172 Mods

[ConcaveDave]

I have a 172 cup with 100k on the clock. I'm due to take the car in for a cambelt change next week with a specialist and was also considering, whilst at the car is having the job, to add any mods that might eek out any further performance gains. I realise the car has a few miles on but has been well maintained throughout its time. Here is the current setup:

Solid Top Mounts, Front Camber Bolts/Spacers, Rear Camber Shims
Pure Motorsport exhaust system and sports cat
Brembo HC Front Disks, Mintex 1144 Pads, Goodridge Braided Brake lines
Port Matched/Gas Flowed Inlet Manifold
Bilstein B14 Coilovers
Evol Dogbone Mount
K-Tech Induction Kit
RS Tuner

I would not be able to afford 4 figure somes of money but if there was something obvious I can have done whilst the belt was being changed I would appreciate the advice. Cheers

 

[Clio_fool]

Take it to @bloke and get group n timing on it.

 

[ConcaveDave]

Take it to @bloke and get group n timing on it.

Cheers. Wirral might be a bit far for me. But I could pursue this with the guy who's doing the work. After a quick bit of research I could not get to the bottom of potential lumpiness at start up and low revs? Are there any downsides and are standard cams worth keeping?

 

[bozothenutter]

complete suspension bush replacement
inner and outer steering rods
corner weighting
remove weight from the front? (anti resonance thingy under the right engine mount, remove (but keep!) all lifting brackets

 

[ConcaveDave]

complete suspension bush replacement
inner and outer steering rods
corner weighting
remove weight from the front? (anti resonance thingy under the right engine mount, remove (but keep!) all lifting brackets

Cheers bozo, Some goodness to research into there. Any ballpark figure on cost for bush and rods? (excuse my ignorance)

 

[Clio_fool]

@renaultpartsdirect can sort you out. There not overly expensive though.
@bloke is best to advise on timing, but of you go non standard it'll need mapping too. Chasing power is a bit fruitless really, sort the handling and brakes out will be more rewarding.

 

[ConcaveDave]

@renaultpartsdirect can sort you out. There not overly expensive though.
@bloke is best to advise on timing, but of you go non standard it'll need mapping too. Chasing power is a bit fruitless really, sort the handling and brakes out will be more rewarding.

I have caught wind from many threads over the years chasing power is pricey for little gains. Is there much difference with aftermarket cams?

I thought the car handled pretty well at present and I've started to feel the limit on bendy b-roads. I'm curious to investigate further gains in handling since I thought my current set up might be at the upper limit for a typical uk road.

Cheers for the links and advice

 

[Naughty Boy]

Best thing you can do is make sure all the suspension components are fresh, best £££ for smiles. Map and cams makes very little difference.

 

[ConcaveDave]

Best thing you can do is make sure all the suspension components are fresh, best £££ for smiles. Map and cams makes very little difference.

Fair enough. I will see it that area of the car is seen to. Still open to other ideas

 

[bloke]

They idle like a bag of crap unless you know the way round it and even then still needs mapping.

Not the sort of thing you can have done without mapping straight away.

 

[David Ramsey]

Updated engine mounts

 

[Cub.]

As others have said, focus on suspension, other handling mods and brakes.

Then lighten it if it is track focused.

After that, you have to spend a fair amount to get any significant power increases out of them.

 

[green]

Dog bone mount..cheep/easy and could make the gear change sharper.
Like others have said..change every front and rear bush for new.
Then
Thrash it!
Save for a diff.

 

[Brigsy]

Pms shifter kit, transforms the shift. Next mod lsd, then just drive the nads off it and enjoy

 

[ConcaveDave]

Updated engine mounts

Dog bone mount..cheep/easy and could make the gear change sharper.
Like others have said..change every front and rear bush for new.
Then
Thrash it!
Save for a diff.

I have definitely got a bush change at the top of this list.

I have an evol dogbone at present.

I'm a bit cautious about the engine mounts. What are the noticeable benefits verses the possible increase in vibration?

A diff would be nice. I wonder if a gearbox refurb might have to come at a similar time to that purchase.

 

[David Ramsey]

The engine mounts will make the gear changes so much smoother but will compromise comfort at first with some vibration until they settle.

Alternatively just change them for new standard ones

 

[ConcaveDave]

They idle like a bag of crap unless you know the way round it and even then still needs mapping.

Not the sort of thing you can have done without mapping straight away.

Righto, cheers for chiming in Bloke. Are you aware of anyone in the south who is up to the job? Once it's mapped and sorted, is it temperamental?

 

[ConcaveDave]

The engine mounts will make the gear changes so much smoother but will compromise comfort at first with some vibration until they settle.

Alternatively just change them for new standard ones

The consensus on the forum is that the PMS would be too hard for the road. Not come to a conclusion on the vibratechnics/Ktec options? Should I consider another brand?

 

[David Ramsey]

The consensus on the forum is that the PMS would be too hard for the road. Not come to a conclusion on the vibratechnics/Ktec options? Should I consider another brand?

I’ve only had vibratechnics ones and they were fine once you’ve done say a thousand miles with them. A bit unpleasant for that early stage but in my opinion it’s worth it.

 

[James363]

My choice for a road car would be the powerflex purple dog bone mount. It's certainly solid enough to steady the engine properly, but not rock hard or thin enough to transfer too much vibration. I put the ktec racing one in my rally car, and I certainly would have taken it straight back out again if it was a road car. With regards to the other mounts, I retain the standard top mount above the cambelt, with a powerflex insert because aftermarket mounts don't have that steel retaining cage round them, and I have finished rallies before with the engine just being held in by that metal U shaped part. If it wasn't there the engine would be more free to move about if the mount snaps.

 

[bloke]

could be worth asking alex white if he can retime for you and then engine dynamics for mapping.

 

[Brigsy]

The consensus on the forum is that the PMS would be too hard for the road. Not come to a conclusion on the vibratechnics/Ktec options? Should I consider another brand?

Vibratechnics top engine/gearbox mounts are sound for road use, when fitted properly/broken in. I have a purple powerflex lower dog bone fitted with the vibratechnics, hardly any vibration or engine movement

 

[ConcaveDave]

could be worth asking alex white if he can retime for you and then engine dynamics for mapping.

Cheers

This is a route I'd like to take. Called and left a message with Alex today. Not heard back yet. I used the number from the AWMotorworks Facebook page. Fingers crossed I hear back.

 

[ConcaveDave]

Vibratechnics top engine/gearbox mounts are sound for road use, when fitted properly/broken in. I have a purple powerflex lower dog bone fitted with the vibratechnics, hardly any vibration or engine movement

Nice one. I will focus my attention towards them

 

[yeecup]

Just had a pms shifter fitted and no rattle and great bit of kit.