Craigy's 172 cup track project.

[Craigy88]

Well I've recently sold my Clio 200 full fat everything, full spec and a decent mod list, including akraprovic exhaust, matched inlets, itg maxogen, full bracing etc etc. Sold it to get a diesel daily car for the new work commute.

I drive an Audi A8 lowered on Bentleys and it's always shiny but it's a boat, so track project it is .

Here's the 172 cup, it's had a few owners so will more than likely be known on here. Has the cliosport stickers.

So far I've cleaned the life out of it, the interior was beyond filth, lucky it all came out, mainly carpet and door cards and dash, looked like its never been cleaned so ripped out all the seats and well everything until I do the carpets and sound deadening and spray the rear ready for cage fitting.

Mods so far include........

Stealth exhaust/cat back.
K&N intake panel filter.
Braided front brake lines.
Eibech springs.

Pics.

eBay ad pic

I will be removing the wiper and cutting out the boot lid liner fixings and this is before I fabric tapped the loom.

This is the daily Audi.

And my old Clio 200.

So few questions,
Can I remove the rear seat belt tensioner wires and just cut them off? Service light is on so wouldn't mind that going but it has a fresh service on her.

Steering wheel clicked tonight on lock and felt like it was catching but it's fine now.

Also the green gear change light is intermittent but all is well, I cleaned the bay yesterday pretty thoroughly but was pretty careful. Read up and it seems like wiring but yeah all well.

Airbag light is on but has cd changer removed so I imagine that's something to do with it so I'm told?

A lot of questions but wouldn't mind your advice fellas.

Craig.

 

[philly w]

This is my old car.

 

[Craigy88]

This is my old car.

Oh how long ago was that, any nightmares lurking lol?

 

[philly w]

Think I got it in October last year but didn't have it long. I never had any problems with it here's a link to my thread http://www.cliosport.net/threads/clio-172-cup.760335/ it was up for a lot more than I sold it for.

 

[Craigy88]

Think I got it in October last year but didn't have it long. I never had any problems with it here's a link to my thread http://www.cliosport.net/threads/clio-172-cup.760335/ it was up for a lot more than I sold it for.

Didn't know it was a cat D, that's annoying.

Oh well, so what parts did you fit then mate as it seems you had lots to put on.

Reason for selling?

 

[philly w]

The only parts I fitted where the rear spaces everything else was already on it. I either kept or sold the other parts. I sold it because of the cat d, I didn't want to put a lot of money into and then struggle to sell it on so I bought one with less mileage and owners. To be fair though it's a good car.

 

[Craigy88]

The only parts I fitted where the rear spaces everything else was already on it. I either kept or sold the other parts. I sold it because of the cat d, I didn't want to put a lot of money into and then struggle to sell it on so I bought one with less mileage and owners. To be fair though it's a good car.

Yeah makes sense mate.

Annoyed I didn't check now but for £2000 I thought sod it it's a nothing car ya know.
Did you ever check the car over at all? Front damage you say?

 

[philly w]

It had light front damage just the front bumper changed apparently. I had a good look over it and couldn't see any damage and it drove fine.

 

[Craigy88]

It had light front damage just the front bumper changed apparently. I had a good look over it and couldn't see any damage and it drove fine.

Sweet.

Still annoying though ha.

She does drive spot on in all fairness and car D is mostly all the time panel damage only.

So cheap these things so always gona be written off really.

 

[philly w]

Bit naughty that they didn't let you know. Cat d can be very minor damage, I've had a few now.

 

[Craigy88]

Yeah naughty indeed but I should have checked.

Il make her spot on so that's no problem. You said that the wheel bearings were done. Was that rear only?

 

[yeecup]

Saw this on ebay. Immaculate it said. Immaculate cat d. Lol. Still amazed u bought a cup without a hpi check.

 

[Craigy88]

I work on cars all day long in the body shop department so it doesn't bother me after researching some more into the damage. Nearly all cars like this at this age will get cat d as there's too much to repair for the money.

It will be a cat c by the time I'm done with it on track haha.

Immaculate it's not. Was disappointed really but seeing as I'm gutting it and was low mileage and close to me. Was an easy choice.

Still annoyed though haha.

 

[yeecup]

Yeah u get some total c***s selling cars. I met one on Sunday.

 

[Craigy88]

From looking at her though it's mint apart from the repair to the front bumper, just the center part has been painted poorly so damage probably wasn't that far spread. Will soon find out but cat d is only panel damage.

