Hi all Am planning out a track-only build using a 225 that has this spec already: Forged motor (50,000kms old) with forged pistons and rods, bearings and studs, high performance valves and springs. New water pump. Full silicon hose set. Upgraded intercooler. New radiator. Cold air intake. High flow turbo. New injectors (standard size). New ignition coils. Oil catch can. Solid engine mounts. New fuel pump (standard spec). Milltek exhaust (not sure if this is full cat-back). Quaiffe LSD. Braided brake lines. Upgraded clutch and flywheel plus slave cylinder. Short shifter. Rebuilt gearbox. Strut braces front and rear. H&R coilovers (height adjustable only). Adjustable swaybar linkages (standard bars). New wheel bearings all round. Current owner of the car says 217bhp at the wheels on stock ECU/tune. It’s got 180,000 kms / 112,000 miles on the shell and bits that haven’t been replaced. My plan would be to strip it, tune for 350+ bhp, install seat, wheel and cage, relocate battery, upgrade brakes (assuming current are still stock), track tyres and crack on . Probably 6+ events a year locally, possibly a few interstate. I have an F1 R26 as a daily and a Clio 172 RS for road-registered class events. I’m in Australia so parts are a pain in the proverbial with massive shipping costs and exchange rate hits. Any advice from those who have been down this road before, or are in the process, would be hugely appreciated.
Hi Alexis You will need a bigger turbo, be careful if you go for a hybrid, i have had 3 and they have all died, best lasted about 1500 miles and the worst was less than 700 road miles. A purpose built turbo is the way to go in my opinion. Best also to fit a rising rate fuel system off of a Mk3, also need and uprated fuel pump and 5 bar FPR valve for the in tank housing. You don't need the strut braces, they serve no purpose unless the rear is in a position to strap your spare wheels to. MK3 brake setup is an awesome upgrade, i have just done this again to my DCi 175 RS, this is a kit i have put together, i made 5 sets so have 4 left. https://flic.kr/p/2nF48C3 Some reading for you https://rsmegane.com/threads/265-engine-forging.19816/ https://rsmegane.com/threads/my-new-project-r26.21164/ https://rsmegane.com/threads/225-inferno-getting-a-250-engine.13083/
Thanks Ian, much appreciated. I was expecting some transplanting of Mk3 parts / systems would be needed.
Hi, I'm considering Hybrid route for my 225 as next upgrade. it grasped my attention that you "had 3 and they have all died" what was the root cause for that? and what was the Hybrid turbo type you used to have back then? Thanks.
The first hybrid was from a so called repeatable supplier, i believe that the exhaust wheel broke and jammed, therefor undoing the intake wheel and the shaft also broke off at the exhaust side, the shaft then fell down the exhaust pipe oil then pumped straight into the intake and exhaust. https://flic.kr/p/2jqZ6Mo It was set bake to the supplier they said it was a mapping issue ?????? paid to have it rebuilt and then it only lasted another 2 trackdays before it started smoking due to the thrust bearing giving up. the second was a used unit that came from a guy that ended up breaking his 225, the turbo was sent back to the supplier to have it checked due to smoking exhaust, it was given a clear bill of health and i bought it. I took it to have the car mapped, had a poor result due to excessive intake temperature, the map was dialled back to be safe and that gave me an extra 6hp ( and that was with a set of cams as well) drove home and a week or so later drove to Cadwell, it started smoking on the way there, i got black flagged on the sighting laps, i disconnected all of the engine breathers from the intake, but it still was smoking, so that was the end of my day. I was told the best hybrid to by was £1600, for that money there are other options. I ended up buying yet another Borg Warner 6758 twin scroll turbo, had this fitted to my 265 making 380hp, the turbo is rated at 500hp so its not stressed and was £1400, it needs some work to fit it but on my 265 i must have done 30+ trackdays and the guy i sold it too has done a ton of trackdays as well. https://flic.kr/p/2iMhKgf
Thanks for the insight and Yes with such that cost of a new Hybrid unit, you can go for other options. I'm running Garret GTX 2867 on my Meglio and soon planning for G25 500 for Megane 3. So, I thought of the Hybrid for my 225 for fast road and occasional track days as of a change.
A good standard turbo with supporting mods should give you 300+ hp, mine made 310hp with a forged engine, a rising rate fuel system and a decat.
