New to Clio ownership and need some advice for turning it into a MSA 1b Sprint Car

[Willo]

Hi,

I have put down a deposit on a a 52 plate RS Clio Cup and pick it up later this week. It is pretty much standard bar the below mods:-

ITG Carbon Induction Kit
182 Half Leather Seats
Raceland Coilovers

I intend to use it for Sprints/ Hill climbs in MSA Class 1b therefore I will be looking to put the original seats back in when I can find some and change the suspension to race spec coilovers ASAP.

I've read a few threads on here so I'm guessing I'm going to open up a can of worms asking this but what Suspension setup is best? I have (for now) narrowed it down to an uprated ARB, camber bolts and shims plus one of the following coilovers:-

Gaz Gold or;
Spax RSX

my question is what experience of the above do people have, and/ or is there a third option I should be considering. Bare in mind I don't car what the car looks like ride hight wise etc, I just want a car that handles very well on circuits. I'll be racing at Wigan 3 sisters, Anglesey, Aintree, Blyton Park, Curborough so needs to be good on tight tracks as well as open.

Ideally looking for something around £1000 mark but if under... bonus!

I'm aware of the engine & gearbox mounts which I will also be doing but as I'm completely new to Clio ownership suggestions for other improvements in handling would be much appreciated too.

Thanks

​Karl

 

[Brian]

Welcome to the club, Willo!

 

[Willo]

Re: New to Clio ownership and need some advice for turning it into a MSA 1b Sprint Ca

Cheers

 

[imprezaworks]

Re: New to Clio ownership and need some advice for turning it into a MSA 1b Sprint Ca

Welcome mate

 

[JohnnyE]

Re: New to Clio ownership and need some advice for turning it into a MSA 1b Sprint Ca

Welcome bud Colin has AST's on his
​cost a few bob I think he is well happy with them

 

[Willo]

Re: New to Clio ownership and need some advice for turning it into a MSA 1b Sprint Ca

Yeah, seen mixed reviews about the ASTs but I guess this thing is really down to personal taste and driving style at the end of the day - They're about £1400 but I'll add AST to the short (but getting longer) list:-

Gaz Gold
Spax RSX
AST Sportline 1 Track

 

[JohnnyE]

Re: New to Clio ownership and need some advice for turning it into a MSA 1b Sprint Ca

Also I think Russ has Billy's

 

[Willo]

Re: New to Clio ownership and need some advice for turning it into a MSA 1b Sprint Ca

Ian suggests getting the Bilstein B14 but they don't seem to be adjustable.

What I like about the Spax RSX is that they are proper coilovers at the rear too for same money as Bilstein and Gaz Gold.

Thing is you can look at these on paper and make a choice based purely on specification but fact is you've no way of actually choosing whats best without bolting them on and giving them some stick.

Christ this is hard :S

 

[imprezaworks]

Re: New to Clio ownership and need some advice for turning it into a MSA 1b Sprint Ca

Pretty sure I have either spax or Koni on mine, bumpy to be fair but christ it handles well

 

[Willo]

Re: New to Clio ownership and need some advice for turning it into a MSA 1b Sprint Ca

When you say bumpy do you mean just harsh on the road or do you mean bounces/ digs in a bit on track?

 

[JohnnyE]

Re: New to Clio ownership and need some advice for turning it into a MSA 1b Sprint Ca

I don't want him to handle well so keep the racelands on lol

 

[Chi]

Re: New to Clio ownership and need some advice for turning it into a MSA 1b Sprint Ca

Tony H has ASTs! Good enough for me. . Or borrow John's sachs

 

[imprezaworks]

Re: New to Clio ownership and need some advice for turning it into a MSA 1b Sprint Ca

Only had the car two days mate so yet to venture on track. They are bumpy and with car stripped doesn't help. But for the mileage I do and knowing what the car is, cage, seats etc its a small sacrifice, he says now lol. Also a lad on here username arctic has them on his cup and I can confirm that handles very well, on track anyway.

 

[MicKPM]

Re: New to Clio ownership and need some advice for turning it into a MSA 1b Sprint Ca

I was told the RSX were not ideal for motorsport use (Even Demon Tweeks said similar today). I was gutted because like you I loved the fact they were proper coilover rears for the cost... there have been a few unhappy customers before but I can't find the threads.

 

[Willo]

Re: New to Clio ownership and need some advice for turning it into a MSA 1b Sprint Ca

Only had the car two days mate so yet to venture on track. They are bumpy and with car stripped doesn't help. But for the mileage I do and knowing what the car is, cage, seats etc its a small sacrifice, he says now lol. Also a lad on here username arctic has them on his cup and I can confirm that handles very well, on track anyway.