 

[Craigy88]

Well I've made some progress recently with the Clio.

Mainly been ripping out everything I don't need but I need some advice regards the airbag wiring? Can I just cut it off or will that end badly, I've wrapped it up out the way and il be making a plate for the Ecu/diagnostics port and 12v so I can run fans or what have you.

I spot weld drilled all the brackets off that arnt needed and il be painting the interior tomorrow and fitting my new bucket seat. The carpets weight so bloody much, and I have no sound deadening on the floor at all as its a cup? So just rear quarters and c pillars to get it off.

Also hide the drivers side wiring, can't be bothered to do the boot one just yet

 

[Craigy88]

Drove to gatewick today to get my seat, came off a Clio but unfortunately the other guy was 6ft plus so il have to move the frame forward a fair amount but should be fine once done.

Also sprayed the interior satin blue same as the outside colour I had a can made up. I can provide these cans if need be aswell the colour is very good. Neatens it up so much.

Will have to repaint the drivers seat mount once I've fettled it and the floor where it mounts as its scratched now.

 

[yeecup]

Nice work. Paint match looks great makes interior look much nicer

 

[MarkX]

Interior paint looks great! Any chance I could have the paint code? :innocent:

 

[Craigy88]

Interior paint looks great! Any chance I could have the paint code? :innocent:

Ted43 is the code/Mondial blue.

Makes the car feel so much better, everyone should do it once stripped out.

 

[Rubicon_]

That's defiantly on my list it makes me sad every time I look at the interior

 

[Craigy88]

Cheers fellas, it's a must for me anyways being a painter, opted for a satin finish as I thought the glare from the gloss may be a tad much.

Finalised the seat positioning today so will cut the mount up on the gearstick side and relocate that bar back so I can go forward around two inches is enough. And I will be making the frame lighter by drilling holes in it as it weighs a fair amount.

Also sand blasted my corbeau mounts to paint up aswell.

 

[Craigy88]

Did my interior at the weekend and sprayed it all up, satin blacked my inner quarters as well. Looks so much better. Roof and front doors next.

Looks so much better.

 

[Craigy88]

Few more tidying up jobs and securing the airbag loom out the way aswel as starting to strip the door cards down and possibly loose the speakers and head unit. Aswell as the steering wheel controls, how do they come off?

Got some stickers for my bases and it looks so much better. Grip tape next and that's it until my new rear brakes arrive, my decat pipe and top my brake fluid up with some decent stuff.

 

[Rubicon_]

Looks good mate!

What have you used to wrap the wires? Looks good!

 

[Craigy88]

Looks good mate!

What have you used to wrap the wires? Looks good!

It's fabric rape mate, helps to keep the noise down when f**king away all the wires and that. Looks better than normal black insulating tape aswell.

Around £5 on eBay I think mate.

 

[Craigy88]

Received my brakes today, opted for brembo standard rears and brembo pads with spacers, new nuts and uprated fluid so will get that done soon.

Also received my decat pipe, it's a brand new group N spec one so I sand blasted the ends and painted them up today and polished the stainless steel center.

Is there a how to guide for the 172? I can change it on a ramp at the weekend and I've got a new fitting kit so should be fine. Got air tools and everything.

 

[Craigy88]

Finished up the rest of the blue today and will do the roof black when I get some more paint. Ran out last week and forgot to get some more.

Makes the inside a much nicer place.

Cleaned out all my airbox and throttle body aswell as removing the acoustic valve and fog lights ready to fit my cold air blanks.

Removed my passenger airbag and fitted my new rear omp brace.

Definatley feels better and the car drives fine so will be fitting my new items soon. I have camber shims, camber bolts, rear brakes and fluid, decat and some cup wishbones to paint and fit new bushes in.

 

[Craigy88]

Been collecting and doing a few more essential items to the Clio.

Bought a safety devices cage.
Removed the fog lights and fitted ducting to cold air feed.
Removed plate and added more ventilation.
Removed and sprayed my grill black satin.
Added a sunstrip with decals.
Added a new front stick on plate.
Lowered my drivers seat and made some custom spacers so it sits level.
Sprayed the inside roof panels black
Got some blue/yellow Willans harnesses and pads/ 4 point.
Camber shims and bolts.
Inspected the cat D nudge up front and it's perfect, no structural at all just a slightly chipped crash bar and a new slam panel by looks of it, happy days.
Sprayed the bumper plate insert satin black.

Pics.

Tapped in for transport to my work place so I can weld the floor plates in then drill and secure it.

