F12 DCM 182 Trophy 309/500

[not normal dan]

Well all the wishbones are prepped and ready for welding, heres a quick picture mock up of the bushes fitted.

Heres one showing the bushe pertruding

Depending on spare time tommorow I may get the service bits fitted and the fluids changed but we'll see but it'll be getting a clean.

 

[not normal dan]

Well this morning I got up and shot over to Wilenhall Autoworld Renault trade parts to grab me bits off Adam and pay up!

So I got: 2 x Inner track rods (drumsticks)
A set of steering rack mounts
5 litres of gearbox oil
5 litres of engine oil and a oil filter
A set of spark plugs
A pollen filter

Also dropped me wisbones off to have the sleeves welded up. Due to time its going to have to wait for a week until I get time to fit them all to the car as yet again I've got other peoples cars to do at the weekend and the missus is wanting me to go shopping for stuff for our new house we've bought.

 

[not normal dan]

Well just collected my lower arms from fred at BTM, dropped them in as I was in the area. He's kindly tacked the powerflex sleeves in place to prevent them from twisting and moving.

Going to drop them off with me friend at the weekend who is going to powder coat them for me.

 

[not normal dan]

Well no progress this weekend due to weather tbh, wishbones are at powder coaters and I'm watching a subframe on ebay that will also get the same treatment if I win it. Even though the weather was naff I still managed to lower another clio 172 on a set of cooksport springs, very impressed with the product itself, sits great and tightens the handling up whilst still remaining a good level of ride quality. Heres a few pics anyway, enjoy!

 

[NorthloopCup]

That's just down the road from me! Lol! I saw you on Friday morning as well. On the sainsburys bypass.

 

[not normal dan]

That's just down the road from me! Lol! I saw you on Friday morning as well. On the sainsburys bypass.

Yeah he is just near morrisons, hr hasn't had it long tbh.

Oh right, early morning I take it?

 

[NorthloopCup]

Oh right, early morning I take it?

Yeah would've been about 6:45 ish. You wouldn't have noticed me as I was in my daily driver golf mate.

 

[not normal dan]

Yeah would've been about 6:45 ish. You wouldn't have noticed me as I was in my daily driver golf mate.

Yeah I was running late for work haha, seen a couple of sports knocking around swad recently

 

[not normal dan]

Well nothing to exciting for now down to the s**t weather and a hangover, but I'm off all week thanks to me shift pattern so they'll be plenty of action this week hopefully.

I did however collect me wishbones from the powder coaters

All welded, powder coated and powerflex fiited

 

[Jekyll]

Dan, did you order the mark fish springs? Ive seen a few time that when people have mentioned these springs they've coupled them with koni's. Is this recommended then over standard shocks? Also why mark fish springs over any other?

 

[not normal dan]

Dan, did you order the mark fish springs? Ive seen a few time that when people have mentioned these springs they've coupled them with koni's. Is this recommended then over standard shocks? Also why mark fish springs over any other?

Not yet, I'll be ordering them end of the month no doubt.

I've read a lot of good stuff about them over on trophy.net and they give slightly lower stance over the sportlines after seeing pictures.

 

[Jekyll]

These are pretty similar to the cooksport ones in terms of ride quality and drop im led to believe. Ivr had sportlines before and although i really did like the ride, the drop just wasn't enough imo.

How much are the MF springs? I cant seem to find prices.

 

[aucky]

Tidy

 

[not normal dan]

These are pretty similar to the cooksport ones in terms of ride quality and drop im led to believe. Ivr had sportlines before and although i really did like the ride, the drop just wasn't enough imo.

How much are the MF springs? I cant seem to find prices.

Yeah cooksports are great, I fitted a set last weekend to a 172 and I was pleased with the product and having met josh I know he knows what he's on about and is a sound guy.

I'm lead to believe they are around 220? And that they are matched to the Sachs dampers in term of springs rates etc but don't quote me as I haven't spoke to MF yet.

Tidy

Cheers mate

 

[not normal dan]

Well bit of a let down this week, was hoping to get all my goodies popped on this week. Long story but I'll tell it anyway, the missus owns a 107. The clutch had started to slipped so checked all adjustments with manufactures spec and still slipping so I thought not to worry I'll grab a clutch and pop it in, job done only take me a few hours. Well on close inspection there was a small oil leak (looked like engine oil) from bell housing so I grabbed a rear main seal. Once the car was stripped it was apparent that the oil was infact gearbox oil leaking from the input shaft seal. Also looked like to replace requires a box strip, I'm a mechanic but only ever stripped one box and as we need the car asap I dropped the box off with fred at btm to sort.

So thanks to that I've been having to ferry her to and from work until its back together so times been rather short. Did manage a quick clean as it at least deserved that thanks to all the mileage its been racking up this week so heres a few pics.

