Mk1 / Ph1 Mégane Cabriolet F4R-t conversion

[binge]

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Top guys. Super close to me too which is nice as I'm quite fond of supporting local business.

When Rob was talking to me about the emulator, it was literally like he was talking about changing a headlight bulb or putting a spare wheel on. It's like a second language to him, made it sound so simple.

Really chuffed it's working. Gonna crack on with all the loose ends and hopefully get it out for a spin before the summer is through.

Of course, I've a days work getting it back out of my garden! Haha

 

[DaveL485]

Excellent stuff, though i'm not sure that was really the first start as I didnt hear you scream "YEEEEEESSSSSSSSS" like we all do on first start hahaha

 

[binge]

Hahaha! It most certainly was the first start up.
I think I was more shocked than excited. To be fair, I was actually speechless.

Today I spent a bit of time sorting out loose ends. Got brave and plugged the Delphi into the OBD port to read and clear any codes.
Obviously about 30 thousand codes come up after a start up anyway due to the fact the ECU has nothing plugged into it from the Laguna. So it throws cruise control codes, CAN error codes from a missing UCH, Fuel level low etc etc. I presume it'll still run okay like this but time will tell.

One code I did notice, was Missfire Cyl-2. And to be fair, on idle, the engine does have a very slight shudder.
I pulled the coil plugs off one at a time, and all 4 do cause a drop in engine tone.
I then pulled the injector plugs off one by one, and cylinder 2 didn't change in engine tone. Which is odd because Id have thought unplugging the coil would have behaved the same.
So I assume the injector isnt fully inactive, but enough to cause a missfire.

I swapped injectors 1 and 2, cleared the codes down, and ran engine up again. Missfire has now jumped to cylinder 1, so it's clear the injector is at fault. I have a replacement on order.

Pulled the plugs out anyway, and fitted new.
Quite clear that one of the cylinders hasn't been getting much fuel.
Can only imagine the tremendous boost leak it had when I bought the car is why the other 3 are so black. Over-fueling a lot.

[img[http://scontent-lhr8-1.xx.fbcdn.net...775926917f271ad418c8c708c12&oe=5FEBD80C[/img]


I got the last of the loom tidied and taped up. Made a bracket for the ECU, and clipped a lot of the plugs and wires up into secure places.

It's not perfect, but it'll do.
Made an ecu bracket out of the housing for the old Megane 1.6 ecu.

The top rad hose, you can see in the photo is too long, and has a nasty kink in it.
You may also be able to see the length of wire and coolant temp sensor hanging over it.
I've got an in-hose connector on order, to house the original Megane C.T.S as the Laguna clocks took the temp signal via CANbus.
Tested it in a cup of boiling water and it still works. So it'll do. Although will only give a temp reading once the stat is open.

While tidying up the loom this eve, I snipped off the last of the Megane plugs, and taped it all up. Then sharply remembered I had not wired the effing horn up! DOH!
So locating the 12v feed for the horn is on the weekend adjenda.

I will also need to get the rev counter working at some point. I'm yet to decide on what I'm going to do about that.
One option is to gut out my clocks, and fit the contents of a universal rev counter in there. I'm open to ideas on that one though.

 

[Adey]

you might find the other 3 are black because the ecu has kept increasing the fueling to get it to idle at lambda?

tidy work on all of this im loving it

 

[binge]

you might find the other 3 are black because the ecu has kept increasing the fueling to get it to idle at lambda?

tidy work on all of this im loving it

Also a very logical point. Probably the case.
I presume the injectors are not the same as 172/182 units?
The price difference is fecking insane. I can buy a full rail of 172 injectors for what 1 costs on the turbo.

Frustratingly one of the retaining clips disintegrated as I pulled it off. Again, used ones on ebay are doing a fiver. Think I'll wait until Renault open and try the dealer.

And thanks. It's tidy-ish. Not as neat as I really want it. But my heart isnt really in it at the moment.
Once I've driven it, MOT'd it, and really got some faith in the build, all nice little details will be addressed.

The engine is due (probably over due) a belt. The clutch was a used 172 item, and obviously the JB3 box probably wont appreciate being boosted on for long.
So at some point in the future, it'll be coming back apart for those bits doing, and hopefully this covid situation will be over, and money will be flowing a bit more freely. Self employed life. Haha! Fuck all income at the moment. Living it up on the TAX savings.

 

[Adey]

yeah meg injectors are bigger than 172 items. I might have a load of injector clips in my garage. I'll try and remember to check tomorrow for you

 

[binge]

Awesome. If they are all the same, I could raid a local breakers yard. Just reluctant to buy used ones off ebay which may turn up just as shitty as the ones I've already got!

 

[Adey]

these are what I have. solid though a bit of surface grot, yours of you want them just pm me your address

 

[Brigsy]

I would imagine the laguna injectors are bigger cc compared to the 172. The stock meg injectors fuck up for fun due to no fuel filter fitted as original.

Get the part number off it, should be able to sniff some out at a reasonable price.

