Clio 182 - road car / track car / race car

[Hyperhatch]

Hi all,
I brought this standard 96K Clio 182 December 2015 and have been on quite a journey with it since. The idea was to have a track car that can be used as much as possible and not be sat in the garage for months on end when something goes wrong (I’ve learnt this the hard way having spent a fortune on an M3 thats engine failed which then turned into an ornament in the garage for years!). Then if time allows to race it in something similar to track day trophy in a few years’ time.

So I brought this 182 off eBay. It seamed ok and all the other cars seemed to be 100s of miles away.


At the time it was standard but I decided on changing/uprating before I used it properly on track. I don’t use it as a road car so on road comfort isn’t an issue.

The list will go on forever but the main parts that have been changed are –

Gas gold coil overs and top mounts with the hardest springs they make (mate of a mate works for Gaz so the price was attractive)
Brembo 4 pot conversion with 300mm disks DS3000 pads front and rear
Milltek exhaust (came off a rolled Clio hence it hangs a bit low J. Only cost £100)
Solid engine mounts and poly dog mount
Various other poly bushes
Stud conversion and 25mm spacers (couldn’t get the brembos to fit under the standard wheels)
Nankang RS2R tyres
I also tidied up the headlights and installed some brake ducts

Once cleaned it looked like this

 

[imprezaworks]

Looks in great condition mate.

 

[Jekyll]

Are you local to Gaz/Essex then?

Sits well. Those studs do look long mind.

 

[Hyperhatch]

With this all installed/changed I attended my first track day (with this car) at Bedford 21st March. Picking the car up two days before I wasn’t feeling confident. In hindsight I should have put the day off. When I picked the car up the car drove terribly. I knew it would be bad on the road due to the hard spring rate but when came out of corners the car would sometimes pull in different directions. Also I had had the cambelt, dephaser etc. replaced and the engine didn’t feel the same…….. As I hadn’t really used the car I had no comparison so undeterred we set off to Bedford. After the induction and sighting laps my confidence with the car was low but felt a few cautious laps were need to work out what was going on. So on the first ‘fast’ lap and after a few corners to allow the car to warm up I put my foot down coming out of the hairpin at the end of the two back straights and……………………………………….. bang! The engine died . To abbreviate what happen next the car got recovered off of the track and then home.

A few days later it was taken to the mechanics where it gets looked after we found that the engine had dropped a valve.

Nightmare as I already had a Ring trip booked 4 weeks later. I’ve had time to brood over what happened and I’m pretty confident the valve time was wrong when I had the cambelt changed.

So I needed a new engine fast! I found one for £350 from a crashed Clio at a breakers with similar mileage that had had the cambelt, dephaser etc. changed within 12 months (all the receipts to prove). So I went to pick it up. This was installed and due to timings etc. I picked the car up 2 days before we set off on a 400-mile journey to the Ring. To say I was apprehensive was an understatement.

 

[Hyperhatch]

We set out on the journey and the engine ran absolutely faultlessly. The car on the other hand again drove terribly! I was still not happy with the steering and for good reason (more to come). We got there and I managed to do 12ish laps over the weekend. The new engine covered 1000 miles and was faultless…….. result!

On returning home I knew there was something fundamentally wrong with the steering. To cut another long story short the issue with the steering was the top mount and top of the coil over had become one so the strut was moving as it should on the bearing. Strange as the coilovers and solid top mounts both came from Gaz. I took this opportunity to upgrade again so got rid of the Gaz top mounts and had the PMS top mount and strut brace. At the same time the I had the camber adjusting poly flex lower arm bushes installed.

A few weeks later and we went back to Bedford for another track day. OMG what a difference! From that day onwards I’ve been so happy with the Clio and have already become very attached to it! The weather was brilliant. The car was faultless. The handling is in a different league to what I had become us to.

This session was so much fun-



The Clio is never going to be the fastest car (especially in a straight line!) but the effort that went into catching the red VXR Astra made catching it so rewarding (it had 350bhp!).

 

[dynodan]

Testing start to ownership - but good to see it's getting used!

 

[Hyperhatch]

So now the car was working it was time to make the most of using it! I did experiment and fitted the ‘Fatty’ induction kit to the Clio. I loved the noise but to be honest I felt the car was actually slower! I took it off and fitted a KTEC panel filter. I also fitted a Skoda Fabia splitter (Not bad for £12!)

