Renault Trafic camper

[Guest Duncan Roxborough]

I have a Holdsworth Romance camper based on a Renault Trafic T800 van, which has 1400cc petrol and 4 speed manual box. Its a bit slow, so I was wondering what options there were for fitting 5 speed box to the existing motor or even dropping in a larger petrol engine. Anyone have any advice on whats feasible? thanks

[Guest Frank Gordon]

A very specialised question - have you tried the Renault Trafic Motorhome Register (www.rtmr.org) as they should be able to advise?

[Guest Duncan Roxborough]

The query is also on the RTMR website... Ive had no bites yet.... Cheers

[Guest colin]

i have actualy done this convertion.when i used to work for Renault London. Although many years ago,i will do my best to remember what is needed the trafic camper in question was an 800 with a C1J engine 1397cc and had a 4 speed gearbox NL2. the customer found and suplyied and engine and gearbox with all ancilery units ie alt starter carb etc the engine was a 1647cc unit wich is the A1M and a 5 speed g/box NL5 the main majior parts that are needed to fit the bigger engine in are the gear box mounting brackets (the crossmember is the same i think). the front cross member (wich is a diff shape to alow for the longer engine)different rad and front grill and front bumper again to alow for the longer engine . the front end chassis grill and bumper are the same as the derv vertion i would say the best way to go about doing this convertion to a bigger engine and five speed box is to sorce a tatty old van that you can pick up fairly cheap . its a fairly simple convertion and worth doing if you require more power . but dont forget to uprate the brakes aswell the A1M engine will be very dificult to find so a better choice would be the F1N 1721cc as these engines were far more in prodution ;) hope this information helps

[Guest Stan]

I have the same problem with a camper based on a Trafic van with the 1647cc engine. This vehicle is underpowered, and I suspect the 1721 engine does not deliver a great deal more. Does anybody know the feasibility of dropping a 2165cc or, preferably, the 2068cc or 2499cc diesel engines into this van? The 2068 would still result in an underpowered van, but at least it might return decent fuel economy which the 1647 does not, presumably because it's always at high revs.

[Guest Duncan Roxborough]

Colin - thanks for your advice. any chance you could get in touch with me or otherwise provide your phone number? Id like to ask for a few more pointers. You can email me on roxynz@yahoo.com or phone 07910 335 770. Thanks.

[Guest Pierre Van de WALLE (in France)]

Thank you Colin for your very detailed reply, which also might be helpful for few guys who whish to carry out the same transformation. I also wish to do the transformation on my camping van based on a Trafic Renault T1000D 2068cc diesel (T4X300 from 1982) mounted with a 4 speeds gearbox NL2. Having asked Renault-France I didn't get much of a detail but I was told that because my vehicle was born with a 4 speeds gearbox, legally Renault Company cannot proceed to the transformation. If I want to change the gearbox, I have to put the same one back in (NL2)! Not really helpful... However, a mechanic from Renault told me to check the space existing between the back of the gearbox and the place where it is attached to the structure. Some Trafic vehicles equipped with NL2 gearbox had been fitted for receiving NL5 ones, some other not(this confirms what Colin said in his message). NL5 is longer than NL2 and since now, I was not able to find how long, but I keep on looking for this data. NL5 gearboxes have started to be implemented in Trafic vehicles since 1984/85 and the chassis structure had been fitted to receive either NL2 or NL5 gearbox since 1982/83. Nevertheless, this rule is not absolute and everyone who wants to do the transformation must check it prior any purchasing or intervention on the vehicle. Another person from Renault told me that the 2068cc diesel SOFIM 852 engine-type + NL5 gearbox is the same as the one found in Renault 25 TD or GTD cars. Besides, he also told me a Turbo-Diesel engine from Renault 25 (turbo-D type) is also adaptable to a Trafic vehicle. Of course, always need to check if chassis structure can receive a bigger engine.

[Guest Jenny Williams]

Hi, I have a really bizarre request! I work for granada TV and am searching for a white Renault Trafic Camper Van to use for one day in a reconstruction. We are based in Norwich so someone local would be great! Can anyone help - there will be a small fee available if we can use your van! Thanks, Jenny

[Guest Jenny Williams]

Hi, I have a really bizarre request! I work for granada TV and am searching for a white Renault Trafic Camper Van to use for one day in a reconstruction. We are based in Norwich so someone local would be great! Can anyone help - there will be a small fee available if we can use your van! Thanks, Jenny

[Guest Tony]

Hi Jenny I have possibly what you are looking for,mines an 83 model any use? Cheers Tony

[Ranger]

Hi Duncan, have you thought of joining the Holdsworth Owners Club--sec Email address :- kerrywall@nettlestone657.fsnet.co.uk Richard Holdsworth has a close connection with the club. He will be at the AGM in a couple of weeks time. I expect you know he still builds motor homes now called Autocruise C.H. I have a Holdsworth Ranger coach built on a Renault Trafic rear wheel drive version.

[colin]

For a second there i wondered what was going on as i didn't reply to post then i noticed date of posting march 2005, looks like i've inherited some ones user name