FRP - Clio 182
14/01/2016
Go pro mount turned up
Go pro mount turned up
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Clio 172 Cup - Track Project
- Thread starter williamsclio1
- Start date
FRP - Clio 182
15/01/2016
Okay so today I sorted out the battery and since then the immobiliser issues and starting issues have been resolved
I also paid £6 for the local car cleaning place to power hose and give it a quick clean, once back at home I threw some wax at it.
All packed and ready to go
Fuelling up ready to go
Okay so today I sorted out the battery and since then the immobiliser issues and starting issues have been resolved
I also paid £6 for the local car cleaning place to power hose and give it a quick clean, once back at home I threw some wax at it.
All packed and ready to go
Fuelling up ready to go
FRP - Clio 182
17/01/2016
Well the weekend is over and what a weekend, on Saturday I couldn't stop grinning.
It was an early start from Worcester at 5:15am in order to get to Rockingham with plenty of spare time, which was just as well as there was an accident on the A14 and we where at stand still for over and hour.
Finally we arrived and just in time for the briefing
After the briefing we went out for the sighting lap, silver wheels still on at this point
Once back we proceeded to change the wheels over
Then I was finally ready to head out
At the dB check, only got 88dB however I had measured it at 95.5 on the Wednesday so I was surprised at the reading tbh.
So my co-pilot Si has done a number of track day previously and was a great help with giving me much needed advice, I had within the first few laps managed to spin the car and I was driving like I was on the road which I soon realised is in no way the way you should be driving on track as Si explained to me once we returned to the pits to check over the car.
On return to the pit lane and a once over the car everything seemed great
We checked the tyre pressures and they where at a cray 40 (should of checked before heading out) this certainly wouldn't of helped with the spin (not that it was down to my driving at the time) Once the tyres pressure was dropped to around 28 the car felt much better.
After a few sessions Si then had a few laps which at this point I realised I still had plenty to learn and many improvements to make
After the last session before lunch we noticed a squeal from the front brakes, I had checked in the morning and there was around half of the pad amount left but the inside pad in just 4 / 5 outings had worn out, this left us a little concerned however after a few calls we found a local motor factors that had some pads in stock. We loaded up the fuel tank and the 20ltr jerry can and headed back to fit the new pads
After lunch it was back out on track and after some further advice my confidence grew and I really started to get to grips, hitting the apecs, carrying more speed through corners hitting braking points and really begin to enjoy the experience even more.
I did have a moment in the afternoon where I braked way to late and locked up and ended up in the gravel trap, I was soon rescued after the Tow strap was ripped off when being recovered, there was no damage to the car, just the front scoops full of stones.
So with a quick look over the car I was back out on track again
So what a day tyres are looking very worn out now and will certainly need a new set for the next adventure.
It was then on to the long journey home. 3 hours 15 mins, but I was so high on adrenaline that it didn't seem to take to long, the car was fantastic it was running almost all day from 5:15am till 8pm at night, apart from the brakes wearing out and having to adjust the exhaust bracket slightly it was faultless.
When I arrived home in the evening I found that the brake scoops had been delivered, but I have to say the brakes where excellent all day long, it was a chilly day so that certainty would of helped, but I can see why now many owners say just a decent set of pads and decent discs are all that are required using the standard callipers, more than tough enough for the job.
So whats next, well number one get stud conversions as changing wheels over was a ****ing nightmare and just took way to much time, replace the centre section of the ktec stealth exhaust to a silenced section as the motor way journey was horrendous.
What an experience, I have already started looking for other track days, hoping to attend Castle Combe pretty soon.
Till then a last shot of me in action
Well the weekend is over and what a weekend, on Saturday I couldn't stop grinning.
It was an early start from Worcester at 5:15am in order to get to Rockingham with plenty of spare time, which was just as well as there was an accident on the A14 and we where at stand still for over and hour.
Finally we arrived and just in time for the briefing
After the briefing we went out for the sighting lap, silver wheels still on at this point
Once back we proceeded to change the wheels over
Then I was finally ready to head out
At the dB check, only got 88dB however I had measured it at 95.5 on the Wednesday so I was surprised at the reading tbh.
So my co-pilot Si has done a number of track day previously and was a great help with giving me much needed advice, I had within the first few laps managed to spin the car and I was driving like I was on the road which I soon realised is in no way the way you should be driving on track as Si explained to me once we returned to the pits to check over the car.
