My Project Titanium 182!

[RustyMojo]

So been meaning to start a thread around my build for a while! Given we have just had another 3 weeks of lockdown announced, thought I may as well crack on and post something up.



So, back in 2004 I used to work in car dealerships. I was luck y enough to have a couple of 172 & 182’s as company cars/demonstrators. My soon to be 10 year old lad is mad on anything mechanical and wanted to work on a car with me, I started looking for a 205GTI. Back in the day. I owned 5 at one time, at anyone time only 1 ran. I loved them , unfortunately they seem to have somewhat appreciated in value. So were firmly outside the small budget allocated by SWMBO. I started looking for a clio,I specifically wanted either a flame red 172 or a titanium silver 182. Frustratingly I missed out on a few (you snooze you lose) then one evening a Ti 182 came up for sale on faceache. I arranged to go and look at it (the previous ones I had seen were absolutely goosed)



we had a bit of a nightmare journey heading out to see the car, with two punctures in my brothers T5 van. When I got to the car it was dark (stupid time to view a car) luckily there was some light in the owners workshop. Car is a 90k 182 FF, some service history and a recent dephaser and cam belt. Cosmetically I was honest but needed work. Namely the bonnet, jacking points and some rust on the rear arch. Also the windscreen is cracked. I’m hindsight I should’ve walked, but I was fed up for looking. The car has been lowered, ran an induction kit and Scorpion 192 exhaust system with decat. It test drove fine with nothing horrific other than a wheel bearing being shot. So I purchased the car and drive it home!



The car was then locked in the garage whilst I started appraising the car... more to follow

 

[RustyMojo]

So the drive back with the car highlighted a few issues.

1. Radio display bulbs didn’t work
2. It’s so bloody noisy, decat exhaust and induction kit - I’m too old
3. Steering wheel thumb grips were horrific
4. Anything plastic inside the car was sticky.
5. EML on (suspected decat)
6. Lumpy/hunting idle - suspect timing needs looking at
7. Tapping noise at tickover from AUX belt area
8. Windscreen cracked

The agreement from my wife was that I was not allowed to spend money on the car for the first month...which coincided with us then falling into lockdown and me being Furloughed onto what is basically less than half pay. So far the jobs have been small things I can do to abide by (slightly) her rules. So major stuff or bits that require big spends are on hold until post lockdown.



My little lad (10 this week) is massively into anything mechanical, part of the reason in buying this car is for us both to learn the skills together, or me to teach him.



Before anything else we set about sorting out the dashboard lights and interior plastics. Cheap and relatively easy job to get our teeth into.



So top dash stripped out of the car, Elbow grease and possibly the most satisfaction I will see through this whole project ensued. My little lad bless him fixed the radio display himself. The look on his face when we plugged it back in and it worked makes the car purchase itself worth it! I also replaced the thumb grips on the steering wheel and everything got cleaned - 16 years worth of other people’s detritus gone!

 

[RustyMojo]

Super chuffed with the initial progress I had made, keeping (largely) online with SWMBO rules on not spending money. I then decided to lift the bonnet and tidy up the engine bay a little.

First thing to go was the horrible induction kit. Which looks just a cheap filter whacked into parts of the standard airbox system.
Back in the day I was desperate to fit a K&N to my Mi16 engine, but my old man who had spent years rallying to a reasonable level as well as being an engineer and expert in many fields of mechanical engineering always stopped me (well tried) Asking why I though a part for £100 from Halfords would be better than the millions car manufacturers spent developing their own systems. Obviously I ignored him..because induction roar!

Nowadays, for the time being at least I want the car mechanically back as close to standard as possible, with some handling upgrades and subtle cosmetic improvements. But largely standard. I purchased a used standard airbox, annoyingly it was missing one of the rubber mounting points. Renault only supply them with the airbox itself...so I made one. Collection of tap washers to size then filled down to match the original OEM part. The centre bolt ‘tube’ was made up out of old MTB suspension hardware, works perfect and looks OEM. Time will tell how it holds up but I’m happy so far.

 

[RustyMojo]

Been a bit lazy updating this. I am actually a couple of weeks ahead of my posting. My be busy doing nothing as part of the lockdown 😂

So messing around with the air-box made me realise how minging the engine was, so I decided to do ‘light’ tidy up.

With the view further down the line of a proper spruce up. Again apologies for not taking enough photos.

It’s clear that at some point in the past there has been some for of oil leak from the rocker gasket. Old dry oil everywhere. Annoyingly when the belt and dephaser were done last year by last owners garage. They didn’t clean the rocker cover as part of the job. So many hours were spent by me doing the best job I could with the cover in situ. Pretty happy with the job, I then sprayed the rocker with VHT high temp silver. Whilst I was at it I cleaned the throttle body, it was absolutely disgusting thanks to running the induction kit.

