“Charlotte” The 182 FF

[Mr Underhill]

100% not my fault…

View attachment 1693601View attachment 1693602

Should have got a Bridgecraft kit

 

[RustyMojo]

Before being ‘that guy’ have Proam sorted the issues out with their bump steer kits?

 

[Mr Underhill]

Before being ‘that guy’ have Proam sorted the issues out with their bump steer kits?

I know of one example involving a particularly rusty Clio. The hubs on this car were in such poor condition that they seemed barely capable of handling a standard ball joint, let alone a roll centre correction kit.

Shortly after that, Pro-am updated their roll centre pins and sent me a new set. I used the original pins for two years, spanning around ten track days, without a single issue.

When I sold my Clio 182 to someone participating in 750MC events, I included the new mark 2 pins and explained the history of the initial versions.

About six months later, the new owner contacted me, saying the pins had snapped during a track day. From what I gathered, he had hit a speed bump on his way to the circuit, and I’m not sure if he ever installed the mark 2 pins.

My new track car now has the latest MK3 pins, which appear very robust.

I keep up with Pro-am's progress and occasionally meet with them at race circuits. They use their own kits and, to my knowledge, have never had one fail.

I mentioned to the OP about the Pro-Am kit and made him aware of the history but also passed him Allan at Bridgecraft's email address.

 

[SharpyClio]

Should have got a Bridgecraft kit

I based it on the a few comments made either way.

I could send this back as I’ve not opened anything if the consensus is the Bridgecraft kit it better but I did raise an eye brow when. You said he hadn’t contracted you back as I’ve had enough of bad comms. The ProAm guys seemed fast to respond when I asked them about the kits.

 

[MLB]

Following this with interest, I've always said I wouldn't get a kit because of the wear of the bearings, doing 3000 road miles a year, but reviews on handling are so overwhelmingly positive I might budge..

 

[SharpyClio]

Following this with interest, I've always said I wouldn't get a kit because of the wear of the bearings, doing 3000 road miles a year, but reviews on handling are so overwhelmingly positive I might budge..

I’ll let you know if they snap and I spear off into a cornfield somewhere

 

[MLB]

I hope not for you! Rather hear it's not worth it though because it'll save me £600 😂

 

[Mr Underhill]

Following this with interest, I've always said I wouldn't get a kit because of the wear of the bearings, doing 3000 road miles a year, but reviews on handling are so overwhelmingly positive I might budge..

I’m not sure I’d fit one on a road car, well I know I wouldn’t, but for circuit use it’s one of the best bits of kits you can fit. Even better when used in conjunction with an LSD/Gripper.

 

[SharpyClio]

Roll centre and bump steer kit fitted, waiting on a 22mm crowd foot to do the final torque settings but all good to go. The camber bolt added as well.

Totally pointless and inaccurate measurement of the camber is not at 6.5 degs so I’ll need to pull it back in a bit I think.

Some of the worst photos, but it was raining on and off so just wanted to get it done.

Also found a split / melted boot on the caliper piston so I’ll need to sort that at some point. I’ve got another set of these calipers that I might refurb and just swap over.

So, I’m also going to get an oil analysis done, it’s £40 so cheap enough and it’ll be interesting to see how the oil is holding up and also the engine.

Next up will be tracking, oil change, brake fluid and adding some rear height.

 

[MLB]

Looking good!

What coilover covers have you got/what length are they?

Oil analysis is well worth it in my opinion, had it done on three of my cars now and a good way to keep an eye on wear levels and to check if your oil change intervals are sufficient.

 

[SharpyClio]

Looking good!

What coilover covers have you got/what length are they?

Oil analysis is well worth it in my opinion, had it done on three of my cars now and a good way to keep an eye on wear levels and to check if your oil change intervals are sufficient.

I’ve got BC Racing BR series I think. Not sure what length they are.

Yeah saw it on a YouTube video and thought it’d be expensive but for £40 it feels a sensible move on a 116k engine.

 

[SharpyClio]

Learning new things. Not actually making any changes as my drive is not in the slightest bit flat but getting used to the kit.

 

[SharpyClio]

Sorted the tracking at last and fitted the @FrogJam Motorsport ducts… pretty much ready for Blyton now save for an oil change.

Had to ditch the front arch liners and the horn, but no biggy there really.

 

[SharpyClio]

Blyton yesterday. Car was great again, although towards the end I was getting some clutch slip going from 3rd to 4th so I’ll keep an eye on that.

The changes I made really helped the car and given how hot it was the @FrogJam Motorsport corvette ducts worked well with PBS brake pads and I never suffered any fade.

Couple of minor offs, braking too late i to the last corner and had to take the short cut and got a swapper on the first chicane so was just a bit messy but other than that it was grand.

Loads of other clios there with ClioSport.net stickers but not sure want are active members.

There was also this Micra there that was driving like a complete loon and ended up on his roof.

Not sure where I’m off to next but no big changes planned, fancy cadwell or Croft to see how it compares to the last time I drove them so we’ll have to see.

 

[SharpyClio]

Forgot I took a sneaky pic

 

[SharpyClio]

Been a while since updating on here, the Clio has been largely sat gathering dust while life got in the way. I have used it pottering around locally a couple of times and that been a lot of fun. Planning on Cadwell in a few days though (10th Sept) need to sort the tracking again before that.

The only thing that i have really done is got the oil report back from Millers and all seems good. The oil is in good condition after two trackdays and there are no high levels of anything worrying which is really positive. So I think I can leave it more than two before changing. I've attached the report for interest.

 

[SharpyClio]

Ahead of Cadwell I have a few small jobs I need to do

- Replace all the engine mounts with "solid" mounts, having read about the gearbox one im a little apprehensive about doing it in case I snap the bolt - advice gratefully received.
- Add some toe out to the rear axle
- Tracking (again)
- Might take the passenger seat out as no one ever used it.

Edit - Also hard wire my GoPros

 

[Brigsy]

Engine mounts are an easy swap, nothing to worry about regarding snapped bolts.

 

[SharpyClio]

Engine mounts are an easy swap, nothing to worry about regarding snapped bolts.

This is true! I was really easy, biggest pain was the rear gearbox mount bolt won’t come out without removing the whole spider thingy so just wasted some time doing that.

So all solid mounts now, I’ll probably tidy up the engine one as it’s not very pretty to look at, but that can wait for another time.

The gearbox mount wasn’t in the greatest shape, so probably timely

I’ve had an intermittent abs warning… I did a quick check and the cause was pretty obvious. Something to fix after Cadwell as I don’t have time before

Also added some quick release buttons for the bumper, just saves a small amount of hassle

 

[Brigsy]

Spot on didnt think the mounts would give you any issues.

If it vibrates on idle loosen off the mounts slightly, start engine up let it settle into happy position and retorque the mounts.

@plees made a nice fitted washer for the upper mount too, might be worth fitting. Can just about see it in this pic on my trophy.

 

[SharpyClio]

Spot on didnt think the mounts would give you any issues.

If it vibrates on idle loosen off the mounts slightly, start engine up let it settle into happy position and retorque the mounts.

@plees made a nice fitted washer for the upper mount too, might be worth fitting. Can just about see it in this pic on my trophy.View attachment 1709205

I started it and it seemed very quiet so I may have got lucky and managed to get them placed perfectly first time. 🤣

 

[SharpyClio]

Those that are paying attention will see that I decided to change the ABS ring as the other jobs had gone so well… 😬

So in doing so I failed to get the new ring seated and also badly split the CV boot, after the excellent support from the forum and advice from @Brigsy i pulled the drive shaft, knocked of the CV joint and then tapped home the ABS ring.

However I’m not sure the replacement boot will work as it’s too short, thoughts?

So I’ve cleaned out the grease and I’m pretty much ready to put it back together but going to wait for the second CV boot I bought to see which will be better.

 

[MLB]

It won't stretch over it?

I've had quite stretchy aftermarket boots that were so stretchy they'd hit the bottom of the shock and split again within 50 miles. I just ended up replacing the shaft with a Borg and Beck (BDS1319) shaft.

 

[SharpyClio]

It won't stretch over it?

I've had quite stretchy aftermarket boots that were so stretchy they'd hit the bottom of the shock and split again within 50 miles. I just ended up replacing the shaft with a Borg and Beck (BDS1319) shaft.

Getting it on is not an issue as the CV joint is off the shaft and the shaft out of the car, its more the overall height being less than the one I took off.

 

[Brigsy]

Short boot would work OK if your stuck, but the longer one will be better. Ive used a short one as outer on my blue dci, lasted about 30 thousand miles.

Large jubilee clip is good if you have hassle with the proper clip.

