Matt's RS250 engines Clio 197 F1 track/nurburgring car

[M77MWW]

So some of you may have seen my last thread on here with my Renault Megane rs250 track/nurburgring car which I regrettably sold in September last year. I went through an E46 M3, Audi ttrs, EP3 and even a polo GTi cup as replacements and never really got in to any of them. The TTRS was monsterous A to B but was numb and the m3 I didn't want to ruin so I've ended up with what you will be seeing on these pages.

2007 Ulta red Clio 197 F1 with Megane rs250 engine. Car already had a few mods but I've done a fair few bits in the short time I've owned it.

Gaz gold suspension with top mounts
Rear cage
Airtec intercooler
Forge boost pipe kit
Megane radiator
Megane fan
Quaife diff
Oz allegerita wheels (595 rsr tyres)
Clio 197 wheels (slicks)
Hel braided lines
Rbf600 fluid
Recaro SPG with new covers and cushions
Scroth harnesses
630cc injectors
R250 MW private plate
She makes a respectable 300bhp 340lbs torque with a bit more to come with a map tweek.

Yesterday I took her on her 1st track day at a very very wet snetterton 300 and regardless of the lack of grip it was absolutely fantastic! Felt very similar to the Megane but with it weighing 200kg lighter (on same scales) it feels more agile and a little more punchy.

Hopefully you can follow on the journey I have with her and see where it goes.

Edited by M77MWW on Thursday 29th March 20:53

[M77MWW]

[M77MWW]

[M77MWW]

van cleef said:

Bloody lovely..... I’ve always had a hankering for something similar. Must go really well.

Thanks buddy, yep definitely does go well, really looking forward to a dry track day next

[M77MWW]

[M77MWW]

Cheers chaps, goes well 300bhp 340lbs torque 1190kg

[M77MWW]

Yes it goes very well. Plenty more weight to come out and room for more power but atm she's spot on

[M77MWW]

avenger286 said:

It is surprising how much weight you can get out. There is loads of light weight parts for the Clio with the r3 rally cars and all the race series that Clios compete in.

Exactly, the parts available are amazing

[M77MWW]

Yes plenty of them about now but far less common to have the 250 engine though which I have so allows more power and torque without worrying about the engine crapping itself.

Camber sir you are correct -3 degrees on the front. Not really tested her out in the dry but the turn in is fantastic. 7 degrees of caster also helps

[M77MWW]

Ps any chance a mod can move this to readers cars?

[M77MWW]

SaggyOstrich said:

Looks wicked - perfect combo in my opinion as these look better than the Meganes but you still have that superb engine!

Appreciate the words. I personally think the Meganes look better but hey.


Had a slight over heating problem at castle Combe at the weekend which is odd as the car sits in traffic and drives perfectly so hoping the coolant needs a re bleed or the fan is blowing in wrong direction (apparently common on Megane swaps)

[M77MWW]

[M77MWW]

Oilchange said:

If I could give one piece of advice it would be to not use the same tyres again> Federal 595rsr.
They are ok with a bit of heat in them but just ok. This will give you a bit of confidence in the corners. A bit. But then you will go out in the wet or the cold, or both, and they will spit you off into a tree.
At least that is what I suspect...


Oz allegerita wheels (595 rsr tyres)

Haha yes these aren't my go too tyre, once summer is here I will be using my slicks or putting my a048s on

[M77MWW]

git-r said:

Great thread Matt, you’re going to be even quicker on this than the Megane. How does it compare?

Hope to see you soon mate

Sam

Cheers Sam... hopefully buddy she's 200kg lighter. Hard to compare atm as I'm not had her out on a dry day but it feels very familiar but I think it's a bit more agile which is to be expected. Be good to catch up soon

[M77MWW]

Got round to fitting powerflex upper and lower mount inserts along with lower dog bone mount and new coolant bottle...must say the car vibrates a lot my then my Megane did with engine mount insert and vibratecnic dog bone mount but hey track car.

The old mounts had seen better days

[M77MWW]

Ahbefive said:

I went a very wet Castle Combe a few weeks ago. Spring action day, was it you I saw driving up the M4 from London/Maidenhead direction?

I wrnt past in my yellow R26 followed by a mate in his green Cayman S and another in an RX8 R3.

The organization on that day was appalling. Too many cars on track and sessions all being mixed up with long waits in the car to compound the mess.

Ahh yes I remember see you now. Yer it's not the best run show I must say and I'm not usually one for show track time but our Trackobsession group had a stand (ended up winning best stand too)

[M77MWW]

Ahbefive said:

Good stuff, car looked very nice, didn't realise it was packing a megane engine at the time.

I have done lots of track days and sessions at shows but that day was hands down the worst organized day I have ever seen, a real mudfest too. Still though, we had fun.

Yer bro rs250 engine and turbo. I had a little issue with over heating which I think I've sorted now. Yer it's not the best run show I've been

[M77MWW]

Nurburgring trip done in the Clio this weekend and what a cracking little car, diff was perfect and the faces of people that come up and ask you how a little Clio is still sat on the back of E46 csl and e92 m3 is classic. I put a set of PBS pads in for a try and for the price they where exceptional! Great cold bite and no fade, however on certain corners the pedal went a little hard which throws the confidence but overall I was very very impressed. The Gaz golds again where great but maybe could do with slightly stiffer springs but again very impressed.

[M77MWW]

Well this definitely needs updating! Clio has been sold and I bought my Megane back. Unfortunately a lot of the good stuff was removed by the owner but still left me a great base.

Car had stock interior, suspension and wheels so this all changed rather quickly and I've now fitted

BC coilovers
Ray's Prodrive GC-010E with ad08r
Full leather recaros
Alcantara steering wheel
Middle box delete

Had it back about 2 months now and I'm so glad I have it back.