Project #56; Clio Trophy

Knuckles · Oct 27, 2012

Jon.G said:
Too.Much.Money. I need RWD in my life

RWD the trophy?

see if you can do that before Steve_172_RWD finishes his project

Pete.M said:
Shame about the gap between your front splitter and bumper where you can see daylight, that would really annoy someone who is a little OCD about their car. I'm sure your fine with it though.

Lol, what a b*****d you are

Jon.G · Oct 27, 2012

LOL. I think it would be cheaper to and quicker to do something stupid to it. Why RWD it? FWD is what makes the Trophy goo.

Knuckles · Oct 27, 2012

Because you're being stubborn and want RWD, you won't charge the trophy so that only leaves RWDing it.

itll still go... It'll just go a little more sideways

unless that was a typo and it was meant to be good... Then, it'll be better with RWD because, erm, RWD clio>fwd clio. V6 anyone? :rasp:

Jon.G · Oct 27, 2012

Yeah, that should have said good.

I won't be spending anymore money on this now. It's gonna go up for sale soon.

welshname · Oct 27, 2012

Jon.G said:
Yeah, that should have said good.

I won't be spending anymore money on this now. It's gonna go up for sale soon.

Has the recent arrival of Ed's E21 kicked your arse into gear?

Stefan. · Oct 27, 2012

what's next if you are after RWD? shame as the trophy is a brilliant car!

Knuckles · Oct 27, 2012

welshname said:
Has the recent arrival of Ed's E21 kicked your arse into gear?

Are we taking bets on whether Jon gets an e21?

welshname · Oct 27, 2012

Knuckles said:
Are we taking bets on whether Jon gets an e21?

I'll bet you £1,000,000 + VAT that he doesn't. E30 for Jon.

Eddie. · Oct 27, 2012

Yeah, I'm pretty sure I know what he will be getting.

Jon.G · Oct 27, 2012

welshname said:
I'll bet you £1,000,000 + VAT that he doesn't. E30 for Jon.

Probably. I'll wait as long as I want for the right one to come up. 325is, Diamondschwartz/alpine white/dophin grey for the base. Then I've got a few ideas for getting it right, but I want the right base car and it has to be as mint as possible.

If nothings coming up, I'll probably just end up in a e36 328is or a e87 130i

Phil_ip · Nov 2, 2012

I purchased mine second hand from RenParts, may have a go at taking it apart again and clocking the squib to see if that helps at all if not it shall be a trip to the garage to get it calibrated.

mjogreen · Nov 2, 2012

Lovely car, mate.

Jon.G · Nov 2, 2012

Phil_ip said:
I purchased mine second hand from RenParts, may have a go at taking it apart again and clocking the squib to see if that helps at all if not it shall be a trip to the garage to get it calibrated.

Why, whats up with it? If its not right you should have sent it back as you get a 3month warranty with it. Just make sure you are aligning everything correctly.

mjogreen said:
Lovely car, mate.

Cheers mate, I assume you're away at uni now.

mjogreen · Nov 2, 2012

Jon.G said:
Cheers mate, I assume you're away at uni now.

Yeah well I come back for the weekends still. Got a new job at Handforth Dean.

Phil_ip · Nov 2, 2012

Jon.G said:
Why, whats up with it? If its not right you should have sent it back as you get a 3month warranty with it. Just make sure you are aligning everything correctly.

Bit of a long story really basically I had my airbag light on for a few months got the car plugged in and found out it was a faulty squib so ordered one from RenParts (service was great), fitted this the week before my MOT and it appeared to sort it, car passed the MOT fine with no lights on however driving home from the MOT the airbag light came back on and the following day the ESP and SERV lights both appeared. The car has remained like this for several months now but i feel with winter fast approaching I should get it sorted.

domlebo70 · Nov 3, 2012

Jon, just finished reading your thread. Did you end up solving the knocking issue? Also, how much was the steering rack, and how much did it improve things? My steering rack seems to be a likely culprit in a severe knock I have - it feels very grindy, shudders at a standstill, and feels a bit tired.

Jon.G · Nov 3, 2012

Phil_ip said:
Bit of a long story really basically I had my airbag light on for a few months got the car plugged in and found out it was a faulty squib so ordered one from RenParts (service was great), fitted this the week before my MOT and it appeared to sort it, car passed the MOT fine with no lights on however driving home from the MOT the airbag light came back on and the following day the ESP and SERV lights both appeared. The car has remained like this for several months now but i feel with winter fast approaching I should get it sorted.

Hmm, seems strange. My airbag light had come on as well, intermittently, but when it was plugged into a CLIP it came up as passenger side seat wiring. I had a little fiddle with them and never came back. Could of obviously been related to the squib though. Get it to someone with a CLIP, IE Mick and Diamond motors,he knows what hes doing.

domlebo70 said:
Jon, just finished reading your thread. Did you end up solving the knocking issue? Also, how much was the steering rack, and how much did it improve things? My steering rack seems to be a likely culprit in a severe knock I have - it feels very grindy, shudders at a standstill, and feels a bit tired.