The car came without the fuel rail protection guard fitted (dodgy) as the nuts had rounded, so I purchased some replacement studs and nuts then cleaned the fuel rail guard up as well as the inlet
Finally I painted these in VHT Crinkle finish black. I’m pretty stoked with the results. Engine is a nicer place to be leant over now.

I need to change the PAS pump as it’s noisy and am going to replace the alternator at the same time as well as a new AUX belt and tensioner. So restart the bay tidy up as part of this. Thinking I will probably change the radiation, AC condenser and water pump whilst I have everything apart as it’s all looking a bit shagged. Oh and before I forget, yes no doubt the coolant header needs replacing as does the coolant with some lovely flo green Renault stuff!

 

[mk1mark]

Great thread - I'll be paying attention to it closely.

I actually picked up a Titanium Silver 182 on 14/4 and have similar plans to yourself - I've already replaced the whole exhaust and airbox with standard items, and sourced and fitted a complete rear interior. I'm totally new to Renaults so it's handy to check here for bits you're updating on yours.

Oh and did you remover the sticky stuff with nail polish remover?

 

[RustyMojo]

Great thread - I'll be paying attention to it closely.

I actually picked up a Titanium Silver 182 on 14/4 and have similar plans to yourself - I've already replaced the whole exhaust and airbox with standard items, and sourced and fitted a complete rear interior. I'm totally new to Renaults so it's handy to check here for bits you're updating on yours.

Thank you, I’m going for an OEM+ build, I think! So slight tweaks on the chassis (it’s already cup suspension with Eibach springs) I want a CAT back on the car and may change the RS192 back box to something custom made and slightly quiter. I like a rasp but I have some issue with hearing and droning drives my tinatus wild!! Will be running the *natch* Turini’s and spacer setup every clio seems to have and my steering wheel will be off to snappy at some point, then I may have a go at some carbon work myself on some of the cosmetic items. As I have a bit of experience with carbon from my days back when I raced dinghies. Currently overhauling the back end so the beam is dropped and the brakes are off awaiting a rebuild.
For the record I have no experience working on Renaults! In fact my only real mechanical experience is messing around with my old 205 GTi’s 20+ years ago now! But I’m working on the principle that spare parts on the clio are seemingly readily available at the moment, so I balls something up even major, I can get replacements cheap enough. That said things like engine timing etc will be done by a specialist. Body work wise I work for the company that deals with RUK’s import and defleet centre so I get staff rates on paint work. So when this lockdown blows over I’m going to get my front bumper painted and maybe a brand new bonnet done.

 

[mk1mark]

Great, it sounds like you've got a good plan in place. I'll be sticking to OEM+ too and eventually wearing Turini's - it sounds like the cars should be pretty similar in the end - I'll be adding Cup shocks and Cook sport springs.

Modern car ownership is taking some getting used to for me, my background is with MK1&2 golfs, so it's a bit foreign having to deal with so many plastic clips and torx.

 

[RustyMojo]

Plastic clips and bolts/hardware made out of rotted cheese! Absolutely a similar path!

if you get bored during lockdown and can hunt through some of the old project builds there have been some epic titanium builds over the years! Really inspirational, such an underrated colour mainly because it doesn’t photograph particularly well.
Work will slow on my build shortly I should think as I’ll need to either collect parts or need more stuff. I have a PAS pump and alternator sat with a forum memeber for me to fit post lockdown! Any major items are going to have to wait. Nice thing with having time on my hands is I can crack on with jobs I would normally put off! Things like the rear beam and underside of the car surface corrosion, they didn’t ‘need’ doing, but I can’t see me selling the car so getting them done now means less time in the future when we get back to normality. Luckily for me it’s a weekend wagon and I have access to my daily! So if this takes me years to finish then so be it!

 

[RustyMojo]

Still playing catch up with the updates! Apologies as some of this had been posted elsewhere on here.

So rust...when I bought the car I noticed some rust behind the filler flap. Also whilst working under the bonnet in noticed the slam panel was pretty grot.

After drilling out the rivets on the fuel filler and removing the flap I was somewhat relieved to largely surface rust. Quick blitz with the Dremel and some treatment saw this rectified. Then finally repainted with the correct paint. Pretty happy with the results. I actually modified the flap bolts. Initially the heads are mounted into the plastic moulding which obviously breaks as soon as you look at it. I filled the bolt recess flat prior to fitting, simple and effective:

Whilst I was at it I decided to clean the inner arch.

