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Big engine in little R4...

Snoopy1974

Snoopy1974

Enthusiast
Messages
412
Hi,

for many years I dream of a R4 with an engine which allows a top speed about 160 km/h... or more :D

The first and simplest idea is a R5 TS or Alpine engine BUT this kind of engine is very hard to find, even in France, and when I have the lucky to find one, the price is definitively too expensive for me, so I look for an alternative solution, simpler and cheaper than R5 engines...

I would like to find a Renault engine/gearbox I could fit in the R4 with a minimum of modification, even I know the chassis must be cut and modified to accept such an engine.

These days I thought about Renault R16 engine, the TS has a 1565 cm3 and 83ch, I think that 83ch would be cool in R4 :cool: But can I fit the engine and gearbox in the r4 ?... I also thought about R12, R18 engines... but some people say that they turn on the wrong way ?...

As you can read, I have many questions about it, if someone has an idea let me know, all the informations will be useful ;)
 
just take out the back seats and bolt a jet engine in the back

job done :P
 
Get in touch with mr-reno-139 on the forum. I *think* his R4 buggy has a R16 engine. Definately possible with work.

I quite like the idea of a modern engine in an R4 though, Alfa TwinSpark or Ford 2.0 Zetec would be interesting.....
 
but how do you get around the backwards gearbox lay out?
 
R16 engine and gearbox have the same orientation as the R4 so it will run in the right direction.

Mr Reno cut out his bulkhead where the heater would have been to fit the R16 engine, so it's longer. No idea what else was involved.
 
C1, Aygo, 107

I would like to fit the most efficient small engine available at reasonable cost. To my mind his would be the 68 bhp 1.0l 3 cylinder petrol engine as fitted to the C1, Aygo, 107 range.

It would be small enough to squeeze in, nice and revvy and not too much power.

Also, it would probably be in good nick as it would be modern and there are plenty to choose from.

Any engine can be squeezed into any car, however this would not destroy the R4 character. Brakes and chassis would not be over powered and there would be a weight reduction.

Also the smaller size would help make fitting it a bit easier.

Also it would be smooth, not too noisy and give good MPG (50mpg+?). They can be bought for less than £200.

However, they have all the ancillaries bolted onto the wrong end. The water pump could be replaced by an electric item, the alternator is another matter. I have not measured the block but there is a chance the ancillaries might squeeze in against the bulkhead.

I might give it a go.
 
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this just sounds messy, worse then a V6 in a R4
 
sounds like a brilliant idea, and in keeping with the character of the R4...which way does it rotate.....also sounds like a good swap into a Saab 96 stroke...ade
 
Rotation

Doesnt matter, if it goes one way fit a 845cc gearbox, if it goes the other way fit an 1108cc gearbox!
 
ade said:
also sounds like a good swap into a Saab 96 stroke...ade
Click to expand...

the amount of damn issues that car is causing, i'll rather not risk it

Although did compare the 1500 V4 against the R4 1100 and they are similar in size.

a V4 R4....
 
I was considering converting a R4 van to electric (then we joked about having a V8 in the boot as a range extender)

Great thing is in the UK an electric van needs no tax or Mot :) just insurance.
 
buy a kangoo mpv...lot easier
 
Hi, I found some informations about my project these days... First of all, fitting a R16 engine on a R4/R5 geaorbox is possible, the cluch housing of the R16 can be screwed on the R4 gearbox, so I could keep the gear level on the dashboard.

But... there is a "little" problem :eek: :eek: The R4 gearbox axle has 21 splines, and the clutch disc of the R16 has 20 splines :mad: :mad:

So I should fit a R4 flywheel on the R16 engine, or a R16 gearbox axle on the R4 gearbox, does somedy know if one of these solutions is technically possible ? In particular, are the mounting holes of the R16 flywheel similar to the R4 flywheel ?

Thanks you for your help ;)
 
I still saw the second one, but I didn't know the first video, curiosly it seems that the bulkhead has not been cut to fit the engine...
 
I also wanted a bigger engine into my R4, to have more power etc and also a modern one, that can drive on bio-fuel/ethanol etc and in the most easiest and inexpencive way to do. First I consider to use a modern engine ( like the C1) too and make an adapter to fit on the GTL gearbox(HO146) and adjust the triggerwheel for the ignition module etc.
But after all these options, I decide to use a modern cleon engine of a Super5 1400 monoinjection and I bought a Super5 for 100 euro!! So I have the engine/ignition module/ bendix ECU/ electronic fuelpump/wires /sensors/lambda, catalyst. etc.
I bought a good gtl gearbox for 40 euros and
to fit into the gearbox I used the triggerwheel with the renix 44-2-2 patron of a R5 alpine and with the necessary adjustments I have an inexpensive modern cleon injection engine,enough power to drive your speed 160 km/h, economic and reduced emmisions and..... I can use the fuelkit for the biofuel.
It's in dutch, but you can follow my project on
http://jeffr4.weebly.com/project-1400-cc-monoinjectie-1.html
http://jeffr4.weebly.com/project-1400-cc-monoinjectie-2.html
http://jeffr4.weebly.com/project-1400-cc-monoinjectie-3.html
http://jeffr4.weebly.com/project-1400-cc-monoinjectie-4.html

Soon I will finish, as I am working on the Clio Willams now...also very nice
 
I just cannot understand the point of putting a modern engine in a 4L. The engine as it is, is quite adequate for the job, certainly in 1108cc form, so why mess with a well proven design. Tune it by all means, or fit a period engine, Gordini for example to get more power, but leave the modern engine route to the kit-car fraternity. Thank God there are still some of us with the original engine, or atleast a Renault lump of the same vintage in our cars, so preserving them for future enthusiasts to enjoy. There might also be insurance issues, and the MOT test might be interesting too.
 
jeffr4, even I don't understand the language I'm admiring when I see the job you, personnaly I would be unable to do the same.

Cornish4, unable to do the same job as jeff so... I look for an old engine, more simple to adapt and more powerful than everything we can do with the 1108. I would like a R5 one but I don't find one, so I look for another solutions...
 
Yes Snoopy, and we can fix our old engines fairly easily can't we, as they are of a simple design and there is not the hi-tech equipment on them as there is with modern engines. I guess I'm just old-fashioned. An engine with a bit more power than an 1108cc, ok that's fine, but keep it simple and easy to work on.:D
 
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