Yep, all fixed now. I got it for a very cheap price, thats all I'll say. They're £360ish + your old rack for service exchange at Renault. Improved things quite a bit, everything is much sharper and tighter now. I guess it helps that practically everything on the front end of the car has been replaced.

How/When does it feel bad? Mine had worn due to a failing PAS pump no giving enough fluid to the rack. I had the PAS Pump replaced when I had the head work done and was just on the lookout for a new rack and this one popped up. It wasn't really causing major issues, I just wanted it doing.

domlebo70 · Nov 3, 2012

Jon.G said:
How/When does it feel bad? Mine had worn due to a failing PAS pump no giving enough fluid to the rack. I had the PAS Pump replaced when I had the head work done and was just on the lookout for a new rack and this one popped up. It wasn't really causing major issues, I just wanted it doing.

I did up a huge thread on the Australian RS forums, but basically the symptoms are as follows:

Occurs when braking, then again when taking off almost 100% of the time. It occurs in two's. So if it didn't happen under braking, then it doesn't happen under acceleration.
Occurs over bumps occasionally
Can be reproduced when turning the wheel when parked and stationary
Steering does feel a bit off.

What I've checked:

Top mounts - they are solid Pure Motorsport items. They are tightened very well. The knock is coming from lower anyway
Wishbones and lower ball-joint. I've checked these are tight and no play. I've just replaced them anyway - they are brand new
Track rod ends - these are tight. I'm not sure if they are free from play, but they do rotate about 1 degree about their length axis. I think that is normal judging from other cars I've worked on.
Anti roll bar bushes. They are tight, and good condition. Can't see it being them.
Engine and gearbox mounts. New VibraTechnics mounts put in 2000km ago

I'm really lost as to what it could be. Everything feels very tight about the suspension. I am beginning to think it could be the steering rack because of the fact it occurs when turning the wheel at stationary. But that doesn't explain the fact it occurs when taking off and when braking. So possibly a upper gearbox mount?

Jon.G · Nov 3, 2012

domlebo70 said:
I did up a huge thread on the Australian RS forums, but basically the symptoms are as follows:

Occurs when braking, then again when taking off almost 100% of the time. It occurs in two's. So if it didn't happen under braking, then it doesn't happen under acceleration.

Occurs over bumps occasionally

Can be reproduced when turning the wheel when parked and stationary

Steering does feel a bit off.

What I've checked:

Top mounts - they are solid Pure Motorsport items. They are tightened very well. The knock is coming from lower anyway

Wishbones and lower ball-joint. I've checked these are tight and no play. I've just replaced them anyway - they are brand new

Track rod ends - these are tight. I'm not sure if they are free from play, but they do rotate about 1 degree about their length axis. I think that is normal judging from other cars I've worked on.

Anti roll bar bushes. They are tight, and good condition. Can't see it being them.

Engine and gearbox mounts. New VibraTechnics mounts put in 2000km ago

I'm really lost as to what it could be. Everything feels very tight about the suspension. I am beginning to think it could be the steering rack because of the fact it occurs when turning the wheel at stationary. But that doesn't explain the fact it occurs when taking off and when braking. So possibly a upper gearbox mount?

I had exactly that and its gone now. You could always try new inner tie rods as the play can sometimes be in those.

With you saying about 'taking off' how do you mean? Do you mean accelerating hard, if so I would seriously look at the lower gearbox mount (dogbone) as this is the cause of that type of knock most of the time. If you mean just braking and releasing the brake pedal I would be inclined to look at the TRE's, Calliper carrier and the brake pads/shims.

You could replace the upper GB mount, if you haven't done so. Mine seemed fine, but when I changed it, it was shot! It had actually exploded.

You can see that here:

domlebo70 · Nov 4, 2012

Good calls. I looked at your video of the steering rack play, and mine is different, It's more of a... twangy knock. And it only occurs with the left wheel on the ground. All my mounts are replaced with uprated polybush ones (or Vibratechnics). Lower dogbone, upper gearbox, upper engine.

Jon.G · Nov 4, 2012

Spring?

Jon.G · Nov 30, 2012

If anyone is interested in this car, let me know.

I've ordered new plates to put it back onto its original registration as I genuinely cannot drive it anymore. Due to a recent medical condition I'm in need of an automatic. The advert will be going up as soon as I send the paperwork off to put my current plate onto retention.

I'll be sad to see it go, but I was always going to sell it come early next year. I just wont drive it now because I physically cannot.

The car is still on the road, so anyone wishing to come see it can still test drive it, with proof of insurance.