It’s safe to say this car has never had the arches cleaned properly. So a good scrub and then inspection showed some gravel rash around and surface rust. This was cleaned back to fresh metal and treated. Prior to a final clean and paint of the arch itself. 1 down another 3 to go! I have decided to work on the back of the car during lockdown. This includes dropping the rear beam. Mainly pushed along by the fact I noticed the rear brake lines are well past their best and the beam is heavily corroded. Not to mention the rear callipers look to be sticking. More updates on that in due course.

Slam panel...apologies about the lack of good photos here. I have removed the front bumper as part of the engine bay clean up and inspection. The slam panel itself was suffering from surface corrosion, nothing drastic just a mess.

Not to mention the bonnet catch which also looked like it had spent half its life strapped to a boat. I took the slam panel back to bare metal primed and repainted. It’s yet to be refitted as I’m going to need to remove to help access the AUC belt when I change this in the coming weeks/months.

Thanks for reading, apologies it’s not glamorous!

 

[Martin.]

Looks like a great start, especially with the paint.

Did you paint the bits yourself?

 

[Crazylegs]

Wow, that engine bay looks like a brand new engine! I've got a TI 182 as well, and only the engine bay let's it down. I might take it to a place to get mine done the same (crinkle black). It's smartened it up massively. [emoji106]

 

[RustyMojo]

Looks like a great start, especially with the paint.

Did you paint the bits yourself?

Yes mate, got properly matched to code ratle cans, I wouldn’t say it’s perfect. Just took my time and didn’t rush things. Big flat panels will be done by professionals though! But for these smaller more hidden jobs rattle cans work fine

 

[RustyMojo]

Wow, that engine bay looks like a brand new engine! I've got a TI 182 as well, and only the engine bay let's it down. I might take it to a place to get mine done the same (crinkle black). It's smartened it up massively. [emoji106]

Just do it yourself mate. All you need to do is make sure everything is cleaned properly. Then apply the VHT crinkle paint and apply some heat. I used a heat gun and for a decent finish. They say to put it in the oven but when I tried the smell was unbearable! Otherwise it’s a really, really simple job!

 

[MrBlonde]

Nice to see another Titanium build thread mate & engine bay looks good,im doing the same kind of colour combo on mine.

With the interior sticky parts,best bet is to replace them with non sport items.Exactly the same but without the sticky covering,ive done all of mine inside.

 

[RustyMojo]

Nice to see another Titanium build thread mate & engine bay looks good,im doing the same kind of colour combo on mine.

With the interior sticky parts,best bet is to replace them with non sport items.Exactly the same but without the sticky covering,ive done all of mine inside.

Thanks, love your build! Some inspiration right there for me! Sadly my car is a long way from yours just yet. My engine bay is still a fair way from where I’m happy with it. I just wanted to get it slightly tidier, prior to me getting stuck into to some of the work. Under there... I got a bit carried away!

The interior is now not sticky. The elbow grease spray and plastic scourer have done an amazing job! The only piece I’m not happy with is the driver door pull. So I’ll likely buy another of those as mine was so worn.

 

[Str18]

A Titanium 182 thread to follow! love what you've done so far
I got my 182 recently after a long time out of the "car game".

have a big section of parts in the boot and more on order, you've inspired me to start a build thread on mine!
Did you order your rattle can paint online? What company as I will need some myself

 

[RustyMojo]

A Titanium 182 thread to follow! love what you've done so far
I got my 182 recently after a long time out of the "car game".

have a big section of parts in the boot and more on order, you've inspired me to start a build thread on mine!
Did you order your rattle can paint online? What company as I will need some myself

Thanks for the comments. I got a long, long way to go! Whilst I’m enjoying the Furloughed time at home, it’s frustrating! I got a PAS pump and alternator to collect and fit. I also made a commitment to my wife not to blow big money on car parts whilst there is some uncertainty! So things like seats, wheels etc are on hold. Which to be fair is for the best as I need to get the mechanical bits right before the more enjoyable upgrades.

I did order it online yes, from these people.

Car Touch Up Paint, Paint Mix to Car & Caravan Awnings - Xtreme Auto's

Car Touch up paint, Car Accessories, Caravan awnings, Seat Covers, Car Aerosol Spray Paint, Floor Mats, Wipers and much more. Discover our full range at Xtreme Auto Accessories UK & Ireland

xtremeautoaccessories.co.uk

 

[RustyMojo]

Another boring update, but quite a satisfying fix for me! The interior boot trim panel was lose, broken trim clip! Stripped down, cleaned (it was horrible behind there) and new clips fitted!

