PH1 172 refresh

[Clio172T]

Always got to have a project on the go!, most recent one was a E39 5 Series that had been abandoned at the start of Covid. with that fixed up and sold on i was on the hunt for my next one. had 4 or 5 1*2's years ago, and sold my turbo RB to purchase my first 'grown up' car, an M135i, have followed with a few more BMWS recently but i needed another project and wanted to get back into a hot hatch.

Picked up this little phase one in december, found on FB marketplace..
had decent history. the body was straight, nothing hanging off, and ran well.

it was mega cheap because the owner said it was burning oil which was confirmed on route home!
does need paintwork along with the engine issues, but it was just the right price and amount of work for me to take on as my next project.

Home...

Photo 03-12-2022, 13 06 32 by turbomint, on Flickr

put my old number plate on it and got it on the ramp to have a look at it properly and all was as to be expected for a 2000 clio!

Photo 28-12-2022, 08 24 36 by turbomint, on Flickr

Photo 28-12-2022, 08 34 35 by turbomint, on Flickr

Photo 28-12-2022, 08 34 48 by turbomint, on Flickr

Photo 28-12-2022, 08 34 59 by turbomint, on Flickr


pt2 below

 

[Clio172T]

Back home had the wheels off for the arches to get a good scrub along with the wheels!

Photo 29-12-2022, 10 38 49 by turbomint, on Flickr

Photo 29-12-2022, 11 37 32 by turbomint, on Flickr
Photo 29-12-2022, 10 38 59 by turbomint, on Flickr

Photo 29-12-2022, 10 38 59 by turbomint, on Flickr

Photo 29-12-2022, 11 00 15 by turbomint, on Flickr

Photo 29-12-2022, 11 00 13 by turbomint, on Flickr




Plans are... replacement engine going in next weekend, along with a 4-2-1 (182) manifold, fresh fluids all round and an Aircon delete kit, gonna clean the engine before it goes in along with the bay and a fresh bit of heatsheild. new headertank also ordered

once that's in get it round snett for a shakedown see if anything comes apparent and address that.

sticky tyres, bucket seat and enjoy it for the summer

paintwork will come also this year at some point, just gonna see how things go first getting it back on the road/track.

let me know what you think and any tips!

 

[Clio172T]

Engine collected this afternoon from Bristol, no problem for the mighty Polo !
Got a new belt, water pump and dephaser included, to fit before I swap the engines over and I’ll give it a good clean and coat of paint.

 

[Clio172T]

Great timing!!

Got the engine timed up today with help from Alex ex Mark fish motorsport mechanic. Couldn’t of done it without him, got it all bang on so I have no doubt that it will run Sweet. Also fitted the cup alternator brackets, should be on track to fit the engine next weekend

 

[Clio172T]

so, engine is in, EPAS is fitted and rack has been looped to itself, Gave the PH1 a clean at the weekend and fitted my 888 tyres in readiness for Snetterton in april.
happy with how it looks now and drives very well. enjoying it!

 

[k_Leo]

@Clio172T How's the feeling of the EPAS compared to the hydraulic ?

 

[Clio172T]

@Clio172T How's the feeling of the EPAS compared to the hydraulic ?

its definitely different, in an ideal world i would have an electric column with the feel of a hydraulic one. sometimes if you are trying to park and turning quickly, you fight it, but its a minor inconvenience to be honest, still worth it for the extra space in the engine bay and fewer fluids to worry about on track.

 

[Akay]

Nice. Has it got any rot setting in? Spots are around the filler cap, sills under the skirts (riveted on so hold muck and water), the box sections above the rear beam.