Bumblebee 2 featuring LY R26

Brigsy · Aug 20, 2023

Here we go again.

Got a random message off a lad i knew from years ago asking if i wanted to buy a car just before i went on hol. Initially said no, but because im an idiot i cannot just say no and a few beers in the sun in Turkey im asking for more info.

Was a bit of a slow starter after initial contact but ended up viewing a week ago and picking up last Sat.

Meet Bumblee2. Leggy on the mileage but cleans up ok..cheap, needs tlc.

Snag list is pretty big as i repeat cheap.

A quick once over reveals even after fixing a few bits

All front suspension needs refresh including hub bearings.
Fuel hose (cracked all over where its been replaced in the past)
Rear passenger caliper (binding)
Washer jet reservior pipe (leaks more than it takes)
Radiator is leaking
Service
Aircon regas
Cruise not working
Centre exhaust hanger shot
Prob loads of other small bits.

On the plus side

Recent engine with 80k on/belts done
Decat, alloy intercooler and back box delete, cone airfilter, mapped by rstuning
Decent amount of mot
Cleans up ok

I have a ton of parts in stock so should be able to turn this around pretty fast.

Should be alright for a bit of trackday fun.

Brigsy · Aug 21, 2023

1st few jobs done daft couple of hours this morning.

Bonnet wouldnt open without a 2 man job and bumper was badly fitted/ziptie special. Whipped front end off and adjusted bonnet stops etc.

Note washer fluid pissing out when filled and alloy intercooler poss forge.

Scuttle had a pond in it so unblocked the drains.

Took airfilter out for a look, knackered as it was rubbing on gear selector. Ive replaced it for a ramair i had off the Kangoo.

Horn did not work was a simple plug new one in.

Battery tray clamp was knackered as they all are. Epoxy resined the fitting in

Xenon control box has seen better days.

Cleaned 131ks worth of fart and grot off the recaros.

Before - shiney

After a mild soap mist and scrub with soft brush/wiped clean with microfibre. Not bad.

Stacks of history from previous owners and old engine, so pretty worthless and ill be changing all the suspension bits that appear to have been changed several times in the past.

Ill pick this up again after CSF. I did intend on taking it but i need a few days to get it right.

RustyMojo · Aug 21, 2023

Brigsy said:
1st few jobs done daft couple of hours this morning.

Bonnet wouldnt open without a 2 man job and bumper was badly fitted/ziptie special. Whipped front end off and adjusted bonnet stops etc.View attachment 1657201
Note washer fluid pissing out when filled and alloy intercooler poss forge.

Scuttle had a pond in it so unblocked the drains.
View attachment 1657202
Took airfilter out for a look, knackered as it was rubbing on gear selector. Ive replaced it for a ramair i had off the Kangoo.View attachment 1657203 View attachment 1657204
Horn did not work was a simple plug new one in.

Battery tray clamp was knackered as they all are. Epoxy resined the fitting in View attachment 1657205
Xenon control box has seen better days.View attachment 1657206

Cleaned 131ks worth of fart and grot off the recaros.

Before - shineyView attachment 1657207

After a mild soap mist and scrub with soft brush/wiped clean with microfibre. Not bad.View attachment 1657208
Stacks of history from previous owners and old engine, so pretty worthless and ill be changing all the suspension bits that appear to have been changed several times in the past.View attachment 1657209 View attachment 1657210

Ill pick this up again after CSF. I did intend on taking it but i need a few days to get it right.

Love a LY R26! Looking forward to this build bud!

Danith · Aug 21, 2023

And he's off!

TBH 131k ain't too bad for an 07 car. LY R26 worth a few quid cleaned up. Those fuel hoses are crap, mine leaked too, absolutely stunk of petrol in the car.
Seems like a right deal. When are you gonna be selling tickets for the Renault heritage museuem?

Adey. · Aug 21, 2023

Tidy find, should be a pretty easy refresh for you

Brigsy · Aug 22, 2023

Call Me Dangerous Dave said:
Love a LY R26! Looking forward to this build bud!