 

[RustyMojo]

Going to chuck a question out there. My rear brake lines are knackered. Given that you can no longer buy the compete brake lines from Renault, I have had what I consider a fantastic quote to replace all the rear brake lines on the rear of the 182 with braided lines. So that’s the hardlines up to the bracket where the lines bolt to the hardline underneath the car....but what colour do I go for? Some bright options which are not for me it’s either clear, carbon or black....I’m swinging towards black, but I’m useless at that stuff!

 

[MrBlonde]

Are the oe lines not green?.i would just go black mate.No point in Carbon or colours if to be honest as i guess its not going to be a mint show car your after? @RustyMojo

 

[RustyMojo]

That’s exactly my thoughts, it’s not a show car! That’s for sure, want it as close to OEM as possible. Just when I was given the option it threw me a curve ball! I’m always crap at picking that kind of thing and make mistakes! Incidentally my NS line is green and OS black...

 

[mk1mark]

Looking good - the engine bay is such an improvement.

Did you have to fit new gaskets after removing it for paint?

 

[RustyMojo]

Looking good - the engine bay is such an improvement.

Did you have to fit new gaskets after removing it for paint?

I didn’t and don’t believe you need too, however I would normally replace them. But As part of this project I’m heading back under the bonnet to do some fairly extensive work, plan always was to replace gaskets when I change the plugs and leads.

 

[DomP182]

Going to chuck a question out there. My rear brake lines are knackered. Given that you can no longer buy the compete brake lines from Renault, I have had what I consider a fantastic quote to replace all the rear brake lines on the rear of the 182 with braided lines. So that’s the hardlines up to the bracket where the lines bolt to the hardline underneath the car....but what colour do I go for? Some bright options which are not for me it’s either clear, carbon or black....I’m swinging towards black, but I’m useless at that stuff!

Where from? I need to do the same

 

[RustyMojo]

BRT motorsport, replacing all rear lines in the car up to the hardliners that run under the car floor pan. I have sent him the measurements I need. Just need to confirm colour and pay him now. Which I’ll sort today

 

[RustyMojo]

I’m so behind in updating my progress on this build thread. Amazing given the amount of time I have!! So things are moving forward, slowly!

Following on from the work I did repairing the fuel flap area, as well as cleaning the arch. I decided to attack the rest of the rear of the car first. Whilst there are no real horror shows under the back end there are area of localised rust starting to set. So I decided to sort. I need to get in the habbit of photographing stages of the

The rear brake line that ran along the rear beam had fractured so obviously needed sorting. The rear beam itself looks fairly manky, so that’s been removed and sent off for blasting and powder coating.

I will be refurbing the rear callipers whilst I have them off the car, pad wear looking to be all over the place and one of the pistons looks scrap.

I have given the rear hubs a bit of a refresh with some silver hammerite. In my haste to strip down I’m worried I have trashed one of the abs sensors (he it wasn’t moving I know I should have checked here before hitting it harder) also when removing the rear hubs from the beam I had to cut one of the bolts.

Next up the exhaust brackets and mounts, mine were a mess, I have managed to rescue the pressed steel brackets but have replaced the exhaust mounts themselves. As the original Powerflex ones were bushes in with additional bolts to reduce sag/movement!

One thing I’m desperately wanting to find is some heat shields. I am completely missing the back box best

Shield and the final exhaust tunnel shield is manky and rotten. It looks like I may have to fabricate some out of something like Nimbus. But if anyone has some sitting in a shed somewhere please let me know.

whilst I’m also at it, does anyone have a bolt list for the back end of the vehicle (save me measuring everything) I’m going to replace as many bolts as I can in stainless. (Obviously not where HTS bolts are needed.

again I’m sorry this probably isn’t interesting or at the shiny end of a project yet. However I think it’s important to get on with these shitty jobs whilst I’mon Furlough as I will never do it other wise. Plus little point shelling out on wheels etc. When the brakes are a pending MOT failure

 

[DomP182]

@RustyMojo most are 30 or 35mm M8 flange heads for the brake line brackets, fuel tank except for the beam bolts which are high tensile M10. Order some m8 stainless washers and penny washers for the fuel tank too to spread the load!

I ordered M10 x 130 cap head bolts from Kay's on Ebay but the thread wasnt long enough so I reordered 110mm as there is loads of excess bolt showing on the beam mounts.
They came but still not quite enough thread, nothing an extra washer on the in car side couldn't sort. I was a bit confused by this so measured and found they had sent me 140mm bolts first off them 130mm rather than 110mm the second time.