Hoping to have the cage all done and brakes fitted with shims the weekend. Depending on work load etc.

Front cage to be ordered next and suspension.
Getting there now, of course more weight shedding will be happening, door cards, dash and a few other things, stereo will be for sale if any wants. Decent new one.

 

[Craigy88]

Finished welding the cage in and finalising the fitment.

Few pics of what has been done.

When I put the holes in for the rear I noticed the underseal/stone protection to be far to thick to clamp over so removed all of it, must be at least 5mm thick and obviously dangerous to bolt through, so marked up where needs to be removed and set about removing with a hot air gun and scrapper.

Bolted up nice and tight now, no chance of moving.

Then applied some sealer to stop water ingress.

Cleaned and then etch primed.

Stone chipped and cleaned the whole under arch to spruce it up some more.

Then seam sealed the welds over just so it looks nicer.

Then set about painting the rear roof section, removed the ariel, removed the stereo and speakers, few more parts from the dash and noticed I have a sniper alarm????

Grip tape is so nice aswell.

Door cards removed and wires tidied up.

She's getting there slowly but shortley. Rear brakes next, can't seem to find the guide though? I'm paid up but must be blind. .

Thinking plexi windows next to loose the weight in the doors and trim the metal away that's not needed.

Suspension I'm still between bilstein b14 or spax rsx.

Craig.

 

[theburns1]

Absolutely love it, just seems a bit too tidy for a track car lol. As for the cat d, I thought it was law that they have to tell you?

 

[SimpleJoee]

Will keep an eye on this, looks like/is an epic track build in the making. Welding looks spot on as well!

 

[Craigy88]

Absolutely love it, just seems a bit too tidy for a track car lol. As for the cat d, I thought it was law that they have to tell you?

I too was under that impression hence why I didn't bother checking. Tbh though it is just a front bumper and a wing, the front slam panel looked minced a tad but it's honestly fine, I spent 15 mins tidying up the attempted repair.

Once you factor repairs, courtesy car, paint costs, picking up the car etc etc for a £1500 quid motor it's simple to say cat D.

I could have purchased a non cat car and it have been repaired after a bigger accident and not know so luck of the draw I suspect. Lol. And I have no luck.

 

[Craigy88]

I like to have things tidy and neat so if I remove something it needs to be put in place and look presentable regardless of use, but then again I worked for rolls Royce and Bentley for 14 years, it's rubbing off, now I work on ferraris, racing Jaguars, lamborghinis etc etc I apply the race accept on this, it's all fun and a decent time occupier..... Cheers fellas.

 

[theburns1]

I spent top money on my 172 kept away from cat d/c's and sub £1k Clio's, I found a minter and it didn't even get me home. You never know what your buying especially with cars like these

 

[George@RTR_Parts]

Very tidy Craig, PM'd fitting info about rear brakes (didn't want to clutter your thread) . Keep up the good work mate :up:

 

[Craigy88]

I spent top money on my 172 kept away from cat d/c's and sub £1k Clio's, I found a minter and it didn't even get me home. You never know what your buying especially with cars like these

Yeah exactly mate, the engine and box on this are why I purchase it along with all the mods that had been done prior to mine.

Engine is very strong and pulls well and no crunching box noises or anything, just a noises clutch release bearing and sometimes it struggles to start on the key but after one crank it's fine. Usual leaky rocker cover issue but nothing major.
She's a peach lol.

 

[Craigy88]

Bit of an update, fitted my rear brakes and pads, clean the whole area down and now she looks much better.

Found it nearly impossible to put the bottom pad holder back in, once it slides in the first pad that easy but it pushes it way off for the next pad, it needed de-buring but had no file to hand. But apart from that, all went well. Impact gunned it on as I didn't have a torque wrench so will check that when back at work Tuesday so all is well.

Also got myself a rear Whitleine ARB coming so will refresh that and get that put on. Might treat the rear beam to a quick coat of paint and protect it some more.

Front brake disc I've found and now need some pads so rtr will be getting some funds shortly.

 

[imprezaworks]

Looks good. Will you be looking into suspension upgrades, unless i missed that part Craig.

 

[Craigy88]

Looks good. Will you be looking into suspension upgrades, unless i missed that part Craig.

Yeah I've put a thread up on the suspension section.

Going for bilsteins and then adjustable top mounts, replace my bushes for poly ones and front arb, drop link and ball joint freshen up. Should be sweet once done.

I can sell my cup dampers and springs to fund the Billy's.