Racing Blue EK54YVU Owners?

[SKINTasPER]

Not sure if this is in the correct section so apolgies if not. Are there any previous owners of this car on here? I have had it for around 2 years now after I bought it in a sorry state for £350. All I knew was the engine was no good and the obvious body work damage.

As you can see from the condition of the car, it had been sat for just over a year. I bought it blind, wasn't too sure what I was taking on but when it turned up I was very supprised. Seem to have struck abit of gold in my eyes! No outside visible rust arches were spotless and behind fuel cap also!

Had to get it washer up immediately! So I did.

I liked this angle, you couldn't see the dent on the bonnet 😁

I was very happy with how well it turned out.

So Next I set upon cleaning the interior ;D

Looking good eh? Once all the interior was refitted I made a start on the engine and looking at the damage was clear, ill let the pictures do the talking...

Seems the piston didn't want to be part of the F4R any more.. this wasn't overly a huge problem at the time as luckily I had a spare engine to hand. You can say it all fell nicely for me.

 

[SKINTasPER]

I wasn't sure on the condition of the JC5/130 but I did know they are alot stronger than the previous circlip type so I took the gamble.

I then went and bought a ported head with some 197 camshafts, got some very nice inlets made up by m.s custom engineering, he also refurbed my brakes as you'll notice later in the post...

A few other bits popped up also when I wasnt looking but I couldn't help myself and had to buy, like this stunning Yozza system!

So I then saw another bonnet, I decided I'd change it up abit, to stand out more.

We did it, we got vented....

So here were at, last summer, I've pretty much got you upto speed...

Your now at the next chapter with me, the bonnet and bumper both had a respray as bonnet came off a cup .

 

[SKINTasPER]

So this summer of 2020, pretty much stuck inside I decided I wanted to fully rebuilt the front end. Full subframe got all the blasted and powder coated,

New wishbones with powerflex bushes all round,
New ball joints,

Every single exterior bolt off another car I had blasted and zinc plated.

Wish me luck working out what goes where... This wasnt even half of them xD haha....

So we made a start , on the car, everything was stripped off it.... Again (hope this is the last friggin time)

The engine bay was cleaned and then repainted, the subframe then took its place, the arches are next on the list to be cleaned and treated.

But then this project took another turn, because I then bought a low boosted car (purely for the engine)

So now, I removed the loom to tidy it up and wire up the AEM fuel and ignition controller, to date, this is about where we are.

So now your upto scratch, this is now going to be my Low Boosted Racing blue project. Hope you enjoyed the read. And I will update this as I do stuff if it's of interest.

Thankyou for your time.

 

[Krarl]

Ryan get rid of those old headlights man!!😂

Cant wait to see it going though, maybe next year @Louis and @leeds2592 might boost theirs

 

[SKINTasPER]

Ryan get rid of those old headlights man!!😂

Cant wait to see it going though, maybe next year @Louis and @leeds2592 might boost theirs

Noooo I like em! Better than the ones I had on before hahah! Yeah they need to crack on with it!!

 

[Jamess182]

This is proper content! What a transformation man. Awesome find indeed.

 

[SKINTasPER]

This is proper content! What a transformation man. Awesome find indeed.

Thanks mate, I may of missed a few bits in-between but you get the gist. Yes, amazing find! This as always been top contender for one of my favourite colours so I was so excited when I found it! Can't wait to update this thread when I manage to get some more done! Weathers abit poor atm.

 

[SKINTasPER]

Update, let's start with update #1! Under sealing, managed to find bit of time to get the arch liners out and clean it all up behind there, got brand-new arch liners on the way just missing one side of the rear half, found them all with a bit of digging, last ones £70 delivered for 3 parts! Bargin again!.

Anyway it's starting to look abit fresher now!

Next job for me is to fit the wiring loom back inside along with the wishbones and hubs, followed by the steering rack and shocks .

Slowly slowly it's getting there..

 

[Coops Mk1]

looking good matey and top find that! glad you saved it!

Pud is right though, those headlights....nope! lol!

 

[SKINTasPER]

looking good matey and top find that! glad you saved it!

Pud is right though, those headlights....nope! lol!

Cheers mate, it's getting done, and not you aswell🤣 they're nice 😜 maybe one day ill put some brand new xenon's but till then, nah! Hehe

 

[jameswrx]

Pud is right though, those headlights....nope! lol!

I think there’s some crossed wires. I’m assuming (op?) the weird painted bad boy ones were on it, he’s fitted ‘new’ ones. Pud’s comment was at the crap ones and OP thought he meant ‘old headlights’ as in the ones he’s just changed to need to be fresher.

edit...

