Ash's Ph1 172

[Ash J]

So, the Alfa 147 GTA was recently sold.

Time to take my full motorcycle test (hopefully next month), but I was also looking for a tidy 182 to get back into for a daily, to run alongside the bike.

But instead, came across a Ph1 172 in really nice condition, so I went for that ! Always wanted a Ph1!

Not too much to say at the moment. I picked it up on Sunday. Here are a few pictures of it how it was when I collected it...

There is not a lot more to say for now really.

I am planning on keeping this as original as possible, but with a few OEM modifications here and there. Have it lowered slightly, and a nice aftermarket exhaust, but otherwise looking factory and keeping it original.

It is in amazing condition. The passenger seat and rear seats look like they have never been sat in! It has the original dealer plates and supplying dealer sticker in the rear window. The carpets look brand new, and the original mats from factory look 100% perfect, with rubber mats having been put over the top of them. Even the original gear shifter sticker on the front windscreen is there (albeit slightly peeled away).

Plans are...

Full suspension refresh
Aftermarket exhaust (nothing loud)
New plates (will keep the originals)
New mats (will keep originals to preserve them)
Uprated air filter and a few other engine bay goodies
Engine bay refresh (painted inlets etc)
Source new front bumper and respray (original is slightly warped)
Cup spoiler
All the usual "Ash OCD touches"

Just want to keep it factory fresh and OEM looking apart from being lowered slightly.

All I will say, is I purchased a lot of parts before I had even collected the car. Here is a picture of all the parts I had accumulated ready to be fitted, 3 days after I had bought the car! Yes I know I am a psycho!

Keep a look out for updates soon!

 

[DomP182]

That's a rare find, what mileage is it on?

 

[Darren61]

Lovely.

Can you get it resprayed to Sunflower though? ?

 

[Ash J]

That's a rare find, what mileage is it on?

Just ticked over 70k.

Lovely.

Can you get it resprayed to Sunflower though? ?

I agree, I’d absolutely love a sunflower one! They just never come up for sale.

Wonder how much a full respray would be.... ?

 

[DomP182]

Just ticked over 70k.



I agree, I’d absolutely love a sunflower one! They just never come up for sale.

Wonder how much a full respray would be.... ?

Don't! That's titanium isn't it? I had an iceberg ph, my first RS

 

[william...]

Looks so great!!!

 

[yeecup]

looks very nice. retrimmed steering wheel in alcantara? Iv had 2 ph1 172, flamer and iceberg, great little cars and rare sight nowadays. like the plans, pretty much what I did with mine.

 

[chris blue]

That's really nice. I love the shape of the Phase 1's, don't think I'd have a phase 2 unless its been modded to heck for the Track

Quite jealous, although my Phase 1 is modded for Track - although not completely ripped

 

[Rojer]

This is going to be good if any of your previous cars are anything to go by!

 

[Grier]

Can't wait to see what you do to this

 

[Paul172sport]

Stunning saw this for sale lovely and know you'll just make it even better.
I'll have come up see it for inspiration

 

[Ash J]

Don't! That's titanium isn't it? I had an iceberg ph, my first RS

Yes titanium. And no plans to respray, was only joking! I love sunflower but wouldn't spray another Ph1 to get it to be sunflower.

looks very nice. retrimmed steering wheel in alcantara? Iv had 2 ph1 172, flamer and iceberg, great little cars and rare sight nowadays. like the plans, pretty much what I did with mine.

Yes alcantara retrimmed steering wheel done by Snappy with the RenaultSport logo at the bottom. Feels nice, but I don't like the shape of the Ph1 wheel for spirited driving... so am probably going to try and source a Sabelt/Sparco wheel as they feel so much better, but I'll keep the original.


Only a small update, had a spare 15 minutes this morning, so decided to fit some of the easy parts.

First up, some mist washer jets. I've put these on all my Clio's, make such a difference.

Parts...

Before...

After...

Next up was to fit the new set of mats. So the original supplying dealer mats which are blue are currently in the car, and they are in very tidy condition. And then some rubber over mats were put over them (Ford branded!) to protect them. The picture below makes the blue mats look a bit grubby, but they are pretty much mint, and it is just the imprint from the rubber over mats on them.

