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172 conversion guide and details (issue 1)



Ok this is unfinished and there eorors but since a few people have aksed here it is. Please point out any errors just incase I don't pick them up.

172/182 conversion

FAQ

Do I need to use the rear disk brake/axle?

First off all rear axles are the same width on the Mk2 Clio

Nope the rear drums have a few advantages over the diks as there cheaper to fix, last longer in both of terms of wear and bearing life, have stronger bearings and are more reliable . The only problem with them are that the rear disks from a 172/182 rear axle have thicker anti roll bars and are seen by many to look nice. Also for track driving you migh find the shoes might crack slighty, one fix is to use uprated rear shoes but IMO there no need realy.

The 1.6 and some of the powerful diesel have rear disk they have the thinner anti roll bar but have the same rer disks as a 172 so they don't have the full advantage of a 172 rear axle. Few could tell the thicker roll bar though is fitted.



Body shell isn't as strong/same on 1.2 etc as a 172

The body shells are the same for all phase 1 regardless of type the V6 infact shares a similar body shell as a 1.2 however its quie modified and the original part number is different however a 1.2 shell could be used as a doner to make a V6 shell. There a structural Renault manuls explaining how to use normal Clio bits to make them fit the V6 car.

The phase 2 cars have a slight different shell some parts are strengthened but realy they are the same bodys. 95% of parts are transferable. The shells of the phase 2 are the same though.



Conversion

Ok so you want a 172/182 engine (they are the same apart from thee ECU mapping and exhaust manifold/exhaust so in this article I'll just refere to them both as 172)

First off you have to decide/find a doner car or go buying the bits (cn get expensive buying bits seperate)

First off thers the issue of what phase car to use there 3 realy

1) 172 phase 1 - This is the simpliest in terms of wiring (and my favourite option) there no UCH computer however there are more wires. However they do have a cable throttle pedal so if you have a phase 2 car then you'll need a cable throttle body accelerator pedal.

2) 172 Phase 2 - This is what often refered to as full fat it has a UCH computer which goes above the glove box behind the dashboard. It has an electronic throttle boody so if you have a phase 2 car it just plugs in if you have a phase 1 you'll need an electric throttle pedal.

3) 172 Cup. This is the popular option as the Cups crash more so there more for sale. It like the full fat has a UCH and electric throttle pedal but theres no climate control and less wirs ie no altomatic operator of the rear wiper when reversing no auto lights or windows.


First of to do the conversion you need the engine and assuming your not running a stand alone ECU you want the wiring loom idealy you might even want the standard loom as it may make for a tidier install. Then you want the gearbox you an use a few gearboxes depending upon what wiring loom you have what the doner car is and how complex you want. The 172 Cup and the phase 1 172 use gearboxes with speedo sensors in them. If you don't get a gearbox with one them you'll loose the speedo also the coolent fan will come on earlier at high speed (no huge issue there).


ABS.

Regardless of what car you have you can have or delete ABS from the system (the basic version of ABS the one with ESP is more complex)

The way to sort ABS assuming you have the normal system is easy. Just wire the system up. The wiring plugs on the ABS box are all numbered and labeled below.

(they are all numbered on the unit abeitly in small writing)

1 Earth
2 50 Amp feed from the fuse box number E10 (or F10)
3 25 Amp feed from the fuse box numbeer E9 (or F9)
5 Left hand front wheel signal
6 Left hand rear wheel signal +
8 Right hand rear wheel signal +
9 Right hand front wheel signal +
10 Right hand front wheel signal
11 Diagnostic signal line (so that you can do diagnostics on it though the normal system) no need to be conected though just makes it easier to identify fixes later.
12 Dash fault warning light this goes to the line 21 on the dashboard to set the warning light off no need to conect it but you'll not know where theres a problem
16 Left hand front wheel sensor +
17 Left hand rear wheel sensor signal
18 Feed for after ignition power its a 10Amp fuse number E5 (or F5)
19 Right hand rear wheel signal
20 Brake switch light switch
22 Dash fault warning light this goes to the line 7 on the dashboard to set the warning light off no need to conect it but you'll not know where theres a problem
23 Speed signal used for the speedo etc You don't need to use this its an output only.


If you decide to wire up the ABS system then you could use the ABS system for the speedo rarther than the gearbox sensor this would enable you to run a none Cup or phase 1 box. To make this work you need to have someone with a Renault Clip computer reprogram your dashboard dealerships can do this its a quick change.


