Clio 1.4 to 1.8 16v conversion

Level 10 User Joined: 04 Nov 2005 Posts: 575

Just a few questions about this conversion (being done to a Mk1 Ph2 1.4RT clio).

Are the engine mounts the same for the 1.8 16v as the 1.4RT?

I believe you could use the 1.4 gearbox with the 1.8 16v but would this be likely to break in no time or would it be OK, same question for driveshafts?

For the suspension would the 16v strut be a straight swap for the 1.4 RT one (my hubs are 54mm spacing - same as 16v IIRC) or could you even just use 16v springs on a 1.4RT strut?

If you can do the above two things is anything else needed other that engine, loom, ECU and better brakes for the conversion?

I'm just considering this as a 16v engine wouldn't be too expensive and it would give me a bit of a project. Would the conversion be all that difficult, as I've not had to take an engine out before and don't know how bad a job it is but I reckon from what i have seen that it wouldn't be too bad if I take my time to it all.

Thanks.

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

need the struts

use 16V brakes

yes you can use the 1.4 shafts and box, but better with the 16V ones

its an easy conversion

Level 10 User Joined: 04 Nov 2005 Posts: 575

Cheers chris - was told on cliosport that the box wouldn't fit - but thought I would wait on the expert opinion Wink

Do you reckon the box and shafts off the 1.4 wouldn't last very long or could they be OK for a while at least?

I'll still probably not bother and just buy a 16v but the sleeper option is very tempting.

Do you know if there is enough room under the standard RT bonnet for the engine without the 16v bonnet? Even if there is would the engine warm up a lot more without the air vent?

Final question (for now anyway) woudl I need the 16v exhaust or could I just connect the 16v downpipe to my current exhaust?

Thanks.

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

they will be fine for a while

yes the engine just about fits, you may need to dress the bars under it, read hit with hammer a bit

you need the 16v downpipe and cat i beleive, the rest shoudl be ok.

Level 10 User Joined: 04 Nov 2005 Posts: 575

Thanks again chris.

Last point - do you know if all the engine mounts need replaced or can some of them be re-used from the RT?

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

you can reuse them but 16v top mount is better

Level 10 User Joined: 04 Nov 2005 Posts: 575

Have had a quick browse on a few sites and saw a few other things that I thought I had better check.

Do you need to fit a valver fuel pump?

Do you need transponder and key from the old engine so that the imobiliser won't fcuk up as I believe this happend to someone else?

Thanks.

Forum Moderator Joined: 02 Mar 2004 Posts: 19978

yes to the fuel pump, it will run on the smaller pump but I don't like doing it.

only if you use a late ph2 ECU