Mk3 Dynamique SX (non-sport) daily drive project

[m1tch1987]

Hi all,

I am picking up a pre facelift Mk3 Dynamique SX this weekend, its got the 1.2 TCE 100 engine, so turboed 1.2 engine based on the older D4F block but with a 16V head and a turbo.

I went for this model as I like the shape of the Mk3 pre facelift and as the TCE info goes - fuel economy of a 1.2, power of a 1.4, torque of a 1.6, this will be my daily drive so looking for fuel economy but also a bit of power every now and then. I plan to keep this car long term and will do my best to update this thread for others if they are interested, I like quite subtle mods so there won't be anything over the top. I also won't be making a Renault Sport rep car - its not a Renault Sport so I am not planning to make the car something it isn't. The main goal for this project is to improve the handling a bit, up the power slightly and generally tweak parts to my own liking.

The car is a black 57 plate 3 door 1.2 TCE Dynamique with the standard spoiler, side skirts, fog lights, privacy tint, air con and 16" alloys running 195/50/16 tyres, its got loads of service history but my first job will be to give it a full service and get the cambelt, water pump and belts all changed over and check over the whole car in terms of mechanicals.

Looking at the history of this 1.2 engine (its been superseded by another 1.2 engine in the mk4 the H5Ft), its based on the D4F engine from 2000 which was normally aspirated with 8v and made around 75 bhp. The 1.2 TCE is the same block but with a 16v head and a small turbo (I believe its a tiny TD02 but will check), stock output was upped to 100bhp and had an overboost feature at higher RPMs in certain gears.

Here are my planned mods over a fairly long period of time (some shorter term though):

Engine

Full oil and filter service
Cambelt/waterpump change
Catch can
Induction kit (probably DIY using stock parts)
Cat back exhaust
Remap (plus larger injectors) - a while down the line
Upgraded intercooler/pipework/clamps
Short shifter

Suspension

Eibach springs (-35mm)
Front upper strut brace
Rear lower ARB

Brakes

Looking at better discs and brakes all round but might go with stock discs but better pads

Wheels and tyres

Current 16" alloys take a 195/50/16 tyre which doesn't have a huge number of performance tyres unlike the 195/50/15s, will fit better tyres in stock size but might look to swap to aftermarket alloys at some point. The current tyres are fairly new, are legal but not a good brand so will look to swap out all the tyres fairly soon.

Bodywork/lighting

Upgraded Nightbreaker halogen bulbs
LED sidelights etc
Pressed plates
Debadge
Colour code/repair door handles (one is faded)

Interior

Upgraded head unit and speakers
Might look at the GT seats as they seem to be an improvement on the stock seats

Power goals

It's a 1.2, its not going to make a huge amount of power but a few mods will improve throttle response and make it more fun to drive (and also improve fuel economy as I have found with previous cars). I know that a remap will unlock some performance improvements, my thought is to aim for the same BHP per litre as the popular F4R engine - which makes 197bhp from 2 litres so my 1.2 litre engine would aim to make 118bhp which is attainable. I also notice that the latest Renault sport makes 200bhp from a turbo 1.6 which would mean the 1.2 would need to make around 150bhp (slightly off the cards!).

Main goal of this daily drive project is to have fun with it

 

[Crayola]

You can make half decent power out of the tCe's for what they are. Plus they flutter like chuff when you blank the recirc off!

I'm sure quite a few have had them at around 130bhp+ with just an intercooler, exhaust, intake and some decent 172 injectors

 

[m1tch1987]

You can make half decent power out of the tCe's for what they are. Plus they flutter like chuff when you blank the recirc off!

I'm sure quite a few have had them at around 130bhp+ with just an intercooler, exhaust, intake and some decent 172 injectors

Thanks for that, I have a few spare intercoolers and other turbo parts in the garage from previous cars so might see what fits. Looks like 172 injectors aren't that expensive so will get a new set of those for when the time comes.

I might go over to the Twingo forum as I know the GT had the same engine. I am just looking to do a few tweaks to the car over time.

 

[m1tch1987]

Here is my 'as delivered' photo of the car, given it a quick wash and wax - paint will need correcting but currently going through everything to get it in top shape, just got the cambelt, waterpump and all belts replaced as well as a set of new tyres.

 

[Martin_172]

Good choice, it's based on the later d4f engine from 2004> so the 75hp one with the large black airbox/engine cover all as one. It got an aluminium inlet manifold with different throttle body and if I remember right the only difference internally was stronger valve springs, there was a breif when the engine was new.

Set of 172/182 injectors and a good map will see 145+ hp, efi parts done one last week.

Mine was done by rs tuning it went really well but I was never 100% with the driveability from the map

 

[m1tch1987]

Good choice, it's based on the later d4f engine from 2004> so the 75hp one with the large black airbox/engine cover all as one. It got an aluminium inlet manifold with different throttle body and if I remember right the only difference internally was stronger valve springs, there was a breif when the engine was new.

Set of 172/182 injectors and a good map will see 145+ hp, efi parts done one last week.