Power stearing

There three options
1) Hydrolic PAS system as fitted to the 172 as standard
2) Electric rack as fitted to the phase 1 diesels and almost all phase 2's expect the 172's (its very rare to have a phse 2 non 172 with hydrolic rack I've yet to see one but they do exist I've seen pictures)
3) Manaul rack

If you have a phase 1 except the diesel then you have a hydrolic rack (there a few phase 2's with this but very very few)


For the electric rack to be wired up to a 172 you need to sort out

On the two pin seperate plug
1 80 Amp fuse for the rack
2 Earth

For the larger plug

2 Steering wheel angle sensor -
3 Steering wheel angle sensor 1
4 Steering wheel angle sensor +
6 Power steering torque sensor earth 1
7 Electric power stearing torque sensor 1
8 Electric power stearing torque feed 1
9 Speed signal (come fom the ABS system line 23)
10 After ignition variable power stearing fuse +
11 Electric power steering fault warning light - (goes to line 8 on the dashboard)
13 Stearing wheel angle sensor 2
15 Diagnostic signal line (so that you can do diagnostics on it though the normal system) no need to be conected though just makes it easier to identify fixes later.
17 Electric power stearing torque feed 2
19 RPM feed from ECU from the TDC

The rack mounts are all the same the tie roads at the end of the rack are the same so there no problem. Just remember to remove the PAS pump and either get a shorted belt or have a pulley put in place to take the part. Running the pump with it not connected it will cause engine damage as the pump will burn.




Parts price

£1.5k for the parts often.

Then I'd always recomend changing the below as its easy when the conversions being done and a pain to do when the engine fitted if they were damaged and you didn't know
£150 new cambelt
£80 new clutch
£20 new top mounts
£20 new ball joints

As for engine oil etc I'd use some decinet stuff
Engine oil £40
Gearbox oil £40
Brake fluid £10
Sump washers £2


Then you need or should use a new filters

£7 oil filter
£12 air filter

Then you'll want new disks and pads usually peple use uprated DS2500s stuff and new lines
£200

With most doner cars you only get 1 key so you'd idealy want another one and get it programmed so thats £80 (you don't need the metal key bit since you usually would keep your old keys and just use the new plips as mentioned elsewhere).

Total bill assuming no problems £2161


You'll still need an exhaust as well.
 
you make it sound oh so easy

god the wiring is a right mare

Would have helped if you had the right loom though.

172 dials have different wiring than normal ones but I recon there a way of using stock loom and just swititching the wires for the dash (swop UCH as wel)

Your right easy to write.
 
  White Clio 1.2 @ 172
will you be posting on the actual mechanical side of removing orig engine/ fitting new engine etc?

I will be indulging in this v.soon providing funding comes through to buy the 172 cup from Matt

Thanks very much for this info so far great help
Regards Dean.
 
will you be posting on the actual mechanical side of removing orig engine/ fitting new engine etc?

I will be indulging in this v.soon providing funding comes through to buy the 172 cup from Matt

Thanks very much for this info so far great help
Regards Dean.

The actual mechanics is just normal mechanics nothing special its just like taking the engine out of a Clio normally the 172 a bit more of squeek to get in also there different ways of doing it either engine in from the top or as per the production did it engine in the bottom and subframe on afterwards.
 
  RSTUNER'ED-C&B'ED RS-1
Hi edde,

No UCH means for a Mk1 RS 172,

Can anyone of RS-1 ECU,s be swapped between them, for example a chipped and a standart one.
 
  clio (sleeper)
hi ive just bought all the parts i need for the conversion but i wanted to know if it matters that the new 172 engine has aircon?because my car hasnt got aircon.can i wire it up?or disable it?and will the standard 172 engine mounts fit?or do i need modded ones?thanks
 
  MERCEDES CLS AMG
hi ive just bought all the parts i need for the conversion but i wanted to know if it matters that the new 172 engine has aircon?because my car hasnt got aircon.can i wire it up?or disable it?and will the standard 172 engine mounts fit?or do i need modded ones?thanks


The 172 engine mounts will fit any clio from 98 - 2006 ....they are all interchangable.

If your 172 engine has an A/C pump fitted and you dont want it on you need to buy an alternator bracket from a 172 cup which doesnt have a mount for the A/C pump - part number 7700868118

You will also need some new mounting bolts for the cup bracket and a smaller alt belt - part number 7700114730
 
  MERCEDES CLS AMG
Hi edde,

No UCH means for a Mk1 RS 172,

Can anyone of RS-1 ECU,s be swapped between them, for example a chipped and a standart one.


