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?? How on earth do you guys afford all the big engine mods!! ??
Turbo 182 Alfa 159
Snap! I reckon if i sat down and wasn't scared i would f**k it up or think of the worst I could probably do it. Instead I just pay friends or friends of friends to do things.
Knuckles
ClioSport Admin
i mechanically retarded too, but i like to learn/have a go.
a guy at work is going to service my car next week, hes gonna show me how to do it so thatll save me a wedge in the future too
i also jump in feet first, like when i fitted my old 1*2 bumper to my non sport. never used filler or fibre glass before but just started hacking and filling away turned out ok
a guy at work is going to service my car next week, hes gonna show me how to do it so thatll save me a wedge in the future too
i also jump in feet first, like when i fitted my old 1*2 bumper to my non sport. never used filler or fibre glass before but just started hacking and filling away
turned out ok
220 Trophy
To use my previous phrase its horses for courses, we work long stressful hours and we're both knackered at the end of the week but then we have a nice lifestyle to show for it. I think you put in what you take out. Its just unfortunate that Nurses etc and our armed forces who work twice as hard and twice the hours probably earn 1/4 as much. Unfortunately life is very unfair like that, but selfishly you have to look out for No. 1 don’t you. Anyway this is going a bit off-topic. As for some saying they're mechanically retarded, you only learn by trying. I do most of the work on my car myself, it’s a hobby and gives me a bit of time to myself to chill-out. The Clio is very easy to work on and realistically there's not much unless you're properly stupid that can go wrong.That sounds like a couple of very well paid jobs to be in
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220 Trophy
Then don’t buy the cams, they're only going to give 10% power increase which Lb for £ is not sensible. Save your money and have a nice holiday with it in the summer or put it towards a house deposit or or or....... You will get to a point in life when you've done all the sensible things with your money and you'll find yourself with £1,800 spare and you think well 15bhp would be fun. But until that time don’t waste your hard earned money.
Coops Mk1
ClioSport Club Member
Lots of Scrap...
I'm skint most of the time and now with the house to sort next year and our lass chomping at the bit for a holiday its time to reign in the car spending for a year or so. my disposable income isn't much after everything but I use it pretty wisely investing in part I know I can sell and will remain worth money, and I do all my mechanical work myself (I'm in IT, no pro mechanical training or experience, purely self taught as a hobby/necessity to keep driving when younger) as such it does work out less than a cheque book warrior approach to modifying. And as many others have said its a hobby too, the car is more enjoyable for the fact that I built the bugger
I need to get belts done too soon so was just a touch of spec creeping lol! Might as well pay extra 500 odd with the belts to get Cams done. Might as well pay to replace rattly Dephaser whilst I'm at it. Might as well pay for Induction Kit and Remap..... etc
Sir_Dave
ClioSport Trader
10 years ago i was mechanically inept, so my dad bought me a Halfords toolkit and explained that cars are just lego. If you can pull them apart, you can generally put them back together again!!
Over the years, ive just tinkered with things to the point where ill have a go at most things these days. This saves an absolute fortune in maintenance/servicing/repair costs and allows me to drive far nicer cars/more modified cars than if i had to pay someone to do it. Although 'spec creep' does happen lol, the money i save on labour pays for more s3xy parts...
I dont go mad on my cars, but probably spend a grand a month quite easily. At the moment, half of that is on fuel, but as im moving closer to work next month, that half will go on more exciting things im sure.
Its my hobby though, so as my income has increased and all other expenditure has stayed similar, my 'fun' pot has just got bigger.
Over the years, ive just tinkered with things to the point where ill have a go at most things these days. This saves an absolute fortune in maintenance/servicing/repair costs and allows me to drive far nicer cars/more modified cars than if i had to pay someone to do it. Although 'spec creep' does happen lol, the money i save on labour pays for more s3xy parts...
I dont go mad on my cars, but probably spend a grand a month quite easily. At the moment, half of that is on fuel, but as im moving closer to work next month, that half will go on more exciting things im sure.
