newbie wanting to build a 172 cup track car

[buntyhoven]

Hi this is my first post here. I will soon be buying a clio 172 cup from a freind, it needs a bit of work doing to it.... new windscreen, gearbox, lower engine mount, cam belt. I have quite a few questions id be v gratefull if anyone could help me with some of them I want to build it up as a track car- not botherd about having it road legal, and needs to be below 105 db maybe even below 98 db for most tracks.

1) the gearbox is making a lot of noise and think it will fail soon, is there other boxes that will fit this car like from a senic etc? if not i guess ill have to rebuild it? can you use one from any other clios with any pros/cons?

2) it has had a custom exhuast made, with new air filter and ecu supposidly running 192 bhp, i need a new exhuast as this one makes so much noise and does not fit properly. Any one reccomend a system? It is a hidden system at the mo, i dont mind fitting one that is seen.

3) my list to get it rady from track is- roll cage, coil over suspension, new seat and harness. What would be the best to go for without spending a fortune? i intend to get it corner weighted etc when all thats done.

4) we will be taking the engine out to change the clutch/cambelt/gearbox, what kind of clutch will be good to go back in? Is it worth going for some cams etc while its out?

5) is there a place to get plastic windows for the rear of the car? maybe even fiberglass bodywork? Im wnating to get rid of everything in the car inc dash board heater etc etc.

Any help would be great, im most concerned about the gear box... :S

 

[deviltronics]

i take it you will be going racing in it.

if so, im thinking of doing the same thing, what club/series will you be intending to participate in?

 

[benji&eka]

take engine out to do g/box belt ect and while its out fit an exhaust fannimold from a 182 (4 branch jobbie)

 

[buntyhoven]

Thanks for that, ill be getting a 182 manifold then Is there a good place to get new gears/ gearboxes rebuilt/ maybe even strait cut gears?

As far as racing, i have just been racing with the 750 mc in their road going bike engined series. Im not that fussed about entering a series, as id like to do my own thing to the car and not have to go by their rules if you see what i mean? I just want it for track days, test days etc .

 

[russ_0016]

Ive heard the boxes are diffrent to normal RS clio's as it has the speedo cable going into it as its non abs other than that i think everything is the same? but i guess this wouldn't concern you if it was a track car, obviously as long as the tacho is working?

 

[buntyhoven]

ahh i see, no thats not a prob, will be prob be getting a stack dash so can get speed off the wheel pickup. Can anyone reccomend what coilovers/ cage/ exhuast etc etc to go for?

 

[SteveC047]

I would speak to the likes of Mark Fish who can give you pretty much all the advice you need regarding track prepping a road going car.

In terms of Coilovers well its really down to how much you want to spend, I have just set up a friends car with a set of KW V3 fully bump and rebound adjustable, and I must say the quality is spot on. Alternativly you have H&R.

Exhaust wise speak to YozzaSport, they should be able to sort out one of there YS Systems I believe they have a full blown fuk off load one which will set car alarms off from the next road, or a slighty more subtle set up which will set them off in the same road LOL

Cage wise there is a company currently selling off the cages from there track day 172 I cant for the life of me remeber what the company was called but one of the guys with a Trophy has just fitted one.

 

[drhowser]

kw don't make a v3 for the clio. except the vee. you would need to speak to the competition dept. i have just got a set which cost about 1200, they are however awesome! for your gearbox, if you go down the road of the re-build you should speak to a company called frozen solid. they treat parts with liquid nitrogen, you could almost call it cold forging. they are used by most of the bttc and german touring car teams. they also make uprated clutches.
cam wise it depends if you are keeping the stock ecu? if so speak to ben at angelworks, in fact speak to him about all your engine work because i have never met a more precise worker and his work is universally respected on here.

 

[edde]

1) the gearbox is making a lot of noise and think it will fail soon, is there other boxes that will fit this car like from a senic etc? if not i guess ill have to rebuild it? can you use one from any other clios with any pros/cons?

2) it has had a custom exhuast made, with new air filter and ecu supposidly running 192 bhp, i need a new exhuast as this one makes so much noise and does not fit properly. Any one reccomend a system? It is a hidden system at the mo, i dont mind fitting one that is seen.

4) we will be taking the engine out to change the clutch/cambelt/gearbox, what kind of clutch will be good to go back in? Is it worth going for some cams etc while its out?

5) is there a place to get plastic windows for the rear of the car? maybe even fiberglass bodywork? Im wnating to get rid of everything in the car inc dash board heater etc etc.

Any help would be great, im most concerned about the gear box... :S

Get the box rebuilt or use a sequenchail race one if you can do. Its a common box (bar the speedo output but for you that won't matter) and ratios and a few other bits its known as a JC5 730 your box from memory. All the 172 and 182 boxes will fit.

Won't make 192hp with those mods 180 at best.

Stock cluthc is ideal realy its not that stong but its fine. Cams head work and the manifold reowrk are a godo idea but prices will add up I'd save personaly and just change the cambelt and spent the money enjoying the car instead.

There a place who makes fiberglass windows i forget the name try notorious on here he might know as he had some in his Mk1.

ahh i see, no thats not a prob, will be prob be getting a stack dash so can get speed off the wheel pickup. Can anyone reccomend what coilovers/ cage/ exhuast etc etc to go for?

There a few cage compines as you know though buy an approved one. Exhaust tones of options personaly I'd go for a quiet one so there no track day issues. Some exhaust from manurfactuers are way to noisy.

Coilovers H and R are good a bit soft for track work but you can always change the springs and there quite chep in the terms at £750 ish then there Leda at £1k which would be superb or theres KW.

Cage wise there is a company currently selling off the cages from there track day 172 I cant for the life of me remeber what the company was called but one of the guys with a Trophy has just fitted one.

Forget them cages there a waste IMO its the company at Oulton park who were/are selling them. Get a proper fitted approved cage if your going to do it. There enough otu there which are more danagerous in the car then not having them fitted.

 

[Fred@BTM]

don't bother touching the engine, thats the last thing to do, get the brakes and handling and saftey systems sorted first

 

[Clioman51]

all good going fast but if you cant stop or turn good enough there no point, unless your drag racing.

 

[Paddy_g46]

i hope you have won the lottery if you plan on racing and maintaining it!

 

[buntyhoven]

thanks for the replies, i will not be racing it, I have another race car- this one is for track days/ fun. It needs cam belt/exhuast/windscreen/gearbox/clutch etc etc so im doing everything at once... looks like ill be spending double on upgrades of what im getting the car for! :dapprove:
I must say im excited! I want the most silent exhuast which produces the most power... looks like ill be searching for a while!