Just zoomed in on the new ones, angel eye. No crossed wires. WTF were you thinking lol

 

[SKINTasPER]

I think there’s some crossed wires. I’m assuming (op?) the weird painted bad boy ones were on it, he’s fitted ‘new’ ones. Pud’s comment was at the crap ones and OP thought he meant ‘old headlights’ as in the ones he’s just changed to need to be fresher.

edit...

Just zoomed in on the new ones, angel eye. No crossed wires. WTF were you thinking lol

Just look nice at night haha xD

 

[jameswrx]

Just look nice at night haha xD

Yes, I can believe they look a lot better in the dark ;-)

 

[RBfroggy]

I wasn't sure on the condition of the JC5/130 but I did know they are alot stronger than the previous circlip type so I took the gamble.

I then went and bought a ported head with some 197 camshafts, got some very nice inlets made up by m.s custom engineering, he also refurbed my brakes as you'll notice later in the post... View attachment 1513474View attachment 1513475


A few other bits popped up also when I wasnt looking but I couldn't help myself and had to buy, like this stunning Yozza system! View attachment 1513476View attachment 1513477

So I then saw another bonnet, I decided I'd change it up abit, to stand out more. View attachment 1513478

We did it, we got vented....

So here were at, last summer, I've pretty much got you upto speed... View attachment 1513479


Your now at the next chapter with me, the bonnet and bumper both had a respray as bonnet came off a cup .

I do the like rolled tips on the yozza systems

 

[SKINTasPER]

So I've not updated this thread in a whole we're a whole lot closer than we was before. So starting from where we left off, I got the gearbox back home to clean it up and all the other bits this was covered in shitty paint from last time I did it. Cleaned it up and lacquered it. Loooked very nice.

Then I made a start on all the other bits Hubs and other parts.

 

[SKINTasPER]

Following on with the hubs-

I then bought the intercooler back and spiced that up abit!

Not the best and wish I turned out better but :&( wasn't as easy as I thought....

Few other little modifications with the shifter and got the hubs fitted...

Time for my favourite part ; the engine...

 

[SKINTasPER]

So I finally got my brother to give me a hand with this loading it onto the car back home to put onto the engine stand. Let's say, sh*t about to get sexy!

First I started by removing the head, this is my far the tightest nut I ever have met to date... Even my impact gun couldn't do it. I'm still shocked it didn't snap when the previous person did it up lol xD it took some work.

Locking tools in I finally managed to crack it off! So I started with removing the head and cleaning the main block up.

 

[SKINTasPER]

After the block was painted I moved onto the bottom end and fitted the ARP Rod bolts which I had to buy again due to being sold the wrong ones.

Sump back on with fresh gasket and got rid of the awful torx head bolts

Back to the head, got a Megane MLS head gasket fitted also photos must be on my other phone!

Then I did the cam cover in some gorgeous Wrinkle/crackle paint! Which really made the top of the engine. Looks amazing! Really happy how it turned out, just look at it!!

Ktec cam cover bolt kit finished it off nicely!

 

[SKINTasPER]

Finally it was completed with fresh belts, water pump, oil filter.

Once that was wrapped up, I did get the steering rack cleaned and painted with new ends but again can't find the photos.

Missed some photos out in-between here but we finally got it droped into the car and all the pipe work and wiring connected up!

Old rad was swapped for an alloy one I had and were almost done! I did start it up the other day and I started first time! Sprug straight back into life and I'm more excited to drive it than I was before now.

 

[SKINTasPER]

Which means there's only a few bits left to do!

Set up gear linkage!
Fit front brakes
Fit the last couple of intercooler hoses get the back tyres swapped over (other waiting to go on)
Give it one full check over and we should be good to go! 😁😁😁

 

[Hxrry]

Fantastic thread! It just shows that this cars been on a crazy journey!!

 

[RustyMojo]

Great work, I would have to paint over the stencilling on the inter cooler.

 

[SKINTasPER]

Fantastic thread! It just shows that this cars been on a crazy journey!!

Thank you! Not many updates to come on this unless it takes a different road haha xD

 

[SKINTasPER]

Great work, I would have to paint over the stencilling on the inter cooler.

I'm half and half tbh haha

 

[SKINTasPER]

So its that time to update the thread!

Ive few bits ordered last week and finally turned up!

