Scott's PH2 172 soft core track project

[Scott S]

I've had my 172 for 4 years now and it's been a great car. It has been swapped between myself and my wife during that time and its been back with me for a while now. It has been reliable and most importantly, its fun to drive.

i have a bike to use for commuting and a 2005 EP3 CTR for when I need a car, the plan is to make the 172 a little more track focused but ensure it remains a 'relatively useable' car (it'll only have 2 seats so my wife will have to use it for work on a weekend so I can take the 2 kids out and about but the only 'real' requirement is for it to have 2 seats).

i will sell the EP3 when the Clio is ready to come out to play so that will leave me with only one car to tax/insure etc.

ive called it soft core as it won't be as focused as some out there. I'm not going all out, just making it light and a bit stiffer.

initial plans are;

Strip the interior (rear to start with then ill see what of the dash etc isnt needed)
Try to get Jon_R to let me take a look around his car to see where he has shaved the weight (also see what he has spare to buy)
Buy some new wheels and good tyres (15's)
Buy a whiteline rear ARB
Buy a cage
Buy some new seats (evo4 ones preferably)
Buy a new steering wheel
Figure out what I want to do with the engengine

This is it how it stands

 

[Scott S]

I should say, the car has braided lines, Brembo HC discs, ebc pads (coming out soon) and some of those raceland coilovers (may swap them out for some better ones), and a Decent exhaust. Current tyres are decent but I want some 15's.

 

[Scott S]

Thinking of these with the AD08 tyres, although I'm waiting on a price of R888's from a local place.

http://www.revolution247.com/catalo...y-wheels-lenso/lenso---spec-c-gunmetal#filter

 

[Scott S]

​Interior stripped from the rear, need to tidy it up a bit, might paint it all to keep it looking a little more prensentable as I think that will help a lot. I might go for anthracite to match the wheels etc, don't want to go too dark as it will be too hot on warm days.

Photo stolen from guide on battery relocation, but I haven't bought myself a terminal block so I thought it best to post what it will look like...mine is only bolted together for now but I only needed to start it to test and reverse it back into the garage.

 

[Scott S]

Picked up some some spacers today. Also picked up a couple of MOD jerry cans.

 

[Scott S]

​Forgot to take a 'before' pic, but the wheels sit much better now.

 

[Scott S]

​Picked these up this morning, got to sort some runners but that should be ok

 

[Scott S]

Bus bar now almost sorted, need to get the plastic 'lid' to clip on properly but otherwise that's done.

Ill order the steel for the subframes during the week, just need to measure it all out and provide the dimensions as someone in my street is a sales rep so they can get it cheap and also cut for no extra. Going to get a local place to weld them up as the steel might be a little thick for my mig.

i did think I had immobiliser/starter issues as it wouldn't turn over. I'd had the dash out so thought id nocked something so took the top part off again.....but it turned out to be a blown fuse (hangs head in shame for not checking the obvious first)....

 

[ant089]

sounds good fella! what plans do you have? I take it you're not going cage etc? sorry I've skim read and picture gazed if you've already mentioned it.

 

[Scott S]

I do want a cage, just need to save a little money first. I'm want to try Teesside Autodrome, Croft (depending on the noise levels), and Elvington next year. Just want to have more fun in it.

 

[Scott S]

​My new brake fluid arrived today, thought I'd give this stuff a go...

 

[Scott S]

​I removed a reasonably small but relatively heavy chunk of metal last night. I sootted this had been removed in another build thread so thought I'd copy...

 

[Scott S]

It's been sat for a while but it's not been forgotten, I am picking up a 2002 172 cup today, I only really want the wheels to be fair, but they come attached to a car. It has a broken gearbox so I'll just be breaking it, I'm not fussed about fixing it up.

 

[Scott S]

Just been to pick this up, it males a LOT of noise, but press the clutch in and it's smooth and quiet! A few dings and bangs but otherwise decent enough condition.

 

[Scott S]

I've been really busy at work so not had the chance to scrap the shell until yesterday.....


Cup alloys ready for a refurb now, this also means I can get on with my red 172.

Poor cup...

 

[Andy93]

I'm slowly making my 172 track ready for next year, wanting to do the same circuits as you and maybe Knockhill occasionally.

You'll have to give me a shout if you book any days.

 

[Scott S]

I'm slowly making my 172 track ready for next year, wanting to do the same circuits as you and maybe Knockhill occasionally.

You'll have to give me a shout if you book any days.

will let you know if I venture out. Did you find the rear calipers you were looking for? I have one left over from the cup and it's in good condition.

 

[Andy93]

Yeah mate I found a pair, it's in at DTM cars at the moment getting sorted out now

 

[Scott S]

Mine (well the whole car, or just the engine), has to go. In belt some point, belt is due in June/July.

 

[Andy93]

They did my aux belt kit and a new PAS pump a few months ago when I first bought the car. Definitely recommend their work.

 

[Scott S]

Slow progress with this but I'm in no real rush...picked these up today, a lot lighter than the other sears so I'm going to sell the others on.