182 Fake Racing/ Track car

[Robproof]

Before it went wrong...

 

[Robproof]

Stripping it down, engine out for a full check over then off to get rebuilt, and maybe a few wee upgrades. Will tidy up the engine bay and auxiliaries with it out.

 

[Robproof]

Slowly getting there with getting back on track.
Fully refurbished engine sourced, all new belts, dephaser, water and oil pump. ARP bottom end bolts fitted and machined head.

Just waiting on borrowing an engine hoist, so bit of tidying up ready for the engine, re-wrapped the manifold, tidied all the electrics, fitted all new water hoses, refitted and changed a few heat shields and a lick of paint in a few areas. Fitted a new fibreglass bonnet too, just as the old one was a bit rough.

Hope to have it back ready for some September track days!!

 

[Robproof]

Back on 4 wheels and New engines running well, going to give it a few pre flight checks and an oil change before heading back out on the road/ track. But not long now (can’t wait to give it a good clean too!


Engine fired up at first time of asking after checking the pressures and no leaks! Booked in for a remap too with EFI in a few weeks, just as the old engine had a few issues, so want to make sure the map suits this one.

once this is finished, mechanically hopefully it will be

• New Engine (inc new belts)
• Fully Refurbished gearbox
• New Gas Gold suspension
• Brembo high carbon discs
• Feroda Ds1.11 pads (front)
• Feroda Ds2500 pads (Rear)
• Pure Motorsport Exhaust
• Pure Motorsport top mounts and strut brace
• New powerflex engine bushes
• ITG Carbon intake
• Fulcrum Half Roll cage
• CCF Bonnet (new aero catches)
• MTC silicon hoses
• Updated/ cleaned interior, plus a few other little cosmetic bits

 

[HaveaCuppa]

You've put some serious work into this recently, very impressive mate. Looking forward to seeing more updates.

Have you got a figure you're aiming for when you map it at EFI, or are you just wanting it to be sorted for the track?

 

[Robproof]

You've put some serious work into this recently, very impressive mate. Looking forward to seeing more updates.

Have you got a figure you're aiming for when you map it at EFI, or are you just wanting it to be sorted for the track?

Thanks very much, it’s been fun and a nice learning curve.

I don’t really have any figures in mind to aim for, just looking for a healthy and reliable engine to enjoy! Can’t wait for it to be back on the road/ track!

 

[Robproof]

First time in 6 months and the clios back driving. Cycle the oil and filter change just as it’s a fresh engine. Will put a good few miles on it the next few days ahead of a trip to efi for remapping and then first track day at Anglesey on Friday. Got to get the aligning checked before too from the team at Aline Dudley.

Since the first mini run out, just got to sort out a STOP light and the Handbrake light flashing on the dash- will check connections and the fluids as it’s running perfect.

 

[Robproof]

Can’t speak highly enough of the team at EFI, chris was brilliant and the cars now running awesomely and both he and Laura were super welcoming! New engine is healthy producing just shy of 180BHP with strong torque through the mid range. Fuel/ air mix all sorted too.

put a few hundred miles on the engine now so just running in nicely now.

 

[Robproof]

Just a small job today, swapped the old rusty exhaust hangers for the ProAm set. Much tidier and the pure Motorsport exhaust hangs a little nicer.

 

[Robproof]

First track day with the new engine- just took it easy to bed everything in, but a good test and felt great.

First time at Anglesey- awesome track, pretty tricky little circuit too with lots of “in between 2-3 gear” corners. The costal circuit was awesome fun - look forward to coming back another day.

hell of a view of the coast too!

 

[Robproof]

Positive day on the car ahead of a day at Oulton Park on Wednesday, booked a couple more days Bedford 27th and Anglesey on the 18 December.

New ABS pump fitted solving all the electrical gremlins and dash lights. All brakes bleed. Recalibrated the steering wheel to sort the steering angle sensor- going to pop down to check the wheel alignment.

