an ex friend of mine worked many moons ago
Judging by the floor you are even in the old unit he used to work in! didnt realise another tuning business was based there now.
Build looks interesting
Judging by the floor you are even in the old unit he used to work in! didnt realise another tuning business was based there now.
Build looks interesting
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