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NorthloopCup
ClioSport Moderator
Cups had wider track front and rear. They also had increased caster which was done on the wishbone where the bottom ball joints bolt on.
The increased track width comes from a different subframe to push the wishbones out further and different offset wheels.
I'd possibly do the wishbones for the increased caster, but I'm not sure the other things will give you any noticeable improvement.
The increased track width comes from a different subframe to push the wishbones out further and different offset wheels.
I'd possibly do the wishbones for the increased caster, but I'm not sure the other things will give you any noticeable improvement.
Pug 206 SW, 172 CUP
The castor difference is worth having an new wishbones are always a nice thing to have.
Cup wishbones, cup shocks, cooksport or eibach springs (as Renault ones are pretty expensive), some spacers or different offset wheels for the wider track if you want it and if you do occasional track days then some camber bolts and a bit of negative camber to save your outer tyre edges.
Get the cars geometry checked to make sure it hasn't been knocked about. Get the tracking set right. My Cup wasn't great with positive camber and is much better at straight ahead as Renault intended and my 182 with cup packs was great with the toe out it 's spec'ed with. Some garages have an issue with toe out though. You'll crash and die apparently.
The Cup feels tighter and more focused but you pay for that with it being a bit of a fidget on rough roads when your Pottering around. Arguably down a really bad road the non cup cars may well cope better when you give it a boot.
Cup wishbones, cup shocks, cooksport or eibach springs (as Renault ones are pretty expensive), some spacers or different offset wheels for the wider track if you want it and if you do occasional track days then some camber bolts and a bit of negative camber to save your outer tyre edges.
Get the cars geometry checked to make sure it hasn't been knocked about. Get the tracking set right. My Cup wasn't great with positive camber and is much better at straight ahead as Renault intended and my 182 with cup packs was great with the toe out it 's spec'ed with. Some garages have an issue with toe out though. You'll crash and die apparently.
The Cup feels tighter and more focused but you pay for that with it being a bit of a fidget on rough roads when your Pottering around. Arguably down a really bad road the non cup cars may well cope better when you give it a boot.
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Pug 206 SW, 172 CUP
Yes almost certainly but making sure the geometry is right is a big part of it. Lots of these cars have rear axles that have been bashed about. The non-cup is even less likely to bite than a cup while cornering. The Cup needs some provacation from high speeds, braking and steering input to really break lose. At it's limit on track it's very controllable and not snappy like some French hatch backs. A bit of trail braking on track and the back end is there for the abusing.
The white line anti-roll bar is a common upgrade to get the rear end a bit more involved.
At lower speeds it is a fwd drive car with a big engine up front. It's a fair few kg's heavier than a little 106 or Saxo too. I run my cup standard at track days and I just don't bother in hairpins. You just keep it tidy or you'll run wide carrying too much speed or poking the throttle.
However any sport that isn't on past it suspension, has decent tyres and has in spec geo should be more than enough for the road.
I'd get some decent boots on and then make a decision. I have 195/45/16 on my cup but 205/45/16's do have a noticeable advantage.
Look up top gears video of the 182 on Michelin tyres with stig at the wheel. It's really not that understeery.
The white line anti-roll bar is a common upgrade to get the rear end a bit more involved.
At lower speeds it is a fwd drive car with a big engine up front. It's a fair few kg's heavier than a little 106 or Saxo too. I run my cup standard at track days and I just don't bother in hairpins. You just keep it tidy or you'll run wide carrying too much speed or poking the throttle.
However any sport that isn't on past it suspension, has decent tyres and has in spec geo should be more than enough for the road.
I'd get some decent boots on and then make a decision. I have 195/45/16 on my cup but 205/45/16's do have a noticeable advantage.
Look up top gears video of the 182 on Michelin tyres with stig at the wheel. It's really not that understeery.
