Hi, I'm new

[bigfootisblurry]

Morning all, thought I'd pop a little intro thread up in between lurking.

I've currently got a beaten up 1.2 clio that's 20 years old and rather ugly. I bought it as a stop gap 5 years ago but 50000 miles later it just won't die, though it has had its far share of maintenance in that time (and been written off for a scuffed bumper!). My car history is eclectic, with everything from modified Jap cars (200sx, turbo MX5) to euro luxo barges (E34 5 series, SAAB aero 'vert), but I've become rather fond of my crappy clio. In fact, I've just quit my job and plan on driving it around Europe for a few months (but that's another story).

Assuming it survives the trip, I think I want to make a project out of it. Realistically, its time for a newer, better, daily, but rather than bin the clio (its worth f all) I'm going to have some fun with it. What I've got in mind is a back to basics, lightweight b road/track toy, in the vein of cars like the 106 rallye. However, I really am rather fond of boost in car, and that's where this place comes in.

This may never happen, but the idea going around in my head is to swap a TCE engine in from a Twingo/later Clio. It would be a DIY project, as much about learning and amusing myself as it is about the end product, with scope for a reliable (and fairly cheap) 150bhpish in a car weighing the same as a crisp packet and that I intend to leave looking like its owned by a blind pensioner. Add 172/182 suspension etc and it should be a handy little thing. I know I could get a faster car for less money, but that's not really the point of this.

From what I can gather, physically its pretty much a straight swap as its a broadly similar block, but I'm struggling to figure out the ecu side of things. Can a twingo ecu run Clio clocks? I'd rather not go stand alone (I'm better with a spanner than a laptop and I'm tight) but I don't really want a Twingo dash either. Gearbox/clutch too, do I need a twingo job or will mine bolt on and survive?

I'm sure this must have been done, but I can't find any write ups (nudges in the right direction greatly appreciated).

So yeah, end of lecture, just wanted to say hello and that you may hear more from me as time goes by.

 

[Mark_L]

@Adey Has done a bit with the 1.2 tce in his twingo before he swapped with an f4rt.

 

[DaveL485]

I don't think your dash is compatible tbh, i'd lift the whole Twingo setup and transfer it over I think.

 

[bigfootisblurry]

@Adey Has done a bit with the 1.2 tce in his twingo before he swapped with an f4rt.

Just read that from beginning to the arrival of the 2.0t. Lots of useful info.

 

[Adey]

I like your thinking and it's something I've thought about building myself.

My view would be to get the whole lot complete from a twingo or modus. You'll need the matching gearbox as I'm sure the starter is on the rear of a clio but the front of a d4ft and I'm not sure the clio one will bolt up. You then need the shafts gearshift and cables and the hydro clutch setup to match that gearbox.

Ecu wise would also be a pain as its needs to see the body control module and immobiliser. Not sure if anyone offers an immo bypass for it.

Plenty of work but would be to hard to make it fit and work I don't think, would be a cool pokey car with decent mpg too.

 

[bigfootisblurry]

Thanks @Adey , I think as a toy it might be quite good fun. I think when the time comes I'll try to buy a write off and scavange everything I can from it.

How viable would a custom map on the existing ecu be? No idea if it will read the MAP sensor or even its even mappable etc. I have toyed with the idea of a speeduino project over the years but its right out of my comfort zone.

An ideal world is a parts bin special that doesn't cost the earth, as little custom work as possible.

 

[Brigsy]

I dont know a massive amount about the twingo but if it runs the faster canbus baud rate like the mk3 clio(1m?) then chances of getting the different components to work in harmony is slim as clio is oldskool 500k, itll have the dash lit up like an xmas tree.

In theory if the baud rate is the same you might be able to hook up the twingo ecu to the clio uch/wiring, but not an easy task with the immobiliser.

Option 1, stick all the twingo wiring in which shouldnt be too hard just time consuming.

Option 2, Ecumaster Black standalone ecu, it supports the clio canbus so your original clocks will work ok.

Option 3, fit clio 172 harness and use the efi turbo module.

Option 4, Clio 172 wiring and PnP standalone ecu (prob most expensive way)

 

[bigfootisblurry]

Thanks for that @Brigsy , something to think about for sure. All of this is pure speculation for now but none of it seems impossible (though I nearly died at the price of an EMU black!).

Clio 172 harness sounds interesting, though probably more work than you make it sound!

 

[Sparkysparks]

Just to throw a spanner in. My f4r clio was mad. Quicker than expected and easy to fit. Could be an easier route for you. No fabrication needed.

 

[bigfootisblurry]

Just to throw a spanner in. My f4r clio was mad. Quicker than expected and easy to fit. Could be an easier route for you. No fabrication needed.

Spanner gladly accepted. I'm not hugely clued up on my engine codes, f4r is the 172/182 lump right? I take it engine, box etc just drops in. ECU /loom take much witchcraft to get things working?

 

[Sparkysparks]

That's it. 2ltr na. I ended up using engine box and loom and removed what I didn't need. The end loom was quite thin. To make it easier you can use all the 172 shafts suspension wishbones and brakes also

 

[bigfootisblurry]

Did you use the 172 ECU? I guess it works with the clocks etc.

 

[Sparkysparks]

I did yes. Uh there was a bit of fudgery with clocks. I got the essentials on the dash but used 172 clocks or torqu app to get the rest. See my thread mate. I've just sold the car. Its a conversion worth considering though. I looked at the same options you are but this engine came up for me

 

[bigfootisblurry]

I did yes. Uh there was a bit of fudgery with clocks. I got the essentials on the dash but used 172 clocks or torqu app to get the rest. See my thread mate. I've just sold the car. Its a conversion worth considering though. I looked at the same options you are but this engine came up for me

Had a read through last night, cool little car that. I've got a MK2 so hopefully that would simplify things a little if I went that route. They can run low boost easily enough right?

 

[Adey]

230 to 240bhp is easily attainable on a 172 engine with a turbo conversion

 

[bigfootisblurry]

I've been here 5 minutes and my target power has gone up 100bhp

 

[Sparkysparks]

Oh right sorry. I just assumed a 20yr old clio would be mk1. Showing my age haha. With a mk2 all the mounting points for the ecu uch and loom etc would already be there so even easier tbh. You'd even have the throttle pedal already mounted.

 

[bigfootisblurry]

Oh right sorry. I just assumed a 20yr old clio would be mk1. Showing my age haha. With a mk2 all the mounting points for the ecu uch and loom etc would already be there so even easier tbh. You'd even have the throttle pedal already mounted.

Not just your age, it's still a modern car in my head and the youngest car I've ever owned! I drive modern cars all the time with work but I've no desire to own one.

Many ideas going around my head right now but there's the small issue of giving a thorough service then driving it to Spain and back before the spannering starts properly.