Pete's budget Ph1 track build

[Pete.]

Just another update of a couple of things we managed to do at the weekend. Fitted the new engine top mount. Put an OEM unit in and it has made so much difference. Then decided to have a go at fitting my K-Tec strut brace which I was convinced would not fit.

It's nice to be wrong sometimes. Only problem is it's now made me think of detailing the engine bay like I did to my 182. Must remind myself that I need to spend the money on fuel and trackdays instead.

Having done that we set about sorting out the scratches on the front bumper.

Before

After

Then decided to lacquer the mirror covers and spoiler.

Then finally decided to flatten and smooth the rear wiper blank and then wrapped it in the 4d Carbon.

 

[Pete.]

Hoping to get the suspension and tyres sorted this week and then do the brakes next weekend. I have definitely blown the budget now.

 

[Fletcher]

Bumper looks much better mate.

 

[Cub.]

Looks good Pete, great progress being made.

 

[Christopher.]

Great work on the bumper Pete

 

[daveski]

Great job on the bumper.

 

[Tony Hunter]

​Bling!! innit.

 

[TimR26]

You've done a good job on the bumper!

​Now detail that engine bay

 

[Pete.]

Just a quick update for those people I spoke to at Combe at the weekend. Most assumed the Clio had re developed its starting problem. I explained that my mechanic mate was having trouble with the AST top mounts and the top of the Gaz front coilover was hitting the bonnet when closed. So I managed to get over to Romsey to see him this afternoon. He knew he had the driver's side wrong and needs to re seat the black sleeve below the turrett. He wa sconcerned that there was some play in the top mount when the wheels were off the ground. Soon as the wheels were on the ground there was no movement in them. So we talked about a few solutions and agreed what needed to be done.

Drivers side AST top mount

Passenger side

We now have stance

As soon as I get it back will take it to have the suspension geometry sorted and then fit the steering wheel and aerocatches. Few other small jobs to do and then I'll start using it to bed everything in and look to book a track day.

 

[Jay Payne]

Fcuk me Pete, they couldnt be fitted any more wrong if they were bolted to the dash!!!!!

the lower orange part goes under the turret. all you should be able to see from under the bonnet is the top locking ring

 

[Pete.]

Forgot to add that its also had new Brembo discs and pads fitted as well. Also Toyo T1Rs all round.

 

[Jay Payne]

 

[Pete.]

Thanks Jay I knew I could rely on someone pointing me in the right direction. I will ring him tomorrow and give him the light bulb moment LOL.

 

[Tony Hunter]

Jay's beat me to it, but is soooo wrong.

 

[Nick172Cup]

Jesus Christ!

 

[MG cup]

OMFG that guy should hang his spanners up and retire.

 

[2Damnsly Andy]

Fcuk me Pete, they couldnt be fitted any more wrong if they were bolted to the dash!!!!!

Quote of the year right there, just spat blackcurrent all over my screen.

 

[sonny172cup]

Jesus...you would have got some looks when getting the geometry done.

 

[Russ_16v]

as per our convo at Combe mate i knew it couldn't have been too much that was wrong, at least it's an easy fix

 

[Pete.]

Got a message from Steve this evening and I quote. "It's easy when you know how". He looked at it after he had finished work and re-set them as Jay's photos and bingo job's a good un. All sorted, now I need to book it in for suspension geometry. . . Thanks for all of your useful comments and I can assure you he is a great mechanic.

 

[Pete.]

Thanks for all those comments about my mechanic. He greeted me tonight with a few choice comments about hanging up his spanners. I had texted him a link to this thread so that he could see Jay's picture of how the ASTs should sit.

Picked the car up tonight and all is good. Drove it home gently and decided to do a few bits on it tonight. Fitted the rear strut brace.

Then Tim decided to look at getting the steering wheel off and before we knew it:

Now to get it down to have the full suspension geometry and wheel alignment done, Booked in for next week.

Also booked my dash in to be flocked next week. So last night we decided to blank off the passenger airbag cut out ready for when we remove it.

We used a plastic chopping board from Ikea as it was flexible enough to bend to conform with the dashboard. Tim plastic welded it in place so it is a permanent addition now.

 

[Russ_16v]

nice touch that Pete, I need to do something like that with mine

 

[sonny172cup]

Thats all the Ikea chopping boards are good for...

Glad you got the top mounts sorted, project looking good.

 

[mark123]

Top mounts look much better

 

[Paul172sport]

Is your wife still looking for her salad chopping board?

How's the top mounts? Made much difference?

 

[Christopher.]

Nice one Pete

When's the South Coast Ph1 meet happening then ?

 

[mr_n]

I have a ph1

 

[Paul172sport]

Lets set a date, maybe up on the hill or even down Goodwood for some nice pics.

 

[Pete.]

Soon as I have my suspension geometry done I will be up for this. Hoping to get it done next week.

 

[Paul172sport]

Mine will look a proper 4x4 next to yours and chris's.

Really want to go lower but scrape the front already quite alot.

 

[Fantom]

Really like the acoustic cloth in the back. Mine looks a right state all stripped. Where did you get them rear door cards?
​love the project. I've been doing similar stuff with my ph1

 

[Pete.]

Really like the acoustic cloth in the back. Mine looks a right state all stripped. Where did you get them rear door cards?
​love the project. I've been doing similar stuff with my ph1

We made the rear door cards out of thin mdf and covered in a carbon wrap. Not easy but a nice cheap mod. Will probably do the same to the fronts. Cheers for the comments it's been a buzz building the car and coping with the problems it threw at us.

 

[Pete.]

Another update as we seem to be getting to the point where we say it is done. Last week I got it down to the Wheel alignment Centre in West Quay. Thanks to Nick who did a great job on setting up the geometry. Really is a different car now. Dropped some parts off at the Flock shop as well so watch this space. Was going to give it a detail on Saturday but decided to fit the aerocatches and some stickers and settled for a quick clean between showers. Then on sunday took it to Beaulieu for Simply French day. Took it for a drive for some photo opportunities but gave up due to the weather. now to just drive it to put some miles on it to bed the brakes and suspension in. May lower it a bit more and stiffen the adjustment up on the suspension.

At Beaulieu

 

[Christopher.]

Coming together Pete. Time too book llandow !

 

[Cub.]

Yep, get Llandow booked. Love the progress on this Looking good. See you on Friday chap.

 

[daveski]

Nice work. What colour did you use on the wheels? I might steal it...

 

[Pete.]

Picked up the dash and a few other bits from the Flock Shop today.

Door pulls

Also did the steering wheel cowl but didn't manage to get any pictures.

Decided to do a few more bits and pieces and finally managed to fit the front tow strap.

Then we finally got round to doing something with the bullets. Not what I had in mind but really pleased with them.

 

[ant089]

the flocked flag is a brilliant touch! a nice tip of the hat! well done sir

 

[Christopher.]

Looked good today Pete

​Cant find any of those cup racer stickers though !

 

[TimR26]

Dash looked good today. The door pulls are a better match than photo suggests as well.