Guidance please?! Need to know where to start!

[Kylie]

hi folks - I need your help!

My nephew has just been on the phone telling me all about his new car - a 1993 1.4 Clio. I'm assuming this makes it a mk1?

Basically he wants it to look nicer and go a bit faster...
I've suggested a better air filter with a direct air feed, upgrading plugs, leads etc. to help it go faster, and then a set of coilies or a lowering kit with some 16's (I'm not sure how 17's would look on such a small car!?). But from there I'm not sure what he can do that is simple.

I don't think it has to be too lean where the money is concerned; he's just got himself a good job. But when he comes up at the weekend and wants to start working, would be good if I had a few ideas to get him started.

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[jaysjetski]

plugs and leads dont really do anything unless they havnt been changed in its lifetime.

your best option i think would be a free flow exhaust and a forced indution kit.

then upgrade the suspension for better handling.bigger wheels is just for looks. best bet is go to a site that shows you the wheels fitted to the car.

hope this helps

 

[Poopensharten]

Performance modifications on a 1400cc engine are very limited unless you decide to put some serious money/effort/time into it, and even then you will wish you hadnt bothered...!

There is no substitue for cubic capacity

 

[Scadden182]

if he's not to bothered with comfort, get it stripped out as well, shedding some weight will also help....that is if it doesnt affect the handling.

and stick with 15s anything larger may ad weight.

 

[Kylie]

So how much will a turbo conversion set him back for this then?

I've spent so much on mine that I've forgotten that some things actually come a lot cheaper in this world!

What sorts of parts from bigger/better models are interchangeable with these cars? i.e I know a three door interior from say a Williams would bolt straight in (well I'm making that assumption), but is there anything else I can use to upgrade his from standard parts of bigger engined versions?

Thanks for the advice about the wheels - 15's it is then; I knew it definitely wouldn't be 17's or over - they will just look too big IMO. I'm guessing his would be a 4 stud hub - what's the offset I should be keeping an eye out for?

Cheers for the replies so far.

 

[Kylie]

Performance modifications on a 1400cc engine are very limited unless you decide to put some serious money/effort/time into it, and even then you will wish you hadnt bothered...!

There is no substitue for cubic capacity

That's fair enough - I can appreciate that. But at 20 with his insurance already costing him over £1600 a year, he's going to stick with the smaller engine whether he likes it or not.

The visions he has of getting an Impreza or a Liner aren't getting close any day soon - so just trying to make the best of what he has!

 

[Cliotoby]

Performance modifications on a 1400cc engine are very limited unless you decide to put some serious money/effort/time into it, and even then you will wish you hadnt bothered...!

There is no substitue for cubic capacity

Very true, one of my favorite sayings is "Theres no replacement for displacement". Very true too.

Tell him to save the money on mods and save it for something a little nicer.

Dont turbo it, i would strip it and sit it on some decent lowering springs.

 

[jaysjetski]

1.4 turbo, waste of money really and will cost you shed loads, would be cheaper to put a 172 or williams lump in it.

 

[Cliotoby]

That's fair enough - I can appreciate that. But at 20 with his insurance already costing him over £1600 a year, he's going to stick with the smaller engine whether he likes it or not.

The visions he has of getting an Impreza or a Liner aren't getting close any day soon - so just trying to make the best of what he has!

What the hell has he done to bag himself that price ?! First time driving ?

 

[Poopensharten]

Id be going for aesthetics as to performance as any money spent will have little or no gains...!

 

[theduck]

Performance mods on the 1.4 will be massively expensive for no gains.

 

[Kylie]

Lol, well that ends that then - he can stick with what he has! lol. Just wondering about him getting a quote for an engine transplant.....

When I doubled the bhp on my vec it only went up a couple of hundred pounds.

What the hell has he done to bag himself that price ?! First time driving ?

He's not had his licence too long, and got caught out driving on his own when he was on his provisional after a row with my brother. He's not been too clever in the past. lol. Tis his second car though - upgraded from a 1.0 106. ahhhh, bless.

 

[theduck]

at 20 with that history is fucked tbh.

 

[Kylie]

Yep - but there's no telling some lads.

He's calmed down the last few months though - got himself away from the dodgy crowd he was hanging out with, managed to bag a decent job and generally started looking after himself. I just wish he wasn't all the way down in Southampton and a little closer to me in Kent so I can keep an eye on him!