On return to the pit lane and a once over the car everything seemed great
We checked the tyre pressures and they where at a cray 40 (should of checked before heading out) this certainly wouldn't of helped with the spin (not that it was down to my driving at the time) Once the tyres pressure was dropped to around 28 the car felt much better.
After a few sessions Si then had a few laps which at this point I realised I still had plenty to learn and many improvements to make
After the last session before lunch we noticed a squeal from the front brakes, I had checked in the morning and there was around half of the pad amount left but the inside pad in just 4 / 5 outings had worn out, this left us a little concerned however after a few calls we found a local motor factors that had some pads in stock. We loaded up the fuel tank and the 20ltr jerry can and headed back to fit the new pads
After lunch it was back out on track and after some further advice my confidence grew and I really started to get to grips, hitting the apecs, carrying more speed through corners hitting braking points and really begin to enjoy the experience even more.
I did have a moment in the afternoon where I braked way to late and locked up and ended up in the gravel trap, I was soon rescued after the Tow strap was ripped off when being recovered, there was no damage to the car, just the front scoops full of stones.
So with a quick look over the car I was back out on track again
So what a day tyres are looking very worn out now and will certainly need a new set for the next adventure.
It was then on to the long journey home. 3 hours 15 mins, but I was so high on adrenaline that it didn't seem to take to long, the car was fantastic it was running almost all day from 5:15am till 8pm at night, apart from the brakes wearing out and having to adjust the exhaust bracket slightly it was faultless.
When I arrived home in the evening I found that the brake scoops had been delivered, but I have to say the brakes where excellent all day long, it was a chilly day so that certainty would of helped, but I can see why now many owners say just a decent set of pads and decent discs are all that are required using the standard callipers, more than tough enough for the job.
So whats next, well number one get stud conversions as changing wheels over was a ****ing nightmare and just took way to much time, replace the centre section of the ktec stealth exhaust to a silenced section as the motor way journey was horrendous.
What an experience, I have already started looking for other track days, hoping to attend Castle Combe pretty soon.
Till then a last shot of me in action
FRP - Clio 182
No but just checked and with it being a Monday its a bit difficult with work, would need to be a weekend preferably. Also Bedford is 3 hours way from me, so would be another early start.
It's a Saturday 27th, it's not on the MSV pages as it's a Ford/Renault day. Booking page is http://www.msvtrackdays.com/car/calendar/2016/feb/27-ba-gen.aspx?utm_campaign a few are staying at the local hotel & doing dinner on the Friday
FRP - Clio 182
Oh ace yeah will check the calendar, but pretty certain I am free that weekend so hopefully will be able to make it as well Thanks for letting me know.
Thanks for letting me know.
FRP - Clio 182
17/01/2016
Here is a lap of me later on in the day, once I started to get things all falling together nicely.
Rockingham Circuit - Clio 172 Cup - First Track Day - YouTube
Here is a lap of me later on in the day, once I started to get things all falling together nicely.
Rockingham Circuit - Clio 172 Cup - First Track Day - YouTube
FRP - Clio 182
Will be booking a spot for the 27th
FRP - Clio 182
27/01/2016
Well things just got a bit more expensive, purchased a set of 438 Cams
Will need to mapped but can be mapped on the standard ECU, also going to have them timed up slightly different so that I can see further gains, with my setup and can expect to see around 190 to 195bhp with a nice jump in torque. Which would give me that bit more power and suppose to make the car a lot more track friendly.
Down side is the cost of the cams and the fact that cam belt will need doing and with the maping its going to cost a few hundred quid, but its a Cheaper route then the RS2 inlet option with similar performance.
Well things just got a bit more expensive, purchased a set of 438 Cams
Will need to mapped but can be mapped on the standard ECU, also going to have them timed up slightly different so that I can see further gains, with my setup and can expect to see around 190 to 195bhp with a nice jump in torque. Which would give me that bit more power and suppose to make the car a lot more track friendly.
Down side is the cost of the cams and the fact that cam belt will need doing and with the maping its going to cost a few hundred quid, but its a Cheaper route then the RS2 inlet option with similar performance.
