My Monaco 172 Progress Thread

[TomNorthcott]

So after turning 21 I could finally afford insurance on something a bit quicker than my Corsa C of 2 and a half years!





I was looking for something of similar size to my Corsa with a bit more power, I had a few options in mind but after a short I purchased this 2003 Monaco Blue RenaultSport Clio 172. It has 61k on the clock with service history (recently having a major service with all new belts and pulleys fitted). The car is totally standard bar Apex lowering Springs and a Magnex exhaust system.



I got it for a very reasonable price as there were a few minor bad points about the car

Issues to fix:
* Small scrape on front bumper
* Stone chips on front bumper and bonnet
* Headlight washer not working
* Emissions light on
* New brakes needed
* New rear wiper needed
* Plastics had faded all around the car
* No reverse lights
* Deep scrape in scuttle panel

Overall the bodywork is pretty clean apart from the issues stated and engine wise sound, belts and pulleys done and been serviced consistently. It drives so much better than the Corsa. I love the power as the only downfall the Corsa had was the lack of power from the small 1.2 engine.

The plans:

* Full Service
* GAZ GHA coilover kit
* Brembo HC brake discs
* Mintex pads
* Goodridge brake hoses
* Paint calipers
* Spray diamonds and bullets gloss black
* Restore the faded plastic parts
* New rear wiper
* Aero front wipers
* Powerflex front bush kit
* Xenon headlight bulbs
* New reverse light switch (reason why reverse lights don't work)
* New speakers
* Small Aerial
* New alloys - either TD Pro Race 1.2 (black), speedline turini (anthracite) or speedline 2118 (anthracite)
* Fix headlight washers
* New scuttle panel
* New purge valve and carbon canister (reason why emissions light is on)
* Spray inlet manifold
* Spray engine cover
* Puremotorsport top mounts and strut brace
* Matched inlet manifold
* Decat and stealth exhaust system
* RS Tuner 98 ROM remap
* New number plates

I hope to update this thread as often as I can. I'd also appreciate any comments or suggestions. Thanks for looking!


New number plates


Ready for new brakes and a service

 

[TomNorthcott]

Brake calipers painted

 

[TomNorthcott]

Matt black inlet manifold

 

[guysy]

Love the Monacos mate will keep an eye out for the progress on this, looks nice.

 

[TomNorthcott]

Sati black bullets and diamonds, Monaco blue engine cover

 

[TomNorthcott]

Love the Monacos mate will keep an eye out for the progress on this, looks nice.

Thanks bud. Trying to get all the little bits done first before I move on to bigger and better mods!

 

[TomNorthcott]

Went for a quick shoot a few days ago with rollerdan and a few more mates.

 

[TomNorthcott]

As the sun was out I got the cleaning products out! Washed, clayed and polished...

 

[welshname]

Looks nice. Keeping it OEM+ is definately the way forward.

 

[TomNorthcott]

Mods so far (03/2012):

Engine Modifications
- Magnex Exhaust System
- NGK Laser Platinum Premium Spark Plugs
- Pipercross Foam Panel Air Filter
- Remap
- Matt Black Inlet Manifold
- Monaco Blue Engine Cover

Suspension Modifications
- Apex 40mm Lowering Springs

Interior Modifications
- N/A

Exterior Modifications
- Smoked Side Repeaters
- Pressed Metal Number Plates
- Xenon Headlight Bulbs
- Satin Black Diamonds and Bullets
- Skoda Splitter (not yet fitted)

Wheels, Brakes & Tyres
- RenaultSport Clio 172 Alloys
- Toyo Proxes PX4 Tyres
- Mintex Brake Pads
- Brembo High Carbon Front and Rear Brake Discs
- Blue Goodridge Braided Hoses

ICE & Security
- Factory Alarm
- JVC KD-R411 CD Player

 

[gerupsausage]

really want one in this colour. Nice car

 

[TomNorthcott]

really want one in this colour. Nice car

I really want a RB 182 but the Monaco 172 will do for now!

 

[daveski]

Monaco is a great colour when its clean. Shame about the rest of the time though!

Bet its a nice upgrade from the Corsa!

 

[TomNorthcott]

Monaco is a great colour when its clean. Shame about the rest of the time though!

Bet its a nice upgrade from the Corsa!

I know exactly what u mean! I'm always cleaning it, easily a couple times a week! I think I'll clean it tomorrow too, hopefully get my diamonds, bullets and engine cover fitted as well. Oh it is, much nicer to drive than the Corsa!

 

[Djw Dave]

I was after a monaco blue one, love the colour.

 

[daveski]

I dont normally bother cleaning mine but have done it twice in the last 3 days! That will probably be it for this year now though

 

[TomNorthcott]

I was after a monaco blue one, love the colour.

I was after a Monaco Blue or a Red 172, luckily didn't take me long to find one!

 

[TomNorthcott]

I dont normally bother cleaning mine but have done it twice in the last 3 days! That will probably be it for this year now though

Keep it up, I love a clean car! My family are always telling me "you're cleaning a clean car!"