Before

During

After

This was only a quick clean

Pre Jet wash
Snow foam
Wash (2 bucket)
Dry (drying towel and M/F Cloth
AG paint sealant
AG trim gel
Megs tyre gel

Afraid there won't be many updates for a while as we get the keys to our new house next week, really disserpointed as all this with her car could not have come at a worse time with the house move ans the current weather but in the meantime theres still some more shopping of parts for the trophy to come and soon I'll hopefully get them on it haha.

Enjoy and thanks for looking!

 

[not normal dan]

Well been a bit quiet the past month with moving into our new house, having to fix the missus's car and just everything that could have cropped up and gone wrong in the past month has so the cars been on the back burner but I had a bit of free time so I cracked on.

To begin with I finally got round to getting it serviced. So that included oil and filter, spark plugs, pollen filter, panel filter recharge and gearbox oil change.

So I got all me bits off Adam (t21 ads) at Autoworld renault, always friendly and helpful and very competive.

Car before we started

Engine bay snap (and yes I know it needs a clean, its on the long list)

Inlet off for spark plug change

New and old

Then pollen filter change

The car

Then I finally fitted my freshly powder coated and polybushed "cup" wishbones which my car already had and have now been sold on. I fitted these to new lemforder balljoints too.

Haven't got many pics as I got pretty stuck in due to the fact most of the bolts were seized a treat.

One of the old balljoints

And me tidy as ever

Must say these have tightend up the front a treat and still got me inner and outer track rods and rack bushes to replace this week so looking forward to that. Then on friday I'm going to take a trip up to harrogate to drop me sachs of at Cornering Force for rebuild, de-pinning and powder coating, then I'm going to order my mark fish springs and pure top mounts and strut brace. So it will hopefully be handling like a goodun. Then I'm going to chuck some revalved koni's on the rear and corner a weight at me mates workshop.

Heres a quick pic of it outside the new place

Cheers for looking!

 

[not normal dan]

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/95234145@N08/8673678684/" title="15514[1] by not normal dan, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8117/8673678684_29d1e61636_m.jpg" width="142" height="142" alt="15514[1]"></a>

 

[not normal dan]

Well made the most of having the missus's 107 today and drove 100 mile to see Simon at cornering force to drop my Sachs dampers with him.

What a great place he's got and quite a nice countryside backdrop. What a top guy to really took the time to explain what's involved and and the common faults he has seen on the dampers. Gone for full overhaul and powder coating so they should look fresh when I get them back.

 

[LB197]

I knew i'd seen that plate before, saw ya clio at the ODEAN in swad tonight - Fast & furious haha

 

[not normal dan]

Well its been a long time coming just down to the fact I've been rather busy with the house, work and other peoples cars! Always the way I guess.

Anyways a lot has gone on since the last update so lets start with some nice pictures of some shiney bits. If you remember last time I had took my Sachs dampers to Simon at CF for a full rebuild, de-pinning and powder coating.

So heres the results, must say I was very happy with the results ans Simon commented how well they tested on the dyno!

I then coupled them with some nice Pure motorsport top mounts Eibach sportlines which I got at a very discounted price

Next up I replaced both inner and outer track rods, not many pics here as I got well stuck in!

Old stuff

New stuff

After all that the car really does feel great to drive, nice and fresh and handling great

Also fitted some new rear brakes as pads were very low and discs had seen better days so got some rear pads and discs and bearings off t21 ads

Got me moneys worth?

Next I treated it to a new exhaust, old janspeed was a little tired and had been chopped about a little so I replaced it with yet another janspeed but this time with a decat and straight through centre and new mounts

Old system

Old vs New

Sounds great and nice and quiet whilst on the motorway

Boot full of bits

Also picked up a second hand ktec induction kit

old airbox

new ktr kit

Sounds great and little tight fit but proof will be in the pudding when I put it back on me mates R/R

Passed its MOT with flying colours

Next up some pics of it on the RR before its new exhaust and induction, pretty standard tbh.

The results, fairly happy tbh for a standard car with a blowing exhaust

Fairly happy for a standard car with a blowing exhaust.

Next up I changed the aux belt as it was due so here's some pics

And refitted in reverse order fairly straight forward job, I've done enough bits again courtesy of t21 ads.

And thats it really, so far the past 12 months owership have been a pleasure and can't see me moving it on for a while. Heres a few pictures of it all tarted up and clean.

And a few after a drive out with Northloopcup (marc)

Enjoy C and C welcome

 

[Ash']

Good updates i'd love a Trophy!

 

[not normal dan]

Good updates i'd love a Trophy!

Must say I love mine, this is my 3rd clio sport sometimes I think I'd like a change but I soon change my mind when I get behind the wheel!

Nows a good time to buy, some bargains out there!

 

[Poopensharten]

Looks fantastic Dan, good to see it being used as intended and not a garage wh0ré!