Clio 172 (CUP)
Out of interest, how much were the cams?27/01/2016
Well things just got a bit more expensive, purchased a set of 438 Cams
Will need to mapped but can be mapped on the standard ECU, also going to have them timed up slightly different so that I can see further gains, with my setup and can expect to see around 190 to 195bhp with a nice jump in torque. Which would give me that bit more power and suppose to make the car a lot more track friendly.
Down side is the cost of the cams and the fact that cam belt will need doing and with the maping its going to cost a few hundred quid, but its a Cheaper route then the RS2 inlet option with similar performance.
FRP - Clio 182
I paid £350 delivered which I think is a pretty good price, so they aren't cheap, 197 cams I think you can get for under £100 but then the gains aren't as much, but with 197 cams and RS2 inlet you can see 195 to 200bhp but thats talking around £1200+
Clio 172 (CUP)
Does sound good, was that new?
FRP - Clio 182
No new they are around £600 - http://www.k-tecracing.com/show_product.asp?id=4033 these are second hand unsure of milage but they have been checked and are unmarked and have had little use it would seem.
FRP - Clio 182
I don't unfortunately, I not sure if there is a local rolling road near, (Shepton Mallet)
Thanks mate
FRP - Clio 182
27/01/2016
Some snaps from the professional at Rockingham
Some snaps from the professional at Rockingham
FRP - Clio 182
04/02/2016
Well the luck gods where with me yesterday, I swapped over the centre section on the exhaust as with it being straight through was just ridiculously loud when using the car off the track, particularly on the motorway.
Anyway took the car for a blast to see what it sounded like and once back home I checked under the bonnet as I do sometimes and I spotted this
The Aux belt is just about about hanging on, very lucky not to of snapped as nine times out of ten when they do they take the cam belt with it and then the engine. Just shows worth changing when doing the cam belt, a bit annoying as cam belt was done just over a year ago and the aux bets should be changed generally around ever 3 years and or at the same time as cambelt.
I have booked the car in with Dan Potter (well know Renault Sport specialist and mapper in the Clio scene) on Tuesday to have the cams fitted as well as new aux kit and cam belt kit, he will then map it to suit, hoping for bhp figure of around 190 to 195bhp but more importantly an improved torque figure and smooth drive through the gears. Needless to say I will be having the car trailed to the garage as its not worth risking it.
Tyre pressure gauge has turned up
Also stud and nut conversion kit and a solid engine top mount I picked up for £50 second hand (usually around £100)
Well the luck gods where with me yesterday, I swapped over the centre section on the exhaust as with it being straight through was just ridiculously loud when using the car off the track, particularly on the motorway.
Anyway took the car for a blast to see what it sounded like and once back home I checked under the bonnet as I do sometimes and I spotted this
The Aux belt is just about about hanging on, very lucky not to of snapped as nine times out of ten when they do they take the cam belt with it and then the engine. Just shows worth changing when doing the cam belt, a bit annoying as cam belt was done just over a year ago and the aux bets should be changed generally around ever 3 years and or at the same time as cambelt.
I have booked the car in with Dan Potter (well know Renault Sport specialist and mapper in the Clio scene) on Tuesday to have the cams fitted as well as new aux kit and cam belt kit, he will then map it to suit, hoping for bhp figure of around 190 to 195bhp but more importantly an improved torque figure and smooth drive through the gears. Needless to say I will be having the car trailed to the garage as its not worth risking it.
Tyre pressure gauge has turned up
Also stud and nut conversion kit and a solid engine top mount I picked up for £50 second hand (usually around £100)
Last edited:
FRP - Clio 182
Yeah he's just down the road from me.
FRP - Clio 182
09/02/2016
Car picked up and taken to Dan Potter RJ Motorsport to have work carried out, should be ready by Thursday / Friday
Car picked up and taken to Dan Potter RJ Motorsport to have work carried out, should be ready by Thursday / Friday
FRP - Clio 182
22/02/2016
So update as its been a while, Dan started work on the car and before he swapped the cams over he checked the timing and as can be seen it was out
I could of actually been down around 20 to 30 bhp than I should be, so even after the fitting of the 438's it would feel much improved.