Onto an evening at Brands. The weather was perfect but if anything too hot! I still haven’t got around to having the A/C re gassed from when the engine was swapped. In my mind if I get this done every track day I attend with be cold and wet! I found the Clio to be punching well above it weight, mainly because the lack of long straights compared to Bedford!

It was a great evening and even better the Clio didn’t need anything doing to it before its next adventure ………………………. At least I thought it didn’t!

The MOT was due and I had started to notice an increasing amount of oil was being dropped in the garage at home. The car failed the MOT on a lower suspension ball joint so whilst I had this changed I had the oil leak fixed. Turns out it was the sump leaking from an old repair?! Luckily I had kept the old engine so had the other sump to swap over.

 

[Hyperhatch]

Filled with confidence we set off in early September set off for our second trip to the ring. The journey was uneventful until we got close to the destination when I noticed the rear of the car was grinding. I knew the rear wheel bearings were on their way out but to fail in Germany! After a heavy night on the beer we manage to arrange for the bearings to be replaced at this place.

We stay at the Ringhaus and this guy races a Clio with them. It was like Clio heaven and I recommend them to anyone who gets in trouble over there. The track opened at 17.00 and the Clio was back in time to knock out a couple of laps before crashes forced an early finish to track time. Remember last time I went the steering was all over the place. Already confidence was double what it was before! So with that in mind I was up on time and on the track at 08.00 the following morning! The following two days were great with the car. My time was some 30 seconds faster than last time and the car was faultless (another 12+ laps were achieved).

Fastest lap was this one -

We did have an off due to oil on the track.

I think we were lucky compared to the others


The car made it home and ready to go for the next outing.

 

[Hyperhatch]

Which leads us up to current day, another trip to Bedford is booked for 17th October which I hope in many ways is its last outing as it currently stands. I’m confident in the car and how I’m driving it but when I got back from the Ring I noticed that my fastest 9m38s lap isn’t very impressive! I’ve seen several Clio’s (some on here) going over a minute faster without having silly big horse power engines! I know a couple of places that I’m not fast enough (foxhole springs to mind!). Another issue is the driving position is awful (I’m 6ft 1inch). So the conversion to proper track car will be completed over winter i.e. cage, buckets seats and some weight loss. I will run the engine as it is for another year and then get the belts changed, then maybe some engine mods (possible cams etc) but nothing silly. Also on the cards is a drive train upgrade (LSD, clutch etc). This will happen when the current bits wear out.

Sorry for the long read, further updates will be short and sweet. I hope to see some Clio about at the next track days. This is nowhere near the fastest car I have owned but is becoming the most fun car I have owned :smile::up:

 

[Hyperhatch]

Are you local to Gaz/Essex then?

Sits well. Those studs do look long mind.

No I'm Reading way

Studs are KTEC 100mm but the they are 80mm on the rear in the first photos. The car now has 100mm at the rear and 25mm spacers

 

[Hyperhatch]

Looks in great condition mate.

It doesn't look so tidy in real life:monkey:

 

[Mattty]

Seems like you had a bit of bad luck to start off with but looks like a clean little Clio :smile: Good luck with the winter track upgrades!

 

[Hyperhatch]

Had a great day a Bedford on Monday. Completed 200 miles on track with no faults at all! There was plenty of Clios about making for some interesting moments. Already looking forward to the next outing.

 

[Hyperhatch]

So the weight loss has begun! Finally have had time to start this as work has become a bit crazy recently but I'm determined to have the car ready for early next year ready to use it as much as possible. So all the interior is out (and for sale!). I want to strip all the sound deadening and then paint in a gunmetal grey colour. I have also paid a deposited to Mark Fish for a full safety devices roll cage (option 4) but I'm waiting for the newer cage that will go through the dash so haven't got a confirmed fitment date as of yet.

The door cards have arrived. I went for a full set of carbon effect ABS

I also have the rear wiper delete blank and headlamp washer blanks that I have painted satin black

Worrying the car looks terrible at the moment but I hope it wont be long until bits start going in and it should start looking better...........I hope:monkey:

 

[Rs-172-cup]

where did you get door cards from mate? nice progress coming on mate! ring trips good?

 

[Hyperhatch]

where did you get door cards from mate? nice progress coming on mate! ring trips good?

