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My car used to make light cracking noises in higher gears if I backed off the throttle and then opened it again very slightly (cams, head etc with cat). But I fitted a de-cat a few weeks ago and now it makes a big bang if I floor it to high revs and then do the same slight throttle opening. I...

The FRP was a special edition of which they were supposed to make 1000. They only made 500 in the end because of a lack of demand, but I think thats more to do with the price of a practically bespoke car (£22k) than a lack of talent.

I bought a 16v a year and a half ago after coming to the same conclusion that Lofty and others are pointing out. My 1.2 3-door Mk1 Clio was never going to be a 16v, no matter what I did to it. But with all the money Ive ploughed into my 16v, I could have probably just about afforded to make...

Yeah, I guess I do drive a bit funny when Im in urban areas for someone in a fast car! I mainly stick at about 55mph on the motorway (stone chips) and always to any limit in an urban area. Id like to think thats why Ive never had an accident/penalty points (touch wood). I really open the...

Hmmm...I think they still yearn for the days of 3.0 Vauxhall Senators when they could have kept up with me!

I was driving slowly out of Cardiff tonight along Newport Road - traffic light alley I call it as there are so many lights. Its a 30 limit, but becuase its usually at least two lanes wide, many people go way over the limit. All the boy racers go there for some traffic light grand prix action...

Mat Brown and I roasted a ZR 160 on the way back from the massive Southend meet last summer. It was definitely a ZR 160 as I ripped past it at a very naughty speed and was then disappointed as I didnt pull more than five cars lead on him - because I got to my top speed! At that point, Mat...

Id just like to point out that Ive also got head work and cams - as well as a de-cat! So Id be expecting to make more power anyway (although I think my engines running rough at the moment - another story). I fitted the de-cat a day before the RR day and its difficult for me to comment on...

The Clio chassis was a fairly good starting point. People forget that in 1991 the Clio Mk1 completely cleaned up the small car market because it was the first small car to offer a "big car feel". Everyone else then followed suit: the old Polo, Fiesta and Nova were not exactly up to the job...

There is no law saying that you need to have a cat fitted. BUT, there is a law saying that your car must pass a certain emmissions test at MOT time and a cat most often helps to get the emmissions below the requied level. A small number of cars actually pass the emmissions test without a cat...

Is it defintrely going to be a 106 GTi? What about a tasteful late Rallye - theyre actually nearly as quick out of the box, cheaper and is one of the few cars that looks good with rally-style mods.

I have a Mongoose system and fitted a BB Tuning de-cat pipe a few weeks ago. I think it adds a smidgen of low-down torque at motorway speeds, but the noise takes some getting used to. It isnt that intrusive when you learn what revs/gears to use, but it can sound a bit Nova-esque at 1-3000rpm...

There are some very good pics of my restored 16v, but I think this is the one that youd most want to see! My best Clio moment!: :D Glenn (black wheels) and Rockport to my left (hand out of window), Aaron ready to give me a run for my money in front (blue) and a really cool bloke behind (who I...

I had 16s on my car with Yoko 205/25/16s all round - and I noticed an improvement when I stuck some original wheels back on (admittedly with slimmer 195/50/15 tyres than the original 185/55s). But the difference was slim. The prices for 16" tyres are a bit steep though compared to my new size...

Oh man, I hope I didnt sound as if I was having a go. And heres something else good - the de-cat makes my 16v spits flames!

The other good thing about fast Fords is that you can run one, modify one and fix one on a relatively low budget. I know from experience that the 16v will snap at the heels of even the more exotic Fords, but theyll be fixed and live to fight another day when the 16v is off the road waiting for...

When I saw your forum tag I thought you had a "real" 16v, but I guess the 1.2s are technically 16vs. ;) Anyway, Ive just fitted one to my Valver and I wouldnt say it makes a massive difference, although it seems to give the car a little extra urge at low revs at motorway speeds. The jurys...

Im a quiet fan of fast Fords (especially the rally homologation specials), but many of them seem way off the pace in standard form - especially the NA cars. A NA RS/XR will generally be a fair bit slower than the Renault or Peugeot equivalent in off the peg form. Im not trying to invite the...

The 19/Clio 16v Phase 2 wheels were also Speedlines - "Vega" I think. I got a set refurbished and ditched my aftermarket wheels as they weigh less, are more durable (my others buckled) and will look better for years to come.

Oddly enough, I had an XR2 (about E-reg) up my arse in a 30 limit yesterday, obviouisly wanting a race. For a while, I didnt give him the satisfaction and couldnt understand why on earth he was going after a Valver. Anyway, I booted it as soon as the road was a 60 limit and he disappeared...

Just sent 40 PMs to my favourite new 2.8 VW buddy.

Whoa, whoa, whoa! Where did the aggression come from 2.8VRG? You need to take a chill pill. Ive not read this thread, but wanted to know where Phil got the idea that BMW was part of the VAG Group. If you react like that to some simple, helpful comments then I would invite you to take a...

I tend to stick in the inside lane at 55mph on the motorway as Ive had enough of stone chips, aggression and middle-lane hoggers. If I see someone being a bully to someone and Im in the mood, Ill go to the rescue of that person though!

BMW is not part of the VAG Group. Its controlled by a Bavarian family-dominated board of directors, although there has been talk in the past of approaches by Ford and GM. The VAG Groups main shareholder is the local government of Saxony and they hold the greatest sway on the board of...

Was that the whole race? Or was it "edited highlights"? ;) I guess that having the view from behind makes it difficult to see how far ahead Ben got. But you can see the Pug hit the torque coming out of that first roundabout and the 16v taking off at high revs! Is it me, or did the cars...

Low boost converison: circa 200bhp for totally reliable motoring. High boost conversion: from 260bhp upwards - 300+bhp is easily obtained. Hmmm....300bhp per ton, should be interesting.

I also dream of a turbo Valver! I want to keep the exterior totally standard (as it is now) for the maximum effect. Fortunately Im finishing my masters this summer and will be entering the dismal world of work by October - Ive already had a job offer, so am busy dreaming of the turbo. Ive...

I think the only other FWD, NA, hot hatch of the time that can hold a candle to the 16v/Willy duo is the 205 1.9 GTi. The VTS/106 GTi are the closest youll get today to these cars, but they havent moved the game on in the way the 16v/Willy did after the 205 GTi. The 172 was the car to move...

The Megane RSs turbo is strapped onto the 2.0 16v unit that gives 140bhp in NA form (as seen in later Megane Coupe, Volvo S40 and Laguna). The 165bhp low-pressure turbo as seen in the Vel Satis and Avantime is also based on that unit well.

Peugeot are notoriously conservative with their performance figures. They state the 106 GTis 0-60 as 8.7! Thats because they do their calculations with a driver, passenger, tank of fule and luggage.