Bobby's Deep Black 197 project thread.

Bobby. · Jul 25, 2013

Well I owned the car for two months now so thought its about time I start a project thread. ill start with a little history.

First clio I owned was a titanium 182. that went though various stanges, here's a few old pics I've got

PICT0412 by bobby683, on Flickr

PICT0168 by bobby683, on Flickr

PICT0265 by bobby683, on Flickr

PICT0275 by bobby683, on Flickr

IMAG0021 by bobby683, on Flickr

IMAG0112 by bobby683, on Flickr

done my first track day in that at Bedford then one at brands and the track bug was caught.

had that for two years then sold it for a LY R26

Had that for about 6 months then got board of that so started looking for another 1*2.

Took this one in p/x in the end.

IMAG0355 by bobby683, on Flickr

IMAG0357 by bobby683, on Flickr

And turned it into this

_DSC0056 by bobby683, on Flickr

_DSC0027 by bobby683, on Flickr

_DSC0024 by bobby683, on Flickr

_DSC0007 by bobby683, on Flickr

And a couple earlier one's from last summer.

_DSC0050 by bobby683, on Flickr

_DSC0056 by bobby683, on Flickr

_DSC0061 by bobby683, on Flickr

did a few track day/sessions in that at brands, snetterton, lyyden hill, Silverstone and Bedford.

really enjoyed that one as it handled so well.

full spec of that was.

suspension.

spax trackday coilovers -2.5 degrees camber, 8 clicks from stiffest setting, 10mins toeing out.
ktr solid top mounts
whiteline rarb on middle setting
25mm fk bolt to hub spacers on the front
10mm spacers with 1 degree camber on the rear

interior.

renault sabelt steering wheel
ph 1 horn
ocera hub
genuine rs mats
alloy foot rest

exterior.

renault 15" oz f1's with federal rsr's 195/50 15
172 cup washer blanks
ph1 megane front lip
3/4 plate and clean plate on the back
silvervisions all round
new style wipers
fogs, archliners, carbon canister, recuirt valve all removed.

engine & exhaust.

ktr solid engine mount
ktr solid gearbox mount
powerflexed dog bone mount
172 cup alternator set up (to delete aircon)
ktr/janspeed supersport exhaust
decat
k&n panel filter

Then I decided to return it to standard and sell. next up is the 197, run out of time now but will update the thread soon with whats been happening with the 197 over the last 2 months.

Cheers Bobby

Clio_Scott92 · Jul 25, 2013

how did you get on with the rsr tyres mate? look to get some for a general all round tyre on raod as well as a track session or two.

Bobby. · Jul 25, 2013

Yeah I think their a brilliant tyre, wear very well and give a high level of grip. Would definitely recommend them.

Bobby. · Jul 31, 2013

So I've had the 197 two months now and im really enjoying it.

Here's a couple pics from when I first got it.

DSC_0283 by bobby683, on Flickr

DSC_0289 by bobby683, on Flickr

DSC_0303 by bobby683, on Flickr

DSC_0306 by bobby683, on Flickr

DSC_0310 by bobby683, on Flickr

DSC_0317 by bobby683, on Flickr

First thing I done was a service, then the rear window seals as the old ones had perished

DSC_0005 by bobby683, on Flickr

next was some RS mats, then an filter as the old was black lol.

IMG_1008 by bobby683, on Flickr

IMG_1009 by bobby683, on Flickr

Next up was a set of disc's front and rear as the old ones were f**ked

DSC_0002 by bobby683, on Flickr

DSC_0001 by bobby683, on Flickr

The front were nearly as bad as that.

Got hold of a set of 25mm H&R spacers and a set of H&R lowering springs, so put them on

DSC_0003 by bobby683, on Flickr

DSC_0004 by bobby683, on Flickr

Next I put some silvervisions in to smarten it up

IMG_1016 by bobby683, on Flickr

The front upper grills were looking a bit worn out so I gave them a light spray of matt black to help restore them.

IMG_1030 by bobby683, on Flickr

IMG_1031 by bobby683, on Flickr

IMG_1032 by bobby683, on Flickr

IMG_1033 by bobby683, on Flickr

Decided to spray the spacers black to smarten it up

IMG_1126 by bobby683, on Flickr

IMG_1128 by bobby683, on Flickr

IMG_1136 by bobby683, on Flickr

A quick front on pic to show the stance after fitting the spacers and spring

DSC_0090 by bobby683, on Flickr

Next was replacing this little buggar

IMG_1122 by bobby683, on Flickr

had to tackle this lot to get to it.

