Clio 197 cup - Time Attack Build

[TRH_Racing]

So i got my hands on a 197 cup the other day having been out of renault ownerhip for a couple of years, i thought id get back into it.

Got the car with all the vital partsd done, fresh belts, fluids, you name it .. so im super happy with that

Decided to post here and share, as well as being able to keep a record of what happens with the car.

The plans are OEM+ / clubsport interior, keeping 90% of the inside and replacing with a rear cage and some bucket seats for track useage
It doesn't have the recaro's but these stock seats are super comfy so i may not definitely changed

The splitter definitely needs some attention asap

 

[yeecup]

looks a nice car , i do like the 197s

 

[imprezaworks]

Yeah that looks spot on..

 

[TRH_Racing]

Yeah that looks spot on..

Apart from the splitter lol
Got a detailer coming next week to sort a bunch of things out for me, and then off to the body shop for some paint

 

[imprezaworks]

Well yeah, lol. I missed a white 197 a while back. All these seem to be creeping up in value. We'll anything older with character.

 

[TRH_Racing]

Well yeah, lol. I missed a white 197 a while back. All these seem to be creeping up in value. We'll anything older with character.

It was either one of these or an EP3 premier, this came out top and im happy i chose it

 

[dave120]

I do like a 197. The Aero kit and spoiler dont really do it for me but that’s just personal taate.

I must be weird to think 197s look cool with no wing on the back.

 

[Gally]

Very cool. The white ones suit the spoiler kit because of the racer look. White speedlines and sprinhs can also push the racer look. Enjoy!

 

[TRH_Racing]

Very cool. The white ones suit the spoiler kit because of the racer look. White speedlines and sprinhs can also push the racer look. Enjoy!

Just had a look, they do look very nice. I think i might have to do a buy!
they look lovely

 

[TRH_Racing]

Went out for a blast today and to see a mate of mine in the country side, so any excuse for a B road blast today!

 

[Chambers_RS]

I like these a lot especially in white 👍🏻

 

[Gally]

They always suited white. Especially with those textured mouldings. Great move by Renault.

 

[TRH_Racing]

Today was day three of cleaning, a whole bottle of iron out remover and a lot of t cut later I’m getting somewhere. Still lots of small tar marks that i need to get out, and some scratches on the sills. Look 100x times better now!
Managed to remove a lot of the over spray from the bumper so that’s one good thing, just need to get the rest of it off some how.

 

[TRH_Racing]

Bit more cleaning today. Dug the machine polisher out and finished off the boot and rear bumper, just gotta do the rest of the car now!

Buying some carbon spoiler end plates this week as well which will be a nice touch.

 

[Paul172sport]

I do like a 197 with the aero kit. Looks great. Good buy

 

[TRH_Racing]

On the plus side .. its 99% spotless .. on the down side .. i need a gearbox re-build. third gears crunching at high rev's which makes me not want to drive the car now

 

[TRH_Racing]

Got back from Alex @ AW Motorworks not long ago .. a very expensive but good visit!

Had the gearbox rebuilt with new 3rd-6th syncro's, new 3rd and 4th hub, bearings and a Blackline LSD also fitted along with an OEM clutch kit.

Car feels fantastic, gearbox is super smooth and ready for some track days finally

And shiny new gearbox bolts .. the small touches!

 

[dave120]

Money well spent.

 

[gambit]

Fabulous!

 

[TRH_Racing]

New parts day .. always a good day
Pads discs braided lines and fluid to get the braking to where it should be .. looking forward to getting these on!
Ds3000 pads, brembo HC discs, goodbridge lines and new fluids

 

[TRH_Racing]

Had this pig of a job to do today, the ABS sensor had rusted and corroded away, so I’ve had a horrible squeal for ages, v embarrassing especially as I went to a packed car show yesterday 😂

Old one took some work to get off but once it started moving it was alright

the new one was a bit iffy to get on but once it’s on easy enough to knock back!

