by "Jonee" (Jonee)
Published 02/09/2017 at 22:23
by "Jonee" (Jonee)
Published 02/09/2017 at 22:23
Tags: Renault Le Car
STARS: 10
Time for the Le Car to get a new heart. The old motor was starting to sound like sleigh bells. And, yes, it I am going for something bigger. A 1.4 out of an ‘81! A whopping 62HP as opposed to the original motor’s 55. It’s going to be a rocket. I’m not really an LS swap kind of guy. I like to experience old cars as they were.
As you can see by the dangling smog hoses, it wasn’t the simplest process getting the old motor out.
But, fortunately, the car’s petite enough that I get to “borrow” a cramped corner of my buddy’s shop.
I’ve changed engines in my microcars before, but this is the first time I’ve done it on a “real” car. Pretty fun, but I can’t wait to drive this guy again. Unsurprisingly for a French car that sat for 18 years, I’ve done more work than driving since I got it.
"In a Mini; let them mock me as My Mini Countryman is higher than you" (hoontheangelsing)
02/09/2017 at 22:32, STARS: 2
You could swap in a 2.2 turbo engine from a caravan of the time.
Or you could buy a turbo and have a ghetto GLHS
"Jonee" (Jonee)
02/09/2017 at 22:34, STARS: 0
Renault offered them with a turbo in France, so it’s a possibility.
"gmporschenut also a fan of hondas" (gmporschenut)
02/09/2017 at 22:37, STARS: 2
eh eh
"Jonee" (Jonee)
02/09/2017 at 22:40, STARS: 2
Maybe I should have just mounted both engines in the back.
"Rusty Vandura - www.tinyurl.com/keepoppo" (rustyvandura)
02/09/2017 at 23:17, STARS: 0
Three lug nuts? I new a guy who owned a LeCar.
"Distraxi's idea of perfection is a Jagroen" (distraxi)
02/10/2017 at 00:12, STARS: 0
Dunno if you still can, but in the UK you used to be able to buy inlet manifolds for these to fit a twin-choke Weber. Made a hell of a difference, the stock carb’s tiny to maximise economy and low-rev docility.
"Jonee" (Jonee)
02/10/2017 at 00:59, STARS: 1
A lot of French cars only used 3 lugs up until the 80's.
"Jonee" (Jonee)
02/10/2017 at 01:01, STARS: 0
That’s interesting. I’ll have to look into that.
"RallyWrench" (rndlitebmw)
02/10/2017 at 01:01, STARS: 1
Cool! I didn’t realize it had pink stripes, love it.
"Jonee" (Jonee)
02/10/2017 at 01:07, STARS: 1
They’re actually faded red, but pink and black is a good combo.
"DutchieDC2R" (dutchiedc2r)
02/10/2017 at 01:35, STARS: 1
Are you sure about those 61hp? Sounds pretty edgy to me man......you think the car can handle that? Did you reinforce anything to handle that amount of power?
Cool car!
"duurtlang" (duurtlang)
02/10/2017 at 03:23, STARS: 0
Some even did in the 90s. I believe some early Peugeot 106s had 3 lugnuts and they were introduced in the very early 90s.
"Jobjoris" (Jobjoris)
02/10/2017 at 04:49, STARS: 1
I have twin Webers laying around if you need one. Or two!
"Jobjoris" (Jobjoris)
02/10/2017 at 04:51, STARS: 1
AWESOME! There goes your 10 minute time-limit! When will it be ready, 4:59am?
"Jonee" (Jonee)
02/10/2017 at 09:39, STARS: 1
Are they cute? I’ve always wanted to experience twins. And Weber is a nice, Jewish name.
Oh, the carbs. That sounds awesome. I’m going to have to see if I can get one of those intakes.
"Jonee" (Jonee)
02/10/2017 at 09:41, STARS: 0
That’s amazing. I’d love a 106 Rallye as a companion to this car.
"Jonee" (Jonee)
02/10/2017 at 09:44, STARS: 1
Well, it’s 6:42 now and it’s still not done. I don’t know what I was thinking. It even takes two whole people to lift the damn engine.
"Jobjoris" (Jobjoris)
02/10/2017 at 16:10, STARS: 1
Sure, they’re named Fook yu and Fook mie. I’m sure it’s not that hard to get your hands on. Something like this ?
"Jobjoris" (Jobjoris)
02/10/2017 at 16:18, STARS: 1
Did you ask the twins?
