Renault 8 engine upgrade help?

[jamlip]

I apologise if this is really basic, but I know so little about Renaults...

I have in my garage a Renault 8S with an 60bhp 1100cc Sierra engine. I like to make the car a bit quicker, but because it is 38 years old and really quite nice, I don't want to modify any of the original parts.

I also have, from an R10, a 1300cc variant of the same Sierra engine, plus 330-00 gearbox. I'd like to remove and store the 1100 and gearbox that are original to the car, and fit this 1300 to muck about with.

I can't go turbo because my insurers don't like it, and I can't go over 100bhp or so because, I hear, the gearbox will lunch itself . I have on my side light weight and a desire to go only quick, not balls-out fast.

I think the restricting factor here is the head, so one of the things I thought might be a good idea is fitting a fuel-injected head from an early Clio, which I understand used the same engine block. Or something else plus bike TBs, since I have some EFI stuff (ECU, sensors etc) left over from my last car. I don't really want to go Gordini, since they're expensive and I'd like to keep it fun and slightly experimental. Any ideas?

 

[Chris H]

the clio head won't fit, as it will be the energy type. The only efi heads that will go are the very rare in the uk c1j 19's.

The heads respond well to headwork btw.

You can use the head from the 1.4 19 and 5 with the c type engine. You will have to change the water pump to the 1100's as iirc its on the back of the head, so you need to swap the blanking plate round and put the old pump on it.

 

[jamlip]

the clio head won't fit, as it will be the energy type. The only efi heads that will go are the very rare in the uk c1j 19's.

The heads respond well to headwork btw.

You can use the head from the 1.4 19 and 5 with the c type engine. You will have to change the water pump to the 1100's as iirc its on the back of the head, so you need to swap the blanking plate round and put the old pump on it.

Nice one - that's the kind of knowledge I was after!

So the C1J is good for EFI. When you say respond well to headwork, what sort of power can you get to?

Also, were any non-Alpine C-engined cars built with crossflow heads? Not too fussed about the EFI element as I'd probably do this bit with some bike ITBs anyway.

 

[Chris H]

the c1j had efi in some guises but its crap. stick with carbs. the heads the same.

As for power depends on who does the work and what sort of power your looking for.

The engine remember is a pushrod, vertical valved, small 4 pot. but you can get a bit of power in the mid range and get them to rev a lot easier.

Only the alpines have the crossflow head as far as I know

 

[davrian1040]

Hi,

This isn't a technical reply I'm afraid, but I am looking for a Renault 8S for a classic magazine feature and wondered if you'd be interested in taking part? It will be in the Surrey / Kent areas and in the next 2 weeks.

Thanks,

Martyn