Clio 172 Cup

[j4mes-c]

Morning folks,

Went and bought my first Clio 172 Cup yesterday. It was for sale at a local garage as a trade in cheap. Autotrader valuation put it at £1400 nearly for age and miles, although the car does need some jobs done to make it "right". But for the money, I figured it was worth a punt. So I went for a few viewings and first impressions were that it looked straight enough, reasonable condition inside and out but had zero history. The garage did say it was HPi clear though. So I did some digging on here and it turned out to belong to a long standing member on here. So after a few messages and reading on how the car had been looked after in the past, I then got a friend who has his own 172 to give her a quick once over. Overall impression was that it wasn't too bad- needs some odds and ends done but overall straight and honest. But we did find the car has some modifications-
*KTEC Super Stealth exhaust system,
*KTEC Decat pipe,
*Powerflex dogbone mount,
*Koni adjustable dampers,
*Koni 40mm springs,
*Powerflex ARB bushes,
*Goodridge stainless braided lines.

So, it has a reasonably good spec to start off with for a daily runner. But when it used to be running a 250bhp turbo conversion I would hope so
When I was having a mooch around the car today I noticed the middle exhaust was off it's hanger (adjusted it back into position), the backbox hanger is perished (it's the X style one and it's only being held by the < ones so moves a bit) and the passenger seat was stuck solid. I suspected a dodgy runner but upon closer inspection, the handle for moving it back and forth had come off so refitted it back on and voila, works a treat now.

So anyway, here's some pictures of how she stands today

Plans are to change 2 front tyres, a headlight bulb, high level brakelight isn't working, belts need done and she's desperate for a good polish. Clioturbo know the car from the past and will likely be entrusted to do the major mechanical work she needs. Otherwise the gearbox catches slightly between 3rd and 4th when hot but only slightly.

Comments and suggestions welcome

 

[j4mes-c]

Okay so little update on the car- final list of things it needs done is quite small tbh.

It needs a tyre, maybe 2 fitted.
Check gearbox oil level and top up if needed.
High level brake light doesn't work.
Replace parcel shelf and find a boot floor carpet/liner (existing shelf has 6x9 holes cut in)
Belts inc dephaser done.
Wheels refurb.
Backbox exhaust hanger torn and needs replaced.
Pops & bangs remap.

Otherwise it'll be just a case of a good polish and clean up especially under the bonnet. Is there a how-to guide for removing the inlet manifold and injector cover anywhere?

Sadly I still can't insure the car yet due to an existing claim and me having a courtesy car but it's working out okay as it gives me time to sort most, if not all of the outstanding jobs.

 

[Advikaz]

Welcome,

All sounds good, although personally not a fan of the pops and bangs "init" map.

Enjoy.

 

[hostler]

Pops and bangs is fun for showing your mates but besides that it's pretty useless and anoying after a while.

Good plans though.

 

[NorthloopCup]

@r0ss172 isn't this your old one?

 

[j4mes-c]

@r0ss172 isn't this your old one?

Yeah it is his. Already had a brief chat with him before buying

 

[r0ss172]

@r0ss172 isn't this your old one?

It is indeed Mark! Been in talks about throughout the buying process! Still looks to be in nice condition?!
Missing something though.....


BOOOOST!!

 

[AS_BO]

Looks in good nick that fella, I'm assuming you're North East if you're going to see Andy@ClioTurbo?

 

[jamesycc]

to take the injector cover off I easy. 2 recessed 10mm bolts are all the hold it on. Go steady as they're prone to shearing off. The inlet manifold is pretty straight forward. Unplug the electrical connectors for the coil pack, and 1 each side of the plenum chamber. 4 10 mm bolts for the coils pack, just pop it out of the way no need to take ht leads off. Throttle body or whatever it's called of with a few 10mm bolts I think. Then iirc its 4 or 6 10mm bolts holding the manifold on. Go steady as there is a small gasket at the front which is reusable if you don't break it removing it. That's it I think. Takes about 10 mins to whip all off. Good luck. Oh one other thing, I had pops and bangs and after 3 weeks it'll probably annoy the hell out of you!!!