Reconditioned Alternator fitted and working perfectly. Also re hung the exhaust as there was a little movement on that. took it for a short test drive and all looks positive.

bought a new bumper, grill and fog light ducts the other day so will freshen that up the front end when I get chance.

 

[Robproof]

Awesome day at Oulton Park. The Clio was amazing! Worked perfectly and felt pretty good. met some other nice Clio owners. Have a little rattle from the heat shield at certain revs, but nought major.

got to (try) follow one of these new dangled Yaris GR’s in a rather fetching Martini livery (until it fell off)

 

[Robproof]

After a challenge year with our relationship, back all loved up with the Clio. Performed faultlessly at Bedford and was keeping up well with all the other clios there. started a bit wet, but dried out nicely. Think there is another couple days left in the Toyo R888 too- they have been great, lasted about 8 track days so far

Even squeezed in the bike to head straight from Bedford down to the south coast for my first attempt at a gravel bike race with the crew too on the Sunday (as something different from mountain biking it was rad fun).

Was good to put a good few miles on the car, feels a lot better now too after a bit of a run in with the new engine. Booked in to get it corner weighted too for January.

Can’t wait for the next track day nglesey just before Christmas.

 

[Robproof]

Managed to squeeze in one last track day of the year at a wet Mallory Park. Was a bit interesting in the weather, but great fun.

New engine is working really well now, not burning oil and seems to be freeing up and healthy. Need to do a little work on the suspension set up, maybe get it corner weighted

 

[Mr Underhill]

Managed to squeeze in one last track day of the year at a wet Mallory Park. Was a bit interesting in the weather, but great fun.


View attachment 1572936

New engine is working really well now, not burning oil and seems to be freeing up and healthy. Need to do a little work on the suspension set up, maybe get it corner weighted

View attachment 1572941
View attachment 1572940

Corner weighting = best money I’ve ever spent.

If I had a £1 for every Trackday Clio Sport owner that’s come over and asked me what power I’m running I’d be a rich man.

So after admiring their front and rear spoilers, cannards, carbon bonnets, go faster stickers etc….I ask “have you had it corner balanced”. The silence is golden 😂

Fundamentals first 😊

 

[Robproof]

Corner weighting = best money I’ve ever spent.

If I had a £1 for every Trackday Clio Sport owner that’s come over and asked me what power I’m running I’d be a rich man.

So after admiring their front and rear spoilers, cannards, carbon bonnets, go faster stickers etc….I ask “have you had it corner balanced”. The silence is golden 😂

Fundamentals first 😊

Cheers Jon, will get that booked then. Still no the weekest cog in the car is me, but it’s all for fun. More track time needed this year

 

[Robproof]

Huge modification… Probably an extra 10BHP with a new Sunstrip from e11vens. A Mates Christmas present to me with a little French twist for the baguette

 

[Robproof]

Went down to String Theory in Stratford and they took the time corner weighted and sort the set up out.

Can’t recommend them high enough, Ben is a super nice dude. so far (not been out on track with it yet) but they were great to talk with and was a pleasant experience spending money on expertise.

Recommended to add some shims to the rear. So now this car has Pure Motorsport camber shims, will try get the set up info to keep on here. Ben says it should make the car better balanced on track at speed.

 

[Robproof]

First day since setting up the car with String Theory, he’ll of a difference at Donington Park. Greasy conditions in the morning but when it dried out it was awesome, turns in well, rotates and really controllable and predictable, got rid of that “snap” feeling. Through McLeans it was insane!

loving the car right now!

 

[Mr Underhill]

First day since setting up the car with String Theory, he’ll of a difference at Donington Park. Greasy conditions in the morning but when it dried out it was awesome, turns in well, rotates and really controllable and predictable, got rid of that “snap” feeling. Through McLeans it was insane!

loving the car right now!

View attachment 1575989View attachment 1575990

Told you 😝

 

[Robproof]

Few shots from Yesterday’s fun. Next outing booked at Oulton Park on the 1st February. Fingers crossed for a good day there too.


Bit of routine maintenance before then, oil/ filter change and check the brake pads etc. But it’s running lovely, so not messing much!!

