Williams Subframe Question

[richard dawkins]

I need a new subframe for my williams. I cant find a williams one, do you think a valver one, with its single skin will cause any handling changes?

Will i notice it?

I 100% dont want to change the handling, so i need to be sure it will not make a difference.

 

[Neal R19]

You won't notice it. Besides, if you 'need' a new subframe and can't find a Williams one, what choice do you actually have?

 

[richard dawkins]

Yeh good point. Cant even but one from renault anymore. Why did they add extra skins to the wiliams subframe if it makes no difference? Others have also said they notice no difference between valver and williams subframes on various hybris. Seems to weight more and just attracts more rut.

 

[Neal R19]

Well, maybe if you took 2 brand new cars, all bushes, joints, dampers etc all brand new, one with the triple skin subframe and one with the 16V subframe then maybe Jean Ragnotti or someone like that could detect the difference if tested side by side.

You or I in a 20 year old car with various tired parts... nah.

Then again ask this question on Williamsclio or clio16valver and I'm sure they'll all tell you their grandmothers could instantly tell the difference even as a back seat passenger.

 

[minichapperz]

You cant use a clio 1.8 16v one theyre not a wide track like the williams one but you can use a 19 one though i think.......

 

[Neal R19]

the widetrack comes from the wishbones (same as 19 16v)

19 subframe definitely wont fit.

 

[minichapperz]

Erm are you sure Neal ? I swear the Clio Williams boys say the subs are different.....
Your right a 19 one wont fit but you can use 19 16v lower arms but it effects the castor angle slightly.

 

[K-09]

Erm are you sure Neal ? I swear the Clio Williams boys say the subs are different.....
Your right a 19 one wont fit but you can use 19 16v lower arms but it effects the castor angle slightly.

Yeah, he's right. Both subframes are the same (apart from the extra skin on the williams sub), it's just the wishbones that give the wider track. The williams anti-roll bar is different from the 16v, as the williams set-up doesn't use drop links. The bushes slot onto the end of the roll bar and are then attached by brackets to the underside of the wishbones (same as the Megane).

Aslong as you use the williams wishbones and anti-roll bar on the 16v subframe, it will all work fine and you will still have the wider track. Ive recently done the same conversion, but used the subframe off of a mk1 1.4 sport.

 

[f2 clio]

You could always stitch weld a standard subframe if you want a bit of extra rigidity.

 

[richard dawkins]

Ws the 1.4 subframe same as the 1.8 16v one?

Shame they arnt a decent price from renault.

Yeah welding is an option, if i can find a non rotten one this side of nxt xmas.

 

[Neal R19]

Its the same in terms of geometry etc. But it might have some extra reinforcement. Not sure, ask on a Clio forum.