Clio Clio 197 with forged Megane r26 engine

[stephenvenning]

UPDATE:

Today I took a last minute day off to get bits finished off on the clio, getting very close now to starting her up. First on the list today was to assemble the shocks with some H and R springs, the shocks were painted gloss black and the rubber boots and top mounts were given a through clean, the springs were then installed using some springs compressors. Id imagine these will be swapped out next year for some BC coilovers but funds dont allow that at this moment in time

I have also started to finish off my fuel system today, Ive plumbed in the feed line and figured out how Im going to mount my fuel pressure reg. A new bracket will need to be made for the pressure reg. The return line will also be plumbed in when Ive got the car up at running before mapping. i wont need to the HP fuel pump on stock map and on running the engine in so no reason it to complicate it at this point, it will be one less thing to bed in and setup considering I have a new clutch, flywheel, engine internals, rebuilt gearbox and other bits.

Drive shafts were also given the OCD treatment and wire brushed followed by a coat of smooth black hammerite.

Tomorrow I should get the driver side suspension sorted like hubs, struts, driveshafts etc. Im then going to sort out positioning the coolant resouvior as I have a feeling another bracket will have to be made up. Ill update again sunday.

















Thanks

 

[tutuur]

Looking awesome as always, winter is almost over. Get that thing running!

 

[stephenvenning]

UPDATE:

Haven't done much today due to mothers day. I did however manage to fit the drivers side suspension and driveshaft. The drive shaft went in easily and the retaining plate on the bracket was tightened up. Next I had to locate the top mounts and at the same time slide the drive shaft into the hub assembly, what a pain in the arse on your own cramped up against the garage wall. Anyway then the topmount was tightened up and the wishbone ball joint was located into the hub. The hub nut was now installed and tightened to spec. Loctite was used on all the bolts in the hub assembly. The drop link and anti-rotation arm was then bolted in making sure the threads were clean. I dont think the suspension has ever looked this clean should handle like a new car considering it has new lower ball joint, swivel joint, droplink bars, steering rack and springs.

yesterday I also finalised my intercooler position, Ive marked with a black pen where it meets the crash bar, Ill then weld it in place this week at work. Then I can properly install the rest of the front end. All that's left to do on the engine is fit the coolant reservoir and the air filter. Im going to go with a 182 coolant reservoir and mount it by the engine mounts to free up some room by the air filter.

This week Ill finish the other hub and hopefully fit that next weekend, mount intercooler, top up the gearbox oil and hopefully get her started up and maybe out of the garage for the first time in 2 months. Once out I can remove the front wings and get them resprayed as well as the front bumper and bonnet.













Shes looking mean now


Thanks as always

 

[DaveL485]

Very pleasing. Be firing it up soon!

 

[stephenvenning]

UPDATE:

Every day i spend on this car the closer I get to that first drive

Today I have installed the passenger side hub and driveshaft, gave the driveshaft a good coat of hammerite again. This side has also had all the bearings replaced. The drop links though are the originals as they are in good condition. They are again painted in athracite to match the engine. I can now fill the gearbox with oil, Ill do this tomorrow and Im going to use Fuchs syntrax.

Most conversions I have seen use the 197 coolant tank and mount it behind the battery, I didnt like this as the air filter is completely blocked from the cold air. i have therefore purchased a 182 tank and Im going to mount it on the far left of the engine bay by the engine mounts. The tank needed a bit of filing to get it to fit but it now fits perfectly, Ill make up some brackets in the week to mount it more securely.

The mounting bracket that was supplied with the fuel pressure reg wasnt long enough to fit in my ideal position on the rocker cover, I therefore in the week constructed a bracket out of some aluminium. I have then polished it up to a miror, the pressure reg now sits nicely and almost looks like its meant to be there Ill plumb this up before mapping when I install my bosch 044 pump.

Tomorrow I hope to start the engine for the first time Ive got to install the callipers and bleed them, fill the gearbox with oil, finish the coolant system and fill with coolant, prime the engine with oil, install the brake discs, put the wheels back on and then I should be able to start it and get it out of the garage ready for installing the rear springs and finalising the exhaust system.

































Thanks

 

[Adey]

love this build, great attention to detail keep it up

 

[stephenvenning]

UPDATE:

Another big milestone has been reached in this project, the engine is running! Oh it sounds so nice, much more meaty sound out of the 197.

Anyway, today started off with prepping the car for engine start. First on the list was to first re-connect the callipers and bleed them. They really finish of the hub assembly they were bled with ATE racing fluid, followed by a thorough washing with soapy water to remove any brake fluid residue. The ABS sensors were connected back up and the brake line bracket secured to the hub (This will be painted this week).