I got them from here -

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/222288786214

I didn't pay full price but have seen some plain black ones a lot cheaper since

Ring was great both times but the steering issues made driving hard work on the first visit. Must be said its fustraiting when big power cars appear quickly at the end of the faster/straighter sections as you normally loose momentum letting them past ☹️

 

[Rs-172-cup]

Thanks for reply mate! Have a look into it! Planning on going next year at some point so asking people what they think! Can't wait!!

 

[Hyperhatch]

Result, all of the sound deadening is now out! Possibly one of the most dullest things I have ever done but its finished now! Pretty impressed with the weight of the two carrier bags that was removed. When I get time I will get it painted before it goes for the cage to be fitted at the end of March. I'm ordering the seats, harnesses and steering wheel tomorrow so hope it starts to resemble a car again before long :smile:

As it hadn't been out of the garage for over a month I took a Christmas photo.....

 

[leemckew]

What did you use to get the tar of so well??

 

[Hyperhatch]

What did you use to get the tar of so well??

I used a heat gun and a scrapper to get the big bits off. Then some Tar and Glue remover to get the sticky glue that was left. After doing the first section I worked out if I splashed a bit around on the next area and waited 10-15 minutes it came off some much easier! I also used the vacuum to get all the loose bobbles away from the area as you can spend a lot of time moving the glue bobbles from one place to another. Its not fun:smirk:

 

[Akay]

@leemckew a heatgun, scraper and patience is the best way, I did mine 20 mins a night for nearly 2 weeks. Get a spray degreaser and a credit card to get the residue off.

 

[leemckew]

@Akay @Hyperhatch

Yeah look a while for me to buy just left a bit of tar left over but didn't use any degreaser or tar remover.

Cheers guys

 

[20vKarlos]

Great thread!

The car is certainly coming along nicely

 

[haimsey]

If you need extra room for your lengthy body get one of the jonfoz subframes. I'm short st 5' 9.5" and it's far better being lower down.
Being strapped into a proper seat with a harness will give you a little bit more confidence as you'll not be sliding around

 

[Hyperhatch]

If you need extra room for your lengthy body get one of the jonfoz subframes. I'm short st 5' 9.5" and it's far better being lower down.
Being strapped into a proper seat with a harness will give you a little bit more confidence as you'll not be sliding around

Yep there on the list, I find the seating position terrible at the moment (I'm 6'1). I've ordered the seats and harnesses today and a deep-dish steering wheel which are going to help. There's plenty other things getting ordered at the moment, I just need time to fit it all 😧

 

[Hyperhatch]

At last bits are starting to go back in the car, but only temporary so I can drive the car to Mark Fish to have the roll cage fitted at the end of the month. I was going to paint the inside first but I think I will do that after now as I have lots of body panels coming so might get someone else to do it. First mod is so simple but should make a massive difference! The car now has a heal and toe accelerator peddle.

Best of all the car has a seat again which makes moving the car about so much easier :blush: I went for a Cobra Suzuka drivers seat and of course it had to be mounted to the Jon Foz super low mounting plate.

Definite improvement over the standard seat:sweatsmile:. I'm still waiting on the four point Cobra harnesses with standard road buckle (I want to still be able to keep the car road legal) to be delivered.

I will fit this when all the painting etc is finished......

I also have on order a full polycarbonate window set and fibreglass bonnet, boot, cup spoiler and roof scoop. So much for trying to keep the Clio looking standard :fearscream:
Next up the hubs are off to Northloop for some attention :smile:

 

[+Doc+]

Great write up and journey you have had, such a nightmare beginning but looks like your sorted now.
Fellow silver 182 owner here, not had an issue yet fingers crossed...
By the way, are you using any special exhaust mount as yours seem really low? Mine sit too high at the minute.

 

[Hyperhatch]

Great write up and journey you have had, such a nightmare beginning but looks like your sorted now.
Fellow silver 182 owner here, not had an issue yet fingers crossed...
By the way, are you using any special exhaust mount as yours seem really low? Mine sit too high at the minute.

I now have black power flex bushes but it hangs low as it's a bit dented and squashed in places. It came off of a rolled Clio! Only cost £100 so I can put up with it at the mement but might swap it out if the right one comes along at the right price.

 

[Rojer]

Where did you get the pedal from?

 

[NorthloopCup]

Where did you get the pedal from?