Cheers mate!

Danith said:
And he's off!

TBH 131k ain't too bad for an 07 car. LY R26 worth a few quid cleaned up. Those fuel hoses are crap, mine leaked too, absolutely stunk of petrol in the car.
Seems like a right deal. When are you gonna be selling tickets for the Renault heritage museuem?

Cheers mate. Was too good to turn down. My mates nicknamed our house the RRC (Renault rescue centre)

Adey. said:
Tidy find, should be a pretty easy refresh for you

Cheers mate. Should be able to get it right for £500 ish i reckon with all new suspension goodies.

Brigsy · Aug 22, 2023

Updates.

On way home i took it to my mates to get it on the 4 poster for a good look to see the damage. Id had a quick look underneath but its good to get it up in the air.

Floor looks good.

Turbo oil return is leaking/looks like its been bodged with chemi metal. Whiffs of oil.

Suspension looks like its been in the sea. Apparantly this has had new shocks on it a few years ago, i dont believe a word of that. Look like original to me

I plan on replacing all of it so thats a non issue, its all shagged.

Meg2 RS lower arms are NLA..there is some expensive remanufactured arms on ebay £300 a set.

I had my suspicions these were modified lower spec as the pressing looks identical to rs apart from no hole for the anti rotation link.

I bought a pair of quality Delphi lower arms for 2.0 meg2 on a whim £28 a side to compare.

Yep identical apart from incorrect balljoint/no anti rotation link hole

Pressed the incorrect balljoint out and pressed in a Delphi espace 2.0 balljoint which is identical to oem.

Yep that will go and miles better than refurbing rusty as feck oem arms.

Just need to make a jig to drill the anti rotation link hole.

Thanks for reading!!

VenomUK · Aug 24, 2023

If you need some anti rotation spacers that usually come pressed in the lower arms then give me a shout mate and I’ll sort you some out.

Also didn’t know lower arms aren’t made anymore. Mine don’t look bad but need a refresh so might get them off over winter and get them cleaned and powder coated

Brigsy · Aug 24, 2023

VenomUK said:
If you need some anti rotation spacers that usually come pressed in the lower arms then give me a shout mate and I’ll sort you some out.

Also didn’t know lower arms aren’t made anymore. Mine don’t look bad but need a refresh so might get them off over winter and get them cleaned and powder coated

Cheers mate i will absolutely take a pair of them if thats ok. Everything on this looks like its been in the sea!

As far as im aware lower arms for 225/26 are nla and have been for a while. Not a problem with pov spec arms available and easily modded.

Recommend the vibratechnics rear arm bushes if your refurbing. They are great, run them on the kangoo with powerflex black fronts.

Donny_Dog · Aug 24, 2023

Great project this. I always fancied another.

VenomUK · Aug 24, 2023

They are made from 316 stainless so have very good corrosive properties. I’ll get some knocked up for you next week and get them out to you.

I’ve just picked up an R26 box with LSD as mines just a boggo 225 for little money so that’s the next thing to get in but over the winter I’ll give the front a refresh after adding the ASTs to the mix which have been brilliant. The front end doesn’t feel bad at all but more peace of mind.

Brigsy · Aug 24, 2023

Cheers mate appreciated, stainless will be spot on.

R26 lsd will make a massive difference. I remember the difference was insane when i changed the stock 225 box to r26 on the mrs ph1 225 back in the day. R26 front arb is worth fitting whilst subframe is off too.

Brigsy · Aug 24, 2023

Donny_Dog said:
Great project this. I always fancied another.

Cheers mate. Ive always fancied liquid yellow so couldnt really say no once id seen a couple of pics of it.

Brigsy · Aug 24, 2023

Couple of small updates

Stereo had no surround around it and looked crap.

£5 trim to tidy it up.

The silver centre part of the dash still looks a bit shite. Might get a new one or paint it up at some point.

