BIGASH/FF-Racing X85 Clio Cup Racer Project

[Grandpa Joe]

Good news after everything so far nearly there!

 

[Sheila’s’ Wheels’]

Just read all of the updates, holy fcuking moly!!

You must have a VERY well paid job and a VERY understandable wife.

 

[Tony Hunter]

Lol, neither.

 

[Chip-mk1]

Just read all of the updates, holy fcuking moly!!

You must have a VERY well paid job and a VERY understandable wife.

He had big savings and a cute girlfriend.

Hopefully he still has the latter but I think the former is probably a gonna, lol

 

[Cup_Phil]

Last time I spoke to him his girlfriend still didn't know he owned a clio LOL!

 

[Chi]

Chip ill bring you some to Llandow

 

[MG cup]

Well done James, cars stunning. Don't bend it too, I really want to see this thing by next years end.

I think 40k is a conservative figure to for his car too even at the initial spec he had, I know what mine cost and most things I have are 2nd/bargains that came up and not brand new like James's and his was built by others initially. 20k is easily spent building one of these Clio's.

 

[BIGASH]

Thanks everyone for all the kind comments Today didn't quite go to plan, I took the car over to Will Pedley Racing in Leeds who have helped me over the last month or so with advice on a few aspects of the wiring and the plan for today was to get the car running and modify the base map to get it running nicely for the slow speed and idle stuff (Flat out stuff will be done on the dyno and mid range stuff will be tweaked on track) Last night the car was turning over fine and did fire a couple of times but only for a few seconds. Upon arriving we set the car up with the wideband and then went to start the car..... nothing just a clicking solenoid. I tried diagnosing it but it seemed that the starter motor had given up the ghost.

I tried pushing the car to bump start it but the map was quite a way off and it wasn't playing ball, Will made some tweaks and I gave it one last push and it fired and did a lap of the industrial estate pretty happily. The car then sat idling for about 30 minutes to check for leaks, check all the new cooling system. Everything seemed pretty much spot on, the car didn't overheat (Didn't like being sat idling last year) the sump and rocker cover that I removed to fiddle with the engine seemed not to be leaking. There was a slight weep from one of the oil cooler connections so I will add that to the list to investigate. EPAS feels really good and i'm very happy with it so far, its really handy to have it working even when the car isn't on.

[video=facebook;403631693085268]https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=403631693085268&l=1718265843096453119[/video]

I spoke to Adam at Renault to order a new starter motor and was told there are 6 different types and to find out which I need I have to remove the old one and look at the part number. So after getting home at about 9.30pm (Only got 3 hours sleep last night) I made a start on removing the old starter motor so exhaust manifold off etc. I then multimetered the main supply to the starter and it wasn't showing any volts. It turns out the supply wire (I stupidly reused the old one that TDF had made) had been bodged when made and had been made using a 35mm ring terminal on 16mm cable so this had come apart and then was not supplying to the starter. So at the end of the day the problem is sorted just a shame it happened but anyway its my fault for reusing a battery wire that they made!

Unfortunately I have missed the race entry application for Cadwell, I'm gutted as I really wanted to get racing but this will give me the time to get plenty of testing completed now the car is done and then to go into racing better prepared. I will be testing at Oulton late June, early July and thinking about entering the Time Attack round there in July

The dyno is booked for next Wednesday and then hopefully shakedown on the Thursday all being well Watch this space and I'll try and upload pictures and videos as it progresses.

Really pleased for you mate, well done. Look forward to seeing you soon.

Thanks mate Likewise, We need to sort a trackday out! I'm planning on doing Oulton in July I think

WOW this car is a real credit to you mate... On the positive side I bet you could build one from scratch for a fraction if the price and probably have people queuing for them..

Thank you very much Yes I certainly have learnt from my mistakes and could make another to this spec for alot less than what I have spent but 40k is probably a pretty good ballpark without any allowance for labour or tools etc

Good to hear James. When is the first outing?

