New 250 Cup Owner in Surrey

.....We ought to know better by now didn't we!!!

Well long story short that was the biggest pain in the arse, I've collected most tools along the way but needed two trips out to get a 36mm socket for the rear hub nut and then a T60 bit for the rear calliper bolts. The pins in the front calipers just didn't want to come out so I ended up having to cut them out and then hammer out the last bits. In doing so I nicked one of the piston dust seals so had to have a new one sent on a Saturday overnight delivery.

So all day Friday and then this morning to finish off, without all the problems I think it should've taken two may be three hours all in.

Anyway all done now and went and bed them in today, all seems well and needless to say they're very powerful!!

I removed the noise thingy me jimmy but honestly not sure it made that much difference.

Shame about your wheels, what are you going to do about them?

 

Yes and I didn't mention all the bits of skin now missing from my hands. Anyway deep breath and "calm".


I only took it out for a short bedding-in session so will report back properly when I've tested them properly having had the hoses & fluid fitted. Initial comments are they feel fine at low and normal speeds with no squealing or snatching and the few 90-20 emergency stops to bed them in had me wishing for harnesses!


Why would the Lambda light just come on?? I fitted a stud conversion to my Clio 172, it made swapping the wheels over so much easier and you can always fit the non-bolt-on spacers in-between (I fitted the bolt-on ones though). So if you do the stud conversion and can fit 5mm spacers can you fit your new wheels?

 

I like the wheels, would lose the blue at some point but you can just tell they’re light!!


I drove it to Engine Dynamics on Saturday and took it on some good B-Roads, so the brakes are all bedded in fine now! It’s in there for the whole week having the full exhaust (and yes sports-cat!) fitted, a full belt & fluids service etc. along with the hoses and brake-fluid, so will feel the full force of the brakes once I’ve collected it. It’s also having a bespoke map done once serviced and the exhaust is on, will be interesting to see how she performs.


So what’s next for you?


What’s the issue with the lambda sensor?

 

Yes yes yes, but they’re not BLACK!


I’m excited; suspect you are too regarding your work! Will let you know once I collect it at the weekend.


I’m assuming a new sensor won’t be too much money. Funnily enough Engine Dynamics did a test-run with the Superchips Stage 1 map on (not at my expense) and they said it was running way too lean and as a result the lambda sensor tips were white. They’re not too impressed with the Superchips map full stop. It may be worth therefore you having a look at your sensors and seeing if it’s also running too lean. I guess this is why it’s worth paying for a bespoke map, rather than a generic over the shelf map….!!

 

Oh, there's someone on here looking to buy a 250 turbo, may be worth selling it privately rather than part-xing it at Ktech...

 

We’ve discussed this before - you are MK2…!!

 

They'd look even better in bright sunshine if they were so very black. I’d go hunting some curbs if I were you I sound like I've got a black fetish, which I don't, I just think our black cars look better all black!


Yes, looking forward to driving it, the figures with the Superchips map still on weren't actually too bad: 295bhp and 304ftlb with actually nice curves, but the mapping behind it wasn’t great apparently and like I say it was running very lean. They’re respectable figures so even if the bespoke map just replicates them but in a safer way then I’ll be happy. It will have the exhaust system on by then so perhaps a small increase….


Good news re the sensor. Will be interesting to hear what yours is like with the hybrid turbo. (I’ve no interest in hearing what it’s like if you fit the CAE!)

 

I’m sure you’re a good looking fella, but age before beauty and all that…….!!

 

Says the guy who needs to make up for er things by fitting the largest knob ever known to mankind. I’m sure it doesn’t matter what colour said knob is, it’s how it shifts that matters.


I would’ve said mine felt a bit boosty but the graph shows it to be a nice curve – obviously just my incorrect perception then. They’re respectable figures and would be happy with those if like you say things are nice and safe.


Andy at Engine Dynamics said that the turbos dictate so much of the noise that decats/sports-cats/2.5”/3” etc. etc. don’t make that much difference. I’ve obviously done the mature thing having the sports-cat fitted and will be much easier long-term. I’m having a new pollen filter fitted as part of the service, should add a few more bhp then!!


Yes please do.