@andy_con supplies them mate

 

[Hyperhatch]

@andy_con supplies them mate

As above, links here-

http://www.laser-man.co.uk/carparts/182heeltoe/

 

[Andy_con]

Where did you get the pedal from?

i actually have some heel and toe pedals made and if you pay asap I could post tomorrow

as above www.laser-man.co.uk/carparts

 

[Hyperhatch]

Well this week was a little unexpected for the Clio! I've been trying to keep the Clio looking relatively standard but events this year have lead me to buy fibreglass panel, plastic windows, aero catches and a roof scoop! With all the emphasise on weight loss the wheels couldn't last long (I'm actually a fan of them!), late night eBay watching came up with some 16'' (I have to run 16'' due to the brakes) Team Dynamics 1.2 Prorace, best of all they were less than 5 miles from my house. A deal was done, I collected them the following day and have just had the tyres swapped over.

Note - the cars filthy, the wheels are filthy and it's raining!

I cant get over how light they are, I think with the tyres on these are lighter than the standard alloy with no tyre?!

Note - I'm not a fan of black wheels and I'm not a fan of multi-spoke wheels but function over from wins hands down :smile:

I also have purchased tensile bolts for the seats this week and a fancy plate cut down number plate, also the 4 point harnesses have arrived (keeping the grey/silver theme). As mentioned before I want to keep the car road legal, hence the standard buckle, but will swap out the drivers one once I get round to racing the car.

Cheers, have a nice weekend

 

[imprezaworks]

Wheels look great

 

[Ads29]

Great looking car this, how have you got on with the camber adjustable bushes?

 

[Hyperhatch]

Great looking car this, how have you got on with the camber adjustable bushes?

To be honest I can't really say because when I had them installed I had the top mounts changed as well. So before I had a car that would turn any direction it wanted! The combination of the PMS top mounts and the adjustable bushes are night and day! Although the bushes are a lot of money for what you get. I also noticed yesterday the outer edges of the front tyres are particularly worn so possible need more camber?! I'm desperate to loose the spacers (or at least reduce the thickness) as they are not helping with regards the handling. Hopefully in the next couple of weeks the hubs will go away for the bumpsteer/roll centre anjustments and I can also get the calipers machined to allow the smaller spacers. There are a lot faster Clio's out there at the moment!!

 

[Ads29]

That's fair enough, I've already got PMS top mounts and couldn't agree more with how much better they are compared to stock ones.

I ask as I've ordered some along with all the other bushes too, I've got camber bolts but I'm not a big fan of them.

If you're getting excess wear on the outside of the tyre then yes youll need more neg camber, any idea what you're currently running?

 

[Hyperhatch]

That's fair enough, I've already got PMS top mounts and couldn't agree more with how much better they are compared to stock ones.

I ask as I've ordered some along with all the other bushes too, I've got camber bolts but I'm not a big fan of them.

If you're getting excess wear on the outside of the tyre then yes youll need more neg camber, any idea what you're currently running?

Max camber I believe! It won't do anymore miles until all the work is complete and then I will get it all lazer aligned again. TBH my friend has set it up but this is the first one he has taken to these extremes. He normally works on more high end cars so I trust his judgment but it would be nice to take it to a specialist clio tuner and have them set it up. It's going to Mark Fish next month so I presume that would be a good place to start?!

 

[Hyperhatch]

Bit of an update -
Parts have been arriving thick and fast. The poly window set and fibreglass bonnet, spoiler, boot and roof vent are here.

I removed the hubs to be sent away for the roll centre/bumpsteer conversion. Turns out I might need some new brake pads! Also some dust covers. I also want to try and convert back to the original 280mm disc so I can run 15 inch wheel with slicks on them.

Whilst the front was apart we worked out I can ditch the horrible 25mm spacers are run 5mm spacers which is great news.

Then unfortunately the timing gods worked against me! I got the call to say the roll cage is ready for me but my car was floating in the garage with no front hubs so I had to buy some second hand hubs so I could move the car about.

Which brings us up to today, first time it has moved off the drive this year! We took the car on the trailer to Mark Fish to have the cage fitted. I went with anthracite colour cage which should look nice.

I can wait to get the car back. Once the cage is in we can crack on with the re build. The cars been un drivable for 5 months now and I'm itching to get it back on track with all the new bits. Just need some spare time to get things moving forward!

 

[Hyperhatch]

Busy week! Sold all of these.....

To help fund some new 15' alloys for slicks because I finally managed to get hold of a set of these........

Brackets to allow me to run the standard 280mm discs which allows the 15' wheel. Happy days

To top it off I received these photos

I literally can't wait to go and get the car this Saturday and then the hard work starts putting it back together