It's booked for dyno next Wednesday so hopefully a shakedown on thursday I just need to organise an airfield or Teeside for the day

Excellent stuff James, but now its nearly done wont you be bored lol

Cant wait to see this on track

Bored not a chance Sonny i'll be too busy driving it and getting back into a slightly more normal lifestyle lol

Where the funk do you get 40k from?

I know getting a shell painted & powdercoating is expensive - and looms aren't cheap. But no way would it cost £40k to build a car of this spec if it's all planned and budgeted up front!

Honestly mate it adds up all too easily just the rebuild this winter has cost 14k some has come back in from selling a few bits and pieces that weren't being used any more but not more than a grand or so. I doubt I could build myself an identical car to the same spec for less than 40K and that wouldn't include and labour costs or tool costs!

What sort of gear stick are you using, is it one of the CGB Motorsport ones on ebay.

Its a B&M quickshift that BTM fitted for me its a great bit of kit actually, Keep getting tempted to try the PMS one but I can't really afford to keep spending anymore at the moment.

Just read all of the updates, holy fcuking moly!!

You must have a VERY well paid job and a VERY understandable wife.

Haha lol! My savings are very depleted and my girlfriend has been at Uni so I have a fair bit of free time in the evening after work etc

He had big savings and a cute girlfriend.

Hopefully he still has the latter but I think the former is probably a gonna, lol

FLOL!

Last time I spoke to him his girlfriend still didn't know he owned a clio LOL!

She did know at the time I think but she had never seen it lol! She has now seen it once but never been in it nor is she interested. She really doesn't like it so we don't really discuss it haha!

Well done James, cars stunning. Don't bend it too, I really want to see this thing by next years end.

I think 40k is a conservative figure to for his car too even at the initial spec he had, I know what mine cost and most things I have are 2nd/bargains that came up and not brand new like James's and his was built by others initially. 20k is easily spent building one of these Clio's.

Bend it? Lol its one of those things if it happens! I was talking to someone today about it just because it looks all nice and clean doesn't mean I'm going to drive it like a wimp

Yes crazy money has been spent on this project unfortunately but live and learn and i'm just glad I still have the car and I can enjoy it again now hopefully!

 

[BIGASH]

Sorry there was supposed to be a video in that last post not sure what has happened to it

 

[Adamm.]

That would be this.. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=403631693085268&l=1718265843096453119

You tried to embed it but that doesn't work with facebook videos

Btw this car is awesome and fair play for getting it finished after all the hassle and hard work, you stuck through it and I'm sure it will be well worth all the crap .

 

[Chi]

Id love to see this in the flesh, when you mention testing at Oulton Park is this a track day? Ill defo fly along to that.

 

[Hoofy]

James,

The car is looking pretty decent, glad to see it back together and running..... but how on earth have you spent 14k on it just rebuilding it??? That seems like a lot of paint. Have you even got any money left to race it now? We've not upped the power just yet, but we're below that figure building ours from scratch. And I know you say you aren't gonna drive it like a wimp, but I'm sure subconciously you'll hold back just a teeny bit, even if you don't think you are! (That's not a challenge btw)

Also, we're heading down to Castle Combe on July 2nd for a trackday and then on to the TinTops race there on the 13th. You know you want to! (I guess it's quite a distance for you though)

 

[Cup_Phil]

She did know at the time I think but she had never seen it lol! She has now seen it once but never been in it nor is she interested. She really doesn't like it so we don't really discuss it haha!

Hahahahaha I get an image of some folded armed "I don't want to talk about it" conversations lol

I have the opposite problem, I was going to swap my Clio this week with a mate for his 340bhp turbo'd 106... But my girlfriend told me I wasn't allowed because she wants to buy the clio off me and race it later this year! LOL
I need a bigger garage.


Can't believe that wire - f**king hell. The one I made rushed for my EPAS was better than that.
Does that officially put an end to the TDF wiring from hell now then?

 

[Nick172Cup]

Time Attack James?

I wouldn't waste your money mate, the Clios are capable and what not, however you'll be in the same class as Honda CRX running 500bhp with nitrous and silly spec suspension etc.

 

[Toastfrenzy]

Great connector from TDF - just as well it failed now and not on a race day! Good to see it complete and nearly there.

