Pre Production V6 Phase 2

[Lankan]

I haven't really had the chance to have a true commercial version for 24 hours to have a good comparison to see what should and shouldn't be there, just a quick track day instance when parked side by side. The only thing I've found out of the ordinary mechanically so far is the inlet manifold looks bespoke or t least modified - and is running a TB from a Porsche Cayenne. I only know this because I had problems with it a year or so ago - my friend has a Renault dealership here in France and it is certainly not the right TB as we ordered what should be on a PH2 from Renault and it was completely different.

I know everyone here loves these motors but doesn't everyone else find Renault's choice of gearbox shocking? Perhaps mine hasn't the correct ratios but it is lubriciously long in the teeth, the synchro has gone in fourth @ 20,000km and for pete's sake, why oh why hasn't it got an LSD as standard??? What were they thinking?

Very interesting, even more so that the TB was from a Porsche Cayenne which I believe was launched in Europe in late 2001, which is effectively AFTER your car's fabrication date!

Indeed, it would be good to compare this one with Stephen's prototype................

As regards, the gearbox and lack of an LSD, I think there are few who have noticed and retro fitted LSD's and a few who have had blown gearboxes. So both are well known.

 

[Rex]

"As regards, the gearbox and lack of an LSD, I think there are few who have noticed and retro fitted LSD's and a few who have had blown gearboxes. So both are well known."

It doesn't look far removed from a 6 speed Traffic 'box. She also has a tendency to spray gearbox oil from the breather after sustained runs at high speed.

 

[Lankan]

"As regards, the gearbox and lack of an LSD, I think there are few who have noticed and retro fitted LSD's and a few who have had blown gearboxes. So both are well known."

It doesn't look far removed from a 6 speed Traffic 'box. She also has a tendency to spray gearbox oil from the breather after sustained runs at high speed.

Haven't had gearbox oil being sprayed on mine, but I haven't taken it on track (I don't think of the Phase 2 as a track car really), but some members do take theirs on track, so it would be good to hear their views. Have had quite few runs on the road though and no problems.

As regards, the gearbox itself, I personally haven't had problems but it is said to be fragile, and I was told by a specialist that if you shift fast enough that one could damage the synchros. Looks like yours has had more on track time than on the road...............so I am not surprised.

 

[Rex]

Looks like yours has had more on track time than on the road...............so I am not surprised.

No actually, I only had the one day on track - I was selling Gaz shocks in France at the time and was using it with decals to promote the product - the majority of the abuse has been on public highways.

And yes, I'll come out and say what I think you wanted to say, but didn't - the 172 is a far superior track car than the V6.

 

[Lankan]

Looks like yours has had more on track time than on the road...............so I am not surprised.

No actually, I only had the one day on track - I was selling Gaz shocks in France at the time and was using it with decals to promote the product - the majority of the abuse has been on public highways.

Okay, so may be it is something Renault fixed before the first production run, certainly for the UK, since I have a very early UK press car (#002).

And yes, I'll come out and say what I think you wanted to say, but didn't - the 172 is a far superior track car than the V6.

Not quite. I really have no experience of any other Renaults apart from the Phase 2 Vee, but have/had plenty of other driver's cars that are more suited to track work, so very early on I knew that taking the Vee on track, whilst it would be fun, may end up being a little frustrating.

 

[Jamesv6]

What exactly does the chassis number show on the cross beam underneath the right hand seat?

 

[Rex]

Not quite. I really have no experience of any other Renaults apart from the Phase 2 Vee, but have/had plenty of other driver's cars that are more suited to track work, so very early on I knew that taking the Vee on track, whilst it would be fun, may end up being a little frustrating.

Lankan,

I was meaning that as a bit of fun but you have seemed to phrase that reply more politically correctly than I ever could. I have to admit I was hugely let down by mine the first time I drove it (bought at auction) but it has come to grow on me if only for undeniable bad-boy god looks and the high rev sounding scream almost like a barking 911.....

 

[Rex]

What exactly does the chassis number show on the cross beam underneath the right hand seat?

Nothing, it is blank as if it were a new shell....

This is the VIN and info sticker - these correspond to a Phase 1 also built in 2001 that I worked for a customer, it was even the same colour.

Thanks again for all your collective input.

 

[Williams]

Well thats more info than Stephen Dell's car has on it.

James...?

 

[Jamesv6]

Re: paint code
Iceberg silver- MV640

I can't find any cars with VF1C61EP

 

[Rex]

Re: paint code
Iceberg silver- MV640

I can't find any cars with VF1C61EP

This one has.....

The VIN sticker is clearly Renault and the option codes correspond 100% with a PH1 I worked on a while back for a customer.

Can anybody shed any light on who might have built this example? Who built the "real" phase two's?

Regards

 

[Williams]

Re: paint code
Iceberg silver- MV640

I can't find any cars with VF1C61EP

EP - 'Experimental Project' ? or such...?

 

[Williams]

Re: paint code
Iceberg silver- MV640

I can't find any cars with VF1C61EP

This one has.....

The VIN sticker is clearly Renault and the option codes correspond 100% with a PH1 I worked on a while back for a customer.

Can anybody shed any light on who might have built this example? Who built the "real" phase two's?

Regards

To my knowledge, all production phase 2 v6's were built at Dieppe. Pre production models were largely developed by TWR. Renault took control of the project and completion of the development work following the insolvency of TWR.

 

[Rex]

That figures - my own research after purchase gave me the understanding that this was auctioned off by liquidators - only definitely in the UK.

 

[Jamesv6]

Vin with a P do seem to be Project cars from TWR

PP 0170
PP 26
BPP 000002

etc

 

[Rex]

Vin with a P do seem to be Project cars from TWR

PP 0170
PP 26
BPP 000002

etc

Hi James,

Are those the complete chassis number of the project cars that you have come across? Or where they 17 character like mine?

 

[Jamesv6]

They are the complete but rather different chassis numbers, they don't have the almost typical one like yours.

 

[Rex]

They are the complete but rather different chassis numbers, they don't have the almost typical one like yours.

Yes, and apparently this is in my favour for keeping this VIN on UK registration. It looks like progress at this end anyway - I'm making an appointment for an SVA on solid advice from someone who's registered similar seemingly hopeless situations many times before. Pricey with the person's commission I guess, but what the hell it's worth it and I'm too far away for the paper-trail. I didn't realize either that the cost of an SVA had gone up so much all the years I've been abroad... [smilie=icon_eek.gif]

I'll keep you all posted as and when it happens and what the results are if other users are actually interested, but because of other commitments it may be a few weeks or even months before I repost on this subject - hopefully with good news.

Thanks to all once again for your contributions.

 

[Lankan]

Great, look forward to the outcome.

Good luck.

 

[Williams]

Please keep us posted Rex..! Would love to find out more about this car :approve: