Clio 172 Track WIP

Midnight · Nov 1, 2013

Well not much progress in terms of mechanical as the car is still with BTM.

However I took this opportunity to get a few things ordered.

Firstly a stud conversion kit, granted its not the most expensive but for £40 I couldn't say no. I'm actually unsure to fit them or not. May actually buy some 'Pure Motorsport' ones and just skip/bin these...

Also the free sample from Auto Finesse arrived which will be tested later next week.

Secondly, I always thought the 'bullets' looked a little out of place so I spoke with Simon at Spray Shack and it turns out they are actually a 'one off'. With this in mind I thought I'd add a little more of the pearl green to the outside. So away Simon went and bought some genuine mirror caps and here is a quick glimpse of them.

I must say its been a pleasure dealing with Simon and hopefully a few more bits to comes before Xmas from him.

Midnight · Nov 8, 2013

Not much in terms of progress, I'm sure Fred@BTM is having far too much fun in my car to give it me back (jokes).

Collected these from another member, thanks Hal.

A little TLC and they should look pretty nice. Thinking about fitting them around Xmas time so plenty of time to clean them.

MG cup · Nov 8, 2013

Them seat's are supposed to be the dogs danglies although I have not sat in any, good for larger people I'm told.

The car looks good, it needs a set of pro race 1.2's though

Coops Mk1 · Nov 8, 2013

nice little project this

Midnight · Nov 8, 2013

MG cup said:
Them seat's are supposed to be the dogs danglies although I have not sat in any, good for larger people I'm told.

The car looks good, it needs a set of pro race 1.2's though

Drop me a PM if your friends don't have them mate. Regarding the seats, I'm 5ft7 small to medium build and they are not too snug fitting but much better than the OEM ones plus at a guess there half the weight.

Coops Turbo said:
nice little project this

Thank you, I think the whole not spending much on it has completely gone out the window. But long as it aids performance / track ability it's money worth spending I guess.

Coops Mk1 · Nov 8, 2013

mate, theres no such thing as a cheap track car so don't feel too bad about it!

Midnight · Nov 19, 2013

Had a nice little parcel from TNT today.

15" OZ F1 wheels which I've been searching for a while, these will be getting powder coated over the Xmas period along with fitting other items I'm stock piling.

S_E_A_N · Nov 19, 2013

Nice progress! Might see you about not to far from me. My mates got them seats i did 200 mile in them and they are by far the best bucket ive been in in terms of comfort good choice.

Midnight · Nov 19, 2013

To be honest I got them for a good price so couldn't say no. I was looking at the Cobra Suzuka but not sure I wanted to pay £1200 for a set of seats which will hardly be used.

Hopefully Fred can get the car complete this week so I can sort the wheels, brakes and tyres out.

Midnight · Jan 29, 2014

Not posted on here for a while due to a delay and other things.

Had the car back from BTM After 8-9 weeks, there seems to be a problem getting a Pure Motorsport brace and mount package through Pure Motorsport, real gutting thing due to this I missed out on the group buy, also I think Fred was having a hard time locating an ARB so just minor things were done to the car. New lamba sensor and fixing the slight issue with the electrics. Will be getting the ARB and brace kit once we can source them...

After not having the car for what seems 6 months it was a joyful drive back from BTM that's for sure. I forgot how light and nimble they are!

Just fitted a new battery as it seems the TOAD alarm drains it pretty quickly, this will be getting removed at some stage though.

While the car was at BTM I had a nice package from CMComposites, headlight blanks with air duct hole, these will be getting sent off to be painted the same colour as the bullets and mirror caps. I'm currently thinking about there fog light brake package.

Also a new 'racing' exhaust hanger, for the sake of £35 I thought I would swap it over to save the OEM one being replaced every 3-4 months.

Still lots to do, mainly clean the inside as there are electrical wires hanging everywhere and also sort the leak which has developed again, first thought is door and boot seals but I'll look into this more the weekend.

I'll post pictures up over the weekend after a little clean.

Midnight · Jan 30, 2014

Midnight · Feb 3, 2014

A little productive over the weekend.

Managed to clean , remove and hide a lot more of the wiring / electrics. Fitted the XP8 Carbotech brake pads ( Those things need extreme bedding in ) but seem to be much better than the DS2500 and Redstuff pads I've previously used but the real test will be on track I think.

Also fitted the mirror covers which was a nice and simple job.

While the jack was out I also fitted the new 'Racing' mount which replaced the worn OEM mount. Seems pretty good a lot firmer but should just be enough movement so no hangers/welds brake on the actual exhaust but again I think time will tell but it was a nice and easy job and for £35.00 seemed worth it.

I will get some more pictures up when the weather is a little better.

Midnight · Feb 11, 2014

Well the snow has finally landed, while its freezing outside I have not got around to doing much in all honest...

Mirrors and new Carbotech pads fitted.

Rear reg light swapped over.

New aerial fitted which I bought from M.A.D.

This week I also payed the deposit for a full cage from Mark Fish ETA around April in the mean time I'd like to get the Speedline wheels powdercoated silver or a 'slightly' darker silver and the OZ 15" powdercoated lime green or as close to the mirrors/bullets as possible.

The interior needs a good tidy up and also when the weather is better the exterior needs a good detail.

fabienrs1 · Feb 11, 2014

You don-t have spacer at the front rear?

Midnight · Feb 11, 2014

fabienrs1 said:
You don-t have spacer at the front rear?

Nope not yet, until I get around to swapping the coilovers I'm really happy with how the car handles with it being corner weighed and camber/toe set at TCR.

Even when new coilovers are added I'm unsure to add spacers or not, time will tell...

Midnight · Feb 13, 2014

Thought I'd make the most of this O.K weather.

Bought a PH1 airbox and filter from @Crispy. so I thought I'd attempt to fit it. Really snug fit but only took 10 minutes to swap over.

One thing I will say about the PH1 airbox it is certainly louder than the OEM PH2 airbox. Not drove it yet so not sure if there is any performance gains and in all honest if there was I doubt its noticeable...

I'm debating to run a cold air feed from the bottom 'intake' of the airbox closer to the wheel well but we'll see.

Crispy. · Feb 13, 2014

Midnight said:
Thought I'd make the most of this O.K weather.

Bought a PH1 airbox and filter from @Crispy. so I thought I'd attempt to fit it. Really snug fit but only took 10 minutes to swap over.

One thing I will say about the PH1 airbox it is certainly louder than the OEM PH2 airbox. Not drove it yet so not sure if there is any performance gains and in all honest if there was I doubt its noticeable...

I'm debating to run a cold air feed from the bottom 'intake' of the airbox closer to the wheel well but we'll see.

Very snug fit! Glad you like it.

Midnight · Feb 13, 2014

Just took it a quick drive for 5 minutes, its most certainly louder, it is like being 17 all over again...

Feels slightly better lower down i.e more free revving but maybe that's due to the noise making it 'feel' quicker.

Apart from the noise it's a worth while little upgrade!

Midnight · Feb 15, 2014

These arrived this morning thanks to @Budgie , will try and get the engine mount fitted this afternoon.

Heard mixed reviews but to be honest, the car is only used for track days and the 'odd' 30 minutes or so on a dry weekend.

Budgie · Feb 15, 2014

Glad they arrived safe and sound matey,

Midnight · Feb 15, 2014

Engine mount was fairly easy to fit, certainly more vibration through the pedals but that's too be expected so all in all another nice little upgrade really.

Yes I know the engine bay is a mess, I'm going to get it too a standard I think is right for my track use then sort the cosmetics out.

Also while I was outside I thought I would try and remove the doorcards, fairly straight forward but my gosh that sealent they use is awful, its like that security tar as my clothes was covered in it.

...and for the more eagle eyed members, you will see that I have swapped the M3.

NorthloopCup · Feb 15, 2014

Midnight said:
...and for the more eagle eyed members, you will see that I have swapped the M3.

Porsche?

Midnight · Feb 15, 2014

NorthloopCup said:
Porsche?

Yes, 997 only picked it up mid week and it's very very poorly hence why it's out the garage as I was fiddling lol.

the black 'honeycomb' plastic inside the door, can that also come out? Not 100% sure what it's used for anyway...

NorthloopCup · Feb 15, 2014

Midnight said:
Yes, 997 only picked it up mid week and it's very very poorly hence why it's out the garage as I was fiddling lol.

the black 'honeycomb' plastic inside the door, can that also come out? Not 100% sure what it's used for anyway...

Very nice! What model? Carrera?

Yeah the honeycomb can be removed completely. I've removed the entire skin as well on mine.

Midnight · Feb 15, 2014

NorthloopCup said:
Very nice! What model? Carrera?

Yeah the honeycomb can be removed completely. I've removed the entire skin as well on mine.

Interesting, I'll have a more Indepth look tomorrow. God damn things are a right pain but we all know that extra 500g weight reduction counts lol.

C2S but it's the 'killjoy' version (Tiptronic).

NorthloopCup · Feb 15, 2014

Midnight said:
Interesting, I'll have a more Indepth look tomorrow. God damn things are a right pain but we all know that extra 500g weight reduction counts lol.

C2S but it's the 'killjoy' version (Tiptronic).

Every bit of weight reduction counts towards performance! When you see my bonnet you'll understand what I mean! Lol!

What made you get rid of the m3 then?

Midnight · Feb 15, 2014

NorthloopCup said:
Every bit of weight reduction counts towards performance! When you see my bonnet you'll understand what I mean! Lol!

What made you get rid of the m3 then?

M3 was great but with the H&R's made it extremely firm to drive everyday. The 997 came up at a offer I couldn't really turn down as they offered me more for the E46 then I originally bought it for. The Tiptronic ( when working ) makes it an extremely comfortable 'everyday' car.

Yes I'll have a browse of yours if you don't mind, will give me plenty of ideas!

NorthloopCup · Feb 15, 2014

Midnight said:
M3 was great but with the H&R's made it extremely firm to drive everyday. The 997 came up at a offer I couldn't really turn down as they offered me more for the E46 then I originally bought it for. The Tiptronic ( when working ) makes it an extremely comfortable 'everyday' car.

Yes I'll have a browse of yours if you don't mind, will give me plenty of ideas!

Ah right sounds like it would've been a no brainer then to not swap. A mate of mines got a csl.

I take it the tiptronics not working properly then?

Yeah no problem mate. It might even have suspension on it by then too! Lol

Midnight · Feb 20, 2014

NorthloopCup said:
Ah right sounds like it would've been a no brainer then to not swap. A mate of mines got a csl.

I take it the tiptronics not working properly then?

Yeah no problem mate. It might even have suspension on it by then too! Lol

I did think that, however after taking the rear wheels off yesterday I found that the passenger driveshaft had sheered its bolts and obviously broke.

Guessing either the bolts have been tampered with before my ownership or there was a fault else where/withinn...

Anyway back onto the Clio, going to Mick @ Diamond today to have a few little things done.

Midnight · Feb 22, 2014

Just picked the car back up from @MicKPM, what a great and helpful guy.

Had the steering rack bush replaced, while replacing it made sense to swap to a powerflex verison.

The idea is to swap as many OEM bush to new or even powerflex version as the car has now seen 78,000miles.

After selling the Recaro seats and putting the 'whole' seat thing on hold a nice Corbeau came up for sale so Mick kindly fitted that while it was there.

Fletcher · Feb 23, 2014

Good purchase mate. I really like my Corbeau Revo.

Midnight · Feb 23, 2014

Yes the Corbeau is a really nice seat, mine is the XL version so not as snugg fit as the Recaro was however I don't mind that.

Midnight · Feb 26, 2014

Thought I'd book the car in for a rolling road, yes I know there are huge debates for and against them but thought it would be a good base for any future engine modifications as the dyno station was only 10 minutes drive.

One thing that it did show it that the torque has a dip around 3500rpm? Are most like this? Other than that as the graph shows the car indeed pulls up until the limit. Not going to get into arguments regarding the bhp as all I know is that it is indeed pretty 'nippy' compared to other similar modified 172's.

The operator did say that the camber "may" effect the power reading but was pleasantly surprised with the results.

Chi · Feb 26, 2014

Good result..

Midnight · Feb 27, 2014

Chi said:
Good result..

I was pleasantly surprised myself, was expecting 165-170bhp...

Right, weather was ok this morning so I went ahead and did the gearbox mount, I noticed on the rolling road yesterday even with the engine mount there was still movement in the entire unit.

What a nightmare, everything was going well until I dropped the 'pins' down into the gearbox, near enough the entire right side of the engine had to be removed to get two small bolts.

Anyway, they are fitted now and it has made the car feel sharper on throttle.

Midnight · Mar 3, 2014

No pictures as it is awaiting it's new tax disc.

However after researching the forum over the weekend it turns out the car has actually had a RS tuner and new map, I'm guessing the previous previous owner then sold the RS tuner one.

This now explains why the R/R printout was higher than OEM.

So that is an added bonus really!

Midnight · Mar 5, 2014

Well the tax disc arrived today so least the car is now road worthy again.

While it was sitting in the garage I thought I'd paint the inlet manifold. (Note, I really do need to give the engine bay a good clean)

Fuel rail guard will be next.

Also thought I'd check the new mounts were all tight and as there supposed to be.

Midnight · Mar 9, 2014

Been a little house bound this weekend, so thought it would be ideal to sort a few little things out.

Firstly fit new OEM spark plugs kindly supplied by G 172 (Great service). Upon refitting the inlet I managed to over tighten one of the bolts and snapped it. Still air tight but i'll get this sorted in the next few weeks.

Secondly I gave the interior a quick wipe over as it was getting a little dusty in there.

This then got me in a cleaning mood so did the exterior also, wheel condition is really letting the exterior down so I might book them in this coming week for a refurb.

That then made the 997 look extremely dirty so thought I'd give that a quick clean too.

Brakes are pretty damn large compared to the tiny clio ones. ( Apples & Oranges I know ).

Sorry for the poor photos the sun made it extremely difficult to take ideal pictures. I'm hoping to plan a nice scenic route for next weekend (maybe).

Midnight · Mar 16, 2014

Car hasn't been out for a while so thought I'd have 20 minutes with it earlier.

So much fun to drive!

Fletcher · Mar 16, 2014

Looks good Aaron

Clio 172 Track WIP

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