Next job was to temporarily attach the header tank as I havent got enough tube to locate it in its final position. I poured neat antifreeze in and then diluted with water, there is still alot of air in the system but Ill bleed that out next weekend when the car is out of the garage and can be idled for a long period of time without intoxicating me.

Now came the moment of truth. The fuel pump sender plug was removed and the engine was cranked over for 1 minute to prime the engine with oil. The oil level was now checked and topped up accordingly. Now was time to connect up the plug and go for a live start. 10 seconds of craning and it started to splutter into life, but then I had to stop due to a leaking fuel fitting, that was tightened up and i gave it another go. First go and it fired up sounds really purposeful but that may be because the downpipe is not connected to the cat back connected so it is bloody loud!

Anyway Ill let the pictures and videos do the talking. Plan is to be driving it next weekend and start running it in.









Video 1:

http://s1373.photobucket.com/user/st...tml?sort=3&o=8


Video 2:

http://s1373.photobucket.com/user/st...tml?sort=3&o=7



Thanks guys

 

[andybond]

Looking ( or rather sounding ! ) good

 

[Big Steve - Raider]

Win!

That front hub brake assembly looks the don! Certainly you can see the development over a 5gtt.... :ac:

 

[DaveL485]

Your progress level of 9999 is annoying.

(I mean that in the nicest possible way).

 

[andybond]

Your progress level of 9999 is annoying.

(I mean that in the nicest possible way).

Ironically yours is of the same level.

( I dont mean that in the nicest possible way )

 

[DaveL485]

Ironically yours is of the same level.

( I dont mean that in the nicest possible way )

:thatsnasty:

 

[andybond]

:thatsnasty:

:igotyou:

 

[stephenvenning]

UPDATE:

A little update today as its a big day tomorrow. Today I took the day off work again to get stuff done. First job on the list was to clamp all the boost pipes up and check it all links up correctly, the only problem is the fact forge havent delivered my link pipe that sits where the blow off valve normally sits, i had to use a bit of hose from work for the time being, doesnt look great but does the job. Now was time to relocate the coolant header tank, Ive used a part of the oem clio coolant pipe and it fits perfectly around the boost pipe, Ive just temporarily zip tied the tank in place until i make up a bracket. The suspension was also finished, originally i was going to use original drop links as they were in good condition, but I had a change of heart and wanted everything like new so bought some from renault parts direct, they took minutes to fit. the tracking was also eye balled so it wasnt a mile out on its first drive.

The plan is to take its first drive tomorrow evening when there isnt as much traffic, hopefully it goes well, ill update again tomorrow or sunday.












​

 

[stephenvenning]

UPDATE:

Well i said I would update, but but its not the update i wanted. Unfortunately I didnt get to drive it this weekend we had a few issues. Well it started with finishing up the suspension, putting arch liners back in and giving all the underside another coat of paint (Its had 5 now ) topped up all the fluids, we were set to go for a run in of the engine and to bleedthe coolant. Pressed the start button and on the dash it showed "check injection" and "check esp", I ran the codes and no codes came up as they normally have to be logged 3 times to give a code. Started out by checking resistance of injectors, all okay. Then switched out coil packs and unplugged them one by one to check for misfiring, all appeared okay. People were saying to check the boost solenoid, took this out and checked on a battery, it should click when 12V is fed to it, nothing, it was dead and Im pretty sure thats what is causing the issue. I have got a new one on order but i wont get it til wednesday I doubt.

Oh well these things happen I guess when tuning, today i put the wheels back on and installed the cross brace on the subframe. The car was dropped down onto all 4 wheels and i checked that the car would actually move under its own steam in limp mode to check that the clutch and gearbox was operating as it should, it was okay.

In the week Ill hopefully install the new solenoid and the rear springs ready for another go at driving it.













Thanks

 

[Adey]

Awesome stuff. Looks great all back together. Bet your gagging for a go in it. At least the issue raised its head now rather than stranding you somewhere on a test drive

 

[DaveL485]

The frustration of being so close!

 

[stephenvenning]

Awesome stuff. Looks great all back together. Bet your gagging for a go in it. At least the issue raised its head now rather than stranding you somewhere on a test drive

Thanks, its nice to see it actually looking like a car again lol yeah true, and the fact that I have hopefully found the issue rather than a niggling issue where is could be many different things

 

[stephenvenning]

The frustration of being so close!

I know! lol i was frantically trying to find a solenoid yesterday, VW use the same part so its easy to find just not on a weekend

 

[DaveL485]

Well? Don't keep us in suspense man!