 

I can see it being the start of a very long and expensive track car project if you do, whereas if you don’t the car can remain a semi-sensible road-car. Just don’t say I did’nt warn you….


I had’nt appreciated their true potential, not only will I have more power but cleaner air to breath from.


Yes, yes, I know, sometimes its just fun to be a little childish though. I know that feeling, it may just be our generic maps though, will be interesting to feel the bespoke map. Interestingly the bespoke map will override all the ‘Sport’ maps, i.e. they will all be identicle and pressing the Sports button will just alter the ESP. Whereas I can definitely feel the difference pressing the Sports button currently with the generic Superchips map on - I’m trying to get my head around why this may be, not that it really matters. I guess with the bespoke map it will be the best of both worlds with 100% power 100% of the time but without the disadvantage of the ESP threshold being lower when on the wet country roads.

 

Hi I have like many a bespoke map it's smooth on delivery and great it was done by RS Tuning the first one I made the mess by running cheap unleaded and the power came on really brutal. Then had a remap done based on running 99 unleaded and it was like chalk and cheese I can smash the accelerator in third gear without losing £100 of tread and it pulls like mad all the way past 150 where legal to do so! I did consider buying a generic map but like others say each is different. Some can get 316-320 running the upgrades I have others less I am happy at 306 which is a significant improvement on with the 630 injectors and now turbo in next two months then it's 345 makes me smile.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

A more commendable way to spend your pennies!! How's your new job going by the way?


I guess either it has an optimum map, or it doesn’t, if it does then the monitor cant then 'improve' on this can it!? In which case Engine Dynamic’s comments that the map is the same across all the Sport settings other than the ESP threshold makes perfect sense.


Long story short, the car is still at Engine Dynamics, I’ve heard back this morning though and it’s had its bespoke map done (with the SC!): 314bhp and 339 lbft (295 & 304 before with the Superchips generic map) and the setting behind it are much safer, so I'm really happy with that! It’s had a full belts and fluid service done and the only thing still to do is the brake hoses and fluid but apparently the old Renault hoses were rusted tight to the lines so it’s going to have some new lines put on as well. Should get it back late Friday!!!!!

 

Long may it continue. Ditto.


Yes I think you're right, I must have my wires crossed then, unless like you say ED just remove the different throttle position settings. I will check next time I speak with them.


Yes!! - it will have been almost two weeks!! I have some LED bulbs for the interior and some Mr Pink calliper pins to put in as the new replacement pins I've already fitted were as difficult to put in as the original old ones were to remove, so I’ll swap them over now before the replacement pins become similarly welded in.

 

I have Friday off and am going to hopefully collect it in the afternoon, otherwise will be Saturday morning - I can't wait!!


Yes let's see, the gains are probably down in most due to the exhaust and Sports-Cat, the Superchips curves were actually fine but as mentioned it was the settings behind them that were cause for concern (too much to explain and most which I don't understand!). So if the only thing I've gained from the bespoke map is safer & more in-depth settings and of course releasing the full benefit of the exhaust (and intercooler) then I'm very happy.


RS tuning's figures sound more 'believable', but conversely KTR's would explain the boosty feeling you've mentioned. Either way, it's the difference in KTR's before & after figures that will be most indicative. Personally I don't have good vibes about them writing a bespoke map, as far as I understand they are just a middle-man for someone else's maps (it may even be RST?!) just too much negativity against them over the years on the different Renault forums, I would personally advise going to an independent (such as ED) at some stage to check it over.

You'll be able to write yourself a very impressive avatar text come the weekend!!!

 

Point made, and agreed! I did say though it was just my vibes. I have bought lots from them over the years and have an “ok” opinion of them. As far as I understand they don’t actually write their own maps though, I could of course be wrong!


Anyway, this is’tn about KTR, its about the merits of you having a truly bespoke map.


Quote from ED regarding the generic Superchips map: “I did get a brief moment to look at the map they had done and its quite shocking. It’s very evident why the car runs so lean as they have only changed 1 map (yes 1 map) in the whole ECU file!!. To summarise they have changed the cars VE table under boosted conditions, this fools the engine into trying to achieve higher torque figures with boost adjustments, but obviously does not add any more fuel. There are no changes to ignition tables, torque tables etc etc.”


