28-04-2014, 10:37 AM
The standard rev happy TU3S engine and matching short-ratio 'box in these as standard is a hoot.
Indeed, in some ways I think that the 205 XS (which the RG is based on) is the pick of the 205 range - it's not the quickest or the plushest, but the engine and gearbox combo punches well above its weight and thanks to so little weight over the nose it feels so light and eager to turn in. A standard GTi feels almost a touch ponderous by comparison, and that's a car that's won countless accolades for its handling.
I sorely miss my 205 XS - it was far more the "Rallye" than the UK car that carried the name.
Engine swap wise anything that will fit a GTi will fit in one of these as it will have the later engine mount at that age, but because it was carb and uses an MA gearbox you'll find quite a few additional parts need to be swapped compared to a GTi - fuel tank/pump/lines/wiring for starters if you're going to use an injection engine, gear linkage/brackets are different if you're going for a BE gearbox (as used on XU engines and a reasonable idea on higher power TU's) and you'd need to adapt the cooling system to something closer to a GTi for most swaps too.
I urge you to give the standard engine and 'box combo a chance before binning it though!
Indeed, in some ways I think that the 205 XS (which the RG is based on) is the pick of the 205 range - it's not the quickest or the plushest, but the engine and gearbox combo punches well above its weight and thanks to so little weight over the nose it feels so light and eager to turn in. A standard GTi feels almost a touch ponderous by comparison, and that's a car that's won countless accolades for its handling.
I sorely miss my 205 XS - it was far more the "Rallye" than the UK car that carried the name.
Engine swap wise anything that will fit a GTi will fit in one of these as it will have the later engine mount at that age, but because it was carb and uses an MA gearbox you'll find quite a few additional parts need to be swapped compared to a GTi - fuel tank/pump/lines/wiring for starters if you're going to use an injection engine, gear linkage/brackets are different if you're going for a BE gearbox (as used on XU engines and a reasonable idea on higher power TU's) and you'd need to adapt the cooling system to something closer to a GTi for most swaps too.
I urge you to give the standard engine and 'box combo a chance before binning it though!
1990 Peugeot 205 GTi 1.9 // 1991 Peugeot 205 GTi 1.9 16v // 1992 Peugeot 205 GTi 1.9 // 1999 Peugeot 306 HDi Estate