Firstly, I dumped the rubber mats as they are awful, and also saved a bit of weight too as they did weigh a bit!

Before...

New mats to go in...

And installed. Much better!!

That was it for today!

 

[Ash J]

All the suspension parts will be getting fitted a week Tuesday (28th May)!

Pictures of all the parts below ready to be fitted. Only thing I don't have yet are the Cooksport springs, should be arriving later this coming week fingers crossed.

Cup shocks (front)
Cup shocks (rear)
Cup wishbones
Track rod ends
Top mounts and spacers
New shock absorber bolts
New track rod end nuts
New ball joint pinch bolts

All genuine parts.

And at the same will have the below fitted...

Cooksport springs (yet to arrive)
10mm rear stub axles spacers (Pure Motorsport)
20mm KTR front spacers (yet to arrive)
Evol dog bone mount

Can't wait to have it all fitted!

 

[Paul172sport]

All looking great. Definitely have catch up soon.
I've a much smaller pile of parts. Whose doing all work Mike?
If you do sell the wheel I'll have it for definite.
What exhaust you looking at? Problem with Ph1 choices are limited

 

[Coops Mk1]

Superb buy, glad to see another being looked after!

 

[partybish]

Love it, great buy! I bought a sunflower off of Dean and he’s a great guy, really looks after his cars so I’m sure you’ve got a good one here - made all those mods to my titanium and it drives so nicely with all the suspension refreshed - you’ll love it!

 

[Ash J]

All looking great. Definitely have catch up soon.
I've a much smaller pile of parts. Whose doing all work Mike?
If you do sell the wheel I'll have it for definite.
What exhaust you looking at? Problem with Ph1 choices are limited

Yep definitely catch up soon - give us a shout some time.

Nope, will be getting the guys at Ergen Motorsport in Fareham to do it all. Not sure if you have heard of them, BMW and motorsport specialists, but I get on well with the owner there and they do the work on all of my cars - very trustworthy which is important to me. I would otherwise be taking it down to Mike yes, just that I have had Ergen work on my last 4/5 cars now (nothing against Rentech and Mike, top bloke!).

I probably will sell the wheel on second thoughts, once I have sourced a Sabelt. So I will give you first refusal when I do.

I noticed choice for exhausts was limited... I could basically see either the K-Tec system, or GT Performance, the latter of which is on eBay and I could not find any owner experience of them. The other option is Supersprint from KAM Racing, but that is £££££.

Have actually decided on an exhaust now though, and placed an order today. Should be arriving later this week, so all will be revealed then...

 

[Paul172sport]

OK that's good to hear ergon are good as they are literally one minute away.
I'll await news of exhaust, I couldn't see any reviews of the gt exhaust either.
I've actually looked into the jetex one too.
Wednesdays are always good evenings for me if your ever free then shout

 

[Stay Puft]

Ergen have some decent cars on their Sunday breakfast meets!

 

[Ash J]

Yeah I go to most of their breakfast meets; great bunch of guys at Ergen, and the turnout is normally pretty good yes!

 

[Ash J]

So the exhaust arrived today.

Just about managed to squeeze it in the back of the car after the box arrived at work...

Yep.... a BTB system! Had one for my 182 and they are a very well made piece of kit.

I remember that BTB used to offer a "Stealth" system for the 172 years ago (like 5/6+ years ago now), so I just innocently phoned them up last week to see if they were able to produce this system still. Turns out they don't. But they just happened to have a system on the shelf pretty much ready to go (it just needed a bracket welding on). Also, this was the "Ninja" system that they offered... basically some of their customers found the Stealth too loud, so the Ninja was created which basically sounds almost exactly like stock according to BTB.

I'm not sure if I literally got the only system they happened to have on the shelf, or if there are anymore available, but either way I did the deal on the phone there and then, and was pretty happy to have the Ninja system as I didn't want anything much louder than stock anyway.

Just a teaser below. I will get this fitted along with the suspension work next week. So, I will take some pictures then out of packaging, or if the kid in me can't wait until then, I shall open it sooner and put some pics up!

I also managed to get hold of a second hand K-Tec sports cat, which arrived earlier this week. My car being a Phase 1 only has a pre-cat lambda (no post-cat), so I bought a lambda plug to block the post-cat lambda boss.

