Restoring Little Bluey - my 182 FF ClioSport in Racing Blue

ajracer · Feb 2, 2023

Ive got 2 very nice Clio’s tucked away at the moment waiting for the weather to improve.
Thinking of getting another scruffy one to hoon about in guilt free!
Bloody illness liking cars to be in top condition………..

SharpyClio · Feb 2, 2023

Looks mint Jon. Very much looking forward to seeing this at some point, maybe at NY500 when the weathers better. 👌

Brigsy · Feb 2, 2023

Looks mega Jon. Good to see a fast turnaround and decent job. So many crap bodyshops in this area!

Mr Underhill · Feb 2, 2023

Brigsy said:
Looks mega Jon. Good to see a fast turnaround and decent job. So many crap bodyshops in this area!

Cheers Jon. Our lads are really good. Old school painters and petrol heads.

Mr Underhill · Feb 2, 2023

SharpyClio said:
Looks mint Jon. Very much looking forward to seeing this at some point, maybe at NY500 when the weathers better. 👌

Cheers Richard. You’ll have to give me a nudge in the spring and will have run down.

Mr Underhill · Feb 2, 2023

ajracer said:
Ive got 2 very nice Clio’s tucked away at the moment waiting for the weather to improve.
Thinking of getting another scruffy one to hoon about in guilt free!
Bloody illness liking cars to be in top condition………..

I don’t think I could ever own 3 Clio Sports again 😂

Mr Underhill · Feb 21, 2023

I think this should be it for the RB project now with the exception of a couple of parts, some of which I've already sourced but not yet fitted. Still on the lookout for a pipe going from the actuator to the airbox (there is one for sale on here but it's part of an airbox and not available as a single item).

I've stored the car away and will leave it until April when the MOT is due and it goes in for detailing.

Thanks for reading.

NickReilly063 · Feb 21, 2023

Amazing Work gone into this - you must be pleased with the out-come after all your hard work.

Looking forward to April when you have it detailed - plenty of pictures please

Mr Underhill · Feb 21, 2023

NickReilly063 said:
Amazing Work gone into this - you must be pleased with the out-come after all your hard work.

Looking forward to April when you have it detailed - plenty of pictures please

I’m never happy Nick 😂 I enjoy the work but once it’s done I’m like, what’s next.

NickReilly063 · Feb 21, 2023

That’s the car trade for you Sir - always running and moving things on unfortunately.

I wish I had to common sense to keep must of the stuff I’ve had over the years.

Mr Underhill · Feb 25, 2023

A trip down to Matlock yesterday to pick up a genuine unopened front splitter from @Coops Mk1

Had to remortgage the house 😂 but needs must. Cheers fella and lovely to meet you.

Coops Mk1 · Feb 25, 2023

Enjoy chap! Gone to a good home!

Mr Underhill · Apr 27, 2023

Not much happening to the car at the moment other than a slight change of direction.

My plan is to add some nice upgrades starting with a new exhaust system from Pure Motorsport. I've had these on both my last two 182s and love them. The design is a work of art and they sound great.

For the RB I'm sticking with the PMS Racing Exhaust with 200 Cell Sports Cat & 3.5 Slash Cut Tailpipes. It currently has a nice Scorpion system on it, which I'll probably keep and refit should I come to sell it.

Still on the lookout for a nice set of Recaro Trendlines or Pole Positions. I've seen a set of Trendlines I like, but they need a repair, although not ruling them out entirely.

Beyond that, I'm looking at suspension upgrades. I want the car to be comfortable on the road, but on occasion, be able to nip along to my local circuit and have a bit of fun. Nothing crazy like my 182 race car, but some nice upgrades which will allow me to push on a bit.

It's my love of racing and circuit days that I miss the most. I think I can make something really nice, without ruining the car.

Watch this space and thank you for reading.

Mr Underhill · May 10, 2023

Update. So after having a standard 182 and a race prepared 182, then selling them on, i was torn on what to do with the RB.

Should I sell it and then use the money from all 3 cars to get another fast road car with track capability. I‘ve had the R’s and N’s but got bored and sold them on. But the Clio’s are the cars I’ve hung on to the longest.

So that’s it. Keep the RB, make it sparkle, keep it looking OEM but add a few upgrades to feed my need for speed on a circuit. Then if I get bored, remove the upgrades, put it back to standard and sell it all on.

The PMS exhaust arrived last week, although still waiting on a gasket from K-Tec.

Then today I got in touch with a good friend of @frayz who‘s sorted me out with a nice set of seats, mounts and runners. Jon Foz is supplying me with his X-Low frames.