Coilpack studs and nuts fitted. Coil number 4 had no bolt in it initially suprised it was not misfiring. £6 stainless 40mm m6 stud and nut kit from ebay, threadlocked in so no future issues. Also renewed seals on coilpacks with the £8 ali express coilpack seal kit, no pics as working fast between work. Bit of silicone grease on them to stop future issues.

Will keep my eye out for an oem engine cover for it as no show winner under here.

Also removed the stock recirc valve for a blanking plate as i hate the oem whoosh with a cone filter. Had a spare half hour today so cracked on, these can be a bit of a t**t to do in situ as access is tight and easy to drop the bolts so expected it to take a while. Anyway the stars aligned and 9 mins later its on. New record!

Its also got one working key and a spare that does the ign only not the doors and both are well worn. After @Clio_fool asked me about keycard coding i had a shot as i have a couple of spare meg keys. I can do them and its easy however needs to be a virgin uncoded key as not possible to recode used unless you strip it down and replace the chip for a virgin one.

Renolink in action.

Thanks for reading!!

VenomUK · Aug 25, 2023

Brigsy said:
Cheers mate appreciated, stainless will be spot on.

R26 lsd will make a massive difference. I remember the difference was insane when i changed the stock 225 box to r26 on the mrs ph1 225 back in the day. R26 front arb is worth fitting whilst subframe is off too.

Didn’t know the front ARB was different too? I knew the rear beam had a thicker ARB on the R26 and was going to put that on too but thanks for that, I didn’t realise the front was also different too👌🏼

Clio_fool · Aug 27, 2023

LY R26 at a bargain price has to be a winner! Like I said to you at csf I reckon every renaultsport enthusiast will own a liquid yellow car at some point and I'm surprised this is your fist one! Good to see it being saved instead of parted out 👍.

Brigsy · Aug 28, 2023

Clio_fool said:
LY R26 at a bargain price has to be a winner! Like I said to you at csf I reckon every renaultsport enthusiast will own a liquid yellow car at some point and I'm surprised this is your fist one! Good to see it being saved instead of parted out 👍.

Good to catch up at CSF mate

Ive always wanted LY so that swung the purchase a bit, and cheap. Mainly cheap

Definitely too good to break but too uneconomical for anybody to repair if your not getting stuck in yourself.

Theres a bit of a budget on this one and i reckon i can get it right for under a grand, with full suspension refresh assuming engine does not suddenly s**t itself.

After driving my mate Rog's ly r26 on sat on track, i forgot how fast and effortless they are to drive. Cant wait to get it sorted and used as intended.

Brigsy · Aug 30, 2023

Quick half hour on it on Monday.

Exhaust was hanging low and noted the middle rubber had snapped. Had a gen renault centre hanger in stock that i bought years ago for the blue meg but did not use so fitted that.

Front exhaust clamp was loose too and blowing. Repositioned the clamp and tightened up, the centre silencer is nicely tucked up in the tunnel now. Did wonder why it caught a speedbump at stock rideheight when i drove it home.

Fired up to check for blows. All good.

Blanking plate sounds way better than recirc.

Thanks for reading!

Ph1 Tom · Aug 30, 2023

I've got some Forge solid boost pipes, Forge actuator with a new N75 valve and a 3" Blueflame exhaust kicking about I think. Let me know if you need them.

Brigsy · Sep 6, 2023

Ph1 Tom said:
I've got some Forge solid boost pipes, Forge actuator with a new N75 valve and a 3" Blueflame exhaust kicking about I think. Let me know if you need them.

Cheers mate appreciated. Might be interested in the exhaust.

Brigsy · Sep 6, 2023

Work continues.

Assume position.

Oil leak fixed. Nice chemi metal bodge done by somebody in the past. New return fitted.

Goodies started arriving last week. Cooksport springs, oem ren r26 front shocks, oem ren tie rods. Also have new drop links, new delphi trackrod ends, new lower arms etc not pictured.

Dug the compbrake adjustable top mounts out that i bought for blue 225 ages ago but couldnt be arsed to fit.