Track Attack more like..

 

[MrKnifey]

Taken me 3 days of browsing here and there to get through the thread. Real impressed. Real nice car and very good work mate

 

[BIGASH]

That would be this.. https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=403631693085268&l=1718265843096453119

You tried to embed it but that doesn't work with facebook videos

Btw this car is awesome and fair play for getting it finished after all the hassle and hard work, you stuck through it and I'm sure it will be well worth all the crap .

Ahhh thanks for that

Fingers crossed it will be, it certainly felt good yesterday round the industrial estate lol

Id love to see this in the flesh, when you mention testing at Oulton Park is this a track day? Ill defo fly along to that.

I think it will be a test day which is basically the same as a trackday but they have to be scuitineer suitable race cars with no passengers. Spectators are still allowed though if you did want to come along

James,

The car is looking pretty decent, glad to see it back together and running..... but how on earth have you spent 14k on it just rebuilding it??? That seems like a lot of paint. Have you even got any money left to race it now? We've not upped the power just yet, but we're below that figure building ours from scratch. And I know you say you aren't gonna drive it like a wimp, but I'm sure subconciously you'll hold back just a teeny bit, even if you don't think you are! (That's not a challenge btw)

Also, we're heading down to Castle Combe on July 2nd for a trackday and then on to the TinTops race there on the 13th. You know you want to! (I guess it's quite a distance for you though)

Thanks Very easily unfortunately, I calculated that from my spending on the car after the car last run at Spa and includes every last cost down to the packet of cig's that I use as payment for one guy letting me use his machines for making the brackets etc.

Lot's of expensive items such as a couple of engines, spare parts, Pit to car radio, painting and the welding work on the shell, new Alcon callipers, couple of Go Pro's, Gripper diff, fibreglass doors and boot, plastic rear screen and alot of money on wiring supplies and tools. It really does add up quickly. I never planned to spend that much but I did estimate it would cost around 10k.

Yes luckily still can afford to race, I just wanted to do the rebuild properly and that meant doing it slowly to spread the cost of doing so. I'm really happy with that choice I made tbf although I can certainly see and respect your point of view

I don't see why I would suddenly start driving it with more caution now than I would of done last year as the biggest financial outlay on the car was last year so if anything I have less to loose this year.

Yes too far for me unfortunately. Hope it goes well for you guys though best of luck

Hahahahaha I get an image of some folded armed "I don't want to talk about it" conversations lol

I have the opposite problem, I was going to swap my Clio this week with a mate for his 340bhp turbo'd 106... But my girlfriend told me I wasn't allowed because she wants to buy the clio off me and race it later this year! LOL
I need a bigger garage.


Can't believe that wire - f**king hell. The one I made rushed for my EPAS was better than that.
Does that officially put an end to the TDF wiring from hell now then?

Haha!

Yes I think so, I can't believe I even used it, (In my defence I did fit that wire back in January before I had the tools to make battery cables )

Time Attack James?

I wouldn't waste your money mate, the Clios are capable and what not, however you'll be in the same class as Honda CRX running 500bhp with nitrous and silly spec suspension etc.

I had been told there is a FWD N/A class for less than 3 litre engines? I agree if i'm competing against that then it's pointless.

Great connector from TDF - just as well it failed now and not on a race day! Good to see it complete and nearly there.

Track Attack more like..

Yes very lucky it has failed now Thanks Pete, I hope yours is making good progress.

Track attack is Mallory, Oulton and Donington I think for me this year

Taken me 3 days of browsing here and there to get through the thread. Real impressed. Real nice car and very good work mate

Thanks very kind of you taking so long to read through it! It's crazy when I sit and look back at everything that has happened with this project.

 

[Renault Wolverhampton]

glad to see it finally done mate all the hard work was worth it in the end!!!

 

[Cup_Phil]

There are multiple categories in time attack - you wouldn't be competing with the CRX and i'll be honest the time attack cars in your class aren't that quick!

 

[BIGASH]

glad to see it finally done mate all the hard work was worth it in the end!!!