Now this is where the issues start, and perhaps where i was lucky seeing the Aux belt almost going I am not so lucky, anyway after fitting Dan flashed the ECU with the 438 map which is the standard map he uses and then makes changes to suit after a road test, unfortunately during the road test it came apparent that there was an issue with the car and he soon realised that the bottom end had gone 😧
After speaking to Dan it was decided that the easiest solution was to get a replacement engine rather than trying to strip this one and rebuild it and then he would re-fit all my parts over, the starter motor power steering cams new belts etc etc
It just so happens that during the road mapping that the car was spotted by another forum user:
So I managed to source an engine out a recently stripped Clio which had 96k on so a fair few miles, a bit more than I would have liked but the cost of the work plus the engine was really beginning to add up. I have been assured that the car it came out of ran well and it was only stripped due to being worth more in bits. So after a 1.5 hour drive to Wales and back I picked up the replacement engine for £200 cash.
Dan started replacing the engine today and has assured me that it will be ready for Bedford this Saturday :smile:
I have also managed to pick up a PMS shifter, the BMS shifter I had was a great improvement but I am hopeful this will be even better.
So once i get the car back I need to do the following:
- Enjoy it with having close to 200bhp ( This being the main one :smile
- Fit PMS shifter
- Re-fit replacement braided lines that are actually the correct length
- Cold air ducts and deflectors
- Fit camber bolts and go and have alignment done
- Fit stud and nut converion.
So update as its been a while, Dan started work on the car and before he swapped the cams over he checked the timing and as can be seen it was out
I could of actually been down around 20 to 30 bhp than I should be, so even after the fitting of the 438's it would feel much improved.
Now this is where the issues start, and perhaps where i was lucky seeing the Aux belt almost going I am not so lucky, anyway after fitting Dan flashed the ECU with the 438 map which is the standard map he uses and then makes changes to suit after a road test, unfortunately during the road test it came apparent that there was an issue with the car and he soon realised that the bottom end had gone 😧
After speaking to Dan it was decided that the easiest solution was to get a replacement engine rather than trying to strip this one and rebuild it and then he would re-fit all my parts over, the starter motor power steering cams new belts etc etc
It just so happens that during the road mapping that the car was spotted by another forum user:
So I managed to source an engine out a recently stripped Clio which had 96k on so a fair few miles, a bit more than I would have liked but the cost of the work plus the engine was really beginning to add up. I have been assured that the car it came out of ran well and it was only stripped due to being worth more in bits. So after a 1.5 hour drive to Wales and back I picked up the replacement engine for £200 cash.
Dan started replacing the engine today and has assured me that it will be ready for Bedford this Saturday :smile:
I have also managed to pick up a PMS shifter, the BMS shifter I had was a great improvement but I am hopeful this will be even better.
So once i get the car back I need to do the following:
- Enjoy it with having close to 200bhp ( This being the main one :smile
- Fit PMS shifter
- Re-fit replacement braided lines that are actually the correct length
- Cold air ducts and deflectors
- Fit camber bolts and go and have alignment done
- Fit stud and nut converion.
imprezaworks
ClioSport Club Member
Mk5 Golf GTI :)
Unlucky with the engine
FRP - Clio 182
Yeah was a bit gutted as only done 55k.
imprezaworks
ClioSport Club Member
Mk5 Golf GTI :)
I bet
FRP - Clio 182
Not sure yet, I am going to strip it down to see what failed, always wanted to build up an engine so once I move in to our new house going to setup a work bench in the shed in order to rebuild and have a spare lump.
FRP - Clio 182
Thanks mate glad you enjoyed it and I hope it helps you out when you make a start on yours, they are great fun to work on and even more fun to throw about
FRP - Clio 182
23/02/2016
It lives
It lives
FRP - Clio 182
25/02/2016
So two days to go to Bedford and almost there, collected the car from Dan's yesterday and it felt better but not as good as I had hoped, however today I took the car out again and it feels fantastic, strongly recommend having cams changed to all owners when the cam belt it due etc, worth the extra cost.
So few photos, new solid engine mount is in:
Engine bay as it is now
Fitting the 50mm studs to the rear
Lining up the air deflectors to see how and where I will fit them, should have them on tomorrow
On the front I did have 10mm spacers but I purchased 80mm studs so that I could also trial my 20mm spacers. First photo is with the 10mm fitted and the second with the 20mm spacers:
Rear with the 50mm studs
I have fitted some rubber trim to the PMS shifter where it will meet the body of the car to hopefully eliminate any potential vibration
Gave the car a quick wash
So tomorrow braided lines / camber bolts and tracking / PMS Shifter then early night for the 5am start Saturday morning
So two days to go to Bedford and almost there, collected the car from Dan's yesterday and it felt better but not as good as I had hoped, however today I took the car out again and it feels fantastic, strongly recommend having cams changed to all owners when the cam belt it due etc, worth the extra cost.