ECU's arent interchangable - all Renault 172's have a plip key which is coded into the ECU. You cannot take a second hand re-mapped / chipped ECU and fit it onto your clio ( unless its been unlocked ) you can however buy a new ECU, fit it onto your car and get it re-mapped. Once the new ECU is fitted it should program itself into the car or it may need to be coded in via the "clip" diagnostic computer. Then if you ever want to sell the vehicle with its standard ECU you can just swap it back for the old original one.
 
  White Clio 1.2 @ 172
how about if i have a 98clio non ac model and i buy an engine with ac how would you wire it up?
 
  MERCEDES CLS AMG
Please note -

When you buy a conversion kit you will need the following parts to make it a nice clean conversion with no messing about - most essential is the DONOR VEHICLE chassis details or reg number.

The reason being when you disconnect these items and re-connect them they sometimes lock up and you need to enter the immobiliser code for the vehicle to unlock them - if you dont have this code it will cost you £££ to get it sorted ( new plip key / UCH and possibly a new ECU ) these parts are all coded ( immobiliser ) and the most common fault of the vehicle not starting up once the conversion has been done.

The immobilser code is obtained through Renault by giving them the chassis details of the car - you then need to hook the "clip" diagnostic comp up to the diag point underneath the ashtray - then you enter the donor vehicle's chassi details into the clip and go into the immobilser coding programme - enter the immobiliser code for the donor vehicle and then try to start the car - it should fire up immediately - if it doesnt retrace your steps carefully and try again

Here is the list of parts you require

engine
gearbox
eng & dash loom
ecu
uch
plip key
de-coder ring
inst panel
eng mounts x 3
manifold
cat
driveshafts
new circlips for the shafts - were they slot into the gearbox ( essential )
hubs
discs
calipers
radiator
subframe ( standard one can be adapted )
gear selector
all relevant water hoses
water expansion tank
fuel pump / sender unit from the 172 tank
PAS rack and associated pipes ( if you wish to fit )
 
  MERCEDES CLS AMG
how about if i have a 98clio non ac model and i buy an engine with ac how would you wire it up?


Dont bother - A/C will lose you power. If you do want A/C you will need to get the following parts from the donor vehicle

A/C rad condenser
condenser valve
air con pipes
wiring loom ( wether it be a self fabricated type or the genuine one form the donor vehicle )
control panel
cables
heater box
Air con pump
dashboard ( depending on the type of control panel and model of clio you have )
 
  MERCEDES CLS AMG
I sell ECU kits for people that dont have a complete set up - they consist of a .....

plip key
decoder ring ( ignition barrel )
UCH
ECU
chassis number from donor vehicle
immobiliser code from donor vehicle

£150 + vat
 
  White Clio 1.2 @ 172
Thanks Matt,

What is the approx cost of getting the plip/uch coded for first start. I have a CAN ODBII tool would it be possible to do it via this?

"new circlips for the shafts" When i was in a renault specialist garage we had a MK2 PH1 Clio come in which the driveshaft had popped out the gearbox, the car owners idea of a solution was 2 PLASTIC cable ties!!
 
  MERCEDES CLS AMG
To program a key in i charge £40 - Renault will charge between £50 and £80

If the CAN ODBII has the program for doing this then yes - but i dont think it will have


:D .........The circlip part numbers ( JC5 129 / ) are 7700720854 and 7703066331
 
Last edited:
  White Clio 1.2 @ 172
sometimes it's like talking to a book of knowledge when you reply, you can just spout out part numbers like there flying out your a** :p#

Matt,
as ive said on prior occasions I would like to get that 172cup conversion kit off you. would it be possible to also get the small necessitys for the conversion i.e circlips and cambelt etc?

Obviously I dont mind paying extra ontop.
 
  White Clio 1.2 @ 172
To program a key in i charge £40 - Renault will charge between £50 and £80

If the CAN ODBII has the program for doing this then yes - but i dont think it will have


:D .........The circlip part numbers ( JC5 129 / ) are 7700720854 and 7703066331

If you programmed the key/plip/uch/ecu etc then I come pick up the conversion from you isn't there the possibility that by the time the conversion is fitted it would of forgotten?

Or do you mean using my exisiting key and reprogramming that to work with the new decoder ring?

I may not have explained this very clearly but what i would like to know is the cost of getting the immobiliser code programmed in not the key.
 
  MERCEDES CLS AMG
This conversion was done in 1 day by our 20 yr old technician shaun - its his own car and his daily runabout ( sleeper )

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  RSTUNER'ED-C&B'ED RS-1
Hi Matt,

Critical question :) Can clip unlock a re-mapped ECU without modifying the map?