So although the curves looked fine, there was not a lot behind them. I just don’t want you to make (not that you will) the same mistake.

 

That’s all it was, just concern that you’re not having the wool pulled over your eyes, like I have had! I’m sure, if you’re sure, that it will be just fine!


Exactly!! It is something I will be discussing with them next week though and therefore don’t want to go ‘public’ as that will be my bargaining point for getting my money back. The thing is though, it drove really well on the SC map, my Q5 TDI drives really well, as have many other SC’d cars!? I normally buy new cars on Audi/VW etc. finance, do fairly limited miles (say 5k a year) and then give them back before the warranty is up so I haven’t actually seen any detrimental damage that has been done by the SC maps (if it has that is). The Megane is the first privately bought “old” car I’ve had in a long time and I’m really p1ssed that the SC map has been causing/would cause damage running so lean. What if I hadn’t had the map checked - I would’ve still had it on and never known!!. Regardless, good job I’ve only done a couple of hundred miles, if that, so hopefully no long term damage done.


I’m sure I will, can’t imagine what yours with another circa 50bhp will be like….!!! I’m a grumpy sod with not enough spare time (at home at least!) to post feedback and photos. I just enjoy the semi-educated chat and banter with you!


(I’m considering selling a picture, if so this would nicely fund a 2nd set of wheels and some sticky track rubber…..!!!)

 

You pay for what you get in life; there are pros and cons to everything. Nothing is simple anymore!


Thanks, will let you know, although I will likely keep it private as part of the arrangement. I have some readings backup from ED if needed that I can send to SC. It’s worth a try but won’t ruin my week if nothing comes of it.


Likewise! Just give me a paintbrush (DIY!) or the lawnmower and I can happily not talk to anyone for a day. That's just not a possibility now with two boys but the thought is still there.....


You clearly have a wrong impression of me. I’ve not a huge collection of each by any means, but I have a few bits of 'modern art' (signed comic-book cover re-prints etc.), one of which is in a bedroom which we want to turn into a study-spare bedroom for when Mrs W goes back to work part-time and will be working from home one of those days. We're getting a nanny and what with her and two boys running around Mrs W won’t be able to get any work done downstairs, hence creating a study upstairs. Anyway the piece is not my favourite and we could put something a bit less 'dark' in there. The plus side is that I could get the wheels and tyres…..!!!

 

Let's see.

Ha ha, the boss has been wanting to get a cleaner for years but it seems more hassle to go through all the 'training' and house security that I/we might as well do it ourselves. I don't mind gardening so quite happy to do that myself. Nobody can decorate better than I think I can, so likewise there. I guess things will change as my boys get older and I/we have even less time. I can then sit back and growl.

As far as I understand, one has a nanny for the pre-school years and then an au-pair for when they're at school and only need looking after for a couple of hours either side of school.

I'd be happy with another set of 250 Cup wheels, then definitely the 888's or the new R's.

Holy mother of GOW, 440ftlb!!! That is a lot of torque, that can't be right, can it?? Otherwise game-on, looking forward to hearing what it's like to drive.......

 

I'm not sure two boys and a wife with more shoes (and bags) than Emelda Marcos will be any tidier!?

Ha ha, fantastic analogy, that about sums it up.

£90 a week!!!!!! Our Nany will be £2k a month!!!! I think I need to move areas!

I'm pretty spent up with all the car work but would definitely be interested in them if you could give me first dibs please. I think the 888's are still available and then there is also the R's (which I haven't tried yet).

I picked the car up today, really pleased with the mapping, the brakes and the exhaust, just need to give it a spanking over the weekend.

Forgive me for prying again, but I asked the owner & mapper at ED about your tourque figure and he said it was way way too much for the standard clutch and driveshafts etc. He has the same set up as yours with hybrid turbo and injectors etc and he said he keeps the tourque not much more than mine at about 350 ft lbs (any more he can start to feel the clutch slipping) but allows for more bhp and higher up the rev range at around 360bhp. 440ftlb is a LOT it's not far off the old V10 twin turbo RS6 levels from a much bigger engine and 4WD.... I'd either hope that KTR have been a bit generous with the readings, or ask for the tourque to be turned down, or would look to start upgrading the clutch and sundries!!