182 Fake Racing/ Track car

[Robproof]

i bought this Clio 182 as a bit of fun just before Christmas. Plan was just to have some fun on the track with it.

Previous owner was a nice fellow who had only had it a year, but bought it from a neighbour who seemed to have spent a lot of effort getting the car solid and tidy (maybe some previous owners on here?). From the mot history it seems to have been stored for a few years and hardly used.

the body work was good but wouldn’t take much to a bring back, main issue was a rattle canned bumper, rough bonnet where the support struts had been cut away and a whole heap of carbon-look stickers on anything it could have.

in general was a nice spec car, drove well and after a test drive I was pretty excited to have a new toy. Spec was:

Brembo high carbon discs, braded hoses DS2500 pads
air con delete
Itg induction kit
Scorpion exhaust and decat
Ad08r tyres on OZ alloys
Interior stripped
Vibratech engine mount
Whiteline anti roll bar
Clio cup shocks & cool sport springs
Recently serviced with a bit of history
Original advert pics:

I don’t/ didn’t have any grand plans to upgrade the car. Just wanted to make sure it was running right, tidy and have some fun with it. First thing was to get it down to a friends garage just to get a professinal, highly recommend them!

Kingswinford Motoring Services, Oak St, Kingswinford DY6 9LT
01384 350360

Thankfully it turned out to be a solid car, lots of effort had been spent that I didn’t originally see (polybushing throughout, the underneath had been painted recently and in general it was tidy).

few minor niggles, but nothing major. Mainly for peace of mind Gave it a minor service and all the fluids and oils (inc. gearbox) Fitted new driveshaft, abs ring, steering wheel squib (my fault I broke the squib fitting a OMP steering wheel i got with the car!).

Mechanically seemed sound, so went about tidying it up aesthetically and bring some essence of an original look back.

 

[Robproof]

After a mini mechanical tidy up, went about returning the aesthetics to a standard look and bring back the original bright work.

Rebadging/ new door bullets/ de-stickering and bought some new wheels to freshen up the look and then to book a few track days to have some fun!

 

[Robproof]

After a couple of track days, I decided to update the old ripped seats. Being on the taller side, I wanted to get some bucket seats fitted as low and far back in the car as possible. Decided to go with a fresh set of Sparco Grid bucket seats fitted on a set of Jon Foz lower mounts. Which were perfect for me.

bought a set of 2nd hand Luke harness’s which were decent condition, just out of date for competition use. (Fixed to seat belt mount points).

I have since added a harness bar for now just to get the seat belt angles a little better, considering if it’s worth adding a cage or halfcage in the future. Also painted the rear of the car Matt black just to get rid of the 50 shades of blue and tidied up all the wiring.

 

[Robproof]

Had a great day at Oulton park with the car! Drove ace, found a few wee issues which will update on in the future.

before Oulton Park I booked in to EFI as I was told that there may be a map on the engine by the previous owner. Chris was awesome to deal with and really helpful. There wasn’t a map
On the engine, but through the process the engine wasn’t behaving as it should be. He suggested it was down on power due to the timing being ever so slightly out and also the first lambda sensor had failed

New lambda sensor fitted and a fresh MOT from the lovely people at Kingswinford mo

next off was to drop it up to Central Bodyshop to get the rough bumper repainted.

 

[Robproof]

A friend recommended me to Central Bodyshop in Chorley (not local to me but Dan is a solid guy and well worth the trip for the quality of his work)

So stoked with the finish of the bumper and sets the car off so well! Also Got rid of the horrible ripped number plate. Dan also mopped and waxed the rest of the body and it’s come up a treat.

Fitted some bass port tubes to a new (none painted) fog light surrounds, which I will try direct some air flow to brakes when I get some time.

I did order a new bonnet also, but it came badly damaged thanks to the courier! Bit gutted but will hold off on that for a while now. (Front lip Skoda spoiler refitted-took off the old scratched painted one that originally came on the car).

 

[Robproof]

Stoked now that the engine has lost it’s weird shade of blue and back to a stock look, clean and tidy.



New OE Cam Belt, water pump, dephaser all changed, the timing has been checked (as it was way out resulting in a broken valve). This has been professionally repaired and new cam fitted by a Renault Sport approved centre.

Few minor oil leaks cleared up (from the van cover and also the sump all re sealed) and engine fully degreased to clean it up.

Also fitted new plugs, coil pack, Magnecore 8.5mm performance leads.

The car drives so much better now and nice to know it’s in a healthy place before it’s next track day.

All excited now to book in for Bedford on Friday 21st and then Donnington 2nd March

 

[BaileyWolves]

Nice little toy mate !!! Glad ur enjoying it, where u from pal see you mentioned kingswinford

 

[Amos91]

What's the bracket for over the fuel rail studs?