Best part, I’ve got polybushings in my rear beam and shock turret, and a miltek cat back … I’m still finding things with this car it’s great 😂

 

[TRH_Racing]

Didn’t manage to get any pictures of them being put on .. but finally got some braided brake lines (in red of course) and some new fluid thanks to Alex @ AW Motorworks!
so the brakes now feel amazing with the ds3000’s.

also visited @Gus the other day who kindly gave me a new torque mount bushing which I put in today. Loads better and the movement from the gear stick has almost disappeared, next up is the engine and gearbox mount bushings to be uprated.

 

[Jekyll]

Needs different colour wheels and one seat.

 

[TRH_Racing]

Needs different colour wheels and one seat.

it does, and they’ll be coming in due course 😉

 

[gambit]

Nice one Ali, Whats the car drive like now with all the changes such as the diff? Is there a noticable difference when ragging it on the streets?

 

[TRH_Racing]

Nice one Ali, Whats the car drive like now with all the changes such as the diff? Is there a noticable difference when ragging it on the streets?

Can accelerate through the corners so much earlier, making the drive a bit more exciting 😂
Booking up a track day soon so I’ll be able to try it properly

 

[TRH_Racing]

So what with the upper torque mount having been done, I order an engine and gearbox polybushing to go along with the upgrades.
The engine mount was a pain in the arse, took way too long and I don’t want to do it again 😂
Gearbox took half hour, much easier and the car fees much more solid, will probably end up rattling my teeth out with all the vibrations now though

 

[TRH_Racing]

No major updates up, should be getting something through this week which I’m very excited about .. a key piece of the build!

Had a full decon wash today, didn’t realise how bad the paint got again 😂

 

[gambit]

So what with the upper torque mount having been done, I order an engine and gearbox polybushing to go along with the upgrades.
The engine mount was a pain in the arse, took way too long and I don’t want to do it again 😂
Gearbox took half hour, much easier and the car fees much more solid, will probably end up rattling my teeth out with all the vibrations now though

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Please for the love, pull the leaves out the engine bay and wipe it down!

 

[TRH_Racing]

They’re here finally!

yellowspeed coilovers with the 7/4 spring rates. Awesome quality and very excited to get these fitted and set up properly 😁
Also got some socks for them as well to make sure they’re as protected as I can get them to be 😂

 

[TRH_Racing]

Stripped the back out yesterday before the coilovers got put on, no need for the extra weight back there!

Dropped the car off at AW motorworks about half 9, had the car back by lunch time
Ride height and a bit of corner weighting later I was off to the alignment garage and had something fairly decent put on.
Over all, very happy! A few small things left then it’s time for track

This also turned up to the garage as I was leaving. Super super nice!

 

[imprezaworks]

Alignment looks great

 

[Inequality Street]

Needs more lows

 

[TRH_Racing]

Needs more lows

It does, but for now while it settles we see how it looks

 

[Jekyll]

The yellowspeeds look similar as BCs?

 

[Gally]

Doesn't need more lowz! How silly!

 

[TRH_Racing]

The yellowspeeds look similar as BCs?

They do yeah, I was split between them and the yellow speeds but I thought I’d give these a go! The Honda boys speak good things and they’re the regulation suspension in the type r cup, so i ave them a go

Doesn't need more lowz! How silly!

now it’s settled a bit more, it doesn’t need it! I’ll try get a good picture tomorrow. Looks super good now

 

[Gus]

The ride height looks perfect. stunning car.

 

[TRH_Racing]

Managed to spend half hour on the bumper today, got the awful over spray off thank god. Now to focus on getting the splitter looking a bit better!
Pink stuff is a life saver 😂

 

[Dannyeff]

Got back from Alex @ AW Motorworks not long ago .. a very expensive but good visit!

Had the gearbox rebuilt with new 3rd-6th syncro's, new 3rd and 4th hub, bearings and a Blackline LSD also fitted along with an OEM clutch kit.

Car feels fantastic, gearbox is super smooth and ready for some track days finally

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And shiny new gearbox bolts .. the small touches!
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What price did u pay?