 

[Robproof]

Absolutely sensational on track at Oulton Park. Cold/ damp in the morning but dried out and all the changes made saw a whopping 3 seconds loped off the best time on a cold track with a dirty line of oil dumped by a Audi TT that I took it easy on (approximately a 2:07- not race car fast, but I’m happy enough as it felt fun and pretty easy to consistently lap that pace). Video of a few traffic filled laps

first time I’ve seen a photo of it cocking A wheel

 

[Robproof]

Saturday Club at my mates garage. A quick check over ahead of Oulton Park on Friday. Changed the brake fluid (Motul 600) and full brake bleed.

Checked the discs and pads to make sure there was plenty left and a few tweeks to the exhaust as it was tapping on the rear beam at high revs.

MOT is booked too. When it’s back it needs a good clean too!!

 

[Robproof]

Another trip to Oulton Park, this time last Friday during the anticipated storms. Rad windy and loads of rain in the morning didn’t dampen the fun. Despite being biblical at lunch (stopping to clear branches of the track) it cleared and the wind dried out the track in no time for 2-3hrs of dry-ish running time.

Really enjoying all the wee upgrades to the car and playing with my mates in their big boys toys (track spec Porsche 4s, M3 and Z4M).

next booked on to Cadwell Park in May (will try squeeze in a day or two before then).
Really enjoying all the wee upgrades to the car and playing with my mates in their big boys toys (track spec Porsche 4s, M3 and Z4M).

 

[Robproof]

Changed the coil/ leads and spark plugs today to solve a tiny miss fire. Also, added a new manifold gasket as it was missing for some reason.

Problem now is I need to adjust the tickover, any ideas how to do that? Does it need to be plugged into the ECU? Answers on a postcard?

 

[Robproof]

The cars been sat for a couple months as I had an idle issue, dropped it to ktech West Midlands and Floyd worked some magic on the tickover. Now running like a dream.

got a set of R888 to go on then it’s ready for track. Booked on Cadwell for early May so looking forward to that.

 

[HaveaCuppa]

Glad you got the idle issue sorted! It’s a nightmare trying to trace annoying little faults like that. What was the culprit?

 

[Robproof]

Glad you got the idle issue sorted! It’s a nightmare trying to trace annoying little faults like that. What was the culprit?

Was my error. When fitting the new engine I missed fitting the inlet manifold gasket. Just serviced the car and so replaced it, but it was mapped and must have had a slight leak. When I put a new gasket in it kept killing it at tick over.

ktech have checked all the pressures now and it all looks perfect, so got away lucky!

 

[HaveaCuppa]

Was my error. When fitting the new engine I missed fitting the inlet manifold gasket. Just serviced the car and so replaced it, but it was mapped and must have had a slight leak. When I put a new gasket in it kept killing it at tick over.

ktech have checked all the pressures now and it all looks perfect, so got away lucky!

Nothing major then, glad to hear it!

Was it the lower manifold gasket? I swapped mine last year when changing a few bits and it was a right pain to line up

 

[Robproof]

Fun day at Cadwell Park, load of red flags for some reason, but track was mint and Clio was sensational.



got to drive my mates big M3 too, totally different to the Clio with so much torque and power! great fun to experience, but love the Clio!

just been to fit new brake pads (learn to do it myself properly!) and a new set of tyres. Trying some slightly wider 205/50/15 on the front just to see if it makes any difference.

 

[Robproof]

Done a couple of evenings at Donington Park recently, absolutely loved it!

when we first went to Donington a few year back, I just didn’t really enjoy the circuit- too fast and too many high power “race cars”. But with the improvements to the handling, can’t get enough of trying to find the flow of the circuit. On the fake LapTimer on the phone, says I’ve knocked over 5 seconds a lap off to a mid-1.25 (still a fair bit of safety margin in there as I need to drive home!)