So few photos, new solid engine mount is in:
Engine bay as it is now
Fitting the 50mm studs to the rear
Lining up the air deflectors to see how and where I will fit them, should have them on tomorrow
On the front I did have 10mm spacers but I purchased 80mm studs so that I could also trial my 20mm spacers. First photo is with the 10mm fitted and the second with the 20mm spacers:
Rear with the 50mm studs
I have fitted some rubber trim to the PMS shifter where it will meet the body of the car to hopefully eliminate any potential vibration
Gave the car a quick wash
So tomorrow braided lines / camber bolts and tracking / PMS Shifter then early night for the 5am start Saturday morning
FRP - Clio 182
26/02/2016
A very successful day, sorted out the PMS shifter, took around 40 mins of fiddling to get it to go in to all gears:
Heat shield bent in order to stop it coming in to contact with the new selector rod
Replaced the braided lines and re-bled the brakes, as well as fitting the camber bolts
Rotated the rubber exhaust hanger round 180 degrees to drop the exhaust away from the underside of the car slightly as it was vibrating on the body of the car occasionally.
Zip tie on the centre section rubber just to help minimise the movement
Then it was on to the tracking which was out by a country mile,
When adjusting the tracking I / we forgot to ensure that the steering wheel was held centre, so even though we got the tracking spot on (2 degree camber 1mm Toe) the wheel was on this ****, however it was to late in the day to adjust, on the drive home the car felt great, equal breaking when on the brakes and car pulling straight.
Had to get up at 4:50am so to save time in bed:
A very successful day, sorted out the PMS shifter, took around 40 mins of fiddling to get it to go in to all gears:
Heat shield bent in order to stop it coming in to contact with the new selector rod
Replaced the braided lines and re-bled the brakes, as well as fitting the camber bolts
Rotated the rubber exhaust hanger round 180 degrees to drop the exhaust away from the underside of the car slightly as it was vibrating on the body of the car occasionally.
Zip tie on the centre section rubber just to help minimise the movement
Then it was on to the tracking which was out by a country mile,
When adjusting the tracking I / we forgot to ensure that the steering wheel was held centre, so even though we got the tracking spot on (2 degree camber 1mm Toe) the wheel was on this ****, however it was to late in the day to adjust, on the drive home the car felt great, equal breaking when on the brakes and car pulling straight.
Had to get up at 4:50am so to save time in bed:
FRP - Clio 182
27/02/2016
So the big day and what a day.
So we arrived at 8:20am just in time for the briefing, I had been on the road at this point for 3.5 hours so I was a little tired but the adrenaline started to flow and after a coffee and bacon sarnie it was time to get ready.
(Note: DB test saw the car at 88.4DB)
We went out for the sighting lap on the return we swapped over to my track wheels with the at this point pretty well worn R888 tyres.
Now on my third lap we had some what of a big spin, now this was down to driver error but also down to some setup issues that I will go in to later
Bedford Big Spin - YouTube
A rather nice and clean Escort Cossie, great to see one being used properly
After the spin we had come back in to check the car over to make sure everything was okay, all seemed well apart from the ECU had come lose slightly so nothing a few zip ties couldn’t resolve.
Then it was back out for another few sessions
After I had a few sessions I asked close friend Ed if he’d like to take it out and he can show me how its done,
He also at the same point where I had my spin started to lose the back end of the car but some how managed to keep it under enough control and back on to the track after a small rally cross moment.
Bedford 2016 - RallyCross - YouTube
To which we couldn’t stop laughing about.
It then became quickly apparent that we where struggling for brakes (I had previously fitted some Nippon £14.99 pads at Rockingham a month earlier) I knew the pads that where on the car where **** and would need replacing at some point so I had a spare set with me. HOWEVER what we hadn’t realised quite how quickly they went off, check these photos:
So after around 15 mins a side and just before lunch we swapped the pads over to some part worn (90% left) pads to get us through the rest of the day.
