Anyone ever fitted a decent rear end suspension setup to a mk1

[chip]

Just wondered if anyone on here has ever managed to fit a decent backend into their clio instead of the crappy standard beam setup?

Even a mk2 clio one where at least the rear hubs can be shimmed to get desired camber and toe would be a good start, or better still something like a 200sx backend where you can fit adjustable arms.

[A&P]

Would the potential gains be worth the effort? Interested to find out. I know some cup beams were "bent" in a jig for better camber.

[chip]

I hate the lack of adjustability, so to how big the gains would be, impossible to tell without trying, by sheer luck my rear beam might be ideal already, but seems unlikely and I'd like to be able to experiment with the settings.

[tutuur]

You could remove the current hubs and fit Clio sport hubs with brake caliper plates. Only have to drill and tap iirc.

Would give you a cm or 2 track width per side extra and the opportunity to place shims (y)

[northy]

I've seen Clio mk1 rally cars turreted at the rear!

Thinking about it - wouldn't be hard to graft on the 172 set up???

[cliorod]

I think it may have been mentioned before,but it is possible to fit vertical shockers .. Like the rear turrets on a Mk II Escort.It would mean a lot of work,cutting the floor and fabricating turret boxes etc ,and then altering the beam .. doing away with the torsion bars etc and using coil overs.A bit drastic but it would give the ultimate axle/beam location.I saw a Megane that had this done by Harry Hockley Motorsport.
Rod

[kmetek]

You can use coilovers on standard setup, like those:

http://www.avouk.com/MotorsportFrameset-84.htm (go to "Universal" and select "Twin / Mono tube", you have the pricing there also)

You can keep the torsion bars and add some softer springs on shocks, or use only the stiffer springs without torsion bars. Depends on what spring rate you are running in the front. I have a 182 CUP front spring and looking for some Express torsion bars, as they are identical to Renault sport Gr.N bars for 1.8 16V and Williams, used in rally. Those from Express are the same as softer Gr.N, with 23.2mm diameter, but there are/were also stiffer for Gr.N, with 24.5mm diameter.

Hope I helped

[chip]

You could remove the current hubs and fit Clio sport hubs with brake caliper plates. Only have to drill and tap iirc.

Would give you a cm or 2 track width per side extra and the opportunity to place shims (y)

I dont see how you can really do that with it all being cast as one, do you mean cut it off?

[chip]

I've seen Clio mk1 rally cars turreted at the rear!

Turrets are a piece of cake but make NO difference to the geometry that I am asking about.

Thinking about it - wouldn't be hard to graft on the 172 set up???

Thats what I am asking, if anyone has done it, ive not had the two side by side to see how the mounting points compare.
Obviously you would need to either then run turrets and coilovers or graft in spring platforms too as the mk1 doesnt have them.

[chip]

I think it may have been mentioned before,but it is possible to fit vertical shockers .. Like the rear turrets on a Mk II Escort.It would mean a lot of work,cutting the floor and fabricating turret boxes etc ,and then altering the beam .. doing away with the torsion bars etc and using coil overs.A bit drastic but it would give the ultimate axle/beam location.I saw a Megane that had this done by Harry Hockley Motorsport.
Rod

If you still have the beam with the integrated stub axles though, that wouldnt have actually helped at all to alter the rear geometry.