Recently I’ve switched the front tyres to 205-55 width and maybe it’s a placebo but seems to help with the mid-late corner understeer (I’ve no LSD). Look forward to going back to Cadwell and Oulton Park to see how it is there. Also fitted new Feroda Ds1.11 front pads (last ones lasted really well and felt good enough for me).

Trying to keep up with a Porsche GT4 and a BMW M2 in the first play session of the night:


Time to give it a mini service and some TLC before the next one.

 

[Robproof]

another fun day at Donington Park. Following my mate in the green M3 with a bit of traffic in between us.

 

[Robproof]

Awesome evening at Donington, rinsed a set of front tyres, suffered from Spinning up the front inside tyre which didn’t help! Debating taking a bit of extra weight out the car (still have all the sound deadening in and carpets and headliner). Just to see what’s possible, at the expense of comfort driving to the track!

The car was perfect once again, great fun playing with a few other clios too.

 

[Robproof]

Wee upgrade is pending - thanks Scott

 

[Robproof]

A busy evening last month chasing a few cars at Donington:

 

[Robproof]

Saturday Club at my mates garage.

New Brembo’s fitted today. Taken the 182 for a quick spin on the road and they work. Will see if they make much difference come the next track outing.

FITTED with a fresh set of Ferodo DS1.11 pads and Motul fluid RBF 600 fluid

To help clear the wheels on my 15”fitted a 10mm Pure Motorsport Wheel spacer.

small “service” with fresh oil and filter and bit of a tidy up under the bonnet and nut and bolt check.

Next track day booked is Mid October in Anglesey

 

[Robproof]

Anglesey Track Day 20-10-22:

Great to get the Clio back out on track, this time Anglesey. Long drive up the night before and a bit of on site camping in a thunder storm.

Damp morning made for some interesting conditions- little bit of sideways action. Chasing my mates E36 M3

All dried up after lunch and switched to the Costal Circuit.

Rad fun until I checked my fronts and found them roached!

Bought some new tyres as I fancied a change from the R888.

classic Anglesey shot.

 

[Robproof]

Saturday club at my mates garage, time for a bit of maintenance and a few upgrades under the watchful eye of him.

The time had come to replace the old OEM radiator. We noticed it’s started to bow and the fins deteriorate.

Any excuse really to buy and fit this beautiful Direnza radiator. The finish is first class and it mated to the OEM radiator with ease. Really tidy, just gutted that it gets hidden.

Also took the chance to fit this port and polished inlet manifold, bought from @avstar1

Really nice quality piece from MS engineering, now matches the ported inlets on the head (if that makes a difference?!).

The finish tidy’s up the engine bay a little too. Slam pannel in and fitted back together

Last job of today, After writing off the Toyo R888, time to fit some fresh rubber too. This time thought I would try a set of MRF ZTR in Hard compound.

Not been for a long drive, but pick up seems a little quicker- may just be a placebo effect of enjoying some tinkering? Waiting on a few more parts in the post and then chatting with Matt if we get the Clio on a diet over the winter. Strip out the un used wiring and some of the sound deadening (want to keep some as I’m old and still want to drive to the Nurburgring next year).

Next track day is Bedford at the end of the Nobembet, then Oulton Park and Donington in December. Fingers crossed for some decent weather and see how we hustle my mates M3 with these little mod.

 

[Robproof]

Monday saw the latest track adventure to Bedford. Lucked out with the weather, damp in the morning, but dried out nicely through the day.

Great test for the MRF tyres, can say I’m really impressed. Grip was comparable to the old r888, but the consistency is really good, they didn’t fall off on longer runs.



New manifold seemed to make the engine feel smoother through the revs, maybe it was a placebo effect (?) but the engine was running well. Was happy the new radiator didn’t leak too!

Few Clios there to play with, had a few nice runs with a red 197 in the morning.

Next up is Oulton Park next Friday, hopefully something else to try- not sur wit will do anything (was just interested to try it)

May start to save the pennies for a LSD next I think, just can’t face fitting it for now.

 

[Mr Underhill]

I'm properly missing my race car. Just haven't got the enthusiasm to build another at the moment.