Now in the afternoon sessions I was getting frustrated with the car and the odd handling we where experiencing, Ed also point out that it just felt all to tight and there wasnt enough play in the shell and he suggested that we adjusted the rear ARB once he realised I had one fitted, We looked at losing it to a soft setting but it would have been to much work, so what we did is left one bolt out of one of the sides so that it was not working at all, and oh my GOD what a game changer, the car game alive, so much more car control, so much more to play with, car didn’t fell on edge on every bend, could feel the grip levels, couldn’t believe the difference, Before the next track day I will be replacing the rear shocks to standard OEM ones and replacing the rubber bushes as they do look some what worn as we think this might also of been causing problems, then I will perhaps trial the ARB again.
So needless to say the afternoon was brilliant fun, I also forgot to mention since the cams have been fitted the car felt amazing pulls so strong and on the straights we really held our own, left many 172 / 182 ’s on the straights as well as keeping up with 197’s 200’s and a BMW 330 (and this was when for a while we where limited to 6600 instead of 7600 as the car thought it was on a cold start)
When changing belts etc on the Clio’s I strongly advise getting the cams changed, big difference with the 438’s
Ed in the afternoon really enjoying the car on his second outing after the ARB was removed
A few last action shots of me in the late afternoon.
There is a bend just coming on the pit straight at Bedford and I said to Ed that I reckon I can take it flat out, well i certainly did but christ it was close call:
Bedford Big Drift - YouTube
One photographer got a great photo of it to my delight and I had a few people on return to the pit saying fair play / awesome for holding it which was was a nice experience all be it at the time it was panic stations.
Towards the very end we where vary aware that the grip levels where shot and we knew the tyres where destroyed so on the last few laps we had some fun getting the car sideways as we where no longer able to get any decent level of grip. SO its fair to say I got the most out of the tyres, on the long straight under the hardest braking on the circuit we where shutting down from around 120mph and my pedal went to the floor and we had to use the escape road as I couldn’t shed the speed off for the 90 degree left hander, at this point we knew it was time to call it a day.
We also checked the brakes when changing wheels over and we had got through the other set of pads on the front, as advised Bedford is VERY hard on the brakes, especially when using cheap or OEM pads. I had my three hour drive home with partial pad on drivers side only and managed to only use the brakes under around 15 times.
So all in all what a great day, cannot wait for the next one which I think will be castle combe on the 29th April, before then a few things to sort out, car started having a small miss fire on the way home, so need to check plugs HT leads injectors etc (frustrating my ODB tester is not working as it would be good to see what issues are flagged on the system)
Replace rear shocks and bushes, purchased new DECENT pads and 4 x R888R tyres, change thermostat as at one point in the mid afternoon the car was hitting the cold limiter at 6600 instead of 7600 and have been advised that the thermostat might be on the way out, so for the sake of a few quid I might as well get it changed.
So thats just about it for now.
So the big day and what a day.
So we arrived at 8:20am just in time for the briefing, I had been on the road at this point for 3.5 hours so I was a little tired but the adrenaline started to flow and after a coffee and bacon sarnie it was time to get ready.
(Note: DB test saw the car at 88.4DB)
We went out for the sighting lap on the return we swapped over to my track wheels with the at this point pretty well worn R888 tyres.
Now on my third lap we had some what of a big spin, now this was down to driver error but also down to some setup issues that I will go in to later
Bedford Big Spin - YouTube
A rather nice and clean Escort Cossie, great to see one being used properly
After the spin we had come back in to check the car over to make sure everything was okay, all seemed well apart from the ECU had come lose slightly so nothing a few zip ties couldn’t resolve.
Then it was back out for another few sessions
After I had a few sessions I asked close friend Ed if he’d like to take it out and he can show me how its done,
He also at the same point where I had my spin started to lose the back end of the car but some how managed to keep it under enough control and back on to the track after a small rally cross moment.
Bedford 2016 - RallyCross - YouTube
To which we couldn’t stop laughing about.
It then became quickly apparent that we where struggling for brakes (I had previously fitted some Nippon £14.99 pads at Rockingham a month earlier) I knew the pads that where on the car where **** and would need replacing at some point so I had a spare set with me. HOWEVER what we hadn’t realised quite how quickly they went off, check these photos:
So after around 15 mins a side and just before lunch we swapped the pads over to some part worn (90% left) pads to get us through the rest of the day.
