ELF Renault Clio Cup

[BarbecuePete]

Following on from the good racing we had with Fndr's Spec Miata's I've decided to try and create my own spec cars based on the BTCC support series, the Elf Renault Clio Cup

http://www.renaultsport.co.uk/championships/cliocup/

This series uses the Forza DLC car the Clio Renaultsport 197, I'll be putting up here my findings as I try to recreate these cars as close to their RL counterparts and if they work out well I figure it could run as a support seires to Fndr's Spec Miata's..

EDIT - Current Official Specs, the current specs will be kept up to date in this post...

ELF Renault Clio Cup Car Sepcifications v1.21

B630 / 205 Bhp / 165 Lb-ft (224 Nm)/ 2152 Lbs (976 Kg)

Platform
Race WR, Brakes, Suspension
Sport ARB
Street Transmission, Clutch, Diff
Stock Flywheel. Driveline

Engine
Street Fuel

Wheels & Tyres
Michelin Slicks, standard size and width
Speedline Type 211B Wheels

Aero
Rear spoiler only

YOUR CAR MUST ALSO USE THE DEFAULT SETTINGS FOR CASTER, BUMP AND REBOUND

DEFAULT SETTINGS

CASTER = 5.0
FRONT REBOUND = 6.4
REAR REBOUND = 3.6
FRONT BUMP = 3.2
REAR BUMP = 1.8

[fndrbndr]

So race springs and shocks, obviously...does it have a six-speed tranny stock?

[BarbecuePete]

The RL cars run a full 6 speed seqential gearbox, I need to read the tech regs some more but I don't think the ratios can be changed from how it is supplied and also the Final drive unit is sealed so it cannot be changed either..

My initial build adds just the street fuel upgrade to the engine and is almost spot on power wise with the same 205bhp and only 1 more Nm of torque, although the full WR comes in 98kg lighter than the RL car. Platform wise I went with full race and also full width Michelin Slicks with only the rear spoiler added Aero wise that gave B654 and runs Sliverstone National in 61.9s, for referance the top ten RL cars ran between 65.6xx and 66.0xx

My inital houghts to get closer to RL times are to switch back to the stock transmission which is a six speed and also go back to the standard diff to reduce the adjustability of parts closer to the RL cars..

Im also going to see how much difference in lap times the tyre width makes with these changes, the RL cars run on 8x17 Speedline wheels, the tyres are quoted as 20/62-17 Slicks so im not sure what size these relate to in Forza but im pretty sure 8 inch wide wheels could run any of the tyre widths available in the game..

[fndrbndr]

I believe it said single-plate clutch....would that be stock clutch in-game?  I wonder whether the shift times are part of the issue.  Also, are you sure they run slicks?

[BarbecuePete]

I believe it said single-plate clutch....would that be stock clutch in-game?  I wonder whether the shift times are part of the issue.  Also, are you sure they run slicks?

I also saw that it said a single plate clutch, when I looked at the available upgrades in the game the race clutch I had is a triple plate clutch, sport level is a twin plate but the street upgrade is an upgraded single plate clutch, this would be closer to what these cars run as the standard road clutch would not be suitable for racing.. The tyre specs say Michelin Slicks are used.. Im also pretty sure I remember seeing slick tyres on these cars when I used to go and watch the BTCC cars..

So I decided to run through a few different builds to see how the cars performance would be affected and try and get closer to RL lap times..

Original Build - B654 / 205 Bhp / 224 Nm / 2121 Lbs

Full Race Platform and WR, Street Fuel
235/40 R17 Michelin Slicks
Rear Spoiler
Speedline Type 211B Wheels

Sliverstone National Laptime - 61.946
_____________________________________________

Build 2- B650 / 2143 Lbs

As above except Street Transmission and LSD

Regulations state sealed Final drive and so no adjstability of FD or LSD, however it does say the cars use a six speed sequential gearbox which would mean the race transmission, this would mean the abiltiy to re create a RL gearset but then relying on peoples honesty not to change them.. probably not really an issue here but something to think about..

Lap time - 62.942
_____________________________________________

Build 3 - B641 / 2141 Lbs

As above except 225/45 R17 Michelin Slicks

Lap time - 62.582
_____________________________________________

Build 4 - B633 / 2139 Lbs

As above except 215/45 R17 Michelin Slicks

Lap time - 62.632
_____________________________________________

Build 5 - B631 / 2149 Lbs

As above except Street clutch, flywheel, drivetrain

As Fndr said, the regs state a single plate clutch, also after reading the descriptions of the other platform upgrades in he game I felt it was unlikely that Renault fit Carbon fibre driveshafts and a titatium flywheel to these cars so, as with the clutch these down graded to a more suitable level as well

Lap time - 62.704
_____________________________________________

Overal i was suprised at how little effect the downgrades had to the performance of the car at around a second a lap between the fastest and slowest builds. There was certainly a bit of wheel nut tightening going on though as Build 2 had the slowest lap time of the alternate builds when I think really it should have been the fastest. looking at the times of the other cars iI'd say it could have gone at least half a second faster...

