Ph1 172 daily

Ph1listine · Jan 7, 2019

Picked this up back in August last year in need of a bit of TLC and an MOT, but most importantly it's a straight car with full service history and with a great condition chassis.

Since I've had it I've done the following:

Key/immobiliser work
ABS sensor
Washer fluid pump
Heater grill
Cat install
Numberplate lamp
Window collapsed/new regulator
Noisy wipers sorted
Speedo stopped working
2x new wheel bearings
Full brake rebuild front and rear
Head unit unlock
Engine/subframe polybushed
New rust-free exhaust
Exhaust mounts
Full service
Various rattles fixed
Machine polish
Headlight restoration
K-Tec induction kit
Fuel leak fixed

Other than being stock it has a RenaultSport Sabelt steering wheel which feels really dry in your hands so might swap for an OMP Corsica, and it also has K-Tec coilovers which seem great.

It's an awesome little car and so much more special than a Ph2, although not quite as special as a Trophy or Williams. Just needs some AD08Rs now as these T1Rs are gash.

Headlight restoration before and after:

Before and during machine polish:

The final result - could do with a wheel refurb and some 3D printed centre caps:

Would like to take it to the Nürburgring one weekend this spring/summer, other than that just going to enjoy it as a daily, the K-Tec induction kit is amazing!

deanoE30M3 · Jan 7, 2019

Looks nice in black..

Wanna detail mine for me lol

Ph1listine · Jan 7, 2019

deanoE30M3 said:
Looks nice in black..

Wanna detail mine for me lol

Alright ain't it!

I had it done by these guys:
https://www.facebook.com/shinyheadlights1/

Headlight resto was £15 and machine polish and wax was £80. Not bad for 8 hours work! Silly cheap. He's based in Mansfield Notts but can travel to you.

Clio_fool · Jan 7, 2019

Good effort. Kudos for dailying it too, too many are left garaged these days.

Ph1listine · Jan 7, 2019

OssPoop said:
Good effort. Kudos for dailying it too, too many are left garaged these days.

Cheers, been off the road quite a bit with the above work but it's running great now. Cambelt etc. were done 3 years ago but it's only done 3k miles since then so will most likely get it done again in a year or so.

Ph1listine · May 16, 2019

Nearly on 119k miles now so that's 10k since August!

Switching back to a standard original exhaust because I'm fed up with the constant drone on motorways (even with custom 'quiet' exhaust).

Booked in for a service later this month where I'll be getting some new wheels fitted, installation of the below inlet, stock exhaust and possibly remove the engine mount insert to minimise vibration levels.

Other than that, inlet has been refurbed by BCS Automotive in Long Eaton - https://www.bcs-automotive.co.uk - who do work for McLaren and a few other high end brands. They wanted to test a new inlet refurb service so I was more than happy to oblige. The attention to detail is unreal.

While the original plan was to get some new AD08Rs, I'd be looking at around £330 for AD08Rs fitted and balanced, not to mention £147 for refurb.

And I like saving money! Fortunately I discovered these Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2s, recently 'vapour blasted' and powder coated gloss black 'as new', 15” x 7” ET 35 4x100, centre caps and black nuts included. Fitted with 2 Toyo Proxies 195x50 with 7mm depth tread and 2 Uniroyal Rainsport with 5mm tread, all for £300.

Normally I like to stick to OEM but these at least have a purpose; weighing 6.2 kg each whereas the OZ F1s are 9kg, so that's a reduction of 11.2kg in unsprung mass, and nearly new tyres, for next to nothing.

Will put the Rainsports at the front and the Toyos at the rear.

Have since sold all of the F1s.

gez 172 · May 16, 2019

Brilliant cars, I’ve got such a love for ph1’s - loved mine back in the day.

It is a shame you’ve sold the OZ wheels though, they’re so hard to come by a full set now, would have been worth keeping for the future.

Ph1listine · May 16, 2019

gez 172 said:
Brilliant cars, I’ve got such a love for ph1’s - loved mine back in the day.

It is a shame you’ve sold the OZ wheels though, they’re so hard to come by a full set now, would have been worth keeping for the future.

Amazing fun aren't they, and sometimes they feel really fast sometimes not, but fantastic to drive.

I've seen full sets of F1s for £200 so which don't seem to have gone up. Would've liked to keep them but thought might as well try something lighter.