Tim. · Nov 30, 2012

Sorry to hear about your situation Jon, very best of luck with the sale.

Eddie. · Nov 30, 2012

Needs must I guess :dapprove:

Genuinely awesome car.

Lordman · Nov 30, 2012

Jon.G said:
If anyone is interested in this car, let me know.

I've ordered new plates to put it back onto its original registration as I genuinely cannot drive it anymore. Due to a recent medical condition I'm in need of an automatic. The advert will be going up as soon as I send the paperwork off to put my current plate onto retention.

I'll be sad to see it go, but I was always going to sell it come early next year. I just wont drive it now because I physically cannot.

The car is still on the road, so anyone wishing to come see it can still test drive it, with proof of insurance.

Sorry to hear that mate, all the best

Hopefully it will go to a forum user that will look after it mind :approve: I would have loved to have had this car say a few months back, I went and bought the blue FF though

Will you be attending CS Saturday 2013?

Andrew

Jon.G · Nov 30, 2012

Yeah, most probably. No idea what car I'd be in though. Before this, I was going for an E30 325i. However my needs have changed, so I'm either going to get a sub 1k auto until I can drive a manual again, or get a epic auto barge to waft around in.

I shall see what the new year brings. I've had an awful year.

welshname · Nov 30, 2012

s**t luck dude but onwards an upwards.

E46 330ci SMG

Jon.G · Nov 30, 2012

LOL.

I've just watched Ep 7. Catch up.

welshname · Nov 30, 2012

Half way through 6. Our lives are AWESOME.

Jon.G · Nov 30, 2012

Insanely Awesome.

Jon.G · Dec 2, 2012

Car is now up for sale.

Details

RS Clio Trophy, First registered on 7/7/2005.
Number 56 of 500 UK models.
2 previous long-term owners.
Tax & MOT until 31/5/2012
Current Mileage – 104,380
2 original keys and all original handbooks
£4,200 ONO

I've cherised No.56 since I bought it in June '11. I have a comprehensive service history to pack up ALL the work that the previous owner and I have carried out. Unfortunately the time has come to sell due to medical conditions. I would consider a part-ex on a automatic car.

I can either be contact via PM, jag1989@gmail.com or on 07927345606 after 6PM, Thanks.

Service Intervals

7/4/2006 – 11,986
15/11/2006 – 25,547
24/1/2007 – 35,445 – Aux Belt Service
29/12/2007 – 48,294
4/9/2008 – 59,847
27/2/2009 – 66,476 - Timing Belt and Aux Belt Service
3/8/2009 – 72,642
6/4/2010 – 82,100
4/8/2011 – 93,797
3/2/2012 – 97,798 – Timing Belt, Aux Belt and Tensioners, Dephaser (VVT), Coolant, Oil Service, PAS Pump, PAS flange and Spark plugs

Additional Replacement parts

1/3/2012 Front SACHS dampers rebuilt by BG Motorsport, including a new piston rod, seals, un-pinning allowing for full damper adjustment.
28/9/2012 – Brand new genuine steering rack fitted by Birchdown, with new bushes, tie rods and track rod ends
Brand new original steering wheel. No melting.
Michelin Pilot Sport 3's all round, 6mm

Modifications

I have left the car as standard as possible and replaced original parts as and when they were necessary, however in the process somethings were upgraded.
Brand new Scorpion RS192 cat-back exhaust system
Inner and outer ARB Polybushes
StreamlineCarbon steering wheel thumbgrips
Brembo HC Front Discs with Ferodo DS2500 (Larger 565H version)
RSTuner '98 ron' Remap
RenaultSport engine cover
TPI Polarised wheel bolts + locking bolts + 4 spare none locking
RS200 Badge

Bad Points

This Trophy hides its mileage very well, however there are a few exceptions:
Front bumper has a few large stone chips and a scuff on the drivers side which has been slightly repaired.
Faded Trophy door handles
All alloys have some marks on them, 2 worse than others.
Small tear in drivers side Recaro. About 1.5inches long in the leather, hasn't torn through to the foam.

Good Points

Full jack kit and two cans of tyre sealant
Timing Belt doesn't need doing until 2017, Aux belt not due till 2015.
Front brake discs and pads changed recently
The all important dampers have been rebuilt, rust treated, re-painted and sealed with wax.
Car comes with all the usual Trophy extras such as V6 spoiler, lightweight Speedline Turinis, Recaro Trendlines and exclusive Capsicum Red paintwork.
I have looked after this as best as possible and detail it regularly with high-end detailing products.
Headlights have no UV crazing
Steering wheel has no melting which is very rare on Clios.
Brand new steering rack and polybushed ARB make the front end extremely responsive and amazing to drive.

The car is currently on a cherished plate, however this will be removed before the new owner takes delivery. I have new plates to go on when the transfer is complete.