 

[DomP182]

BRT motorsport, replacing all rear lines in the car up to the hardliners that run under the car floor pan. I have sent him the measurements I need. Just need to confirm colour and pay him now. Which I’ll sort today

Did you get these? What lengths were they from fitting to fitting out of interest?

 

[RustyMojo]

Hi Dom, I ordered all my bolts in the end. They are sat on my work bench waiting for the bloody powder coaters to reply as to when my beam is finished. I didn’t order the lines in the end. I was lucky enough to find a OEM beam hardline unused. Also some Goodrich rear braided lines. I’m pretty much ready to start putting things back together when o get the rear beam back. Waiting for my Whiteline bushes as well. I also need to either refurb my osr caliper or replace it.

 

[Cads]

Another boring update, but quite a satisfying fix for me! The interior boot trim panel was lose, broken trim clip! Stripped down, cleaned (it was horrible behind there) and new clips fitted!

View attachment 1470869View attachment 1470868

Sorry to go backwards mate. Have you a link for these clips? Every time I shut the boot the panel comes loose. It’s doing my head in and my neighbours think I’m mad keep punching the inside of the boot lid!

 

[RustyMojo]

Sorry to go backwards mate. Have you a link for these clips? Every time I shut the boot the panel comes loose. It’s doing my head in and my neighbours think I’m mad keep punching the inside of the boot lid!

No worries, I bought them from here

Renault Clio Trim Clips, Fixings & Fasteners- Huge Range

Renault Clio trim clips and fasteners selection. Free UK Delivery on our huge range of replacement clips & fasteners

www.vehicleclips.co.uk

It’s actually these clips:

Pillar, Door & Tailgate Lining Clips, Renault 7703077354

A black plastic fastener used to attach interior pillar trims, door cards and tailgate lining panels. The clip is a two part clip designed to come apart when the trims are being disassembled. The clip will be supplied assembled and should be fitted assembled.

www.vehicleclips.co.uk

 

[Cads]

Top man. Many thanks.

 

[DomP182]

Hi Dom, I ordered all my bolts in the end. They are sat on my work bench waiting for the bloody powder coaters to reply as to when my beam is finished. I didn’t order the lines in the end. I was lucky enough to find a OEM beam hardline unused. Also some Goodrich rear braided lines. I’m pretty much ready to start putting things back together when o get the rear beam back. Waiting for my Whiteline bushes as well. I also need to either refurb my osr caliper or replace it.

Whiteline bushes appear much better than standard ones and they fit much more easily, couldn't get mine in at all, even stripped a 10mm toughened bolt trying.
I got my lines from BRT, look great but they are going to shorten the short line as it's too long and will get trapped in the spring. Just need that to come back then sort my wheel issue and it can come off the stands finally!

 

[RustyMojo]

Mines coming together but I’m sure I have some surprises waiting for me! I need to sort my exhaust out at some point. Car has an Rs192 with decat. But it’s too loud for me. So I want a central silencer and a cat reinstated. Waiting for feedback from Rs192 as to their ability to sell me the mid section.

 

[RustyMojo]

Bit of an update. Finally got the beam back from the blasters. They have done a decent job considering it looked like it had been used as an anchor for the last 16 years. I have ordered some Whiteline bushes from @Kev@KAM which I’m hoping will be here soon. I can then start the refitting process. I was lucky enough to find a perfect condition beam brake line. So have saved the hassle of getting a new line made or replacing with braided line.

I have tidied up the brake and headlight angle adjuster bracket and sources some braided lines

Next up I think I have sourced a backbox heat shield, however I need to either refurbish my osr caliper or replace it. Then need to think about tackling the exhaust system.

Currently I have a Scorpion Rs192 back box fitted to a straight pipe mid section and decat. I want to go back to running a cat and if possible a mid silencer. So contemplating either a used car back system, or getting what I wanted fabricated for my exhausting back box. If anyone has anything lurking in their spares please drop
Me a pm

 

[Kev@KAM]

I think we are waiting on some new stock of the whiteline. PM me your order details and I can keep you up to date

 

[RustyMojo]

Nice delivery today!
Whiteline bushes for the rear beam.

Just need to either source a new rear caliper or rebuild my OSR so I can build it all back up

 

[MrBlonde]

Nice mate,i would like to do mine some day.Just wondering if your feel any difference from it

 

[RustyMojo]

God knows! To be honest I won’t know for some time. But for sub £50 and based on feedback here it made sense to fit them whilst the back end is in bits!

 

[Crazylegs]

Are the rear beams on these cars a weak point then?

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