I went for simulated leather / Dinamica black finish as in the picture above.

Then I made a call to Simon at Cook Sport and talked through my options. In the end I’ve settled for some AST 5100s. They‘re currently getting built so should be ready in a few weeks.

Brake pads will be upgraded for circuit days with the trusted combo of DS1.11 in the front and DS2500 at the rear. Ordered today from the lads at @FrogJam Motorsport along with a stud nut kit. Great lads with top notch service. Check out their new website at www.frogjammotorsport.co.uk

Still deciding on wheels and tyres, but I’ll probably stick with Yokohama 52s. I might keep the original steering wheel but I’ll get a track day booked, then go from there.

I‘m quite excited now and looking forward to putting it all on the car.

Thanks for reading.

ajracer · May 10, 2023

Best seat combo imo.
Looking good chap!

Pegasaurus Rex · May 10, 2023

Not f**king around Jon! Top work, I want exactly those seats for the cayman when the bank balance recovers! I loved the PP they are the perfect seat

frayz · May 15, 2023

Perfect spec imo. 🙂👌🏼

Mr Underhill · May 21, 2023

With the arrival of new parts and the sunny weather, I figured I’d get my finger out and do a bit.

I didn’t have a lot of time due to the grandkids birthdays so I refitted the drivers side skirt trim.

They used to be Monaco Blue and in amazing condition so I had them repainted.

Forgot to take pictures but it was a simple enough job.

Unlike fitting the PMS exhaust. I waited 2 weeks for this kit from K-Tec and it didn’t fit 🤬

I managed to bodge it but I’ve got a slight leak.

The old exhaust was a Scorpion and really nice condition. It used to hang though from the cat and proper got on my nerves.

I’ll list it for sale later as it’ll make somebody a really good system as it’s almost brand new.

The PMS Racing systems are a work of art. So light compared to the Scorpion and they sound awesome on full chat.

Other than the carry on with the gasket, it was a breeze to fit. Cont……..

Mr Underhill · May 21, 2023

Cont…..

There’s so many adjustments it’s really easy to get the alignment of the tips exactly how you want them.

I like to have them just sticking out.

While I was there I replaced the Lamba sensor with a genuine one. I know these are slightly cheaper from 3rd parties but I prefer to get genuine parts where I can.

Next job will be tackle the seats. But that’s for another day.

Thank you for reading.

SharpyClio · May 21, 2023

ktec are having a nightmare at the moment. My mates been waiting 10weeks for a cage, he ordered coilovers and top mounts and the kits weren’t right / missing parts and he had a gearbox rebuild and plated diff fitted and the gear box crunches as bad as before. He won’t use them again.

Cars coming on nicely Jon.

Mr Underhill · May 21, 2023

SharpyClio said:
ktec are having a nightmare at the moment. My mates been waiting 10weeks for a cage, he ordered coilovers and top mounts and the kits weren’t right / missing parts and he had a gearbox rebuild and plated diff fitted and the gear box crunches as bad as before. He won’t use them again.

Cars coming on nicely Jon.

I’ve had a lot of stuff off them over the years and never had a problem. The issue is they’re understaffed and can’t get on top of the orders. This gasket sat at DPD and was marked as delivered. Took 4 emails, to no avail, then an old fashion phone call, with a rant to finally get them to look into it. Missed 3 whole weekends fitting the exhaust. One of them things I guess.

Mr Underhill · May 25, 2023

Dropped the old girl off today for her MOT.

Passed with flying colours!

No advisories. Happy days.

Now to crack on and get the seats in before detailing and badges.

Lots more to come............

Mr Underhill · May 27, 2023

Up early to whip the old seats out and fit the Recaro’s.

Drivers subframe in.

Then I assembled the seat, runners, side mounts and attached the seat belt receptacle.

And that’s the drivers side done. Just the seat belts to change and thread through the seats.

Not going to lie, it was a proper pain in arse doing it on my own.

My youngest lad‘s coming over tomorrow to give me a hand with the passenger seat.

Thank you to @frayz and Russ aka @Don’t call me Dave for help and advice.

Thanks for reading.

Pegasaurus Rex · May 27, 2023

The best seats! Looks awesome mate. I’m gonna have to sort some for the cayman in the future !

hopgop1 · May 27, 2023

Mr Underhill said:
Up early to whip the old seats out and fit the Recaro’s.

View attachment 1645460

Drivers subframe in.

View attachment 1645461

Then I assembled the seat, runners, side mounts and attached the seat belt receptacle.

View attachment 1645462 View attachment 1645463
View attachment 1645465

And that’s the drivers side done. Just the seat belts to change and thread through the seats.

