Hello & Track or not.

[HENSHAW10]

Hi guys.

Im Nathan and this is my first post.

I drive a clio sport 172 MK1. Not cup model.

My main question is whether this is a good track car or not?

Take into account i live in Gibraltar so tracks i go to our Jerez, Guadix, Estoril etc. I.E Very hot.

My mate who had the same car but MK2 blew up 3 engines and says its good for everday but not for track. I thought i would get a better opinion haha.

Please let me know what you think and what i should do to the car before taking it.

Thanks

 

[Brian]

Hi HENSHAW10, welcome to ClioSport!

 

[Adam G]

Loads of us track them with very few problems in this colder climate. How did your mate's blow up?

 

[Wick]

Nothing wrong with the car in heat as far as I'm aware, could even fit a cooler running thermostat if it became an issue.

Decent brake pads and fluid are all you need to have fun in my opinion.

 

[MG cup]

Those tracks would see looooong periods of time on the throttle, I would think that's part of the reason for engine failure. More suited to bigger engined/higher speed cars.

 

[H4RRY]

My Clio spends all day up towards the rev limiter on track and (touch wood and cross fingers) its never had any problems and I've been on some hot track days..... yes it is occasionally hot it the UK

 

[George@RTR_Parts]

Welcome!

They make great little track cars imo. What actually happened to your mates cars engines ?

 

[HENSHAW10]

Thanks for info guys.

I asked him and it seems two engines blew due to he increased the rev limiter to about 9000rpm or more giv or take. The 3rd engine he said that it was standard and just died on the track. He then came to conclusion they were crap, hence why i thought i would ask people with more clio experience. Now taking into consideration of the heat...Yes i know it gets hot in uk aswell (H4RRY) haha but should i go for an external oil cooler or just go for it as it....Standard.

 

[Fred@BTM]

well you cannot rev safely past 7800rpm and in a hot climate you have to run an oil cooler with a decent 10W50 or 60 oil, change the rod bolts to ARP and you'll be fine

 

[Ph1 Tom]

well you cannot rev safely past 7800rpm and in a hot climate you have to run an oil cooler with a decent 10W50 or 60 oil, change the rod bolts to ARP and you'll be fine

This ^^^^

There's no real point really taking it past where you make peak power anyway, I change around 7-7.2k to make the most of the torque band.

I'd look for a minimum of a 13 row oil cooler but if you can fit a bigger 16 row or maybe even 19 then it will help keep temps down. A thermostatic sandwich plate will stop it getting too cold when the weather is colder.

 

[Nick172Cup]

9krpm! Is he a f**king moron? It also begs the question of the person who mapped it to that high rpm, could be another reason for failure.

 

[Adam G]

^Funny how I'm so glad I asked how it blew up.

 

[HENSHAW10]

Thanks guys.

Will let you know any further updates to how it goes etc.

 

[Goodj]

A Clio would be lost or Estoril.

There'll be time to have a shave by the time you've made your way down the pit straight!

 

[HENSHAW10]

I don't believe it. On the way to work the clio seemed to have had a heart attack. Not sure if anyone has experienced this before but all the electrics went crazy, i.e the dials went to and back up and the hazards lights went on. Basically every light on thwe dashboard went on. Then i parked it and turned it off. However i went to turn it back on to see if that might have sorted it and now it does not start. Any ideas ? Was thinking maybe alternator or the belt but never seen that happen to a car before.

 

[Martin.]

Similar to what happens when you start the car whilst holding the trip computer select button in?

 

[HENSHAW10]

Never tried that and dont even know where that button is haha

 

[HENSHAW10]

Hey guys by any chance are the mirros on a clio 197 the same as athe 172? Reason being as i need a set and the scrapyard closest to me has a pair. Your thoughts?