"Jonee" (Jonee)
02/12/2017 at 21:43, STARS: 0
No. I am considering twin engines, though.
"Jonee" (Jonee)
02/12/2017 at 21:50, STARS: 1
Yeah, that looks like the one. They don’t say it’s for a 5, but I think that 1397 is my engine. Interesting. You have the Weber that fits that? It probably won’t pass emissions here, but I could just swap in the original when I go to the test. My own personal VW scandal.
"Jobjoris" (Jobjoris)
02/13/2017 at 02:20, STARS: 1
Then you’ll need two twins helping out if you want to stay within your 10 minute time frame.
"Jobjoris" (Jobjoris)
02/13/2017 at 02:23, STARS: 1
I’d have to check what Webers I exactly have. I’d like to think they’re 40DCOE’s. They have to be with that immense power I had.
"Jonee" (Jonee)
02/15/2017 at 20:56, STARS: 1
Which car were they in?
"Jonee" (Jonee)
02/15/2017 at 20:58, STARS: 1
2 twins, or two sets of twins? 8 extra hands would be a big help. I got a brief moment of help today getting the old clutch out, but it was from the opposite of sexy twins.
"Jobjoris" (Jobjoris)
02/16/2017 at 03:41, STARS: 1
My first 2002 Touring. The red one.
"Jobjoris" (Jobjoris)
02/16/2017 at 03:50, STARS: 1
Well, two sets. First Fook Yu and Fook Mi.
And then maybe those Barbi twins.
Should be fun. In their overalls.
"Jonee" (Jonee)
02/17/2017 at 01:14, STARS: 1
I’m not sure those Barbi Twins would be much help. It’s a cramped engine bay and their, uh, body parts are going to get in the way. I wouldn’t be able to see what I’m doing and neither would they.
"Jonee" (Jonee)
02/17/2017 at 01:16, STARS: 1
Ah, nice. That must have been fun. How are they to tune?
"Jobjoris" (Jobjoris)
02/17/2017 at 05:13, STARS: 1
You’re Le Car is probably from a somewhat to old era as well, too little plastics. Va-va-BOOM!
At least I didn’t get those Full House drama twins out!
"Jobjoris" (Jobjoris)
02/17/2017 at 05:22, STARS: 0
I always had to get the twins to Jan. A friend of my father’s. He used to tune up rally cars in the ‘70's. No normal mechanic can do this. Really. Maybe Günther (my 911 mechanic) could as well but I’m sure Jan was better.
"Jonee" (Jonee)
02/19/2017 at 20:03, STARS: 1
I’m disappointed you couldn’t handle twins without help. ;-)
I knew someone with a triple carb Berkeley and that thing was a bitch. 1 carburetor per cylinder. I’d like to try with the Le Car, though. I’ll have to do some research and see if I can find someone who’s done it.
"Jonee" (Jonee)
02/19/2017 at 20:07, STARS: 1
Yeah, I miss the days when all the parts were real. Although, being cheap and French, the Le Car has plastic where you’d least expect it.
Mary-Kate and Ashley? I prefer their sister.
"Jobjoris" (Jobjoris)
02/20/2017 at 02:29, STARS: 1
It’s all about focus. I can’t help being distracted surrounded with so much awesomeness, buttons and inlets. ;-)
My Dino has 3 double Webers...
"Jobjoris" (Jobjoris)
02/20/2017 at 02:36, STARS: 1
Oh, speaking of vintage cars: guess what I might be buying this week. You may have seen it come by on Oppo (not my post), it is LHD and I’m sure we covered it once...
My fear for those two is so big I’d probably even prefer their mom... Elizabeth certainly is better.
"Jonee" (Jonee)
02/20/2017 at 02:42, STARS: 1
LHD? Not that Samba, then. I don’t know. Is it French?
They are scary. And not just because they’re twins. One of them seems to be aging while the other isn’t.
Elizabeth is a very good actress.
"Jonee" (Jonee)
02/20/2017 at 02:47, STARS: 1
And springs and jets. Amazing stuff.
3 double Webers on an Italian car sounds just as fun as 3 single barrels on a British one. That car must have been a process to get perfect. I bet the end result was worth it, though.
"Jobjoris" (Jobjoris)
02/20/2017 at 04:19, STARS: 1
!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!
Thanks to Flavien!