I notice there is a big price difference too! Just been out for a blast and gelling with it more now. Helps it hasnt rained in a day and a half so the roads are basically dry 
Its definately the tyres as they squawked on a small roundabout that I never had problems with in my Twingo RS. Must have looked a right tit lol
Its definately the tyres as they squawked on a small roundabout that I never had problems with in my Twingo RS. Must have looked a right tit lol
Is it worth upgrading from non-cup to cup? not really.
Buying a cup over a non-cup, possibly. But you will need to be Mansell to notice any difference.
Given we're talking about cars that are nigh on 10 years old now, the condition they're kept in will dictate how they ride more than what parts they came out of the factory with.
Indeed, as you'll see on CS, many of the cars will have had the well-sorted Renault set-up replaced with "developed overnight" coilovers for epic lowz etc. Under the impression that low=grippier.
Which is not necessarily the case.
Summary - Stick with what you;ve got, get geometry done, maybe review what rubber you're running and refresh the now creaky or rusty bits.
Buying a cup over a non-cup, possibly. But you will need to be Mansell to notice any difference.
Given we're talking about cars that are nigh on 10 years old now, the condition they're kept in will dictate how they ride more than what parts they came out of the factory with.
Indeed, as you'll see on CS, many of the cars will have had the well-sorted Renault set-up replaced with "developed overnight" coilovers for epic lowz etc. Under the impression that low=grippier.
Which is not necessarily the case.
Summary - Stick with what you;ve got, get geometry done, maybe review what rubber you're running and refresh the now creaky or rusty bits.
Yeah sounds good. Ideally want the car in as good nick as possible for the spring/summer and trackdays. Exhaust will need doing by then too as its starting to blow slightly from the backbox. Thinking of getting a janspeed stealth catback.
From there it will be tyres and will look at the brakes.Is G172 the cheapest guy for Clio brakes?
From there it will be tyres and will look at the brakes.Is G172 the cheapest guy for Clio brakes?
Pug 206 SW, 172 CUP
Making the standard car good is all you really need to do for track days. I just listed the common upgrades that are worth a go. It's worth taking these cars out and seeing how you get on with them and how much you cook everything to decide where to go from there.
The main reason people go for cup bits is that they are a cheap upgrade at refresh time. That extra castor is definitely worth having on track. Some have even modded the holes to give more. Does a better job of keeping the camber you want under travel so I'm told.
As for the michelins any of the premium tyres will do the job well enough. You can kill them on track but that's down to your choice of driving style rather than a failing of the tyre itself.
Bare in mind the twingo is a tweaked version of the Clio your driving now and things have moved on so the Clio is not going to be as taut and sorted straight out the box.
G172 is where most people go.
The main reason people go for cup bits is that they are a cheap upgrade at refresh time. That extra castor is definitely worth having on track. Some have even modded the holes to give more. Does a better job of keeping the camber you want under travel so I'm told.
As for the michelins any of the premium tyres will do the job well enough. You can kill them on track but that's down to your choice of driving style rather than a failing of the tyre itself.
Bare in mind the twingo is a tweaked version of the Clio your driving now and things have moved on so the Clio is not going to be as taut and sorted straight out the box.
G172 is where most people go.
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Ultimately, driver tuition will be far more effective at improving your track day skills than chucking £50,000 of parts on a £500, decade-old hatchback.
Trufax.
Also, go and just do a trackday BEFORE you start upgrading. What you think you need to upgrade may not be a problem at all.
Finally, you'll be there to enjoy yourself, you wont be getting talent-spotted for a Toro Rosso seat, so don't try to hero your way around every corner as its a 1-way ticket to the scene of the accident
Trufax.
Also, go and just do a trackday BEFORE you start upgrading. What you think you need to upgrade may not be a problem at all.
Finally, you'll be there to enjoy yourself, you wont be getting talent-spotted for a Toro Rosso seat, so don't try to hero your way around every corner as its a 1-way ticket to the scene of the accident
Pug 206 SW, 172 CUP
That's not what track days are about 
you have to claim some scalps or your not driving!
On a serious note I totally agree!
you have to claim some scalps or your not driving!On a serious note I totally agree!