Got these all fitted and i was so eager to get it test driven! Ive missed driving for this thing so much anyway. Last job was setting up the PMS which was a bit of a ball ache on the floor but again ive never set one of these shifters up so it was also a new experience. After a quick test drive and check of gears here i am testing out gears 'private road of course' pulls strong no unwanted knocks or bangs which I'm supprised about although i shouldn't be i just knock my confidence alot but i shouldn't as i know i can do it! Anyway it felt so good and this thing FLIES! Couple of little bits to sort as the earth wire has come out my FK rear lights. Pop the stock ones back in for now.

Sort horn, check fluid levels and lights ect. And she is good for MOT! I have a reoccurring issue with the horn im using the ph1 stalk. It hasn't worked for ages. So im not sure if it's the horn its self or not, will have to carry out some tests!


This is the end of the front end refresh. I want to look at doing the whole exhaust/tunnel and under sealing the under side... Rear axel refresh ect.

But thats another story all together!

Thanks to everyone who's taken there time to read this!

Time to drop a gear! cya!

 

[SKINTasPER]

Hi all! Just looking at this thread been such a long time since I added to it so, no better time like the present.

Looking where we left off!

So I thought I would treat her first to some fresh nice blue seat belts, done by KolorKoncepts who are litterally on my door step! There was 2 shades of blue what were close, the other was quite a light blue and although it was nice I opted for this shade as I thought the others would of got dirty real fast.

Met up with with my mate to see this absolute of a beast which he's just had painted in Liquid yellow. Man it just makes the 172/182 look so puny 🤣 such a beautiful car though.

Also A++ for my parking it's amazing, shhh

My next job was to replace these horrible check straps which have been bothering me for so long. Rust be gon! How much better does that look now?!

First Full proper valet inside and out she's ever had, lucky for her she will be getting way more now 🤣

 

[SKINTasPER]

Where there's a Clio there's something to do👀 ha my next job was cleaning behind the rear number plate as I planned to have the place on magnetic strips so I can pull it off for cleaning and switching to show plates.

If you ask me it was hard work shifting that s**t, but it came up well!

Fitted the much anticipated and needed black insert Xenons with full white lights. Polished and waxed by a mate who has his own detailing business. Damn they sexy!

Cheeky pic of mine and the bros motors

My next job was to swap out the CL RC5 pads no dis but too squeeky for road use lol also for sale if any track hooligans wanna buy em. DM me.
Now running mintex M1144 pads which are also great. Really enjoying them.

Well this is where it gets interesting.

Decided to get it painted. *Colour unknown to anyone apart from me the painter and my mum &dad 👀🤣*

So I removed the rear bumper changed all the fixing for all zinc plated UFO clips and bolts, removed the fuel filter door also to revial rust luckily it was only surface *heart rate resumed to normal bpm* but can I say! No wonder these fail here. The metal is litterally waffer thin like 1mm 🤦‍♂️ this will be cleaned up and treated. New fuel filler door purchased. All rivets and bolts replaced...

 

[SKINTasPER]

Obviously this job didn't go without its problems and if any bolts/studs where to snap it was definitely Going to be these.. so I fixed it much better.

Quick check of the paper work as I was curious one night how much I've spent, anyway you don't wanna know I mean I don't wanna know🤦‍♂️🤣 this is all from my ownership of 2 years WTF!🤦‍♂️

3 Keys 2 programmed. One just blade

Got the cage and kbrace Powdercoated racing blue (as close as) came up really well, (,kbrace not pictured)

Followed by some very nice scenic shots and pink skies.

 

[SKINTasPER]

So the next day (1st July) was EFI day, when I bought this lump I was told it was running 260hp as it was. It was a stock block , apparently efi tuned . Only had paper work from engine dynamics for stock map so I took it as hearsay.

Finally got on the rollers after my brother his made nice figures 232 stock and 258 mapped, his intercooler is aftermarket but wasn't as good as Chris at EFI would of liked. Shame!

Mine on the other hand ran 233hp stock (nice!)

Some slight adjustments on the engine cranking up the psi from 7 to 12psi and it was running a nice 264hp! WOW!

We did have some issues with VVT not working. Solenoid is okay, wiring also fine. So we think this is down the the ECU. I've got to send Chris an ecu which he will map my stock map too and see if it re appears.

All in all I was very happy with the outcome and all I can say is it fly's!

 

[SKINTasPER]

5th and it's paint day I'm also getting very broke🤣🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️.

Car stripped down.

Few dents filled😅

Thats the rust of th archs gone also just surface. Lucky!

Stay tuned to see the full out come.

I pick it up some times around the 19th but I am missing it so much🥲😪 just wanna kick it's head in like Chris brown with his girls 🥲🥲...

Stay tuned for the colour. It's going to be incredible. Trust me ☺️


Thanks for reading

 

[Mr Underhill]

Did you treat that rust with anything before undersealing?