Duffman's (Dark) Chocolate Orange 172 (Long Running Project)

[Duffman_172]

So I have been on here for a little while now so thought it was about time I posted my car and the project I have planned for it. Originaly brought the car in October last year and so far I have not done very much to it. I ordered some wind deflectors for it (not to everyones taste I know) and fitted them almost immediately, but then Christmas came and the car took a back seat for a little while. The car was also suffering from (or what I thought was) a minor oil leak from the camshaft oil seals, so I purchased the genuine seals from Renault and a cambelt kit and got on with fixing the issue. Before I even started I realised that whoever had it before me had an issue at some point but rather than do things properly they had bodged it all back together so the repair took longer than I thought . Now it is fixed, Christmas is finally out the way and debts have been paid off I can now afford to start the project, here is how she looks at the minute:

There are a few things that I am not happy about with the car inside and out, the first thing is the rather large and low exhaust that was already fitted when I brought the car but will change it sooner rather than later. Also I noticed that the headlight washer jets are missing:

So purchased some new ones from Renault at a good price:

On the inside the first thing to go will be the rather grubby Ripspeed mats, I have purchased a set of Renaultsport mats from ebay so shall chuck them in when I recieve them through the post. Also the steering wheel will be refurbed as it has lost one thumb grip completely and has bad melting all over it.

I do have a set of these beauties waiting to be fitted:

Also on the to do list is a complete Vibe install thanks to my missus, she brought me a Vibe sub so I decided that as one of my mates was selling alot of his Vibe stuff I would go the whole 9 yards:

The Vibe speakers my mate very kindly sold me for £60:

Due to the size and weight of the speakers I ordered a stealth shelf from Car Audio Security who very kindly (had to pay for the pleasure) cut the holes to the correct size of the 6x9's and they fit like a glove (plus my cutting skills are not exactly great lol) :

That is about it at the minute, I do have alot more planned for her but trying to save up for a wedding at this point in time so progress will be a slow process but will update regulary. The reason I have called it Duffman's Chocolate Orange is because it's the colour combination I am going for, black and orange, I know chocolate is more brown than black but it's the best title I can come up with the the minute lol. I will be installing the sound system soon so will post pictures as and when, any idea's, comments or critisisms are welcome

 

[daveski]

Those speakers are huge! I wouldnt say they're needed with a sub as well though.

 

[Duffman_172]

Those speakers are huge! I wouldnt say they're needed with a sub as well though.

I did think that as well to be honest but going to see how they sound together and make the decision then!

 

[daveski]

Probably do better to fit better speakers in the doors. As you said though, try them and see what you think.

 

[geoffreydemoor]

like the instal but not a fan of the exhaust

 

[Duffman_172]

like the instal but not a fan of the exhaust

Neither am I mate to be honest, it's too large and sits too low so it will be changed. Undecided on what exhaust system to go for as it is blowing from the centre pipe just near the cat as well!

 

[seltking]

looks like there could be a good car there mate install could be good id lose the 6x9's though as when your sub kicks in the pressure on the back of the 6x9s will make them distort personaly now youv got them id see if you could custom mount them into the rear door cards, theres enough room youll just have to make some mounts for them to sit in.

lol the zoorst is big what was the old owner thinking haha wouldnt look as bad if it was recessed thats what id do if it sounds nice if not replace for somthing you like.

 

[geoffreydemoor]

Neither am I mate to be honest, it's too large and sits too low so it will be changed. Undecided on what exhaust system to go for as it is blowing from the centre pipe just near the cat as well!

i think this is the one you will want
http://www.k-tecracing.com/show_product.asp?id=2069&appid=2

 

[Duffman_172]

i think this is the one you will want
http://www.k-tecracing.com/show_product.asp?id=2069&appid=2

Yes I think you might be onto something there, might have to dip into the wedding fund lol (not sure the missus would approve)

 

[Adamm.]

Car looks good mate will be much better once that exhaust is gone. seen a few more Northampton members on here lately. Where did you take them pics?

 

[Duffman_172]

Car looks good mate will be much better once that exhaust is gone. seen a few more Northampton members on here lately. Where did you take them pics?

I took them at an industrial estate in Brixworth mate outside Northampton, plenty of places like that round our way!

Where abouts are you in Northampton?

 

[Adamm.]

Cool just in Harpole mate you might not of heard of it if you aren't local.

Yeah hard to know where to go get pics around here lol.

 

[Duffman_172]

I am in Holcot mate, the missus knows where Harpole is and I don't think it's far from us!

Are there any meets happening soon that you know of?

 

[Adamm.]

Ahh cool its not far 15 mins probably.