 

[j4mes-c]

Quickie again here.
Been to a scrap yard today and acquired a new boot carpet and new parcel shelf so now have a parcel shelf with 6x9 speaker holes cut in if anyone is interested? Wire brushed the engine top and it looks so much nicer. Used G6 paste on the headlights so now they're clean and clear again. Got a couple of tyres fitted as I drove the car home with 2 VERY illegal tyres

And I packed the backbox hanger so it sits in the right place and doesn't move as badly as it did. Otherwise I just need an induction kit and the upper brake light needs replaced.

Looks in good nick that fella, I'm assuming you're North East if you're going to see Andy@ClioTurbo?

I am indeed mate. Live in Blyth but work based in Newcastle Central Station.

 

[AS_BO]

Quickie again here.
Been to a scrap yard today and acquired a new boot carpet and new parcel shelf so now have a parcel shelf with 6x9 speaker holes cut in if anyone is interested? Wire brushed the engine top and it looks so much nicer. Used G6 paste on the headlights so now they're clean and clear again. Got a couple of tyres fitted as I drove the car home with 2 VERY illegal tyres

And I packed the backbox hanger so it sits in the right place and doesn't move as badly as it did. Otherwise I just need an induction kit and the upper brake light needs replaced.


I am indeed mate. Live in Blyth but work based in Newcastle Central Station.

Small world fella, I'm in Blyth too [emoji106] I work in the Silverlink. I'll be watching out for your motor. There's a Ph1 kicking about too which I see now and again, not sure if it's on here.

 

[j4mes-c]

Finally sorted her so she's back on the road and all legal. Drives well enough but the exhaust rear hanger needs sorted properly as you can hear it knocking as it moves.

The car does seem to have a "hum" at between 40mph and 60mph but only seems to be there slowing down. Thinking more something to do with the exhaust rather than a bearing tbh especially when the car had new rear discs/pads in May apparently. Only other issues are lack of high level brake light and temperamental n/s headlight bulb that keeps not working unless wiggled. Averaged 38.1mpg on a run up A19 to Silverlink and back with some "enthusiastic" driving added in.

 

[j4mes-c]

Couldn't find this thread so been a while since the last update.
Hum is defo a low tread tyre so happy with that until the tyre is replaced. Average mpg since purchase is 33.3mpg so pretty happy with that.
So, I had a fuel tank seal issue, sorted the high lvel brake light, had belts and dephaser done by @Andyrg@ ClioTurbo (top man!) and had a rear spring snap so rear is back on standards for now until I source a pair of -40mm springs.
I've also had a play with a huge new filter as a trial which I removed as it made little difference tbh. Only cost me £13 from Eurocarparts and is meant for a Honda S2000

And the box it came in...

So today I removed the front diamond, front upper grille, door interior trims on the doors, hazard lights trim and original factory intake bend hose. Sprayed it all in satin black to refresh it all up. I'll start a new thread but does the strip from the radio upwards to the clock seperate from the upper dash or is it all one piece? This needs spraying and didn't wanna force it off the dash. And when I refitted the grille, I couldn't get it to sit right in the bumper- it's too far back and when I've tried to push it forward I snapped the centre clip. Is there a technique to it?
Now I just need the upper inlet manifold off to paint. Is it a case of removing the bolts in red in the pic and removing the plugs and sensors in blue then pull?
http://[URL=http://s109.photobucket.com/user/jamescowans/media/20160219_153050_zpsgysos1w9.jpg.html][ATTACH=full]1265046[/ATTACH]
[URL=http://s109.photobucket.com/user/jamescowans/media/20160219_153050_zpsgysos1w9.jpg.html][IMG]http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n52/jamescowans/20160219_153050_zpsgysos1w9.jpg[/URL]

Just renewed my insurance for the year as well. £285 with Adrian Flux, all mods declared and covered at 33 with 6years NCD.

Only other thing is the drone of the exhaust is annoying for the other half. Someone suggested wrapping the exhaust in heat wrap to reduce the drone at 70-80mph but my issue is dampness getting onto the wrap and what effect it'll have on the exhaust.

I'll upload newer exterior pics tomorrow

 

[MrBlonde]

Hello mate,i also have a cup with the stealth exhaust and was thinking of maybe sound proofing the boot to see if that helps with the 70mph boomy noise.Anyone done this?