Is the one that had that eating disorder the one that is aging or is it the other way around? That hairdo... I’ve once seen a movie with ‘m both. I was totally confused after that. Totally.
"Jobjoris" (Jobjoris)
02/20/2017 at 04:21, STARS: 1
8k rpms of pure ecstasy!
"Jonee" (Jonee)
02/20/2017 at 21:17, STARS: 1
Haha. Yes. Love those Italians.
"Jonee" (Jonee)
02/20/2017 at 21:18, STARS: 1
Whoa! Really?!? But, that’s RHD. Flavian found a LHD one?
That’s a good question. I have no idea. They’ve always creeped me out, those ladies.
"Jobjoris" (Jobjoris)
02/21/2017 at 06:37, STARS: 1
REALLY! And I don’t care about that RHD!!! I need to have “your car” ready before you’re here right? ;-)
"Jonee" (Jonee)
02/23/2017 at 16:01, STARS: 1
Yes! I can’t wait for our Pao European tour. Where’s it coming from? Are the female Verbeetens excited?
"Jobjoris" (Jobjoris)
02/24/2017 at 03:16, STARS: 1
Japan. Flavien. He hates Keicars. This ain’t a Keicar. Krista isn’t convinced. She’d rather have a Figaro.
"Jonee" (Jonee)
02/26/2017 at 16:38, STARS: 1
I know he hates the keis. Bad opinion. This is definitely not a kei as we know since it’s a Micra. How long is it going to take to get to Breda? I can’t wait to see it. There was a Be-1 on Craigslist on my side of the water recently. The forgotten Pike which I’ve now decided is my favorite. You should bring Krista to this place.
http://jalopnik.com/have-your-mind-blown-by-the-most-amazing-secret-car-col-1792485778
That guy has like 5% of all the Figaros.
"Jobjoris" (Jobjoris)
02/27/2017 at 02:45, STARS: 1
It’s taking over 30 days by boat, it will probably be shipped next week. Can’t wait!
The Be-1 used to be my favorite, still is high on that whishlist. But the PAO is more usable. And retro. That car collection will continue to grow with the guy asking these insane prices of his “imports”! I can get a decent Figaro for just over 8k euros! That Alpine has wickedly low mileage, that on I’ll allow.
"Jonee" (Jonee)
02/28/2017 at 00:40, STARS: 1
That’s pretty exciting. Was it one of Flavian or his father’s cars?
I guess he thinks he’s cornered the market and if you want a Figaro, you have to buy it from him. That is a sweet Alpine. I’d prefer white, but it’s practically new.
"Jobjoris" (Jobjoris)
02/28/2017 at 09:14, STARS: 1
His father’s cars I could have driven here, he still lives in France.
White is great, Blue is better. Black is a stupid color for this.
"Jonee" (Jonee)
02/28/2017 at 23:53, STARS: 1
I thought some of his cars were in Japan, or something. Or, did Flavian export them to France for his father? What does that guy do in Japan? Such an enigma.
"Jobjoris" (Jobjoris)
03/01/2017 at 12:35, STARS: 1
I only know the most important one, the A110. That one is in France. He might have exported stuff although I slightly remember Flavien cursing the DD of his father. For being boring.
Not sure what was there first: Japan or his Japanese girl. He works at Amagasaki Motors Co., specialized in exporting Japanese cars.
"Jonee" (Jonee)
03/01/2017 at 23:21, STARS: 1
Ah, I thought his father had a collection, or something. But, you don’t need a collection if you have an A110. That overshadows most cars anyway.
That’s pretty cool. Good to know. I haven’t spoken to my old connection in a long time, so next time I want a kei car I can contact Flavian. If he can hold his nose long enough to have a kei in his midst.
"Jobjoris" (Jobjoris)
03/02/2017 at 05:45, STARS: 1
Well, he has at least two cars: the A110 and his daily ;-) Which does seems boring next to that A110 anyway.
I have his email, I’ll forward it to you for future use. That garage of theirs was filled with small kei-stuff. Not the older stuff though. And he offered me a Honda Street (small van) in the process.
"Jonee" (Jonee)
03/03/2017 at 21:33, STARS: 1
Everything is boring next to an A110.
Thanks. People seem to be into the newer keis now. They’re much more modifyable and zippier than the classic ones, I guess. The Street is a nice little van. I’d much rather have a 4WD Acty, though. Or an old Mazda Bongo.