Lastly, a couple of exhaust consumables arrived from Renault Parts Direct as well to be fitted with the BTB and Sports Cat (manifold to cat fitting kit, and a centre exhaust hanger).

 

[chris blue]

Nice one

I have a BTB exhaust on my Phase 1, AND just fitted a Sportscat too, but I have a pre and after LAMBDA sensor

Don't think Ive got the "Ninja" system tho, as mine sounds failrly deep throat rumbly- and its fab
We will have to compare exhaust sometime. LOL

 

[yeecup]

Btb are superb exhaust fabricators, they were featured recently on car sos. Make some really high end stuff for classic astons etc manifolds etc. Great choice

 

[Ash J]

Nice one

I have a BTB exhaust on my Phase 1, AND just fitted a Sportscat too, but I have a pre and after LAMBDA sensor

Don't think Ive got the "Ninja" system tho, as mine sounds failrly deep throat rumbly- and its fab
We will have to compare exhaust sometime. LOL

Yeah you probably have the more common "Stealth" system which I still don't think is mega loud anyway.

I am hoping to have a little more noise than standard (or a bit deeper) coupled with the sports cat. But relatively stock sounding is good for me as it is a daily.

We will definitely have to compare!

Btb are superb exhaust fabricators, they were featured recently on car sos. Make some really high end stuff for classic astons etc manifolds etc. Great choice

Yes their exhausts are a work of art. Not sure if you have been watching the series on Youtube (about 14 episodes; highly recommended!) where Retro Rides have been commissioned to build a Mk1 Escort from scratch for Gordon Murray. BTB were used to fabricate the exhaust system for it.


Anyway, thought I would unwrap the exhaust tonight just to make sure everything is there (clamps and hangers etc) and just to have a perv on it!

Here it is (quite like the additional hanger at the back too)...

 

[Stefan.]

Dem welds.. ?

 

[Mertin]

Thats one to hold on to! Cant beat a clean and fresh Ph1. Wish Id never made mine into a sprint / hillclimb car years ago and cant believe how the price of them has risen since then

 

[Daz...]

That exhaust looks spot on for what you’re doing to this.

Car looks very tidy and will no doubt be in tip-top condition when you’ve finished with it!

 

[yeecup]

Yeah you probably have the more common "Stealth" system which I still don't think is mega loud anyway.

I am hoping to have a little more noise than standard (or a bit deeper) coupled with the sports cat. But relatively stock sounding is good for me as it is a daily.

We will definitely have to compare!



Yes their exhausts are a work of art. Not sure if you have been watching the series on Youtube (about 14 episodes; highly recommended!) where Retro Rides have been commissioned to build a Mk1 Escort from scratch for Gordon Murray. BTB were used to fabricate the exhaust system for it.


Anyway, thought I would unwrap the exhaust tonight just to make sure everything is there (clamps and hangers etc) and just to have a perv on it!

Here it is (quite like the additional hanger at the back too)...

View attachment 1419657

View attachment 1419658

Ah yes the mk1 escort that's where I saw them visit btb. Looks a superb system

 

[Ash J]

Managed to get hold of a Titanium cup spoiler in good condition from a 182.

Before....

And after.... much better!!

Also loaded up the back with all the parts that are to be fitted this week.

Front cup shocks (and new shock bolts/nuts)
Rear cup shocks
Cup wishbones (with new ball joint pinch bolts)
Track rod ends (and new nuts)
Top mounts and spacers
Pure Motorsport rear stub axle spacers
Evol Engineering dog bone mount
KTR sports cat (with new manifold to cat fitting kit)
BTB Ninja cat-back exhaust system (with new centre hanger)
TPI Polarised wheel bolts
Mishimoto magnetic sump plug
Oil filter (for a service with Millers oil)

The only parts which have still not arrived yet are the Cooksport springs and front wheel spacers - hoping they will arrive from @K-Tec Racing within the next few days otherwise the Clio is going to be sat in the garage until they arrive which will be annoying!

Last but not least, just thought I'd mention I picked up a new toy this weekend (which was the main reason for selling the 147 GTA). Not sure how many of you are into bikes, but here are a couple of pics for those who are!