Mine was done by rs tuning it went really well but I was never 100% with the driveability from the map

Indeed, its basically the 75bhp D4f with a 16v head and boost, throttlebody is 40mm it would seem and its not got an idle control valve on that TB (took it out to clean it).

I have a set of 172/182 injectors sitting on the desk ready to install when I go for a remap, initial changes will be to the air filter, exhaust and will look to upgrade the intercooler. Not sure if I will be going with a FMIC as the more pipework and intercooler volume, the more lag there will be from the tiny turbo to fill the volume before in positive boost.

Will initially be getting everything up to spec from a service standpoint, I have an issue with the breather system (currently causing a large vac leak in the intake manifold) but this will be sorted by swapping out the 1 way valve that was snapped off (and then attempted to be reglued) by the previous owner.

It would seem that I am also missing the stock Dynamique SX front lip (although I have 3 screws sticking out the front splitter meaning it has probably been damaged in the past and removed. Will see if I can source another but might just change the front lip splitter for something else anyway.

I am also looking at suspension options, not sure if I should go with the Eibach Pro with a 35mm drop or the H&R with a 45mm drop, I am also looking at spacers as well. Oddly the track is the same front and rear but there is a much larger space between the outer arch and the wheel on the rears - will probably look to run 20mm hub centrics front and rear, maybe 25mm but will see - not a priority!

Internally I will look to swap out the stock speakers, it does have the OEM upgraded Carbasse Auditorium 6 CD changer which will be a faff to change as the head unit is actually under the seat so would need to extend the loom from under there to the dash to use an aftermarket head unit.

Wheel centre logos have also been blacked out along with a temporary black wrap on the front badge, will be looking to debadge the rear and also remove the rear badge to paint that black as well.

Will get a set of Heko wind deflectors at some point and might swap the radio antenna to a sharkfin style but will see if the signal is strong enough to be worth the swap.

I am also looking at the internal trim pieces around the vents, speakers, dials and across the dashboard, might spray them in a high gloss black but still deciding, looks quite smart in the stock silver.

 

[Martin_172]

The 75hp d4f already has a 16v head that was what gave it the extra 15hp.

I wouldn't worry about the lag with a larger front mount in reality you won't even notice it unless you are fitting something the size of a living room radiator.

 

[m1tch1987]

Quick update on the car, not a huge amount has changed, I have swapped out the 'upgraded' Cabasse' system and fitted a Pioneer unit, there are hidden ISO connectors behind the radio, the Cabasse system is slightly odd as the CD changer is in the dash and the head unit is actually under the drivers seat. Just need to run a extended aerial from the stock location to the dash to get radio, but the new unit has USB and AUX etc so I am happy at the moment.

Stock speakers have also been upgraded to coaxial, OEM stock are actually pretty good as the rear is a coax speaker, fronts are components with the cones in the doors and the tweeters on the dash, will be also looking to run a small sub either under the seats or something small in the boot, will also look at adding a few bits of sound deadening in the doors - there are already some from factory.

Another thing I am working on is the intake system, its quite restrictive back there but I have an enclosed carbon canister filter to fit - issue with the Clio is that the stock airbox is behind the battery and the battery has to come out to be able to take the stock airbox out. I have taken it out and have opened up the front face of the stock box (facing the battery) for additional air to the filter which has helped. I will be taking it out again to remove part of the side of the stock airbox away from the engine, its tucked up against the battery so the passenger side of the bay is being shielded from the engine heat.

Running a stock filter the minor mod to the airbox has certainly helped, sounds much better and response has picked up, I have also dropped in a Pipercross panel filter as a comparison, this has improved pickup a bit, sound is fairly similar - worth noting that the same sized filter is used on the RS model so it should have sufficient flow. I don't really like drive by wire engines as I have never found them to be as responsive as cable ones, however the throttle response is now pretty good, even with a turbo in the way!

I also have a Baileys DV26 fitted which I had spare on the shelf from a previous car, sounds great and is starting to clean up the engine bay, stock intake pipe is still there but blanked, I have a catch can to fit at some point when I find a good location and might look at the evap routing, although plan at the moment is to keep the stock airbox setup but mod it slightly - as mentioned the air filter is the same as on the RS so shouldn't cause a flow issue and the turbo inlet is tiny.

I am now looking at exhaust options, think I might go with a cat back system, looking at a single box with a twin tip slightly cut into the rear bumper, should help the turbo breathe a bit better, especially when it gets remapped.

I am also looking at suspension options, think I might go with the -45mm H&R springs although still tempted by the Eibach pro setup as this is my daily - will look to combine this with an upgraded rear ARB which should make quite a difference in handling, also looking at some spacers as it seems the usual thing to do to run some 25mm spacers all round to sort out how 'inboard' the alloys are as stock.

 

[linearvsunison]

Subscribing to this thread as I have a Mk3 TCE100 with similar plans to yours. Although I have the estate version. Mine is mapped to 124bhp on stock injectors.
Have changed from 16" to 15" wheels for comfort and cheaper tyres. Need to lower and space next, am looking at the Spax SSX kit myself. Good luck with the project!

 

[arChi69]

How each is it to change a clutch on one of these? Do you have to drop the subframe?