 

[Robproof]

Nice little toy mate !!! Glad ur enjoying it, where u from pal see you mentioned kingswinford

not far from there, I’m near Halesowen

 

[MRBILLYUK]

A friend recommended me to Central Bodyshop in Chorley (not local to me but Dan is a solid guy and well worth the trip for the quality of his work)

View attachment 1452514View attachment 1452518
So stoked with the finish of the bumper and sets the car off so well! Also Got rid of the horrible ripped number plate. Dan also mopped and waxed the rest of the body and it’s come up a treat.

Fitted some bass port tubes to a new (none painted) fog light surrounds, which I will try direct some air flow to brakes when I get some time.

View attachment 1452529

I did order a new bonnet also, but it came badly damaged thanks to the courier! Bit gutted but will hold off on that for a while now. (Front lip Skoda spoiler refitted-took off the old scratched painted one that originally came on the car).

How much was the bumper respray?
Looks like they did a good job.

 

[Robproof]

How much was the bumper respray?

a friend of a friend did it for me so difficult to say. Amazing quality job give Dan at central a call for a price.

 

[Robproof]

What's the bracket for over the fuel rail studs?

min all honesty I don’t know, the engine was like that when I had it, just been tidying bits up expecting they were normal (it’s my first Clio)

 

[Amos91]

You’re missing the entire fuel rail guard currently!

 

[Robproof]

Took the car out to Bedford on Friday and it was faultless all day.

With the timing sorted it’s a different beast. kept up with some much bigger cars and was incredible in the corners. However it did drink a fair bit of oil during the day (I suppose that’s as it was under load for a lot of the day).

Think I’m getting addicted to the track day bug! My mate I was with had a Civic Type R and was fun “playing” race cars with him.

Bedford was a good fun track to drive, we’ve booked to try Donnington Park in week or so before the track day prices seem to go through the roof! Hopefully just needs a top up of oil and she’s good to go again.

 

[cliocollins]

Looks good mate. Bedford is a great track, car looks at home on track, nice setup.

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[Eddie555]

Glad you're enjoying it Rob.. Strange that you are using a lot of oil.. Mine hasn't used a drop in 5 full trackdays..

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[Robproof]

Glad you're enjoying it Rob.. Strange that you are using a lot of oil.. Mine hasn't used a drop in 5 full trackdays..

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Yea it’s strange, not sure why it uses oil, did a couple litres on Friday and no leaks at all now.
Ah well..

 

[Eddie555]

Yea it’s strange, not sure why it uses oil, did a couple litres on Friday and no leaks at all now.
Ah well..

What a couple of litres?! That's madness.. You have a problem somewhere buddy..

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[Robproof]

What a couple of litres?! That's madness.. You have a problem somewhere buddy..

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Will see what it’s like next time out at Donnington. May have just been having an off day It runs fantastic otherwise.

Booked it back in with Chris @ EFI end of March, so be interesting to see if it’s improved now the timings sorted when I saw you there.

 

[Eddie555]

Will see what it’s like next time out at Donnington. May have just been having an off day It runs fantastic otherwise.

Booked it back in with Chris @ EFI end of March, so be interesting to see if it’s improved now the timings sorted when I saw you there.

Lol.. I've got to go back up to see Chris as well.. I'm having 197cams fitted over the next couple weeks so need a map tweak..

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[Robproof]

Had another awesome day at Donington Park Monday. Some sort of track day series test day, so loads of race cars. Pretty hairy having them go past!

got jealous as my mate put some posh yellow coilovers on his Civic... got me envious and thinking to change mine, even though I don’t need them (I don’t think), would they make much difference over the cup/ cook springs I’ve got at the moment?

ordered some new front discs and pads after as was nearly down to the metal. Went with George at @RTR_Parts advice of Feroda Ds1.11 and a fresh set of Brembo High Carbon Max Groove Discs (sams as what I have currently) as a replacement for the DS2500. Be in testing to try them. Great advice and service from George.

Few little jobs this month, off to EFI at the end of the month to get the car re mapped now the timing, belts and lambda sensor have all been changed/ sorted.

Also booked for a day at Snetterton for early April, think I’m getting addicted slightly

 

[Robproof]

Small update, new front brake pads and brake discs fitted.

Yet again called in the kind people at kingswinford motor services expertise.

after a few track days it was time to replace the discs and pads. I found there was a little pad/ disc wobble under heavy braking so spoke to @RTR_Parts for a new set of Brembo discs and feroda ds 1.11 pads. Wasn’t sure on how old the ones on the car were so decided to change the lot.

Luckily most of the bolts came off easy. whilst the discs were off the mechanic; Matt cleaned off the hubs to ensure that the discs sat clean and flat the greased/ copper greased everthing that needed it. Really did an awesome job.