Its my hobby though, so as my income has increased and all other expenditure has stayed similar, my 'fun' pot has just got bigger.
work for BMW
interesting thread, im 23 and a student but im pretty careful with money. i hate spending big money on things i know i wont be able to sell and get my money back or atleast some of it back.
like car mods, i would never dream of spending £1-2k on giving the engine a bit more horsepower because in my eyes iv lost that money for good for little gain. but thats just me!
i really enjoyed getting bits for me 1.2 clio such as cup spoiler / grill / turinis etc but i knew i could just take them off and sell them for similar value.
like car mods, i would never dream of spending £1-2k on giving the engine a bit more horsepower because in my eyes iv lost that money for good for little gain. but thats just me!
i really enjoyed getting bits for me 1.2 clio such as cup spoiler / grill / turinis etc but i knew i could just take them off and sell them for similar value.
220 Trophy
Ha ha - sounds very familiar!! Yes agreed, its worth paying the extra £500 for the cams when you're having the belts changed, but then you're not paying £1,800 for the cams that you don’t really need - you are 'only' paying an extra £500k on top of work that you definitely do need. You definitely don’t need an induction kit - unless you pay mega-money for WRC stuff you're throwing money down the drain and probably loosing power. Depending on what cams you go for you might be able to run them on the standard map, if not then unfortunately you will need a map, but by this point it'll be almost £1k more than just having the belts done. Its just up to you if you can warrant spending that extra £1k?!
It's all relative.
If you earn £20k PA and you live at home, you have probably got 10k PA disposable. If you earn £20k PA and run 2 kids and a mortgage, you do not have 10k PA disposable !
Buying a £3k Clio and spending £5k on 'mods' as you put it is probably more cost-effective than your next-door neighbour buying a second hand £8k Astra. Nobody thinks about depreciation. You can take your £5k of mods and probably sell them for £4k, and your £3k car for £2k and you'll end up better off than Mr Astra after a year's motoring. I know which I'd rather have been in for that year !
You might look back at this and wonder if it was a silly question to ask, perhaps not. I find it interesting that some people can blow 20k a year on cars (LOL!) and others can't afford mid-range tyres on theirs.
If you earn £20k PA and you live at home, you have probably got 10k PA disposable. If you earn £20k PA and run 2 kids and a mortgage, you do not have 10k PA disposable !
Buying a £3k Clio and spending £5k on 'mods' as you put it is probably more cost-effective than your next-door neighbour buying a second hand £8k Astra. Nobody thinks about depreciation. You can take your £5k of mods and probably sell them for £4k, and your £3k car for £2k and you'll end up better off than Mr Astra after a year's motoring. I know which I'd rather have been in for that year !
You might look back at this and wonder if it was a silly question to ask, perhaps not. I find it interesting that some people can blow 20k a year on cars (LOL!) and others can't afford mid-range tyres on theirs.
_WILL_
ClioSport Club Member
172 Cup
Don't be scared of the mechanical stuff. I'm not saying it is easy but you will learn by doing it. Last week I took the week off work and did the following:
engine out
new clutch
timing belt
dephaser pulley
water pump
(timing was out so had to reset it.)
aux belt (was easy cos its a cup)
steering arms
engine back in
track rod ends
lower ball joints
new springs and dampers
exhaust
new pads and discs
I had never done any of this before except the brakes and aux belt, but I can honestly say the hardest part was dealing with a few seized bolts. The only thing I would say is give your self plenty of time, the first time you do stuff it takes longer. If you need tools then start with basics, the halfords advanced stuff will do the job to start and buy more tools as and when you need it.
As for money my opinion is if you feel guilty about spending it then don't. Otherwise go for it, life is too short and money doesn't matter if u are happy.
engine out
new clutch
timing belt
dephaser pulley
water pump
(timing was out so had to reset it.)
aux belt (was easy cos its a cup)
steering arms
engine back in
track rod ends
lower ball joints
new springs and dampers
exhaust
new pads and discs
I had never done any of this before except the brakes and aux belt, but I can honestly say the hardest part was dealing with a few seized bolts. The only thing I would say is give your self plenty of time, the first time you do stuff it takes longer. If you need tools then start with basics, the halfords advanced stuff will do the job to start and buy more tools as and when you need it.
As for money my opinion is if you feel guilty about spending it then don't. Otherwise go for it, life is too short and money doesn't matter if u are happy.