Engine cover from @Ian_R

Brigsy · Sep 6, 2023

Started last Sunday. Passneger side first. Overall this side was OK no play but well worn.

Very rusty

All binned, will drop subframe to change arms and rack later lets get top done.

Note cv grease. No boot clip. Moved cv joint and it fell off as no retaining clip on shaft. So dropped gear oil and fitted new clip/knocked cv on. New band style.cv boot clip to clear hub.

Checked its not lost its lsd with engine change - lsd present and correct.

Hub stripped..suprisingly not seized but swivel rough.

Quick wire brush and slap on some paint, new swivel installed.

Rebuilt.

New shocks, cooksport springs and compbrake top mounts fitted. Retained oem bump stops and dust covers off the original shocks.

Fitted.

See how much neggy camber i can get with these.

Brigsy · Sep 6, 2023

Passenger side took me about 2.5 hours after pissing about with the driveshaft.

Started drivers side. Everything fooked and proving hard work. Both cv boots shot, anti rotation link shot, droplink shot, balljoint shot, play in wheel bearing, tie rod and outer shot, bushes shot. Nothing salvageable.

Had to even bin the alloy upright as the threads pulled out of the bolts holding balljoint plate on due to corrosion. I could timesert it but no point when good used available.

Losing the will to live at this point so give up for the day, it had to get worse before it gets better.

Sniped a pair of hubs off fb marketplace in South Shields approx 45 mins away. Collected Sunday night.

Good used o/s driveshaft in stock to save boot replacement.

Current state of play. Swept 3x shovel full of rust up!

Speaking of rust ive been derusting. Citric acid and water mix.

Looking good. Not concours so just getting the thick off and a quick coat of spray.

Hopefully get drivers side boxed off soon and subframe off and done at the weekend.

Thanks for reading!!

Mr Underhill · Sep 6, 2023

Awesome work Jon. I still think you're insane

The top mounts look the DBs.

Brigsy · Sep 6, 2023

Mr Underhill said:
Awesome work Jon. I still think you're insane

The top mounts look the DBs.

Cheers mate. I even question my own sanity sometimes taking another project on, It best behave after all of this work

Stefan. · Sep 6, 2023

Ian_R · Sep 6, 2023

Looking Fresh, but not half rusting away, when i had my one, it wasn't that bad. Glad the Cover arrived

Brigsy · Sep 6, 2023

Ian_R said:
Looking Fresh, but not half rusting away, when i had my one, it wasn't that bad. Glad the Cover arrived

Cheers for sorting the cover out mate appreciated.

I reckon these are the original suspension bits. Shocks seemed to work ok too but i couldnt fit new springs to them. Luckily its just bolt on rusty parts floorpan looks great.

Brigsy · Sep 7, 2023

Managed an hr today.

Built up the new drivers hub with new swivel bearing. The insert was reused as in ok condition.

Quick lick of paint.

Grease bolts fitted. These are a great bit of kit and make maintenance easy, The swivel bearings arent really sealed properly so the grease gets washed out. Fitted them to all of mine.

I recently regreased the swivel bearings on the Kangoo before csf and a load of water came out the n/s one after recent rainy season, before the fresh grease came out! Luckily it was well greased a while ago so doesnt appear to be any damage. Regular maintenance keeps them right for a lot longer.

Also give the derusted parts a quick spray. Its never going to be concours but its a lot cleaner than it was.

Also fitted new o/s driveshaft. Ran out of time to do anything else today as had work to do.

Ill get strut and hub on this weekend then its subframe off and change rack, inner/outer tie rods and fit new lower arms.

Thanks for reading!!

Brigsy · Sep 11, 2023

Updates

Had a good day on the hovercar yesterday as named by @SteveC_1879

First job was to fit drivers side strut and hub. Then get stuck in and get the subframe off.

Gear all over.

Subframe area did not reveal any nasties. Can see people have been here before as the bolts werent particularly tight.

Needed to finish off my modified lower arms to continue the rebuild. Going back to earlier posts i am using quality aftermarket delphi lower arms off a povo spec as oem ren arms for rs are NLA.

