Things haven't been going as fast as I would like them to. When I started this I though money would be an issue but it turns out documenting and part gathering is taking bucketloads of time.
So, since I've last posted I've bought:
1. Brakes: 300mm Scenic discs and Peugeot 406 V6 calipers (4 pistons) for the front and Clio 3 stubs, discs, calipers and ABS sensors for the rear. These should all be bolt-ons and as soon as I get the front camber bolts and rear camber plates, I'm going to put everything on the car.
2. Dbilas dynamics intake manifold.
3. TRW Performance exhaust manifold (in progress).
4. Siemens Deka Pico 620cc@3bar high impedance injectors (might be a bit overkill).
5. An Infinity Q45 MAF to be used with Megasquirt. I'm trying to get around the problems inherent with calculating and working with a VE (Volumentric Efficiency) table in Megasquirt. This MAF sensor will allow me to read the exact amount of air going into the engine without having to resort to a MAP+Air temp combo. I'll still use the MAP and Air temp for other adjustments but the main fuel map will be built with the MAF and a target AFR table.
6. Waiting for a 13 row oilcooler with a thermostat, should arrive soon by mail.
7. Waiting for a Walbro 255 lph fuel pump.
I've also been going through a lot of theory about turbocharging and I decided to scrap the Opel unit I was using. It was a modified unit and with the new internals it was almost as big as a GT30, way too much for a street driven machine. I'm now looking into a GT25 or a GT28RS. The target is 300hp but I'm don't want lag and lack of low end torque, I want something as smooth as possible.
Another isssue I'm tackling si the problem of how to wire the ignition with Megasquirt as it only has one ignition channel by default. I'm looking into different options, maybe even keeping the standard K4M coil-on plugs and controlling all of them with MS. Plenty of options here, I just need to find the best way to do this.
The most important problem is the gearbox. I don't think the JH3-057 I have at the moment will take the 300hp I'm going for. I've got friends with access to Dialogys and it seems that the Clio 2 RS 215mm clutch will fit the K4M flywheel. I think there are people around here who've done this already. This might be enough to avoid clutch slip (the standard K4M/JH3 clutch is notorious for being s**tty) but on the long run I'm almost sure I'll blow the gearbox.
I have the following options:
a. JR5: should be a good deal stronger, it's used in 1.5DCIs with about 250nm of torque. Also found on Kangoos and Logan MCVs with the K4M so I should be able to source one with better suited gears for a gasoline engine. Not much aftermarket support apart from a nice clutch kit from Sachs that should take 350nm.
b. JC5: the casing should be strong enough to handle 300nm of torque, I've seen this fitted to 1.9 diesels. Also has good aftermarket support with clutch kits and LSDs. Only thing is, I don't know if it will bolt on the K4M... Anyone know?
Lastly, here's a more recent pic of the car.