Turbo 182 Alfa 159
Its not that they can't afford the high performance tyres its just they are too tight to fit anything good when they can get something for like £40.
I see it all the time at work, usually bigger cars such as Mondeo STs, BMW 535ds etc. Come in ask how much best tyre is, mid range and then say oh no cheaper than that please. Tell them about a nankang and they are sold. Makes me cringe like.
I see it all the time at work, usually bigger cars such as Mondeo STs, BMW 535ds etc. Come in ask how much best tyre is, mid range and then say oh no cheaper than that please. Tell them about a nankang and they are sold. Makes me cringe like.
It is mad when you consider the two ends of the spectrum isn't it.
If I need belts doing though and I spend an extra £600 on to get cams at the same time. I think well I might as well get it mapped properly to make good use of them. Plus I really want a KTR/KTR style induction kit because my engine is silent so therefore a proper map be worth it to make use of the full exhaust system I have too.
You're right that it's not £1800 for stuff I don't really need. That isn't my issue it's just forking out a sum like that all in one go.
Now I'm thinking maybe ITBs will be better because at least then I could always sell on hahahahahaha it's never ending..
We only live once though I guess!
If I need belts doing though and I spend an extra £600 on to get cams at the same time. I think well I might as well get it mapped properly to make good use of them. Plus I really want a KTR/KTR style induction kit because my engine is silent so therefore a proper map be worth it to make use of the full exhaust system I have too.
You're right that it's not £1800 for stuff I don't really need. That isn't my issue it's just forking out a sum like that all in one go.
Now I'm thinking maybe ITBs will be better because at least then I could always sell on hahahahahaha it's never ending..
We only live once though I guess!
The reason I started doing mechanical work on my car was it was the only way I could afford to keep an old mini on the road when on my industrial placement at Uni.
The more you do, the easier it gets.
Although I think some people are more inclined towards being good at it than others.
The more you do, the easier it gets.
Although I think some people are more inclined towards being good at it than others.
If you car needs a cambelt, fitting ITBs instead of one probably isnt a great idea, lol
Seriously though, RS2 or Bodies are a far better idea than cams in terms of being easy to sell on afterwards.
Yeah I know. RS2s aren't in production any more though are they?
Funny thing is. I was originally thinking I'll just get a full cambelt service. Doesn't actually need one til next year but wanted to be sure I don't leave it too late and I like knowing that I've had it done properly myself rather than relying on Renault who did it last. Planning on keeping car forever and running into the ground anyway so nice to know.. Plus car gets thrashed on track so like the idea of looking after it where I can.
Then I thought well if I need belts might as well do cams too. Then I end up with the full trimmings as listed.
Now I'm considering some ITBs instead of/as well as cams LOL. Just because they will sell on if I ever want to put the car back to standard for just road use..
It's a slippery slope!!
I've heard though ITBs are generally easy to fit. Wouldn't mind building on my knowledge with assistance from a mechanic friend to try and do that. The ECU stuff I would probably leave alone though.
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I have looked at it. But prices are considerably higher aren't they. That's definitely not something I could attempt myself unlike say ITBs, which I wouldn't mind having a go at. The only real cost would be the kit itself, new ECU and mapping I presume. Most of which I might be able to get back when/if I do sell on.. With boost there would be a considerable amount of labour cost I imagine!!
Then the slippery slope from there is forged engine components :s
I reckon I'll only use this car for another year, maybe two, on track. Then I'll look to put it back to a standard ish level (if I get a need for more speed) and use as a road car whilst having something slightly faster for track..
Then the slippery slope from there is forged engine components :s
I reckon I'll only use this car for another year, maybe two, on track. Then I'll look to put it back to a standard ish level (if I get a need for more speed) and use as a road car whilst having something slightly faster for track..
KTM 990 SD / S60 D5
Supercharger kit is very easy to fit and to be fair a turbo install is still quite easy just takes more time.
Was lucky (or unlucky depending on how you look at it) got knocked of bike last Nov and recieved a 4K settlement, half went on the Cup (438's belts etc) and not sure where the other half went...Cup too more than likely....
TBH though for a turbo to work well you need to decompress it, and if he cant do cams he certainly cant do that himself.
At least you're not injured that's main thing. No amount of money can suffice life.