Nope not that I know of mate when the spring comes I think a meet is in order as there's a few Northampton members on here now.

 

[Duffman_172]

Ahh cool its not far 15 mins probably.

Nope not that I know of mate when the spring comes I think a meet is in order as there's a few Northampton members on here now.

Not far at all then

Shall keep my eyes on the regionals then and watch for when one pops up!

 

[Duffman_172]

UPDATE:

Now I know they are not to everyones taste but I do love the sound of a good old induction kit, so purchased one from a member on here as well as a orange Samco induction hose. Once I gave them a good scrub I left them to dry overnight then fitted them to my car today:

The old airbox already fitted to the car (going spare if anyone needs one):

The orange Samco hose, will also have orange coolant hoses to fit soon hopefully:

All fitted together nicely:

Took it out for a spin soon after, noise sounds epic but can't quite decide whether there is a bit of lag in the acceleration of it now. I do still have almost a full tank of fuel so I am going to reserve judgment on that until I get the levels down. Cheers for looking, another update comming soon

 

[Cr33do]

Like that orange hose - could do with one on mine

Wouldnt get rid of the standard airbox just yet if i was you! they are quite good at what they do on these

 

[joe18two]

looks nice mate get the sportlines on i have a set on mine, they are well worth it.

Good to see more northants members, keep it up buddy

 

[marcushookdale]

i'd fit all them speakers in your doors, ,lol

 

[Duffman_172]

Like that orange hose - could do with one on mine

Wouldnt get rid of the standard airbox just yet if i was you! they are quite good at what they do on these

Makes a nice visual difference, will look even more at home when I have touched up the engine bay a bit more!

looks nice mate get the sportlines on i have a set on mine, they are well worth it.

Good to see more northants members, keep it up buddy

Cheers mate, I am planning to get them on ASAP just need to find the time and effort to do it lol

i'd fit all them speakers in your doors, ,lol

I have toyed with the idea to be honest lol, going to install them and see how they sound before making a final decision!

 

[rollerdan]

How much for the airbox buddy

 

[Duffman_172]

How much for the airbox buddy

Comes with everything mate so £30 posted if it's any interest to you!

 

[Duffman_172]

UPDATE:

Had an email from Mikey today to let me know my steering wheel had been refurbished and was ready to post. Sent me some pictures and I have to say it look's EMMENSE

Will put some more pictures up when I get it and installed it, big thanks to Mikey for doing the work, top man!!

 

[e19anp]

who done the refurbishment on ur steering wheel? thats a good job, I'm looking into getting mines done as its all melted and and have got a bit of the thumb grip missing.

 

[Duffman_172]

who done the refurbishment on ur steering wheel? thats a good job, I'm looking into getting mines done as its all melted and and have got a bit of the thumb grip missing.

MikeyK18 did it for me mate, just send him an email with what you want and he will tell you all you need to know

 

[e19anp]

MikeyK18 did it for me mate, just send him an email with what you want and he will tell you all you need to know

thanks mate a shall drop him a message just now, looks good.

 

[Duffman_172]

UPDATE:

Got home this afternoon, walked through the door and was greeted by this:

I was like a kid at christmas, and was more than happy when I unpacked all this :

As recommended by a member on here, I purchased the K-Tec Racing recessed exhaust system to replace the low and large back box I have installed at the moment. I have to say for the money you really do get an excellant system with everything you need to fit it perfectly!

I have a full week off next week so I am sure everyone can guess what I shall be doing lol! Special thanks to K-Tec Racing for all there help and expertise

 

[Duffman_172]

UPDATE:

Been a busy boy the last few days, installed the sound system (shall add photos of that soon) and re-intalled the original airbox as the car felt a little sluggish with the K&N installed but feels alot better now! Today 2 mates and myself got round to changing the low, loud and blowing exhaust system for a shiny new K-Tec Recessed exhaust system. The old system had been welded together in MANY different places so we actually had to take and angle grinder to it to remove it, here is the old system removed:

And the shiny new one ready to go on:

Not very good step by step pictures so I do apologise, the middle section fitted:

And then the rear box (again sorry for the poor step by step pictures):

Then finally, after alot of cutting and sanding, we finally managed to the exhaust trim fitted and the bumper back on. Looks ALOT better then the previous exhaust and isn't too loud, very happy with the end result:

Will upload some more snaps tomorrow as I still have a few things to get done this week, all comments are welcome

 

[Duffman_172]

UPDATE:

Got round to spraying the interior trims over the past 2 day's, started with gathering the tools together:

And then the spray paint, decided to go for Ford Electric Orange for this project:

I grabbed some trims off a car at work:

Then proceded with the task in hand:

I ordered a few decals off ebay and the airbag decal was one of them, so once the paint was dry and the smaller peice of trim was being laquered I popped on the decal:

Then laquered the final trim:

Small trim laquered:

Then all that was left was to pop them back in the car, pleased with the result:

Again all comments welcome

 

[Duffman_172]

UPDATE:

Yes another update lol, had a week off this week so been busy finishing off some bits for the car. Recieved my retirmmed steering wheel on Wednesday and looks even better in the flesh, here are some snaps:

Continuing with the interior colour theme, I then sprayed the the bottom trim and got the missus to stick on the decal so it was straight and in the right place, primered:

Hit with Ford Electric Orange:

Then decal stuck on and laqured over to finish:

All that was left to do then was take off the old wheel and replace it with the new one:

The missing thumb grip and the melting:

The new retrimmed wheel:

So once that was in (improved the look of the interior MASSIVELY) I then moved on to fitting the door mirror covers that I had done at a bodyshop near where I work:

Out with the old:

In with the new:

I also resprayed the front diamond orange:

Before:

After:

And how it looks on the car:

With all the latest bits finally fitted, this is how it looks from the front now:

Happy with the result, got a few more parts to go on soon that are currently being sprayed so shall update again next weekend, cheers for looking, all comments welcome!

 

[fijianbeastman]

liking that orange! sprayed my wheels that colour

 

[Duffman_172]

UPDATE:

Just a small one this time, finished re-spraying the trim inside the clocks this weekend the same colour as the other orange parts already inside. Here is how the clocks originally looked:

And the resprayed one finished and in the dash:

So as I said just a small one this time, had done the bullets aswell but paint bubbled and ran so I had to strip it back and start again. I am also finally getting the Eibach Sportlines fitted this week so shall post some more updated pictures next weekend. Again all comments welcome

 

[Duffman_172]

UPDATE:

Only another small one, finally got her lowered on Friday but I currently have no pictures as I have not had the chance to give her a clean but once I do I shall post some fresh pictures. But I did manage to finally get the bullets and the Renault steering wheel emblem done and on:

The Renault emblem back in the steering wheel:

And the bullets back on the car:

Happy with the result, shall find some time soon and give her a good clean and polish and add some updated pictures, all comments welcome

 

[Mcaff]

orange looks decent, i wouldnt do the wheels orange could possibly be a bit too much with all the rest of the orange you have.

think they would look better in grey or black! looking good though.

 

[PP200t]

Looks great mate, love the orange bits. Don't forget your gearknob insert tho! May give colour coding a go on mine, but really don't fancy messing up!

 

[Duffman_172]

Looks great mate, love the orange bits. Don't forget your gearknob insert tho! May give colour coding a go on mine, but really don't fancy messing up!

Cheers mate, that is next on my list, watching some on ebay so when I get some spare cash I shall invest in the gear knob insert! Best thing to do mate is practice on something else first, follow guides on the internet or even Halfords, that's the guide I use and parts come out really good, practice makes perfect as they say :race:

 

[Narf]

I like the orange! i cant help but think though i would have stopped at just the dash inserts and s/w insert orange, the dials and diamond both on the s/w and front grill would look good black but keep up the good work.!

 

[Duffman_172]

Cheers for all the feedback everyone, think it will just be the rear diamond and that will be the orange done! Might go for black wheels with an orange diamond as looking at it orange wheels also might be abit too much!

Shall have another update soon, got a few bits to sort out at the front to tidy it up abit so will post pics when I get round to it

 

[Duffman_172]

UPDATE:

Took full advantage of some nice weather today and finally managed to get some shots of how she looks at the minute and the changes made since I first brought her, first pictures:

And the updates I have done are:

1. Changed the low, loud (and out of place) Scorpion back box for a Recessed K-Tec exhaust system.

2. Lowered on Eibach Sportlines

3. Vibe sub installed (decided against full sound system)

4. Dash inserts removed and resprayed Ford Electric Orange

5. Steering wheel retrimmed (thanks to Mikeyk18)

6. Instrument trim and steering wheel trim also resprayed Ford Electric Orange

7. Debadged rear complete with a legend decal (clio badge and rear diamond will be resprayed soon)

So only little changes but, for me personally have made a big difference! Here are the updated pictures, excuse some of the random photos but some good places came up on my travels:

So that's it for the minute, I have got alot more work to do and alot of other things planned such as a complete refurb on the front headlights, a genuine Renault front splitter which I prefer over a fabia and various other parts. Shall keep the thread updated, as always all comments welcome.

 

[daveski]

I like the orange dials. Want to do them blue in my car but havent got round to it yet.