We all know that by owning a Clio 1*2 (or, even a 1.1*2 Dci), then you're automatically entered into the hero driver club
Pug 206 SW, 172 CUP
Indeed but you do need to be a true helmet to be crowned king of the hero's. The Clio's are just the first step!We all know that by owning a Clio 1*2 (or, even a 1.1*2 Dci), then you're automatically entered into the hero driver club
I surely get a few hero points for never shutting up about my track car being bog standard and on road rubber!
Pug 206 SW, 172 CUP
I haven't been to McDonald's in years. Too lazy. Just eat is far too convenient. The Clio's failing as a dual carriageway weapon these days means it's just not worth the fuel to look really lame. Probably why they're in the car parks!
LOL i was gone a while and came back to this !
If im honest im pleasantly surprised at the speed of the thing. It is after all a Clio and not a turbo Megane but it seems fast enough that i COULD harass some supercars in it. I am used to the power now and having owned other french hatches in the past im used to have a better chassis than power anyway...that Twingo taught me to drive MUCH better than my saxo or 106's ever did!
If im honest im pleasantly surprised at the speed of the thing. It is after all a Clio and not a turbo Megane but it seems fast enough that i COULD harass some supercars in it. I am used to the power now and having owned other french hatches in the past im used to have a better chassis than power anyway...that Twingo taught me to drive MUCH better than my saxo or 106's ever did!
MarkCup
ClioSport Club Member
...and eighties, and nineties, and noughties. I've not come across anything newer than that yet though
Hey c'mon have faith! I full on harassed a local 458 owner on my favourite backroad in the Twingo LOL That was full on epic fun if a tad naughty...i found out a few months later that it was bought for him and that he didnt care for it much (it had some scuffs on the rear bumper and a crack) that pissed me off no end.
I've decided to keep my car in my carport now too
because for such a standard looking car (I even think it looks like a 1.2) it gets the wrong attention. Just last night I had two guys walk past my house saying "that car is just a chav with an engine" they then noticed me and were like "but I'd have one though as I dont even have a car!"
Called it a "chav with an engine" !!!! b******s!
because for such a standard looking car (I even think it looks like a 1.2) it gets the wrong attention. Just last night I had two guys walk past my house saying "that car is just a chav with an engine" they then noticed me and were like "but I'd have one though as I dont even have a car!"
Called it a "chav with an engine" !!!! b******s!
Probably still had the handbrake on
Clios are getting the same rep as Saxos unfortunately, but this is primarily dont to a minority of owners living up to the expectations.
It happens when quick cars get cheap to buy
Pug 206 SW, 172 CUP
My dad's was keyed 
You can catch your average driver in many things but the Clio doesn't have particularly great traction or sheer grunt as I found recently following an S5 on track. The difference in the gap he pulled out of a clear corner to the gap when we exited through traffic and we couldn't get on the power until our wheels were pretty much straight was very noticeable. He could just nail the throttle a long time before me. Also above 80 he pulled smoothly away. Impressive car considering it weighed 1750kg. The driver was really enjoying it to the full as well.
You can catch your average driver in many things but the Clio doesn't have particularly great traction or sheer grunt as I found recently following an S5 on track. The difference in the gap he pulled out of a clear corner to the gap when we exited through traffic and we couldn't get on the power until our wheels were pretty much straight was very noticeable. He could just nail the throttle a long time before me. Also above 80 he pulled smoothly away. Impressive car considering it weighed 1750kg. The driver was really enjoying it to the full as well.
Im used to the traction issues especially in the wet coming from 106's if you get the wheels spinning to a certain point you can sort of use it to your advantage to a point. Just saw the new civic type r ad by the way!
Car looks amazing! Honda are going for the FWD lap record but at 30 grand they bloody well should be! Thats sports car money not hot hatch! Imo a hot hatch should be no more than 15 grand new.
Car looks amazing! Honda are going for the FWD lap record but at 30 grand they bloody well should be! Thats sports car money not hot hatch! Imo a hot hatch should be no more than 15 grand new.
