Originally Posted by
TNT ANDY
For what it's worth.
The C1J is as reliable as you make it - I have just done the 1200 Sangliers trip - no issues, majority of time between 80-90mph and it felt absolutely fantastic.
I have 200 bhp when wound up, but find 180 great for most occassion and I can easily get upto 100 in no time, much after that and I'm ****ting it just in case the rozzers are about. Sure, top end will be weak against the 300+bhp F lump brigade, but that will only start to show up 90mph+.
The reasons I won't change are:-
My C1j is cheap to repair should you need to.
My C1J is ludicrously fast upto 100mph.
I love fact that it is 1.4 and it goes like it does.
I love the noise it makes when on full blat.
Insurance is cheap.
Tax is cheap.
it is cheap.
It's as Renault intended. kind of.
I see 35-40mpg.
Reasons I might change to F lump:-
I hate the tappety noise my cam makes and the thought of a lovely set of cams and no push rods is tempting.
I know that at 250bhp it will be an animal and will not give me any gyp.
It's a very exciting development which will have many years to run.
If I want to go 150+mph - I'll need one of these.
Reasons I won't go F-Lump
Cost in all areas
Too much engine braking for my liking.
It would (for me) take the soul of the 5 away.
the need to do an expensive gearbox upgrade once you start getting the bhp up to silly levels, this falls into my 1st point really.
The C1j is a great engine, and when built and tuned right, it really is a force to be reckoned with which is reliable and won't let you down, even when stretched.
But I can see why other have gone the bigger route.