Hi edde,

No UCH means for a Mk1 RS 172,

Can anyone of RS-1 ECU,s be swapped between them, for example a chipped and a standart one.


ECU's arent interchangable - all Renault 172's have a plip key which is coded into the ECU. You cannot take a second hand re-mapped / chipped ECU and fit it onto your clio ( unless its been unlocked ) you can however buy a new ECU, fit it onto your car and get it re-mapped. Once the new ECU is fitted it should program itself into the car or it may need to be coded in via the "clip" diagnostic computer. Then if you ever want to sell the vehicle with its standard ECU you can just swap it back for the old original one.
 
  White Clio 1.2 @ 172
thanks for the pics I remeber the original thread "172 conversion in 8hrs" but the pics have dissapeared from that thread only the first portion worked.

Glad you posted them as they are a real help.
Thank you very much for your help so far :)
Regards Dean
 
  MERCEDES CLS AMG
Hi Matt,

Critical question :) Can clip unlock a re-mapped ECU without modifying the map?






ECU's arent interchangable - all Renault 172's have a plip key which is coded into the ECU. You cannot take a second hand re-mapped / chipped ECU and fit it onto your clio ( unless its been unlocked ) you can however buy a new ECU, fit it onto your car and get it re-mapped. Once the new ECU is fitted it should program itself into the car or it may need to be coded in via the "clip" diagnostic computer. Then if you ever want to sell the vehicle with its standard ECU you can just swap it back for the old original one.



yes - my ECU was the re-mapped standard version done by R-TEC. I had to reprogramme my key and it was fine afterwards
 
  White Clio 1.2 @ 172
here's a question I've been wondering for a while

Say I went down the standalone ECU route e.g. a Omex710 ECU what would happen with regards to the decoder ring etc.

I'm presuming the UCH is completely seperate from the ECU? and the UCH would remain in tact as is serving it's immobiliser functionality?

Regards Dean
 
  clio (sleeper)
Thanks for all this help matt.i was just wondering though if youve got a detailed explination of each picture so i can follow,just so i know if you bolt the subframe to the new engine or if the subframe goes on after the engine is in?im going to be doing this conversion soon and i just want to make sure ive got all the info i need incase i get into trouble.how long do you think it would take me if i did it myself?with an engine hoist?thanks again
 
Thanks for all this help matt.i was just wondering though if youve got a detailed explination of each picture so i can follow,just so i know if you bolt the subframe to the new engine or if the subframe goes on after the engine is in?im going to be doing this conversion soon and i just want to make sure ive got all the info i need incase i get into trouble.how long do you think it would take me if i did it myself?with an engine hoist?thanks again

Subframe is seperate its held together on the proper 172 as there a 4th engine mount on the subframe to gearbox.

You can put the engine in from the top if you want. Subframe off easier though just some don't have the facilities to do it that way. If you did drop the engine over the engine can do engine froist them when its up in place then put the subframe on.

Time taken depends how good you are mechanically.
 
  White Clio 1.2 @ 172
ok so using a engine crane/hoist and jack's/axle stands what would be the best method of getting the engine in/old engine out.

Also why does it appear that people always use seatbelts to hoist the engine up? is this not dangerous, obviously I realise seatbelts are designed to withstand immense ammounts of pressure and force from an impact but hoisting a very heavy engine over a long period of time does this not strain the belt?
 
ok so using a engine crane/hoist and jack's/axle stands what would be the best method of getting the engine in/old engine out.

Also why does it appear that people always use seatbelts to hoist the engine up? is this not dangerous, obviously I realise seatbelts are designed to withstand immense ammounts of pressure and force from an impact but hoisting a very heavy engine over a long period of time does this not strain the belt?

You said it belts can hold massive weights so there no real issue. The pictures are tken at a breakers yard so they'll have loads lying round to use.

If you think about it engine weight what 200kg with box at worst a seatbelt is designed to stop a fat guy moving in there seat in a big crash so its got load sod strenght in it.

If you've not got a 4 post lift engine out and in the top is the popular way to do it. You could use the crane to lift the car etc over but its not worth it.
 
  White Clio 1.2 @ 172
HUH I asked somebody If I could lift an engine into the back of a van without having to take a crane down he said absolutely not, not unless you are the incredible hulk.

If an engine only weighs 200kg which is roughly 32stone & I could flaming well bench 180kg, is there anything to stop me picking up the engine other than the fact i asume its difficult to get a point at which to lift it.

are you serious the engine with box is about 200kg? i thought it would be about 400-500kg

how much would i be looking @ for the lifts similar to what matt had, those scissor lifts?