View attachment 1645464

Not going to lie, it was a proper pain in arse doing it on my own.

My youngest lad‘s coming over tomorrow to give me a hand with the passenger seat.

Thank you to @frayz and Russ aka @Don’t call me Dave for help and advice.

Thanks for reading.

I am very jealous, if money was no object I'd have exactly those seats in mine. Looks spot on.

Mr Underhill · May 28, 2023

That’s the seats done. Much easier the second time around. Only the seat belts to swap over but CBA as I’ve felt a little flat this week.

Thank you for reading.

ldubl · May 28, 2023

Look amazing! Where did you get the seat belt receivers?

NickReilly063 · May 28, 2023

Very cool seats 👍🏻

Mr Underhill · May 28, 2023

ldubl said:
Look amazing! Where did you get the seat belt receivers?

Thanks. I got them from Universal seat belts via EBay. 25cm. Here’s the link https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/15232394...nwx-nP3Rjy&var=&widget_ver=artemis&media=COPY

Mr Underhill · May 28, 2023

NickReilly063 said:
Very cool seats 👍🏻

Cheers Nick. I really want a Trophy in Racing Blue 😂

I’ll probably swap the subframes though as with the Jon Foz x-low frames, the seats don’t centre which is already doing my nut in.

ldubl · May 28, 2023

Just read your list of work done; outstanding!

Where did you get genuine rear calipers from?

Mr Underhill · May 28, 2023

ldubl said:
Just read your list of work done; outstanding!

Where did you get genuine rear calipers from?

Thanks. I bought them off DMFX in Darlington. A lad I know sourced them.

Mr Underhill · May 28, 2023

In between the seats I did a few small jobs which were equally important. To me anyway.

I’d acquired a few genuine parts like a rear wiper blade, aerial mast, badge grommets and front splitter.

Mast on.

The rear tailgate had no grommets so the previous owner had wrapped some foil around the Clio badge. Animal!

Picked these grommets up from Renault a while back.

Job sorted ✅

Lastly I took the old Fabia splitter off and refitted the genuine one.

Lovely although just noticed how foggy the glass is on my fog lamps. 🤦🏻‍♂️

Jamess182 · May 28, 2023

Just read through most of this build, great work mate! Those Recaros are a work of art.. nice choice.

Brigsy · May 28, 2023

Great update, new seats look mega.

If you want new fogs, valeo oem are cheap from autodoc.

Mr Underhill · May 28, 2023

Jamess182 said:
Just read through most of this build, great work mate! Those Recaros are a work of art.. nice choice.

Thanks James

Mr Underhill · May 28, 2023

Brigsy said:
Great update, new seats look mega.

If you want new fogs, valeo oem are cheap from autodoc.

Cheers Jon. I’ll drop you a message tomorrow reference seat airbags.

NickReilly063 · May 28, 2023

It’s amazing how much it all adds up to but all these little things really do make a big difference - my splitter fogs and front badge is getting changed this week - really looking forward to seeing it all done

hopgop1 · May 28, 2023

Mr Underhill said:
In between the seats I did a few small jobs which were equally important. To me anyway.

I’d acquired a few genuine parts like a rear wiper blade, aerial mast, badge grommets and front splitter.

View attachment 1645672

Mast on.

View attachment 1645640

The rear tailgate had no grommets so the previous owner had wrapped some foil around the Clio badge. Animal!

View attachment 1645673

Picked these grommets up from Renault a while back.

View attachment 1645642

Job sorted ✅

View attachment 1645643

Lastly I took the old Fabia splitter off and refitted the genuine one.

View attachment 1645648 View attachment 1645650 View attachment 1645653

Lovely although just noticed how foggy the glass is on my fog lamps. 🤦🏻‍♂️

Did my fogs today, makes more of a difference than you'd think.

I also want to go to a genuine splitter at some point, are they really that easy to smash do you know? I'd be devastated if I spent probably 10x the price of a fabia one and broke it.

Mr Underhill · May 28, 2023

NickReilly063 said:
It’s amazing how much it all adds up to but all these little things really do make a big difference - my splitter fogs and front badge is getting changed this week - really looking forward to seeing it all done

Yeah I agree.

hopgop1 said:
Did my fogs today, makes more of a difference than you'd think.

I also want to go to a genuine splitter at some point, are they really that easy to smash do you know? I'd be devastated if I spent probably 10x the price of a fabia one and broke it.

Never had a genuine one TBH. They feel brittle in comparison to the Fabia. I was lucky to get a brand new unused one as they’re NLA. I’ll just have to be careful.

Restoring Little Bluey - my 182 FF ClioSport in Racing Blue

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