The pressing is more or less identical but needs the balljoint changing for 2.0 espace, and a 16mm hole drilling for the anti rotation link.

I done some measuring on the spare used arms i have in stock and made a simple jig out of a piece of 50x5mm steel i had lying about so the drill would not wonder off target.

Easy work with cutting fluid. Bit of black rattle can on the drilled holes.

Balljoint plate and anti rotation link fitted and torqued to spec.

I then dug out a lower mileage subframe and steering rack off the red r26 i broke ages ago. Subframe was bare so had to swap arb and fixings over. Fitted new oem renault inner tie rods and torqued all the fixings to spec.

The subframe support brackets were looking terrible, absolutely rotten as per 90% of megane 2 are. Wirebrushed fcuk out of them, bilt hamber hydrate 80 then a coat of bedliner paint. They will last a bit longer but if i get chance of a better pair will prob change them. I know one side is NLA.

I managed to get the subframe on and torqued up, hub balljoint plate bolts refitted and driveshafts torqued then the torrential rain started.

Just trackrod ends to fit, change rad for good used that i have in stock, refit radiator subframe, fill gear oil up and it should be back on its wheels.

Then the rear to do.

Thanks for reading!!

Stefan. · Sep 11, 2023

Love the garage/space in the back garden!!

Brigsy · Sep 11, 2023

Stefan. said:
Love the garage/space in the back garden!!

Cheers mate. Went as big as i realistically could when i built the garage. Now its filled with cars i wish id pushed it out a bit furthur as always working outside. Not ideal in winter!

I heard one of the neighbours was moaning about it recently - how many cars i have etc. Fat gobby woman who has nothing better to do with her time apart from sleep all day and get pissed on a night. Same neighbour has got a noise complaint against another neighbour about the kids trampoline making too much noise and hot tub pump buzzing, i s**t you not.

Im not phazed as its not a scrapyard/all useable, and its usually max of twice a week that any of the loud cars go out. She wont approach me as shes a sh*thouse but be interesting if anything rocks up through the letterbox.

Krarl · Sep 11, 2023

Brigsy said:
Cheers mate. Went as big as i realistically could when i built the garage. Now its filled with cars i wish id pushed it out a bit furthur as always working outside. Not ideal in winter!

I heard one of the neighbours was moaning about it recently - how many cars i have etc. Fat gobby woman who has nothing better to do with her time apart from sleep all day and get pissed on a night. Same neighbour has got a noise complaint against another neighbour about the kids trampoline making too much noise and hot tub pump buzzing, i s**t you not.

Im not phazed as its not a scrapyard/all useable, and its usually max of twice a week that any of the loud cars go out. She wont approach me as shes a sh*thouse but be interesting if anything rocks up through the letterbox.

Tell her to get a job and she'd notice s**t less🤣

Brigsy · Sep 11, 2023

Chode Lint said:
Tell her to get a job and she'd notice s**t less🤣

Ohh mate shes a nut job, shes next door but one. My neighbour has a loud family but just kids doing kid s**t, i cant hear it. Anyway neighbour has helped out crazy lady loads of times and even got her a small job and she goes and reports him for noise pollution.

I had my music on mid day ages ago and she started ranting, think i woke her up about 3pm as windows are always wide open. Wasnt even loud just fcuked her off as was unreasonable, She actually apologised for the rant. Absolute weirdo/crazy pisshead. Her son is poison and an email warrior to the council.

Krarl · Sep 11, 2023

Definitely sound like the sort of people that deserve a firework through the letterbox to me 😂

JamesBryan · Sep 11, 2023

Chode Lint said:
Definitely sound like the sort of people that deserve a firework through the letterbox to me 😂

C4 to your door no beef no more

Brigsy · Sep 19, 2023

Updates

Been a little slack on updating but progress has been made.

Got trackrod ends on through week and refitted abs sensors/cable holders.