Regards Dean
 
Last edited:
  172 cup'd extreme
My step dad lifted my old engine up no lie and had a stroke 5 minutes later
he was ok in the end but they are heavy
 
  172 cup'd extreme
Also to add to the thread,

buying a used engine is all well and good but ensure you see it running before you fit it. Make sure the drive shafts are good and the gearbox is ok... most cars have been in a crash and the boxes dont survive.

if you get a subframe with your kit make sure it isnt bent.

if the car has an after market alarm fitted when broken ensure that is supplied or you know a good auto electrician who'll be able to fix the loom back up.

ensure that when the loom is removed from the car the upmost care is taken when handling the UCH also if your bits go into storage ensure the UCH is kept dry a new one is over £250 + programming.

as for fitting i prefere over the top but if its all mounted on a good subframe and you have a 4 post, then drop the car over the new built up front end will take you a lot less timewise.
 
  172 cup'd extreme
Regarding the Wiring edde has described, here are commented diagrams of what he has descibed in the first post
 
Last edited:
  clio (sleeper)
Thanks for all this help matt.i was just wondering though if youve got a detailed explination of each picture so i can follow,just so i know if you bolt the subframe to the new engine or if the subframe goes on after the engine is in?im going to be doing this conversion soon and i just want to make sure ive got all the info i need incase i get into trouble.how long do you think it would take me if i did it myself?with an engine hoist?thanks again

Subframe is seperate its held together on the proper 172 as there a 4th engine mount on the subframe to gearbox.

You can put the engine in from the top if you want. Subframe off easier though just some don't have the facilities to do it that way. If you did drop the engine over the engine can do engine froist them when its up in place then put the subframe on.

Time taken depends how good you are mechanically.
thanks for that mate.another thing i was going to ask is.can i use the standard front suspension just to get it up and running?or do i need to get the 172 front shocks aswell?and im pretty good when i put my mind to it so do you reckon il do it all in a couple of days?
 
  clio (sleeper)
and one more thing...in the pics it says the engine thats fitted is a mk2 172 so does that mean he had to fit the electronic pedel box?because at the start of the thread it says...(2) 172 Phase 2 - This is what often refered to as full fat it has a UCH computer which goes above the glove box behind the dashboard. It has an electronic throttle boody so if you have a phase 2 car it just plugs in if you have a phase 1 you'll need an electric throttle pedal.)
my car is a 1999 model and the engine ive got is a 52plate.if so how much are they and where will i get one?thanks for all this help guys :clap:
 
Please note -

When you buy a conversion kit you will need the following parts to make it a nice clean conversion with no messing about - most essential is the DONOR VEHICLE chassis details or reg number.

The reason being when you disconnect these items and re-connect them they sometimes lock up and you need to enter the immobiliser code for the vehicle to unlock them - if you dont have this code it will cost you £££ to get it sorted ( new plip key / UCH and possibly a new ECU ) these parts are all coded ( immobiliser ) and the most common fault of the vehicle not starting up once the conversion has been done.

The immobilser code is obtained through Renault by giving them the chassis details of the car - you then need to hook the "clip" diagnostic comp up to the diag point underneath the ashtray - then you enter the donor vehicle's chassi details into the clip and go into the immobilser coding programme - enter the immobiliser code for the donor vehicle and then try to start the car - it should fire up immediately - if it doesnt retrace your steps carefully and try again

Here is the list of parts you require

engine
gearbox
eng & dash loom
ecu
uch
plip key
de-coder ring
inst panel
eng mounts x 3
manifold
cat
driveshafts
new circlips for the shafts - were they slot into the gearbox ( essential )
hubs
discs
calipers
radiator
subframe ( standard one can be adapted )
gear selector
all relevant water hoses
water expansion tank
fuel pump / sender unit from the 172 tank
PAS rack and associated pipes ( if you wish to fit )


this thread makes the £2.5k k-teck charge for all the bits and work worth it, and that vat included.
 
  MERCEDES CLS AMG
£2500 is a good price - the most fun part is doing the conversion yourself though - you will learn a lot from the experience and feel a sense of achievement when its complete ( and you will save £1000 ) ;)
 
  clio (sleeper)
yeh thats what i was going to say.
matt do you know if you can help me with the electronic pedel box question i posted above?thanks
 
  MERCEDES CLS AMG
If you have a 99 car with a standard accelerator pedal its easier - simply buy a clio MK1 172 throttle body ( cable type ) and fix that onto the MK2 172 lump. The engines are identical bar the throttle body. Attach the MK1 throttle body onto the MK2 lump and run the accelerator cable from your pedal to the throttle linkage - thats it !!
 


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