 

[SharpyClio]

Short boot would work OK if your stuck, but the longer one will be better. Ive used a short one as outer on my blue dci, lasted about 30 thousand miles.

Large jubilee clip is good if you have hassle with the proper clip.

Cheers - The place I got this have the longer boot in stock so I shall take this back and get that tomorrow morning. I did figure I could just use the short one for now if needed. So with any luck the old girl should be back on four wheels tomorrow / Friday and then I just need t remove the passenger seat and harness and I am ready for Cadwell.

 

[SharpyClio]

Short boot would work OK if your stuck, but the longer one will be better. Ive used a short one as outer on my blue dci, lasted about 30 thousand miles.

Large jubilee clip is good if you have hassle with the proper clip.

Meant to say I have the proper tool to do the clips - makes it a breeze.

 

[Tin.tin]

Few pics from Croft, car was excellent again, I’ve got a leak which I suspect is PAS fluid but I neeeld to investigate a bit more.

Seem to be getting there with setup but I’d like more camber so some stuff to play with yet.

I was pleased with how the old sea dog pulls, easily quicker than a 197 and out of the hairpin despite not have a LSD I was pulling a few car lengths on my mate in his 197.

Looking forward to Blyton in June now.

View attachment 1692664View attachment 1692665View attachment 1692666View attachment 1692667View attachment 1692668View attachment 1692669

Intake through the headlight looks incredible. Very well done !

 

[SharpyClio]

Intake through the headlight looks incredible. Very well done !

Thanks! Going to redo the adhesive over winter as it’s not stuck very well but the concept works which im pleased with.

 

[SharpyClio]

Got a different CV boot this morning (Borg and beck) and it’s much better so all sorted.

So it’s all back together and drives which is nice.

Did have a flat battery though 😬 typical 🤣

So next up is passenger seat and might fit a rear towing point over the weekend also desperately need to clean it so that'll be a weekend job as well.

Thanks to all for the help and advice.

 

[JamesBryan]

Looks like a decent thermoplastic one too, like oem.

 

[SharpyClio]

Looks like a decent thermoplastic one too, like oem.

Yes it is. Feels much better quality than the other one I got so a win all round really. It was only £2 more and worth every penny.

 

[JamesBryan]

Yes it is. Feels much better quality than the other one I got so a win all round really. It was only £2 more and worth every penny.

Yeah much better.

They hold up better to the heat compared to rubber ones.

Only use rubber/neoprene ones for inner boots on tripode joints tbh.

 

[SharpyClio]

Yeah much better.

They hold up better to the heat compared to rubber ones.

Only use rubber/neoprene ones for inner boots on tripode joints tbh.

Glad I waited the extra day and swapped it. Happy with how its all worked out. Nothing like having 3 months to do these jobs and then doing them all in a week before the next trackday. FML.

 

[JamesBryan]

What grease did you put in?

Redline CV2 is good high temp stuff but a bit expensive.

 

[SharpyClio]

What grease did you put in?

Redline CV2 is good high temp stuff but a bit expensive.

I just used the stuff that came with the boot. The gear box is coming off over winter so I could change the grease then.

 

[JamesBryan]

I just used the stuff that came with the boot. The gear box is coming off over winter so I could change the grease then.

Only worth doing if you start killing CV's really.

 

[SharpyClio]

Just a follow up. tracking and suspension setup has been done this morning

3degs camber front and rear.
5 degs rear toe out

Not sure on Front toe but it will have a bot of toe out as well.

See how that goes.

Mate at the garage also had me worried as he rang me, which he only does when somethings gone wrong but he was just asking me if that setup was okay 😅

So all ready for Cadwell now.

 

[SharpyClio]

Mint day at Cadwell with @Krarl the car was so good. Rained in the afternoon and had an oopsie at hall bends, bit of damage to the roll centre kit but aside from that just some barrier rash.

Crash is about half way through, need to improve my editing skills of I’m to become and influencer and make it rich.

 

[Mr Underhill]

Mint day at Cadwell with @Krarl the car was so good. Rained in the afternoon and had an oopsie at hall bends, bit of damage to the roll centre kit but aside from that just some barrier rash.

View attachment 1710697
View attachment 1710698View attachment 1710699



Crash is about half way through, need to improve my editing skills of I’m to become and influencer and make it rich.

Span there myself a few years back in the wet, cold tyres coming straight out of the paddock. I went the other way onto the grass and miraculously managed to keep it out of the barrier. Hope it's a simple fix.