Project: What Engine To Fit?

Affiliate Joined: 13 Jan 2005 Posts: 219

Just come over from Cliosport for a look and i'm very impressed with this site to say the least - well done!

Now, onwards - i fancy a bit of a project this year instead of pissing my money away down the pub and i'm taklen with the idea of an engine rebuild and conversion. This won't be to my existing clio 16v as i've spent enough on it and need it as a daily driver so my plan is to buy a cheap R5 (Campus or the like) and and do the conversion on that.

The question is, what engine should i choose? I don't want the likes of a turbo as this is the first time i'll have done this kind of work so it'll need to be NA but also quick. I was thinking upon the likes of a 2ltr 8v F3R which should fit without much probs - IIRC they're basically a bored out 1.8 and the 1.8 was a bored out 1.7 which was fitted as std to some R5's. Can anyone suggest any other alternatives and offer some advice?

Thanks!

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

The F-type blocks, 1.7 to 2.0 litre are all from pretty much the same casting. They have the same outer dimensions etc and cylinder centres.

The 2litre F4R will fit no bother. The 5 came with the 1.7 F type engine so the engine does fit etc. But I am not to sure on clearence with the injection manifolds etc. And it would be a waste to fit it with a carb.

Have a look inb the tech articles. In there David made a 5 16V.

Mr Quoter-vator Joined: 16 Feb 2004 Posts: 7405

why not the 16v like david did....

Mr Quoter-vator Joined: 16 Feb 2004 Posts: 7405

bah beat me to it

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

always that 1 step ahead JB...

Mr Quoter-vator Joined: 16 Feb 2004 Posts: 7405

only cos u got longer legs

Affiliate Joined: 13 Jan 2005 Posts: 219

Well, an F7 would be nice but it's the first time i'll have attempted something like this so at least with the F3 i know it'd be fairly straightforward and shouldn't cost too much. The other bonus is that the local scrapyard always has lagunas in so i could probably get the engine for 40/50quid.

I've just found the following pic of a german who appears to have done the same so i guess engine wise it should be ok >

The only other issues would be gearbox and dials; I'm probably right in thinking the existing R5 'box won't take the 110bhp i'd be putting through it so would the unit from the donor car fit or is there another more suitable 'box (i.e. with shorter ratios)? As well as that what about the dials - IIRC my old 1.4 R5 was fairly simple - i take it the speedo, temp gauges etc would mate easily enough?

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

16V engine is about a ton at most. Your not on cliosport anymore out here peopel pay real prices.

The boxes are the same, a 1.2 box will take the power fine. But if you are plannign on wheelspinning it everywhere get a JC5.

Thats a clio engine bay in that pic not a 5 engine bay. The 1.8 RSi engine and 2litre lag engine run the same engine manifold set up etc so they swap easily. The 5 engine bay is tighter.

The problem is you will need to get an old early laguna engine pre immobiliser model. otherise you'll have a load of re-wirine to do.

Dash etc should plug in and work.

You also have to make a loom for the fuel pump and change the fuel lines etc.

Site Subscriber Joined: 02 Oct 2004 Posts: 1575

get the gtx box that will fit a 16v easy main problem is clearances of the inlet manifold the exhaust is ok the other problem is going to be fitting the engine with the inlet manifold on the engine with the rad in place. its all in my article in the tech articles bit. any prob's i will try to be of assistance.

Affiliate Joined: 13 Jan 2005 Posts: 219

thanks for help folks - i'll go away and have a good think about and will no doubt be back with more questions...