That is all for now.

 

[Stay Puft]

A tail tidy and it’ll be lovely. I can’t bring myself to buy a bike until i’ve passed the test. There are a few GSXR 600 locally, so shouldn’t be too hard finding one.

 

[Chris V6 255]

Looks lovely!

Reg seems strangely familiar, wonder if it’s one of my previous ph1’s


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Ash J]

A tail tidy and it’ll be lovely. I can’t bring myself to buy a bike until i’ve passed the test. There are a few GSXR 600 locally, so shouldn’t be too hard finding one.

Yeah have a few plans for it, mainly just tail tidy and an exhaust, but there will be other small parts (mirrors, rear foot peg blanks, anodised parts etc).

Shouldn't have a problem finding a GSXR when you are ready. This was just too good a price to turn down and has a fair few extras fitted too (factory and aftermarket).

 

[Ash J]

So a slight change of direction with the car.

Was told by K-Tec today that it will be end of the week earliest before the Cooksport springs are here (ordered a few weeks ago!) which was just too long given the car has gone into the garage already.

Ended up deciding to go with the standard springs instead to keep it completely stock. So it will still have had a suspension refresh; maybe I'll consider springs at a later date.

Because of this, I am not going to fit front wheel spacers or the rear axle stub spacers.

Order with K-Tec was cancelled which also included one of their induction kits (decided to go with an ITG filter in the standard Ph1 airbox instead).

On the back of deciding to go standard with the car, I am going to keep the original exhaust system as well.

So the following parts will be for sale on this forum shortly (PM in advance of the ad going up if you want first dibs on anything)...

BTB Ninja cat-back exhaust system (brand new, not even been fitted or offered up to the car
KTR sports cat (used) - has two lambda holes, but will also include the new lambda bung/plug so can be used with all 172s - PROVISIONALLY SOLD
Pure Motorsport rear stub axle spacers (brand new, still in box)
TPI polarised wheel bolts 50mm which are to be used with 20mm spacers which was my plan (brand new still in packet)

In other news, some parts turned up today...

Type R aerial (obviously not using the base part)...

Sparco 300mm steering wheel which I got for a good price...

And a few accessories for the wheel. Wheel hub/boss, horn retainer ring, new allen screws, and a Renault Racing horn push - just thought it looked pretty retro!

Also sourced brand new genuine Hella headlights. One of them arrived slightly damaged in that one of the mounting points snapped off. They offered me a refund of 50% for that headlight, so they ended up costing me just under £90 all in for the pair! And, I managed to fix the broken mounting point with some super strong Gorilla glue - very solid now, result! I think I can get away without that mounting point anyway as it has three others (two at the bottom and one at top) but for the sake of a few £ for some glue, I was very happy with the result!

New plates (3/4 front)...

ITG filter for for airbox...

And I have a few other little bits to be fitted when the car is back too...

Osram chrome indicator bulbs
New headlight bulbs (PIAA)
New textured black 3M film so I can cutout some new front bumper decals (mine are missing)
Resistors to turn off airbag light when fitting the wheel

And then that will be the car pretty much done once all the above is fitted. The only non-stock part will be the steering wheel! Oh, and the Evol dog bone mount and braided brake hoses!

Plan is then just to keep it OEM fresh and maintained.

I have a spare set of inlets (upper and RS lower), cam belt cover and engine mount bracket which at some point in the future I will get painted, but I might do that on the next service with new plugs and Magnecor leads etc.

Last pic of how the steering wheel will look when fitted (just to get an idea!). Love the Renault Racing horn push!

 

[deanoE30M3]

Nice you’ve decided to keep it standard, doing the right thing! ??

I’d say stick with the other steering wheel looks better! Maybe bit one sided as it was my old car lol

The bumper bits aren’t missing they’ve been painted on top off I noticed!

Hope you’re enjoying the car though fella!

 

[Ash J]

Nice you’ve decided to keep it standard, doing the right thing! ??

I’d say stick with the other steering wheel looks better! Maybe bit one sided as it was my old car lol

The bumper bits aren’t missing they’ve been painted on top off I noticed!

Hope you’re enjoying the car though fella!

Thanks Dean!