Even so, with the last build the car was still running 3 seconds a lap faster than it should, again I think we have the OMYGODIMGONNADIE factor and also the slight weight advantage of the Forza cars, but I overall I'd say the last build comes pretty close to the RL cars.. thoguhts?

[BarbecuePete]

A couple of shots of the car during testing...

[fndrbndr]

Nice work, Pete.  The only issue is that you can't gift DLC cars.  I'm guessing we'll just build them ourselves?

If so, am I correct in saying that it's the race springs/dampers, ARB, and brakes with the street clutch tranny, diff, flywheel, and driveline?  Then for power, a race intake, and minimum width Michelin slicks on speedline rims?  Also, if you can find the ratios, I think we can trust everyone to use the required gearset here.  The fact that it's non-giftable means that you can't just send them out pre-tuned (something I briefly considered for the SM).  I guess the AH is a possibility, though.  I'm guessing that the cars aren't incredibly expensive, so a list price buyout would probably work.  I'm also guessing that they're not incredibly popular or region-locked, so there won't be issues with other people grabbing them just because they can.

Just some thoughts.  This looks like it's headed in a good direction.

[BarbecuePete]

Thanks Fndr..

Yeah the DLC thing is a bit of a pain, I was thinking people could just send me a chat invite and i'll put the cars up on the AH for a cheap buyout, Im not exactly short of money in the game any more so building up the cars for everyone isn't a problem or of course people can build up the cars themselves..

It may be possible to find the RL gearset, it says the gearbox is a Sadev 6 speed sequential with reverse gear and steering coumn mounted shift so i'll see if I can find any details on'tinterweb...

Here's the current build specs if anyone wants to build one up or just send me a message and i'll buld one up and sort out putting it on the AH for you.. also if you build one up send over a mini or something and i'll put the number plates and logos on it for you to use..

EDIT - Regulations Updated - See First Post

ELF Renault Clio Cup Car Sepcifications v1.2

B631 / 205 Bhp / 165 Lb-ft (224 Nm)/ 2149 Lbs (975 Kg)

Platform
Race WR, Brakes, Suspension, ARB
Street Transmission, Clutch, Flywheel, Diff

Engine
Street Fuel

Wheels & Tyres
Michelin Slicks, standard size and width
Speedline Type 211B Wheels

Aero
Rear spoiler only


Edit:- Build costs

For me to build with my discounts is 23,700Cr, maximum build cost with no discounts would be about 34,000Cr

[fndrbndr]

I'll build one of these out.  BTW, I was only such a hardass about the SM in my case because I was curious about how much more "real" the racing might be when shift times were adjusted.  SM drivers will tell you that avoiding excess shifting is worth spending a little time on the limiter or below the peak hp range in the rpm.  That probably isn't as much the case with these cars, so a race tranny might be OK.  Your series, your rules, just brainstorming.

[BarbecuePete]

At the moment I kind of like the short ratio's of the Street transmission, plus it gives less room for tuning... I had a look on the net for gear ratios for the Sadev sequential gearbox, altough I found some ratios im not sure if it was for the same gearbox, also there are a range of Ratio's which you can choose from, I'll need to read the regs some more to find out if specific set of ratios are required or you can use any that are aviailable with the gearbox...

I also tried sending an e-mail to the UK supplier of the gearboxes asking for some information but the e-mails keep bouncing back... 

[TopBoost]

I'm gonna give it a try.  Ya'll watch this...



There we go.

[BarbecuePete]

Nice work TopBoost... I sent you over an FR so we can invite you into the races, if you send me over another car and i'll put the number plates and the Elf logo on it for you to use..

Also if anyone wants it, I built and painted up another one so just send me a message and we'll sort out sending it over by the AH... I'll just put it up for a cheap buyout.

Here's some pics...

[TopBoost]

Thanks, Pete.

Got your FR and sent you another Renault. 

Thanks dude!   

[fndrbndr]

Gonna build one of these.  I'll send you a MINI for the logos and such.  Should arrive late this evening (my time-probably wee hours of the morning on your side of the pond)

[Spiny Anteater]

Pete - there'll be an Axela heading your way for the series decals - I'll build up the car from one I have in the garage though.