 

[TomNorthcott]

So today I fitted my engine cover after spraying it Monsco Blue. Excuse the mess on the inlet manifold, I'm in the process of polishing the 'RenaultSport'. Later today I hope to fit my diamonds, bullets and also my new reverse light switch which came this morning.

 

[daveski]

Where did you get the blue paint from? I want to paint a couple of bits.

 

[TomNorthcott]

Just fitted my reverse light switch, I now have working reverse lights! I thought I'd treat her to some Valvoline GL4 75W-80 oil too as I was down there!

 

[guysy]

How many liters of oil did the box take mate?

 

[TomNorthcott]

Where did you get the blue paint from? I want to paint a couple of bits.

There's a new shop opened down by me called The Range. Sells everything and it's cheap! £3 for a can of it, it's specific Renault Monaco Blue too. They do sell them on eBay too.

 

[daveski]

Normally 3.5 litres required for a box oil change.

 

[TomNorthcott]

Normally 3.5 litres required for a box oil change.

^^^

 

[Andrewclio]

Looking nice noddy will have to meet up soon and take both clios for a spin?

 

[TomNorthcott]

Looking nice noddy will have to meet up soon and take both clios for a spin?

It's got a long way to go before I got it looking like I want it to! Little bits here and there are making a difference. I'm going for a spin up Black Mountains on Sunday with Baker (rollerdan) and Foschi (CraigFoschi) if u can come?

 

[Andrewclio]

If I get the mot sorted by Sunday, then I'll be up for that, I wana see what the difference is like compared to yours with the new final drive fitted

 

[TomNorthcott]

If I get the mot sorted by Sunday, then I'll be up for that, I wana see what the difference is like compared to yours with the new final drive fitted

What final drive you fitted? I want to see ur clio now that it's all finished

 

[GilesB]

Great work. Hopefully get mine to this standard in the next couple of weeks, got a pile of parts to fit over the bank holiday weekend.

 

[Andrewclio]

Fitted a 5.2 crown wheel and a sadev slip diff with uprated shafts, acceleration is mental now

 

[TomNorthcott]

Great work. Hopefully get mine to this standard in the next couple of weeks, got a pile of parts to fit over the bank holiday weekend.

What u fitting buddy?

 

[TomNorthcott]

Fitted a 5.2 crown wheel and a sadev slip diff with uprated shafts, acceleration is mental now

Have u booked MOT yet? That Clio needs a good spin on the Black Mountains!

 

[Andrewclio]

No not yet, but I can take it down any time, I did a rally sprint down pembrey last sat, had second fastest time of the day only a second slower than a 40grand mk2 escort so was pleased with that

 

[GilesB]

What u fitting buddy?

It's currently got white wheels and bullets, a horrific exhaust, dodgy rear lights and bits and pieces missing. Just want it back to standard and tidied up. I've got standard colour wheels, k&n panel filter, full service items, k-tec stealth (2.25" mild steel), new exhaust mount, headlight washer, standard rear lights, a fog light, silvatec's, and probably other parts I've forgotten.

Still need to find a bumper without a hole cut for the exhaust though. Hopefully get one by next week.

Then give it a full machine polish and detail. The colour looks so much nicer clean and polished.

Almost forgot window regulator and reverse switch.

 

[TomNorthcott]

No not yet, but I can take it down any time, I did a rally sprint down pembrey last sat, had second fastest time of the day only a second slower than a 40grand mk2 escort so was pleased with that

Take it down get the MOT done! I heard u did well, it's only up from here!

 

[TomNorthcott]

It's currently got white wheels and bullets, a horrific exhaust, dodgy rear lights and bits and pieces missing. Just want it back to standard and tidied up. I've got standard colour wheels, k&n panel filter, full service items, k-tec stealth (2.25" mild steel), new exhaust mount, headlight washer, standard rear lights, a fog light, silvatec's, and probably other parts I've forgotten.

Still need to find a bumper without a hole cut for the exhaust though. Hopefully get one by next week.

Then give it a full machine polish and detail. The colour looks so much nicer clean and polished.

Almost forgot window regulator and reverse switch.

That's basically what I'm trying to do to mine. Get all the little bits and bobs done first so it's looking half decent and everything is working then I'll get on to changing suspension, wheels etc. I also have an exhaust I don't like, I have a Magnex system £420 new but I don't like it. Good luck with the car mate!

 

[TomNorthcott]

Last night Baker (rollerdan) and I had our cars over my pit and noticed we both had knackered rear exhaust hangers. I searched the forum and found out that a lot of people are having problems with these hangers so I decided to design a new one rather than spend out on a new hanger for it to break again. I've done this quick design on CAD an hope to manufacture it when I have some spare time on the CNC and welding machines. I hope to make it out of steel with rubber sleeves for the hanger to sit in. Let me know your thoughts!

 

[GilesB]

Cheers mate! I'll stick a thread when I've got something to show.

I look forward to seeing more from yours.

 

[TomNorthcott]

Cheers mate! I'll stick a thread when I've got something to show.

I look forward to seeing more from yours.

Make a thread now. Update it as and when u can. U won't have so much to write as opposed to if u left it