Subareno Cliopreza RS172 WRX Type R (Spec C)

[maycontainNUTS]

I thought I would share what is probably the daftest idea I have ever had with you all.

I have been campaigning my trusty Clio Sport 172 in rallies, hillclimbs and sprints for around 8 years now, and decided that this winter it was time for an engine refresh. Looking around, I realised that without forced induction, the most power that can be had from the F4R engine is about 230BHP, at a budget of approx. £5k.

A good pal of mine runs a company down here in Cornwall which solely deals with repairing and breaking Subaru Imprezas (Scoobybits), so in an idle moment I found myself running a tape measure around an Impreza.

Surprisingly I found many of the vital statistics were remarkably similar. Clio wheelbase 48mm shorter, Impreza track 66mm wider, front strut tops only 25mm different, front chassis rails same width apart. I wonder...........

So with a budget of £5k, I now find myself starting on a project to run the Clio in Sports Libre with the following spec:

JDM 260BHP version 4 Scooby engine with TD05 turbo, type R gearbox with DCCD, BC Racing suspension, paddle clutch, and a few other goodies as we go along. Eventually I hope to have Simtek ECU with launch control and anti-lag, but that will have to wait for now.

I was inspired by some of the projects on here, notably Alan's Evo Mini, although mine will be a tin monocoque, not a spaceframe.

So, some photos of progress so far.

Initial pic of the Clio after a road rally last winter.


Subaru donor.



Donor engine, gearbox and front suspension as one lump for trial fit.



Rear supension, diff etc.

[Ian Johnson]

mmmm interesting

[maycontainNUTS]

Next, started stripping the Subaru donor.



Novel method of getting the Scooby shell off the ramp.



Clio lump and subframe dropped out. At this stage, if I hit a big snag, it was still possible to re-assemble.



Trial fit of the flat four and box. It fits!

[maycontainNUTS]

Next job, out with my favourite tool, the 9" angle grinder. Impreza Cabriolet, anyone?



Final progress to date, one rear turret completed.

[redturner37]

Gould, you are as mad as a box of frogs. Just make sure it is ready to catch the ferry end of May.....

[MonsterMouse]

Interesting build - Reminds me of these

http://www.cliosport.net/forum/showt...r-Gumball-3000

http://www.sxoc.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=219069

[maycontainNUTS]

Originally Posted by redturner37

Gould, you are as mad as a box of frogs. Just make sure it is ready to catch the ferry end of May.....

Cheers, David, you've made my day!
Not sure if the French will like me meddling with their product, though!

[Roger Jordan]

Originally Posted by maycontainNUTS

Cheers, David, you've made my day!
Not sure if the French will like me meddling with their product, though!

I knew him when he was sane, quite sensible as it happens, what happened?
I predict a Clibaru shaped hole in the wall at Werrington !!

Good luck Neil, let me know when the first outing is, I will bring my camera.

Regards Roger

[oldman]

For your information David is correct, he is as mad as a bunch of frogs I should know as he was my co-driver for twenty years or so in a variety of quick rally cars and he only ever wanted to go faster no matter what ! Neil is the complete Petrol head and this time he will either suceed or bear the wrath of his wife when she finds out he wasted 5k if it doesn't work, I suspect that he will make it work rather than that, although it may be a tall order to do so for the start of the next season. We enjoyed many great times together that I will allways remember and if the MSA hadn't started mucking around with the rally regulations a few years back then I along side several other people would still be rallying today.

[redturner37]

OMG, you made my day Mike, Gouldilocks indeed. That must be at the side of the car when it is finished....