 

[Neal R19]

I would imagine the laguna injectors are bigger cc compared to the 172. The stock meg injectors fuck up for fun due to no fuel filter fitted as original.

Get the part number off it, should be able to sniff some out at a reasonable price.

What do you mean no fuel filter?

 

[Brigsy]

What do you mean no fuel filter?

On a stock 225 they only have the mesh on the bottom of the fuel sender. Should have a fuel filter in really. This is why the service life is 75k for the pump, and usually they are tired by then.

Renault must have realised they made a fuck up, and fitted a fuel filter on the mk3 rs.

 

[Neal R19]

Yeah they do, it's integral. I broke mine open, there's the coarse strainer on the pickup like you say then after it's through the pump there's a big paper filter all around the outside of the unit. I assumed that was the equivalent of an external canister filter?

 

[Brigsy]

Yeah they do, it's integral. I broke mine open, there's the coarse strainer on the pickup like you say then after it's through the pump there's a big paper filter all around the outside of the unit. I assumed that was the equivalent of an external canister filter?

Any pics of it? I dont recall any post pump filter on the mrs 225 when i replaced the pump, it was basically pump inside the canister with the lower strainer on the pickup. I have heard of filters fitted to some overseas models, but never seen one myself.

 

[Neal R19]

Any pics of it? I dont recall any post pump filter on the mrs 225 when i replaced the pump, it was basically pump inside the canister with the lower strainer on the pickup. I have heard of filters fitted to some overseas models, but never seen one myself.

No, went in the bin ages ago.

You wouldn't see the filter if you're just changing the pump, it's non replaceable and you have to literally smash the casing up. I guess the paper filter is moulded in or something.

 

[binge]

I managed to get another hour or so in over the weekend.
Started making up the pipe work for the cold side boost hoses.
I've got it fitted up, installed the sensors into the ally 90 as good as possible. Not how I'd ultimately like it, but they are secure and sealed.
Again, all these little bits I can re-address once the car is road tested and the upgrades begin. Just keen on getting an actual working car, and making sure all the important shit works.


Very tight coming past the rad. It just touches. Will probably put a slice of silicone hose between and tie wrap it on for now.

Fitted the lights and grille back on. Got some new indicators for the front. And fitted the bumper on.

And this evening I drilled/tapped a hose boss to take the original Megane K7M temp sensor.
The clocks require signal direct from this sensor, where as the F4RT temp sensor talks to the ECU, and the temp is displayed on Laguna clocks via CAN.
So running the Megane sensor alongside the Laguna wiring loom, so I can have both ECU comms with engine temp, and a working dial inside.

No videos as I need to do a youtube upload.
But I'm getting some concerning whines from the gearbox when clutch pedal is up.
I bought it on ebay late last year from a dude into his Clios. Said it was a good box, although half of it was missing.
Got it cheap though, and it's only got to last until I get a decent JC5 bought and rebuilt.


Engine runs super smooth now all 4 injectors are working. Revs pick up impressively fast with the 172 flywheel and clutch arrangement too.
And I guess the fact the aux belt is a tiny 4 rib driving nothing but a 1.6 alternator.
Very little drag on the block.

 

[DaveL485]

But I'm getting some concerning whines from the gearbox when clutch pedal is up.

There is oil in it, right?

 

[binge]

Yes there is.

 

[binge]

Took the house apart again! Haha

Gave it a wash...

And took it for a quick spin to the petrol garage.
Stuck 25 quid of the good stuff in, eager for a little spin round Maidstone.

Pulled out of the petrol garage. Put my foot down in 2nd, it pulled hard, was grinning. When I come off the throttle to shift up to 3rd, the car shook like a shitting dog, and I nursed it home.

After a quick inspection outside the house, it looks like I've lost all the needle rollers from one of the tripod bearings. Yes, the side which sits within the diff. Great!

I'm semi hoping I was being blind when fitting the shaft, and they were already missing. But cant fathom why it wouldn't have been apparent when it was a 1.6.
So there's a chance I've got 20 odd needle rollers in the gearbox.

Not the end of the world. I've got a JC5 019 on it's way to me.
I'm picking up a pair of new shafts tomorrow. (it needed them anyway, was just cheaping out until I knew it worked)
Gonna fit them, fill the gearbox with something like diesel, run it for a minute, and dump it straight out. See if I get any rollers out.
If I don't, I'll assume they were already missing / left in the old JB1.
If I do, then I'll send it anyway! aha

Magnetic sump plug going in, and hope for the best.
I'm not fussed if it shits it's pants. I just need to get some miles on it so I can work out what is what. See how the cooling system handles the heat, see how the intercooler handles the boost etc.
Later on this year I'll be dropping the subframe out over a weekend to do the cambelt, clutch, and obviously fit the JC5.


So yeah. it works. Kinda.

 

[Adey]

vids or it didnt happen

 

[binge]

Nothing worth watching really. Just two little squirts and a shit load of wheel spin.

Soon as it shook. I shit me sen and went home. Haha

Better videos tomorrow. I'll be prepared and charge the GoPro.