 

[DAN@ADRIAN FLUX]

Couldn't find this thread so been a while since the last update.
Hum is defo a low tread tyre so happy with that until the tyre is replaced. Average mpg since purchase is 33.3mpg so pretty happy with that.
So, I had a fuel tank seal issue, sorted the high lvel brake light, had belts and dephaser done by @Andyrg@ ClioTurbo (top man!) and had a rear spring snap so rear is back on standards for now until I source a pair of -40mm springs.
I've also had a play with a huge new filter as a trial which I removed as it made little difference tbh. Only cost me £13 from Eurocarparts and is meant for a Honda S2000

And the box it came in...

So today I removed the front diamond, front upper grille, door interior trims on the doors, hazard lights trim and original factory intake bend hose. Sprayed it all in satin black to refresh it all up. I'll start a new thread but does the strip from the radio upwards to the clock seperate from the upper dash or is it all one piece? This needs spraying and didn't wanna force it off the dash. And when I refitted the grille, I couldn't get it to sit right in the bumper- it's too far back and when I've tried to push it forward I snapped the centre clip. Is there a technique to it?
Now I just need the upper inlet manifold off to paint. Is it a case of removing the bolts in red in the pic and removing the plugs and sensors in blue then pull?
http://[URL=http://s109.photobucket.com/user/jamescowans/media/20160219_153050_zpsgysos1w9.jpg.html][ATTACH=full]1265054[/ATTACH]
[URL='http://s109.photobucket.com/user/jamescowans/media/20160219_153050_zpsgysos1w9.jpg.html'][IMG]http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n52/jamescowans/20160219_153050_zpsgysos1w9.jpg[/URL]

Just renewed my insurance for the year as well. £285 with Adrian Flux, all mods declared and covered at 33 with 6years NCD.

Only other thing is the drone of the exhaust is annoying for the other half. Someone suggested wrapping the exhaust in heat wrap to reduce the drone at 70-80mph but my issue is dampness getting onto the wrap and what effect it'll have on the exhaust.

I'll upload newer exterior pics tomorrow

Hi,
Glad we could help out with your insurance.
Regards,
Dan.

 

[j4mes-c]

Hi,
Glad we could help out with your insurance.
Regards,
Dan.

Dan I originally was going to go with Greenlight in all honesty but they didn't call me as they were meant to, to take payment so I contacted them and they seemed determined not to have my business, even refusing to requote me due to it being 21 days after I get their original quote because they must have felt the £300 I said was previously quoted wasn't realistic (must have thought I was trying it on even though I wrote all the details down) or had the wrong details to hand, but I contacted yourselves and the lady said "oh sorry we've only managed to get it as low as £285". So I snatched her hand off there and then. Btw, what does it cost for track day cover?

 

[j4mes-c]

As this is my week off, I wanted to do something about the engine cover as it's seen better days.

But the missus started cleaning and polishing her car, so I decided to do the same first.

After a wash, dry and hoover I used Poorboys Nattys paste wax (nice bubblegum smell)

And finally got the inlet manifold and injector cover done to tidy them up. It has some orange peel effect on it, but overall I think it looks better than it did. It'll do for now.

I still need a silicone throttle body elbow and better intake elbow but undecided on what I want and as we're redecorating and planning a wedding, it's not a priority.

I also got a new set of tyres as well. well 3 as one tyre is pretty new anyway. Uniroyal Rainsport 3s supplied and fitted for £195.

 

[j4mes-c]

MOT day 2 days ago :weary: Was pretty nervous even though I'd checked her over with my bro. Passed but tester did say the handbrake was a little weak. So this morning I got underneath to tighten it up and think I messed something up as I've snapped a cable :astonished:oo: New one ordered so loosened it off for now. But at least she's all legal for another year

 

[j4mes-c]

Had some spare time today so had a go at the rear springs,
BEFORE

AFTER

And to make sure everything was sat right, I went for a spin to give her a wash and check tyre pressures

Sits so much better now and feels more settled in the corners

 

[cs_dave]

Had some spare time today so had a go at the rear springs,
BEFORE

AFTER

And to make sure everything was sat right, I went for a spin to give her a wash and check tyre pressures

Sits so much better now and feels more settled in the corners

What brand are those springs?

 

[Iain C]

Coming on nicely.
If they are apex springs I give em a week lol.
I wouldn't do the pops and bang remap. They arnt good for the motor

 

[j4mes-c]

Yeah they're Apex springs. Settled on the car well so will see how they go

 

[182_steve]

Nice that, looks a great buy for the money paid!