Thanks Adam! There must be half your stock room on my car by now

There are multiple categories in time attack - you wouldn't be competing with the CRX and i'll be honest the time attack cars in your class aren't that quick!

Yes that was my understanding, it would only be a one off and quite a good way to get the car back into racing I thought but we will see how it goes

 

[domsclio182]

If you decide you want to sell the B&M quick shift and get a PMS one ( you know you want too) then pm me and I will buy the B&M one.

Car is looking great a real credit to you, it really is very nice.

 

[Fred@BTM]

LOL the B&M is mine, so if he's selling it you can give me the money!

 

[domsclio182]

Ok mate, sorry I didn't know.

 

[BIGASH]

If you decide you want to sell the B&M quick shift and get a PMS one ( you know you want too) then pm me and I will buy the B&M one.

Car is looking great a real credit to you, it really is very nice.

Haha thanks mate As Fred says it's still his so if I was swapping to the PMS item I would just be giving it back to him. It's a really good bit of kit though so I would suggest getting one if they come up for sale at some point

 

[Cup_Phil]

I sold mine - it went for well over half the price of a PMS kit. They hold value well!

 

[elcie]

Remember its Time Attack not 'racing'

Save it for CSCC James!

 

[BIGASH]

Remember its Time Attack not 'racing' Save it for CSCC James!

Tis true but the next race I want to do is August so would be a good opportunity for track time

 

[Kelv]

A OHW won't be a bad shout, I think it would a good way to gauge the cars ability aswell as your own.
having been in the pit lane as part of a TA team over the past few years I will say its definitely a fun place to be, as a OHW I don't blame you.

there is no TA event in Aug this year tho, its either 20th July at Oulton park, or 8th Sept at Silverstone.

 

[BIGASH]

A OHW won't be a bad shout, I think it would a good way to gauge the cars ability aswell as your own.
having been in the pit lane as part of a TA team over the past few years I will say its definitely a fun place to be, as a OHW I don't blame you.

there is no TA event in Aug this year tho, its either 20th July at Oulton park, or 8th Sept at Silverstone.

Yes Will explained OHW to me yesterday, I think my main concerns is the class i'd be in and what the competitiveness of the other cars are. If they have silly power etc there seems little point. Didn't realise that Kelv, are you going to Oulton?

Sorry yes I meant July for Time attack and then August for my normal racing

 

[BIGASH]

​So got some supplies today and made a new section of wire to the starter motor

Job done so reassembled the car and then it was running

[video=youtube_share;HX_7zQebrB8]http://youtu.be/HX_7zQebrB8[/video]

Got a couple of small bits and pieces to do on Monday and then mapping has been moved forwards to Tuesday

 

[Cup_Phil]

I have serious wiring-envy

I think the engines coming out mine this winter so I can re-wire it all!

 

[SharkyUK]

Is that a light I see at the end of the tunnel?! Congratulations mate - I hope you can really get out and enjoy the fruits of your labour now.

 

[BIGASH]

I have serious wiring-envy

I think the engines coming out mine this winter so I can re-wire it all!

Haha thanks I'm really happy with how its turned out but its taken a hell of a long time in wiring.

Is that a light I see at the end of the tunnel?! Congratulations mate - I hope you can really get out and enjoy the fruits of your labour now.

Finally I think it might be yes! Me too! Wish the car was quiet enough to do a Donington trackday but its too noisy that's what I fancy doing first with it.

 

[mharvey]

Congratulations James, god knows you deserve this.
Really glad to see that all the work has paid off and you have the best car on here

 

[BIGASH]

Congratulations James, god knows you deserve this.
Really glad to see that all the work has paid off and you have the best car on here

Thanks Matt can't wait to drive it now just got to hope its quick lol

 

[Nafoff]

f*cking awesome mate and massively deserved.
​fair play and congrats

 

[NorthloopCup]

Thanks Matt can't wait to drive it now just got to hope i've got the balls to drive it quick lol

EFA my friend! Flol!

 

[domsclio182]

Sounds sweet

 

[Fred@BTM]

more zip ties!! FFS!!

 

[Adam G]

more zip ties!! FFS!!

Being powdercoated next lol.