Engine differences and tuning 1.1 / 956

[beagle]

Hi I've just brought my 1st R4, an imported French LHD 1992 TL.

I wasn't sure about the engine size at first but found an oval plate with 112C on it so I believe it's a 956cc.

How different is this engine from the 1.1 i.e is it just a smaller bore or a different unit?

My Haynes manual doesn't seem to cover the 956cc so I assume they were only made in France.

Power isn't exactly plentiful, so once I've given it a full service I'd like to try improve the performace slightly. I'm not a boy racer, I just want to reduce the risk of being overtaken by those JCB Fasttrack tractors.

I've heard you can fit certain R5 carbs with an KN air fliter to improve performance by 10hp or so. Is this true??
Are there any more straight forward mods known?

Many thanks
Beagle

 

[entwistlecymru]

I thought the later 4s were all 1100? I'm sure Paul, Malcolm or Angel will prove me wrong!

The mk1 R5 1100 had a better manifold and bigger carb which should boost power by around 10hp. All you need is an inlet manifold gasket and providing all the bolts go in/out without drama you can be back on the road in a couple of hours.

The 1300 R5 engine will fit into the 4 straight away and that's good for 65-odd horses. The 1400 will go in just as easily and is a torquier engine which is what you need in day-to-day driving. I'm building a hybrid 1400 engine which should be putting out around 70hp and a lot more torque than std but it's been built for less than £250. There aren't many cars where you can double the power output for that sort of money!

There are a lot of options for upgrading/modifying the drivetrain on the 4 because the basic layout was used for so long and in so many cars. Most combinations have been tried - 1700s, Gordini, Gordini Turbo etc etc. If you need any advice there are plenty of forum users who can give it!

 

[paulandpat]

You do see quite a lot of later 4's advertised here as having the 956 cc engine, I think it may be something to do with young drivers and insurance, as they are not keen on you changing the engine capacity. It appears to me that later TL's are 956, but later GTL's are 1108, but don't take it as gospel!

 

[malcolm]

No idea why they did it, but they ran 956 engines in parallel with 1108cc engines in France up until the end of production. Clans had 1108 (and were GTL like if a little cost downed) and Savanes had 956 and presumably cost a little less.

The 956 was never sold in the UK, at least not in a Renault 4. A friend had a 956 Renault 5 and I'm sure it was nippier than my 1100 car.

The things I've found restrictive on my 1108 are carburettor under 60mph and exhaust over 60mph. Haven't tried the R5 distributor but I'm convinced that will help too. The 950 R5 bits have to be the ready made answer for the 956.

 

[mr-reno-139]

insomnia i think but might as well post my bit ,956cc 5 mk1 5s not very quick available 72-79 ,solex carb 32mm (are there any left ?)
seem to remember stepped pistons?? but never as good as gtl 1300 r5

angel must know more than me about non uk spec cars

all R4s are very sensitive to correct pointgap/dwell and ignition timing however in my experience the factory timing setting may not be the optimum for performance and may need experimenting with

worth checking that you are getting full opening of butterfly as acc cable may have too much slack ?

 

[beagle]

Thanks a lot guys for your help, really appreciated
I'll check the cables today and see if that helps. After that I'll look out for a R5 donor car.
I'm quite keen to keep the car roughly original so I think I'll look out for a 1.0 R5 carb and manifold. Failing that I'll fry to find a 1.1 engine from a R5.

Does the R5 1.1 gear box bolt straight into a R4?
I know my current gearbox is good so ideally if I did the engine swap I'd like to keep my current box and just swap the engine.

Also what's the difference between a GTL and a TL? Was it just nicer trim or did they have any mechanical differences?

 

[Bluebell]

I think the TLs have 956cc engines while the GTLs have the 1108cc engine. Blanche is a TL and I found the differences between her and Ermintrude the GTL were otherwise only minor. TLs don't have the plastic trim on the sides, don't have the tartan cloth seats and don't have the rubber matting over the wheel arches. Blanche though has a nice soft roof lining. Spares seem to interchangeable.

 

[entwistlecymru]

Are the TL headlinings available new anywhere? Apparently they make the car a bit quieter - what say you Bluebell?!

The R4/5 4 speed gearboxes are interchangeable with one major difference - the 5 is floor change. Easy to change but if your box is good keep with it. 5 speed conversion: http://www.renault4.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=1376

All the engines look near enough identical so personally I don't think you'd be spoiling the originality with a bigger engine. It would bring the car up to date a bit.

 

[angel]

956cc engine was a 1108cc block with smaller bores...got the picture?! You can enlarge it to 1108cc only by changing liners/pistons.
Give us the engine type (the engine number plate is on the right side of the block, above the oil filter), to confirm if it is a 956cc one.