Everthing new

Lower dogbone mount was kaputt so renewed. Ive alson fitred yellow powerflex insert to top engine mount. Checked cambelt whilst there and its got a newish gates belt on. But might change that soon so i know its right.

Moved onto rear next.

Powerflex rear beam bushes fitted.

Rear passenger side caliper was sticking. Changed for a new caliper - needs painting red to match. Pipe fitting was stuck and got it off but new caliper was in wrong orientation when fitted.

Ended up cutting the union off, new one on and flared the pipe in situ. Plenty on the pipe to allow this.

Fitted

Refitted handbrake cable, bled and handbrake mech is still sticking..old caliper werent grear but i dont think it was at fault fully. New cable ordered, need to investigate condition of guide tube as they love to rust out causing issues like this.

Got it back on its wheels and taken for test run.

Sits nice on the cooksport springs.

Test drive went well, drives great. Geo a mile out as expected.

Brigsy · Sep 19, 2023

Forgot to say had a carry on with the radiator. Rad was leaking so changed it for used oem that i had in stock. Id done due dilligence and filled it with water to check for leaks and it didnt appear to leak? Flushed cooling system throughly and a load of shite came out. Filled with coolant and a fountain of type d comes out of one of the top bars on the rad!!

Dug out the aftermarket meg rad i used on the kangoo and fitted that and filled with type d and bled. Leak free. Id like oem rad ideally so will try and sniff a new one out.

Took it in for geo yesterday. Was miles out as expected, interestingly thrust angle was a mile out so we slackened rear beam bolts off and adjusted it to get it right.

action shot

Compbrake mounts work nice on oem dampers/cooksport springs. Max of -2deg negative camber and slightly more positive castor. Ten mins of toe out overall.

Birds eye view

Works again and drives great like a good r26 should. Happy Brigsy

Also had aircon regassed, its holding gas and works again. Will see if it lasts.

Needs new tyres on badly as on linglongs..will address that soon and the rest of the snagging.

Thanks for reading!!

Brigsy · Sep 22, 2023

Updates.

Snuck an hr in this afternoon. Headlamps were looking a bit cloudy so give them some tlc.

Before

Mid way after wet sand

After a few passes with the DA.

Pissed down straight after finishing so not coated them yet, ill do that tomorrow.

Also the last fuckwit who fitted the wipers bent the arm somehow so it was rubbing the windscreen. Ive bent arm back and replaced wipers but damage to screen is done.

Ive wet sanded the screen and tried an agressive cut/few passes with the da. Its slightly better but not great. Not sure if ill have to accept it as it is or get screen replaced.

A few years ago it would have got a clout with the hammer and insurance claim. Ive already got a windscreen claim logged from a few year ago as its declarable now so cant go that route again sadly.

Its not the end of the world though i can tolerate it for now.

Thanks for reading!!

Brigsy · Sep 23, 2023

Sat update.

After being awaken at 730am by the postie knocking on the door with car parts decided to do a bit.

First job - fuel hose. The short bit of plastic pipe from fuel rail to metal section had been replaced in the past for rubber, common repair for meg when original plastic pipe fails.

Id noticed that the rubber hose had degraded and was cracked all over. Not shocked to see this as the quality of rubber fuel hose currently is very hit and miss.

Fire hazard waiting to happen.

Replaced with quality Cohline 2240 R9 spec fuel hose. From reading its good stuff and lasts. Not cheap for what it is either!

Also replaced washer bottle filler neck as it had split causing more to go on the floor than in the washer bottle.

Next job was replace passenger side handbrake cable as it was sticking on with use. Easy job half hour? Pulled it and it just jammed straight up solid in the guide tube, as its rotten internally.

Que removing some interior to access it and braying fcuk out of the cable which snapped the guide tube. Guide tube is NLA so itll be a breaker job or make one.

Painted new rear caliper with Hammerite. Not a bad match.

Im going to get some alloy pipe and see if i can make a guide tube even if only temporary fix.

Thanks for reading!!

Bumblebee 2 featuring LY R26

Bon Jovi Officianado

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