Now in the afternoon sessions I was getting frustrated with the car and the odd handling we where experiencing, Ed also point out that it just felt all to tight and there wasnt enough play in the shell and he suggested that we adjusted the rear ARB once he realised I had one fitted, We looked at losing it to a soft setting but it would have been to much work, so what we did is left one bolt out of one of the sides so that it was not working at all, and oh my GOD what a game changer, the car game alive, so much more car control, so much more to play with, car didn’t fell on edge on every bend, could feel the grip levels, couldn’t believe the difference, Before the next track day I will be replacing the rear shocks to standard OEM ones and replacing the rubber bushes as they do look some what worn as we think this might also of been causing problems, then I will perhaps trial the ARB again.
So needless to say the afternoon was brilliant fun, I also forgot to mention since the cams have been fitted the car felt amazing pulls so strong and on the straights we really held our own, left many 172 / 182 ’s on the straights as well as keeping up with 197’s 200’s and a BMW 330 (and this was when for a while we where limited to 6600 instead of 7600 as the car thought it was on a cold start)
When changing belts etc on the Clio’s I strongly advise getting the cams changed, big difference with the 438’s
Ed in the afternoon really enjoying the car on his second outing after the ARB was removed
A few last action shots of me in the late afternoon.
There is a bend just coming on the pit straight at Bedford and I said to Ed that I reckon I can take it flat out, well i certainly did but christ it was close call:
Bedford Big Drift - YouTube
One photographer got a great photo of it to my delight and I had a few people on return to the pit saying fair play / awesome for holding it which was was a nice experience all be it at the time it was panic stations.
Towards the very end we where vary aware that the grip levels where shot and we knew the tyres where destroyed so on the last few laps we had some fun getting the car sideways as we where no longer able to get any decent level of grip. SO its fair to say I got the most out of the tyres, on the long straight under the hardest braking on the circuit we where shutting down from around 120mph and my pedal went to the floor and we had to use the escape road as I couldn’t shed the speed off for the 90 degree left hander, at this point we knew it was time to call it a day.
We also checked the brakes when changing wheels over and we had got through the other set of pads on the front, as advised Bedford is VERY hard on the brakes, especially when using cheap or OEM pads. I had my three hour drive home with partial pad on drivers side only and managed to only use the brakes under around 15 times.
So all in all what a great day, cannot wait for the next one which I think will be castle combe on the 29th April, before then a few things to sort out, car started having a small miss fire on the way home, so need to check plugs HT leads injectors etc (frustrating my ODB tester is not working as it would be good to see what issues are flagged on the system)
Replace rear shocks and bushes, purchased new DECENT pads and 4 x R888R tyres, change thermostat as at one point in the mid afternoon the car was hitting the cold limiter at 6600 instead of 7600 and have been advised that the thermostat might be on the way out, so for the sake of a few quid I might as well get it changed.
So thats just about it for now.
FRP - Clio 182
From my research and what i have heard from other owners is that that if you are fitting cams only, so no RS2 inlet or ITB's then 438 are the best option to go for as you get the biggest gains, however if you are looking to do other work (other than say matched inlets, improved airbox and exhaust) then go for the 421's or 197 cams as they work better when mapping with RS2 inlet.
As for the PMS shifter yes it feels great HOWEVER this is a big however the noise is almost unbearable, the vibrations and the sounds are shocking, I have purchased the following damper so hoping this helps it some what.
http://www.pure-motorsport.co.uk/details.php?itemid=360
In my case I am hopeful its to do with a heat shield rattle as well as it was so bad, you can probably hear it on the videos linked in my last post.
Clio 172
Many thanks for the reply, is it the ones they sell on k-tecracing which you have gone for?
I will look at getting the PMS shifter aswell
FRP - Clio 182
Yes its those cams but I paid £350 for them second hand from some one on on the FB Clio owners page, worth asking on there tbh as can save yourself a fair whack.
http://www.k-tecracing.com/show_product.asp?id=4033
Also picked up the shifter for £205 second hand rather than £270 that I think they are new from PMS
http://www.k-tecracing.com/show_product.asp?id=4033
Also picked up the shifter for £205 second hand rather than £270 that I think they are new from PMS
Sir_Dave
ClioSport Trader
Re: your misfire, dont suppose you filled up with fuel at Bedford Autodromes pumps did you?
Think i have some footage of you on my vids btw (posted in the trackday thread).
Think i have some footage of you on my vids btw (posted in the trackday thread).