"Jobjoris" (Jobjoris)
03/04/2017 at 03:45, STARS: 1
Haha, that Bongo looks like some sort of medieval submarine! Wicked! Only the S660 and alike do get the love. No one cares for the actual normal Keis. I feel. If I’d need a small van it would be that Subaru 4wd. Or that little FIAT 900.
Bertone made a great concept on that (at least: I think it was based on it):
"Jonee" (Jonee)
03/06/2017 at 15:09, STARS: 1
The Fiat is a great little van. If I was going to have an Italian van, though, it’d probably have to be Alfa.
That Bertone thing is awesome. I feel like I may have had a Matchbox of it. It’s kind of in the same submariner class as the Bongo actually.
"Jobjoris" (Jobjoris)
03/07/2017 at 07:24, STARS: 1
That Alfa van is too big for me. The 900 will do. In that amazing olive green. You see those over here as Espresso cars as well with events. Maybe I should put an Espresso machine in the back of the PAO!
"Jonee" (Jonee)
03/08/2017 at 22:28, STARS: 1
The Alfa’s not that big. Only as long as a scooter plus a front seat it looks like. A Pao espresso van is a spectacular idea. You can even get one of your guys to black out the back windows to make even more cargo van-like. But, it can still have the flip up part for delivering espresso.
"Jobjoris" (Jobjoris)
03/09/2017 at 08:25, STARS: 1
That rear hatch is amazingly capable of holding some espresso cups!
"Jonee" (Jonee)
03/09/2017 at 23:30, STARS: 1
It’s perfect for serving espresso. I love split hatches like that. It’ll be good for picnics, too. Is that your car, or a generic photo?
"Jobjoris" (Jobjoris)
03/10/2017 at 06:11, STARS: 1
THAT’S MY CAR!!!! Check our Dropbox, I’ve dumped all the pictures in it for you to see!
"Jonee" (Jonee)
03/14/2017 at 00:08, STARS: 1
I SAW! OMG! It’s absolutely beautiful. That’s going to be so cool. I’m still impressed at how good a deal that is for such a neat car. Those things should be everywhere.
"Jobjoris" (Jobjoris)
03/14/2017 at 06:09, STARS: 1
Yeah, and according Flavien the orange one is even better! GET IT!!!
"Jonee" (Jonee)
03/15/2017 at 23:44, STARS: 1
I may hold out for a Be-1. We’ll see. They seem to be a little more expensive. I kind of dig this blue.
http://page22.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/l382304967
"Jobjoris" (Jobjoris)
03/16/2017 at 04:56, STARS: 1
Still prefer the yellow one. According to Flavien it certainly is possible for the same price.
"Jonee" (Jonee)
03/16/2017 at 23:49, STARS: 1
Are they possible to find el manuél ?
"Jobjoris" (Jobjoris)
03/17/2017 at 08:18, STARS: 1
Certainly. More expensive though, according to Flavien that’s at least an extra $1k.
"Jonee" (Jonee)
03/20/2017 at 00:10, STARS: 1
It’s worth it. Especially on a Be-1. The Pao is more of a cruiser.
"Jobjoris" (Jobjoris)
03/20/2017 at 04:11, STARS: 1
It needs that external storage facility.
"Jonee" (Jonee)
03/21/2017 at 00:30, STARS: 1
Ha. Is that a factory Be-1 backpack? I wouldn’t keep anything fragile in there.
"Jobjoris" (Jobjoris)
03/21/2017 at 07:59, STARS: 1
I think it was. Tomica even recreated it in 1/64 this way!
"Jonee" (Jonee)
03/22/2017 at 00:19, STARS: 1
I love it. I’ve never seen a knapsack for a car. You need one of those Tomicas. They look nice.
"Jobjoris" (Jobjoris)
03/22/2017 at 09:59, STARS: 1
Now do I?
That actually was my first Tomica Limited Vintage. It’s awesome. It is the rucksack-less one though. So I need another one, thanks for reminding ;-)
"Jonee" (Jonee)
03/24/2017 at 01:57, STARS: 1
That does like nice. Now you need a blue one with the fanny pack. And that Panamericano is awesome. Is that new? I’ve seen it in comic form, I know.
"Jobjoris" (Jobjoris)
03/24/2017 at 06:42, STARS: 1
I’ll see what I can do. These aren’t that easily found when they’re out of stock. The Panamericana I’ve shown before!!!! You need to beat that Korsakoff!!!!