Depending on how my car settlement goes will determine how much I put into my Clio. If they write it off and pay me out I'll use any extra money spare after I repair it myself to go towards upgrades..
KTM 990 SD / S60 D5
Supercharger it is then
220 Trophy
This has gone from a cam-belt change to also adding cams and now possibly forced induction!! - Seriously save your money and definitely don’t waste your money on an induction kit! If you want to improve your car then look at the suspension and brakes. Getting the belts done is a very good idea and great piece of mind, the £1k left burning a hole in your pocket would probably buy some half-decent coilovers and RC5+ pads which will make more of a difference on track than an extra 15 bhp will.
Cub.
ClioSport Moderator
Relativity, what is a lot to some won't be a lot to others. Just the way the world is.
Personally I'm more number 2 on the 'Daniel scale'. But, I'm not selling it for a loss (I'll kill it first) and I'm consciously putting effort into moving into number 1. I have worked bloody hard to be where I am at the ripe old age of 30, so I think I'm entitled to my toy (that's what I tell the mrs anyway)
Personally I'm more number 2 on the 'Daniel scale'. But, I'm not selling it for a loss (I'll kill it first) and I'm consciously putting effort into moving into number 1. I have worked bloody hard to be where I am at the ripe old age of 30, so I think I'm entitled to my toy (that's what I tell the mrs anyway
)I tend to find myself buying on a whim more than anything tbh. If I have the money ill think about buying something for so long until I think "f**k it its only money, I get paid again next month" and buy it. Soon adds up with that attitude though.
im more of a do it yourself guy though, I rarely get things done for me and I save on labour.
all will change soon though I imagine with a house on the horizon
im more of a do it yourself guy though, I rarely get things done for me and I save on labour.
all will change soon though I imagine with a house on the horizon
Having no commitments let me do it.
Now everything is on a budget due to buying a house.
Clio number two (when i get it) is already built to a good standard so is cost effective for me.
Now everything is on a budget due to buying a house.
Clio number two (when i get it) is already built to a good standard so is cost effective for me.
I do all my work myself obviously, so splashing out £1.6k on an RS2/cams/Coilovers doesn't really matter to me, as I know I can sell everything on again for what I paid, if not more.
I Just broke my LCR, and if I had sold it whole, I'd have seen maybe 5k if i was lucky. I've broken it for nearly 9k. And I'm certain I didn't put that much into it, however, I do buy stuff if it comes up cheap. For instance my clio was supposed to be a cheap run about. £1.6k later, that plan kinda failed.
I Just broke my LCR, and if I had sold it whole, I'd have seen maybe 5k if i was lucky. I've broken it for nearly 9k. And I'm certain I didn't put that much into it, however, I do buy stuff if it comes up cheap. For instance my clio was supposed to be a cheap run about. £1.6k later, that plan kinda failed.
TrackCar & F30 330d
I dont Smoke, go on the p1ss all the time or have kids, but i do have a mortgage and a GF.
But i work very hard trying to build a career, hence why i am working in the US atm!
I look after my money and spend it on things that make me happy! I do 99% of the work on my own cars so i save lots of money there!
Nice and simple just do what makes you happy!!
But i work very hard trying to build a career, hence why i am working in the US atm!
I look after my money and spend it on things that make me happy! I do 99% of the work on my own cars so i save lots of money there!
Nice and simple just do what makes you happy!!
Knuckles
ClioSport Admin
reading this thread makes me feel more than poor
what is it you do?
I provide IT services, www.bri-tec.co.uk work was very slow at the beginning of the year Its picked up a bit now though.
Its picked up a bit now though.
Knuckles
ClioSport Admin
Bit smarter than me then
If you want to do it on the cheap you have to get spannering. Setup ebay searches for things you're looking for etc.
I'm totally self taught. Just get your spanners out and start fiddling to build up your confidence.
As Sir_Dave said earlier, they're no different to lego really. You're bound to break a few things but it'll be worth it in the end
I'm totally self taught. Just get your spanners out and start fiddling to build up your confidence.
As Sir_Dave said earlier, they're no different to lego really. You're bound to break a few things but it'll be worth it in the end
This is so true. Once you start to know things you will start to realise how must BS comes out of your average garage.