I prefer the look of the standard retrimmed wheel too. However, I find it awful in terms of ergonomics for a "spirited" drive... the thumb grips are too low in the wheel and just do not feel right/natural, difficult to say what I mean. The later 172 and 182 wheel are much better. But I prefer a smaller wheel and for me it makes a big difference when driving one of these, transforms how the car feels! I will be sourcing an original steering wheel though so it can go back to stock at any point.

I literally noticed that about the bumper this evening before you mentioned it! I am going to take the decals off and use them as templates which is really handy. Had noticed the front bumper has been painted, looks fine, but I would love to source a replacement bumper if I could seeing as it is slightly warped in the middle which I am sure you probably noticed at some point. Difficult to get hold of a Ph1 bumper now though! Perhaps it could be heated and remoulded. It is only minor but bugs me because I know it is there!

Otherwise loving it.

 

[deanoE30M3]

Thanks Dean!

I prefer the look of the standard retrimmed wheel too. However, I find it awful in terms of ergonomics for a "spirited" drive... the thumb grips are too low in the wheel and just do not feel right/natural, difficult to say what I mean. The later 172 and 182 wheel are much better. But I prefer a smaller wheel and for me it makes a big difference when driving one of these, transforms how the car feels! I will be sourcing an original steering wheel though so it can go back to stock at any point.

I literally noticed that about the bumper this evening before you mentioned it! I am going to take the decals off and use them as templates which is really handy. Had noticed the front bumper has been painted, looks fine, but I would love to source a replacement bumper if I could seeing as it is slightly warped in the middle which I am sure you probably noticed at some point. Difficult to get hold of a Ph1 bumper now though! Perhaps it could be heated and remoulded. It is only minor but bugs me because I know it is there!

Otherwise loving it.

Yeah, the shape of the wheel isn’t the best for a good drive out! I did have ph 1 earlier this year with smaller wheel did feel good, just looked original but with a twist!

The bumper I’d say just been fitted wrong and didn’t help it out with keeping shape! Thought you’d be able to get some shape back into it!

 

[Ash J]

So I had all the Cup suspension fitted about 4-5 weeks ago, along with a geometry alignment. Massive difference, it really handles very well now, as you would expect.

Also had the BTB ninja exhaust system fitted, along with the KTR sports cat. The nicest thing about this is it sounds literally stock. I have never heard a stainless system so quiet before, which is just how I wanted. You get a slightly more throaty sound when climbing the revs, but that is about it, hard to tell still. Very much in keeping with the rest of the car which is pretty stock.

At the same time I had a mini service carried out, to include an oil and filter change (with the most expensive Millers CFS NT+ oil - not cheap stuff!).

Then about 3 weeks ago, I spotted that the two left tyres were not PS3's as advertised with the car, but Pilot Exalto's. I would have been happy to swap tyres around so I had matching front and back tyres (the other two are PS3's), but one of them was very low on tread and starting to perish on the sidewall, which I had not initially noticed, so I bought two new PS3's and had these fitted on the front, meaning it now has PS3's all round (the rears have a good amount of tread). Really has made a difference when coupled with the suspension overhaul.

However, as is often the case when I spend money making a car better than it already was... the bad news is this will be getting advertised for sale very soon.

I am taking on a big career change (whilst I still can!) which does also mean a fair drop in salary, so am planning on just running the motorbike for now (my test is on Monday - wish me luck!).

I will put an advertisement up soon, but most of the spec is in this thread, so anybody interested prior to the ad going up (I need to clean it etc first!) just send me a PM and I can give more details.

My girlfriend also owns a motorbike which she commutes on and does not own a car, so it is likely we would be looking for a run around as cheap as possible (like £1,000 or so) nearer to the end of the year when winter sets in, but I would consider taking something as px against the Clio now if there was something suitable and it helped the sale as we will need a car at some point. Preferably diesel, and preferably an estate, but will at least consider anything, so let me know what you have got!

This really is a great example of a Ph1, in amazing condition, relatively low miles, full history, recent documented belts, brand new stainless BTB stealth exhaust system, complete suspension overhaul with new genuine parts (172 Cup suspension) and standard bar a few things which are all easy to change back. Runs superb and does not miss a beat.

Cheers guys.