Sorry were they Koni or Spax?

I was told the RSX were not ideal for motorsport use (Even Demon Tweeks said similar today). I was gutted because like you I loved the fact they were proper coilover rears for the cost... there have been a few unhappy customers before but I can't find the threads.

Good feedback thanks.

Thats Spax off the list then and think im going to count out AST based on price and feedback from a friend that theyre a bit stiff for sprints. So list is now

Gaz Gold
Bilsein B14
Koni

 

[MicKPM]

Re: New to Clio ownership and need some advice for turning it into a MSA 1b Sprint Ca

I've heard nothing but good about the B14's as great all-rounders but no actual experience with the product.

I'm having a 6-point cage first

 

[JohnnyE]

Re: New to Clio ownership and need some advice for turning it into a MSA 1b Sprint Ca

Russ has Billy's on his and wants to buy Colin's AST's if he swaps his car so what does that tell you

 

[Chi]

Re: New to Clio ownership and need some advice for turning it into a MSA 1b Sprint Ca

My new/old clio had Gaz Gold, your welcome to take it for a spin mate, any mate of Johns and all that

 

[Mr R.]

Re: New to Clio ownership and need some advice for turning it into a MSA 1b Sprint Ca

What about KW V2s?

I think Chip has them on his turbo.

 

[JohnnyE]

Re: New to Clio ownership and need some advice for turning it into a MSA 1b Sprint Ca

Toooo many choices lol

 

[sprintcup]

Re: New to Clio ownership and need some advice for turning it into a MSA 1b Sprint Ca

Sorry were they Koni or Spax?



Good feedback thanks.

Thats Spax off the list then and think im going to count out AST based on price and feedback from a friend that theyre a bit stiff for sprints. So list is now

Gaz Gold
Bilsein B14
Koni

Hello karl,

If you've got the standard shocks on atm use them for a season more than good enough, it'll save you money and you can find out what falls off 1st lol, you need to remember that the rears have to use the original shock and spring pan so you can't use rear coil overs! I'm looking at AST1's as with the Gripper and possible engine build I may need adjustable shocks, but may not bother and get the B14's re-valved and up the spring rates.
Welcome to N/A tuning, you'll be going where's all the power F****ng gone lol, big step down from the other car

Have fun regards Russ..........

 

[JohnnyE]

Re: New to Clio ownership and need some advice for turning it into a MSA 1b Sprint Ca

Hello karl,

If you've got the standard shocks on atm use them for a season more than good enough, it'll save you money and you can find out what falls off 1st lol, you need to remember that the rears have to use the original shock and spring pan so you can't use rear coil overs! I'm looking at AST1's as with the Gripper and possible engine build I may need adjustable shocks, but may not bother and get the B14's re-valved and up the spring rates.
Welcome to N/A tuning, you'll be going where's all the power F****ng gone lol, big step down from the other car

Have fun regards Russ..........

Good advise Russ

 

[Willo]

Re: New to Clio ownership and need some advice for turning it into a MSA 1b Sprint Ca

I've always considered KW's to be road use coilovers for some reason. But to be fair I've never had experience of them to be honest.

 

[Willo]

Re: New to Clio ownership and need some advice for turning it into a MSA 1b Sprint Ca

Hello karl, If you've got the standard shocks on atm use them for a season more than good enough, it'll save you money and you can find out what falls off 1st lol, you need to remember that the rears have to use the original shock and spring pan so you can't use rear coil overs! I'm looking at AST1's as with the Gripper and possible engine build I may need adjustable shocks, but may not bother and get the B14's re-valved and up the spring rates. Welcome to N/A tuning, you'll be going where's all the power F****ng gone lol, big step down from the other car Have fun regards Russ..........

That would have been my plan but it's got Raceland coilovers on so looking at the cost of them I'm expecting it to be worse than standard. Might give it a go and chuck it round Antree in September

Yep, the power delivery is gonna be quite different but hopefully will be more fun in 1b....... as long as I beat John that is :rasp:

 

[Willo]

Re: New to Clio ownership and need some advice for turning it into a MSA 1b Sprint Ca

My new/old clio had Gaz Gold, your welcome to take it for a spin mate, any mate of Johns and all that

Very very kind of you. Might just take you up on that offer

 

[Willo]

Re: New to Clio ownership and need some advice for turning it into a MSA 1b Sprint Ca

Russ has Billy's on his and wants to buy Colin's AST's if he swaps his car so what does that tell you

... that Russ is struggling to choose the right set too :clown:

 

[sprintcup]

Re: New to Clio ownership and need some advice for turning it into a MSA 1b Sprint Ca

... that Russ is struggling to choose the right set too :clown:

F me last time I help a Scouse and a Brumie T**T, Karl I've still got my standard shocks, buy the Cooksport or Eibach springs and use them, sell the Racelands on, you did me a favour sorting out digs for Blyton, save your money I don't want anything for them, they were on 44K.