IMG_1125 by bobby683, on Flickr

IMG_1129 by bobby683, on Flickr

IMG_1131 by bobby683, on Flickr

IMG_1130 by bobby683, on Flickr

IMG_1132 by bobby683, on Flickr

Glad to see the end of that job! happy now though as theirs no play in any of the suspension.

The body worked was looking a bit dull so went over it with the tardis, ironx and clay bar. then used some poor boys black hole and finished with some diamond brite for a bit of extra protection.

IMG_1138 by bobby683, on Flickr

Next i wanted the wheels refurbished in a nice oem anthracite so sent them round to the local body shop

IMG_1127 by bobby683, on Flickr

before i put them on and get them dirty i sealed them with titan as03

IMG_1137 by bobby683, on Flickr

and that's about it for now. really need to get out with the camera and get some pics.

Kelv · Sep 12, 2013

Bobby, it's looking good

Have you got any more pictures of the car, I'm curious how it looks with those spacers and springs.
Also, how do you find the ride with the H&R springs?

I've just bought a black R27, I want the AST's for it but been given an 8 week lead time so I'm tempted to pop on some springs in the mean time as I'm aiming on taking the car to the ring in 3 weeks for is first trackday shakedown

BREMBO · Sep 12, 2013

Love that, more pics pleaseeee

Bobby. · Sep 12, 2013

Hi kelv, I've not got any pics atm but I did clean the car to day in hope of getting a few snaps, unfortunately couldn't today but hopfully should tomorrow.

It sits so much better with the springs and spacers, that's for sure. It also handles very well, very little roll and still not that crashy. I took it round castle Combe at fcs and I was very impressed, just had so much grip. I would definetly recommend.

Kelv · Sep 12, 2013

Cheers Bobby.
you don't regret the move as get then I assume?
its the handling characteristics I'm concerned about, if the springs were likely to upset it compared to the factory springs, but good to hear you rate them (for what they are worth in comparison to top line coilovers atleast) as I'll probably grab a set and chuck them in.

with your spacers, would you say there is space to step up to a 225/45 tyre and sufficient tyre/arch space even when cornering hard?
ive just snapped up a set of 225/45 A048's for now.

Jekyll · Sep 12, 2013

Looks great bobby

We need more pics!! Still loving it and not wanting another 182?

Austin-182 · Sep 12, 2013

Looks great mate, il keep an eye on this thread.

Bobby. · Sep 12, 2013

BREMBO said:
Love that, more pics pleaseeee

Austin-182 said:
Looks great mate, il keep an eye on this thread.

Cheers lads

Dr Jekyll said:
Looks great bobby We need more pics!! Still loving it and not wanting another 182?

It's funny that you say that, the pics I was going to take to day will be for a forsale advert

I do love it, I just really want another 1*2 to get my teeth into.

Kelv said:
Cheers Bobby.
you don't regret the move as get then I assume?
its the handling characteristics I'm concerned about, if the springs were likely to upset it compared to the factory springs, but good to hear you rate them (for what they are worth in comparison to top line coilovers atleast) as I'll probably grab a set and chuck them in.

with your spacers, would you say there is space to step up to a 225/45 tyre and sufficient tyre/arch space even when cornering hard?
ive just snapped up a set of 225/45 A048's for now.

No their definetly worth it 100%.

As for tyres I reckon their fit fine as their only be a smidge wider and, even though their lower and wide with the spring combo it's not slammed, so no, I wouldn't be worried, and that including your hard cornering

also another thing to add, some people run with the speedlines instead of the standard alloys and their 8j rather than 7.5j wide iirc, and they have no problems.

Bluebeard · Sep 12, 2013

Fantastic work, great additions.

I do love the 197's.

Kelv · Sep 12, 2013

That's handy to know, it's a set of the speed lines (or two) that i want to source for the car aswell.
i didn't realise they were wider aswell.

selling.... Boo Hisss

Bobby. · Sep 13, 2013

forgot to do this little update... all the brakes come off to be painted red like the cup pack version and I got some brembo stickers off ebay to keep with the oem look.