Also found out the car also has goodridge braded hoses already so that was a bonus.


the only issue we found was one of the bleed nipples had been rounded off and despite trying we couldn’t loosen it up (any ideas?)

other than that, some fresh brake fluid motul rbf660 fluid. Time to bed them in. Hopefully back on a track day soon.

 

[Amos91]

Just buy a used caliper, wouldn't waste my time with that.

 

[Robproof]

Just buy a used caliper, wouldn't waste my time with that.

Good idea, will take a look for one. Thanks

 

[Robproof]

TreatIng the old a polish

Came up pretty well!

now back to hibernation for a wee while..

 

[Robproof]

Went back out to play some more. Found some black stickers so cut it to fit under the lower grill, quite like it (for now).

 

[Robproof]

Little advice please

Just struggling to understand the hub I have on here! Considering fitting coil overs so need to know if I have 60mm or 54mm spacing, I can’t seem to find anything measuring either (would the camber bolts effect this? (I.e. need to remove and measure the shock itself)

Then the big question, what coil overs? (thinking budget new would be £1000 max so probably not find a AST set that people seem to think are good!) looked at BC or Gaz Gold so far

Thanks very much

 

[Robproof]

Spent the day cleaning the under arches and applying some waxoil.

Was in really good condition, but hopefully now cleaner and keep it that way.

Big debate in the head if you switch to coil overs or not?

Before

During

After

 

[Robproof]

Lockdown clean continues.

Bought a couple of new callipers since the bleed nipple was rounded on the ones on the car.

Before putting them on will give them a full refresh starting with a scrub and lick of paint.

Just ordered a refresh kit for the pistons and seals before they go back on.

Did buy some 16mm hubcentric spacers too (look mint) but the wheel nuts are not 100% threaded so took them off. Not risking that!

 

[DomP182]

Lockdown clean continues.

Bought a couple of new callipers since the bleed nipple was rounded on the ones on the car.

View attachment 1472595

Before putting them on will give them a full refresh starting with a scrub and lick of paint.

View attachment 1472596

Just ordered a refresh kit for the pistons and seals before they go back on.

Did buy some 16mm hubcentric spacers too (look mint) but the wheel nuts are not 100% threaded so took them off. Not risking that!

I refurbed mine and went back to silver after previous owners red, looks much better. Bigg Red refurb kit?

 

[Robproof]

Think so, may as well make sure there tidy.

The red was ok, but pain to keep clean with all the brake dust and maybe a bit flashy for me!

 

[Robproof]

Wee spruce up of the headlights today:

 

[Robproof]

Completed the refurb of some front callipers, new pistons and seals and a lick of paint. Waiting to ask my mates garage to help me fit them (and double check them) as I don’t trust myself!

 

[Robproof]

Lockdown clean number 2. Think I’ve done about 10 miles since the last polish, but thought I would buy a clay bar and have a play. Pretty happy with how it turned out! Not bad for 16 years old.

 

[Robproof]

At long last the Clio got an outing, it’s been stood most of lockdown, just took it for a little drive the other day to make sure it was all ok. Fine apart from a flat battery.

We headed up to Cadwell Park. What a place! (Fair play to Javelin who put on a good and well organised day). Found a nice place to park, didn’t clock, but it was next to a race prepared transit van. Turned out to be Guy Martin and the one from his tv show. (I didn’t want to add to the people heading over to him!)

Weather was awesome, kept sessions shortish to give the car time to cool (and me!). The new DS1.11 brakes are amazing! I’ve just got to get my head around braking later now.

In the afternoon I tried dropping the tyre pressures to 28psi (hot) from 30psi and that made a huge difference. Massively cut down the tyre squeal and was much better to drive. It’s a tricky little circuit though to get right.

Did manage to find out I had a small oil leak from one of the breather pipes (not sure which ones which as they all had a little film of oil on them) if anyone knows a fix? No major issue but it’s good to know why I lost a little oil.

We’ve another day booked here next month (as we were on the reserve list for this date so it was a bit last min). Fingers crossed I maybe have a set of coil overs arriving (just being made apparently) and a set PMS top mounts/ strut to go on. Hopefully not to difficult to fit as I’ve never done that before! (May call in the experts to make sure it’s done right)

 

[tomsteer]

Car looks great, good job on the calipers and cleaning out the arches... both are on my to do list!

 

[Greeny.]

Nice car, to me it doesnt look like your oil breather is actually held on with anything?

 

[Robproof]

Nice car, to me it doesnt look like your oil breather is actually held on with anything?

Thank you for the reply, is that this bit, looks like it should have a jubilee clip or pushed on further:

(Was too hot yesterday to try, but if that’s the right bit I will take a look).

 

[Greeny.]

Thank you for the reply, is that this bit, looks like it should have a jubilee clip or pushed on further:

Thats the bit and yes to both

 

[Robproof]

Thats the bit and yes to both

Thanks very much.