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172 in a mk1, Superfatdan's very very long project....



So i've had this car for nearly 4 years. I bought it from a member on here, Brad Harding, back in sep 2008.

1993 K plate Clio 1.8 16v with a Hybrid 2.0 bottom end.

This project has taken a long time (and still isn't finished! lol) owing largely to the fact that I have two small children, a wife that will be ill for the rest of her life and two businesses. Basically, I don't get much time! But this car is my baby and I don't care if it takes another 4 years, as long as its done properly.

I first saw the car on here way before that and as soon as I did, I sent him a pm stating that i'd buy it as soon as he was going to sell it. Two years on, he pm'ed me and I jumped in my wifes car with my dad and was off to Leicester as fast as possible...

Now, whilst it was a nice looking car, I can honestly say I bought this thing with rose tinted glasses.

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SO I drove it round like that for about 6 months. I changed the headlights from the awful angel eyes back to the originals.

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Then one day whilst out with a mate, he uttered the fatal words.... ''IT doesn't feel as fast as your williams''

And he was right. I just put it down to (at the time) also owning a 320bhp M3 so the clio feeling naturally slower. But him saying it made me realise that something was a miss.

So I rang three different ''specialists'' in renaults about a throttle body conversion...

Now I'm a simple man with a simple outlook. I wanted someone to quote me, I drop car off, I go back after some time with a fist full of pound notes and I collect my newly built fire spitting bodied clio... But no. Not one of these ''specialists'' even bothered to quote me.

Oh well, their loss!

So it was decided (during some stupid piss up!) that me and my mechanicwould do the engine swap from a 172.

So I went and bought a ph1 172 from a member off here that had been written off (lightly!)

We then transferred the following bits into the mk1 shell...

172 engine, Gearbox, clutch, driveshafts, bottom arms, discs, calipers, radiator, alternator.... I basically wanted a 172 in a mk1 shell.

Whilst doing it, I hounded Jordan Fox and chris Whiteley (off here) as they had already done the conversion so massive massive respect to them. When I eventually meet them, the beers are on me! My mechanic hates renaults, I am a car valeter so in the grand scheme of things, we needed help! lol.

Eventually, after one evening a month over the period of a year, I ended up with my mk1 172...

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But things weren't right. The suspension was shot to s**t, the exhaust was bodged and tyres were horrific.

SO I went and got a custom exhaust built from the downpipe back, then ordered some FK konigsport suspension (williams fitment) and then did a deal with a guy on here for some TD Pro Races with nearly new PE2's in 195-50-15. Sorted.

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So I drove to work and back in it like that for about 6 months or so, covering about 1000 miles. There were a few niggles, but on the whole, it was good!
I figured out that the fuel pump wasn't up to the job, the suspension needed a pro to set it up properly and ideally It needed someone who knew 172's and mk1's to go over it.

Sadly, nobody was keen to help me so me and my track-day best mate decided that enough was enough, we'll do it ourselves!

My track day buddy is Sam, he's a lot younger than me, a lot cleverer than me and a lot more talented than me. And he's better looking... But he's a fcuking brilliant mate and has never given up on my car. He's come close a few times though..

Sam is the owner of this... http://www.cliosport.net/forum/show...rly-finished&p=8636150&viewfull=1#post8636150

While up at my mechanics one day picking a car up, I decided to have a look at the clio's underside as (stupidly!) even when buying it, I had never done it.

Well that day was a day i'll never forget...

It was rotten! There was rust everywhere. Despite being told that the car had new sills and rear wings, it had infact been bodged together with filler and mastik. I was mortified.

So after a long think, I decided to buy a 172 and break the clio, there was nothing else I could do.

But then, Whiteley from this very forum advertised his bare shell, complete with cage.
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So I was watching it on ebay, it got to the last 10 seconds and I stuck in a cheeky bid...

But i'm a prick and lost it by £20. FFs. :(

Down trodden and disheartened, I just put the clio to the back of my mind and got on with life. Even bought myself an Impreza to cheer myself up!

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Then, out of the blue, the new owner of Whiteley's shell had a change of heart! :D:D:D He wanted to sell me the shell as he had too much going on to carry on with it.

So, with no hesitations, me and sam jumped in the truck and drove the (very!!) long way to get my new shell.

So thats as it stands, I have a fully functioning clio mk1 with a 172 engine but a rotten shell, and a 95% rust free shell with no running gear.