 

[not normal dan]

Looks fantastic Dan, good to see it being used as intended and not a garage wh0ré!

Oh it gets used as intended, ask northloopcup But yeah its me everyday car only thing I do do is remove the sachs for winter and fit standard 182 stuff!

 

[Rubicon_]

Lovely car mate!

 

[NorthloopCup]

Oh it gets used as intended, ask northloopcup

I can confirm this statement! It certainly gets used appropriately!!

 

[SharkyUK]

Great updates, mate - it's looking well and obviously being enjoyed.

 

[not normal dan]

Yeah after a nice steering wheel now, been looking at oreca 300 and 320 mm but don't know whether to go for a dished or flat wheel?

Cheers for the comments guys.

 

[not normal dan]

Well been looking at a few steering wheels for a few reasons, first of the original is melted as per renault spec, its also too big and I'm going to do my best on improving the clio driving position.

So heres the first choice

Its a flat oreca suede wheel ranging from 300mm, 330mm to 350mm not sure on best diameters so advice welcome.

Second choice is

Is the dished oreca suede option it only comes in 350mm but has a choice between 70mm and 90mm dish. I am basically after advice and benefits between to two different styles of wheel.

 

[Djw John]

From memory standard is about 360-370. My 350 didn't feel all that great, I picked up a free sabelt (330) and its spot on size wise. Looks shite now but nothing a retrim wouldn't sort out.

 

[Tommo.]

How about this one mate?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/300938275893?ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1436.l2649

That's what I'm looking to get for my Trophy and I'll probably replace the Sabelt button in the middle with a plain black one. Hopefully it will look fairly OEM.

 

[not normal dan]

Yeah that's nice, also been looking at the renault sport salbelt jobby. Then I'm gonna wire the cruise control into the audio control stalk as its redundant now I'm using a different stereo and I still like the c/c on long motorway jaunts.

 

[Tommo.]

Did you decide on a steering wheel in the end mate?

Looking to get one for my Trophy fairly soon so would be interested to see what you went for.

 

[not normal dan]

Did you decide on a steering wheel in the end mate?

Looking to get one for my Trophy fairly soon so would be interested to see what you went for.

Not yet mate, may go for the oreca one or even the salbelt Renault sport one, missus is buying it now for xmas lol

 

[Tim.]

I opted for the Sabelt RenaultSport offering and it's delivered a huge improvement to the driving experience - I feel so much more 'connected' to what's going on at the wheels.

My only gripe would be the aesthetics - Sabelt blue is not a good match for Trophy red/pink.

 

[Tommo.]

Would love the RenaultSport Sabelt wheel, I'm just not sure my OCD could cope with the top half being blue

Quite like the look of this one-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/OMP-TARGA...arts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item51b1fac709

 

[not normal dan]

Well a few little updates, been a bit quiet as been really busy with work, the house and a few other commitments but here goes.

Seeing as the winter is upon us I thought I'd whip the Sachs off and put the 182 cup stuff on for these dark months and check the pressures on the Sachs and give them a nice clean up. Didn't take many pictures whilst working as I was on nights so had to get them done rather quickly so here's the end result.

All was well and there now under the bed nice and warm

Next up was get rid of the steering wheel that was a)melted and b) belonged on the QE2 and seeing as it was Xmas the missus came up trumps with this

Curiosity of Adam at Renault Wolverhampton and here's a few pics of it being fitted.

The old wheel in all it's glory

So time to remove the airbag

Then the wheel

Then I marked the squib so I didn't spin it and damage the coil.

Then I replaced the stork with a ph1 item and fitted the boss and fitted resistors in the airbag connectors

Then the wheel

One of the main reasons I've been so busy is I've been repairing other peoples clios so here's a few pics. First of the neighbours 182, aux belt kit and front wheel bearing.

Then me sisters fella has picked up a 172 to replace his megane 250 as there buying there first house. So he picked it up for a bargain with a bit of rough running so I diagnosed and replaced an injector and it's sweet as a nut, also fitted some exhaust mounts and a quick oil change.

 

[not normal dan]

Pics of the sisters fellas 172

nice little example tbh and he loves it already, again big thanks to Adam for the parts

 

[not normal dan]

Well few more plans for 2014, over the next couple of months gonna whip the engine out, clean up the engine bay, rebuild the gearbox cause I think the syncro for 3rd had seen better days, sort the small leak on the sump and change the belt and dephaser whilst its out and I'm currently toying with a set of cams :s

Also going to look at a rear arb setup and some of the roll centre hubs off NorthloopCup if the group buy comes up and then you some more work with spring and rear damper setups.

The plan then is to get some real seat time on track and hopefully some tuition.

 

[Renault Wolverhampton]

no worries mate always happy to help!
just one question what the hell is in the engine bay of the silver one?!!!!