R5 GTT project,or ready to go car?

[jimmyturbo]

I have wanted a R5 GTT,for years and nearly bought one on several occasions,but not been quite right.get that gut instinct,to walk away.I have a work van now and want in the near future,a weekend toy,project.i have seen reasonable projects for 1000,1500 pounds on Fleabay etc,looks like 3k seems to be the going rate for a reasonable road legal car?.
Are most parts still available,guessing some bodyparts are getting rare?.I want a standard looking car,no ALI G bodykits,is the Volvo 480 engine conversion a good one?,or stick to original.I know the weaknesses in the Renault unit.Will be a 5 or maybe another 21T,or even a 11T that I get in the end.Any advice would be gratefully received.

Thanks Jimmy

 

[bam88]

My suggestion get the gtt put in the volvo lump and youll be happy. Parts are still available. Alot of parts can be used from regular campus 5

 

[jimmyturbo]

Thanks BAM88,I used to deliver Volvo 440,480 Turbos new 20 odd years ago,and liked them,i imagine the GTT would fly with that lump in and a lot less weight.Thanks for the advice,i have always leaned towards that option.

 

[andybond]

Stick with a c1j in the five. The b18FT is neither lighter or easier to tune.

 

[jimmyturbo]

I meant the engine coming out of the Volvo shell,and into the R5,which I thought would of been a lot less in weight?.I am not particulary bothered about a high state of tune andy.Arent the bug bears of Renny engine,radiators,hoses,boost turned up to high,and poor maintenance,clutches,and that anti perc fan?.

 

[bam88]

well i don't know about the weight.. but they sure are reliable and yes very easy to tune. you can up the boost to 1bar with ease. the engine itself can withstand to up to 190bhp without any mods..the only thing needing is new computer or chiped (because factory computer is limited to 1bar max..anymore it cuts ignition) and ofcourse bigger turbo..and thats it! i had that engine in one of my gte 5 and was in love with it. the only thing holding me back from it are our mod laws. I can get the car thru MOT but if the cops find out i got diffrent engine in my car can be crushed :/

and ye i would replace c1j with b18ft engine anyday.

 

[jimmyturbo]

I am no expert on R5,but read a few things over the years in magazines and on net and always favoured the Volvo lump to be honest.Cheers for the heads up mate.

 

[bam88]

if you like the volvo lump.. go for it.. you got nothing to lose. if you don't wanna tune it factory 120hp is plenty for a 5 believe me..

 

[jimmyturbo]

I had a R5Gordini only 93hp and non turbo,was great fun around the back roads of Yorkshire,my favourite car.Had a lot more powerful cars but that and 205 GTI most entertaining.I am not fussed about highly modded engine,reliability more important to me.Think it will be Volvo power mate.

 

[bam88]

in my opinion EFI < carb

 

[jimmyturbo]

Does sound the best option,had a look at Andy Bonds thread on doing the conversion.Out of my price range,and more importantly mechanical,and patience range.Do you still have a 5?.

 

[rabbitstew]

Its very much up to you really, but Id personally stick with the C1J engine. When I used my 5 as a daily runner, I modified it quite a bit and very little could touch it on my local roads, the performance was really quite incredible. Ive no idea what power it was running. At the time people estimated it was about 200bhp, but realistically looking back now it was probably more like 170bhp, but with such a light car, it made it just soooooo quick. Not only that it was perfectly reliable - i used it for about 6 years as my daily commuting car with very little problems. In my opinion the only reason the C1J occasionally had bad press was that owners didnt look after their cars or didnt know what was "normal" and so let cars run too hot etc. I found that at around 80k miles on them the radiator usually needed recore-ing or replacing. After then, the engine would run lovely. But I saw far too many where garages had just wired the radiator fan to be perminantely on, or the car was always overheating resulting in warped heads / head gaskets blowing.

 

[DaveL485]

In my opinion the only reason the C1J occasionally had bad press was that owners didnt look after their cars

This, x 100000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

 

[jimmyturbo]

All valid stuff boys,it was an old push rod engine,that had a long shelf life.Much like me as a youngster on 2 stroke bikes,used and abused,without regard to long term damage,those bikes worth thousands now!!!..Too the point the R5 probably didn't deserve the reputation,and now values are high due to being cherished,and rareity.The Clio 172,182 in doldrums now,but bet they go sky high in the future,and probably the best cars Renault have built!!!.I am sorely tempted,but an 80s boy at heart and will always hanker after old gear!!!.