Current spec of Rusty Mc Rustbodge:

172 engine with aircon and Power steering delete.
Clio williams subframe, ARB and steering rack (with ends looped to get rid of power steering)
172 brakes with DS2500's, Brembo HC's
Braided lines
Espace V6 Airbox with ITG race element
FK Konigsport suspension
Single box exhaust with 2.75" bore from front to back. 3" tailpipe.
Custom Renaulsport Seat, 3" OMP harnesses
Ktec/Vibratec engine mounts
RS matched inlets

And the lovely new shell that its all going in to this saturday/sunday.

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I have booked a track day for the 7th of june and have booked two days off work this week to get the grey car re-shelled...

Got my work cut out! lol.

So plans are...

This weekend: Paint engine bay gloss black, reshell car, scrap grey shell after stripping it for spares.

Do a track day with Burpspeed on the 7th of june.

Get interior of car painted gloss black, exterior will either be painted in original mk1 16v grey or wrapped in satin grey, i'm not sure yet.

Then, next winter I want to supercharge it, but thats a long way off yet.

Apologies for the essay, I will update with more pictures after this weekends work.

(providing my wifes home from hospital on friday!!)

Much love.
 
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Without meaning to sound like a knob, it’s my toy. I’m not worried if it takes a bit longer to sort, or it costs a bit more money.

If it was a daily it would have gone OE only and I’d have chosen no other route. But as it’s a bit of an oddball, and it’s my toy/hobby, I’m not worried if it takes longer or costs more.

(Just as long as it’s ready for a shake down at Combe and then a full day at CSF! 😂)

Let me know when you are shaking down at Combe.

Not heading to CSF
 
Probably the last track day of the year and after doing 10+ days last year, it’s really evident that I’m a lot poorer this year than I was last. As I’ve only managed 2! 😂

The car has had a load of work done though; gripper, box refresh, 6 x new tyres, pads, brake fluid, engine and gearbox oil.

I’ve had a big issue with the driveshafts but other than a split CV boot, it’s been 100% reliable again, mainly due to the best of the best @lemonnobby - the most patient and knowledgeable Renault head I know. He keeps it tip top for me.

Here’s some pics from the Cooksport day I did last week. (Or the week before, can’t remember) a really well organised day with super low numbers meaning plenty of track time.

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Oh and please excuse the wheels, they came with a set of tyres I bought so once the tyres are done it will be back on the gold speed lines.

CV grease sir??

 
I just found some more pics of mine and Mr Bone’s car.

Also, a very hot and exhausted Son, who wasn’t even driving but still managed to get so hot in the car that he felt sick. 😂

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And a quick video, just because…

 
More goodies!

Had a custom driveshaft made. 25mm shorter than the shortest 1*2 driveshafts. This should mean I can remove the bodged one and not have it on my mind constantly when out on track. It worries me no end.

Also got some more gear oil and I like to change the brake fluid at the start of every year;

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Also, I managed to get hold of a non sunroof roof so that’s a job for Xmas time.

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Next day out on the 17th May. As long as that goes ok, we’ll be flat out on track days! 💪🏽
 
Mk1 making its unique appearance at CSF. Hopefully another Mk1 can join in next year??

Locked and loaded, ready to go.


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I think I managed to break my son….

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I then took @Touring_Rob out and seemingly forgot that the tyres were cold… I nearly held it tbf! But nearly wasn’t good enough.

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You didn't tell me you span off the track!
 
I’ve just packed up my stash of parts and a plan is now in place.

Saturday; it’s off to Beaniesport to have the hydraulic clutch conversion.

Once it’s back from there I have fiberglass headlight blanks (should save me a good few KG’s) and a 2 inch hole saw for the interior. I’d like to save a bit of weight.

I also need to get it up in the air and wash the underneath. A failed CV boot clip about a year ago has left grease everywhere and wiping it isn’t cutting it. I’m still do song it everywhere after each track session. 😂

Lastly, does anyone know of a universal type seat subframe that I can drill myself? Once I’ve measured myself in the car properly? I’m not a fan of those universal ones with loads of slots.
 
Got some go this motor. Super clean too.

What's the weight and power? Some serious camber on the wheels too, no wonder you went through 6 tyres ha
 
Got some go this motor. Super clean too.

What's the weight and power? Some serious camber on the wheels too, no wonder you went through 6 tyres ha
860kgs without me in it. And it’s a standard 172 engine so 160bhp at a guess?

Camber didn’t kill my tyres. Driving like a meat and locking up flat spotted them badly.
 
Isn't yours mapped though?

f**king pulls away from mine like it's supercharged🥲

I think you'll be suprised, mine bone stock with dodgy induction and chop shop special exhaust was 178bhp and your seems a strong engine to me, i reeled you in at Blyton in current spec at 212bhp but wasn't a completely easy task, that little white heap chips nicely
 


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