Regards Russ......

 

[Sam@NP]

Re: New to Clio ownership and need some advice for turning it into a MSA 1b Sprint Ca

Many Spax threads on here detailing their issues and customer service, the best thread was deleted sadly.

AST or KW competition

if I was you, ring Cooksport and chat with them about what AST can offer you then ring the proper suspension people too. All have uk offices. Then you have people like Black Art Design, Pro flex and Nitron all expensive but superb bits of kit and offer loads of proper customer support with settings, valving and spring rates etc.

 

[JohnnyE]

Re: New to Clio ownership and need some advice for turning it into a MSA 1b Sprint Ca

Karl my advise would be get Aintree booked and just have a good feel of the car just dont rush into anything........................

 

[Mr R.]

Re: New to Clio ownership and need some advice for turning it into a MSA 1b Sprint Ca

We Ran B.A.D suspension our Aston V8 Racer, the owner used to work for Leda.

 

[sprintcup]

Re: New to Clio ownership and need some advice for turning it into a MSA 1b Sprint Ca

To all the above ^^^^ he's running in Rd Going 1B, driven to the event using standard top mounts, no spherical bearings allowed, as John said get to Aintree and drive the car 1st,
My offer still holds, they should be good for 1 season cheapest way to go for now.

Regards Russ.........

 

[Willo]

Re: New to Clio ownership and need some advice for turning it into a MSA 1b Sprint Ca

To all the above ^^^^ he's running in Rd Going 1B, driven to the event using standard top mounts, no spherical bearings allowed, as John said get to Aintree and drive the car 1st,
My offer still holds, they should be good for 1 season cheapest way to go for now.

Regards Russ.........

Cheers Russ youre a gent. Ill get Aintree booked and go from there



Picked it up tonight and speedo died on a the way home and came back on again about 3 times. Not a big issue but a bit anoying.

Also sounded a bit noised backing it on the drive but may just have been the echo effect of the fencing and concrete. Dont think dephaser was done at same time a cambelt so hoping its not that doh! Also reading the receipts properly, althought the cambelt was done 20k ago it was nearly 5 years ago :dapprove:

Pretty good pull when you get it revved up. The torque steer is gonna take some getting used to. Think im gonna enjoy chucking it round the track

 

[imprezaworks]

Re: New to Clio ownership and need some advice for turning it into a MSA 1b Sprint Ca

Im in the same boat as you with regards the belt. For peace of mind im getting it done soon.

 

[Willo]

Re: New to Clio ownership and need some advice for turning it into a MSA 1b Sprint Ca

Think I'll do the same. Is there a Clio specialist local do you know?

I know John uses a place in Birmingham so will probably do the same but if there's somewhere good locally I'll use them. Used to use GroupB motorsport in Deeside for my Subaru as they were Subaru specialists. I'm sure they could look after my Clio just the same but I'd rather a specialist.

 

[imprezaworks]

Re: New to Clio ownership and need some advice for turning it into a MSA 1b Sprint Ca

Birchdown all day long mate. In malpas, by you?

 

[Willo]

Re: New to Clio ownership and need some advice for turning it into a MSA 1b Sprint Ca

Birchdown all day long mate. In malpas, by you?

Great, will see if I can book it in next week

 

[imprezaworks]

Re: New to Clio ownership and need some advice for turning it into a MSA 1b Sprint Ca

Steve and andy will look after you mate

 

[JohnnyE]

Re: New to Clio ownership and need some advice for turning it into a MSA 1b Sprint Ca

Mention your a mate of mine and they should look after you.

 

[imprezaworks]

Re: New to Clio ownership and need some advice for turning it into a MSA 1b Sprint Ca

Or mention my name and wait for laughs

 

[Willo]

Re: New to Clio ownership and need some advice for turning it into a MSA 1b Sprint Ca

Mention your a mate of mine and they should look after you.

They doubled their prices :butt:


Booked in a week on Monday.... cutting it fine for Aintree