Robs 172 Flamer Project

[Rob_Willow]

Hi all!

I’ve been on this forum since 2004 and have been through more Clio sports than I can remember!
I think 2 mk2 172 full fat (now this is 3) 172 cup, titanium 182, racing blue 182, iceburg Clio phase 1, white 197 and a nimbus 200 which I sold 2 months ago for a Mercedes.

Well I have just bought this as a garage project off eBay!
It has a forum sticker and looks like it was looked after for a good period of time.

If anyone recognises the cars previous owner(s) then please get in touch!

It’s failed MOT on various bits, the main one being down to having a decat fitted and worn out brakes.

A deep clean will be the first port of call, before I start anything mechanical. It drives very nicely up and down the private road, but for now will be kept sorn so I can give it a good going over.

Rob ?

 

[Rob_Willow]

Found an hour this evening so gave the interior a Hoover and a wipe down with Polish and leather wipes on the seats.

No front mats yet so pinched the rear ones for now.

Also noticed the spare wheel and tyre is brand new and never been on the road ? A rear clip has snapped off the seat which I found in the door card, so glued that back on.

 

[mossyv6]

Great project - got to love a Flamer.

 

[DomP182]

Snap mate! I'm also doing a flamer project. I've
always loved the colour and it harks back to my Naples Red 1.8 16v, my first ever car. This is my 4th Renaultsport, 5th clio and 6th Renault.

I think yours sounds like it's in a better state than mine was, it's a whole lot tidier and running better than when I first got it though.

 

[Rob_Willow]

Snap mate! I'm also doing a flamer project. I've
always loved the colour and it harks back to my Naples Red 1.8 16v, my first ever car. This is my 4th Renaultsport, 5th clio and 6th Renault.

I think yours sounds like it's in a better state than mine was, it's a whole lot tidier and running better than when I first got it though.

Love a good Clio valver! My first car was Naples too, all be in a 1.2 RL Prima ?

 

[Rob_Willow]

Parts arrived from Renault Parts Direct to fix the MOT failed shocks. Also got new read pads and fixings kit.
Job for the weekend once my new impact sockets arrive, this car breaks my cheaper sockets as bolts are so rusted and tight!

 

[DomP182]

Love a good Clio valver! My first car was Naples too, all be in a 1.2 RL Prima ?

Naples was such a nice dark red, a bit like some old Alfas

 

[Rob_Willow]

Started to clean up a rear arch today, and got the wax oil on to prevent rust build up. There is a slight bubbling coming through but hoping this will prevent anything further.

New rear pads too. I Need to repeat this on the drivers side possibly tomorrow.

Also gave it its first clean, no polish just soap bucket and a sponge for now!

 

[Rob_Willow]

If anyone is looking to change their exhaust for an aftermarket one, I am looking for a standard set up that I will happily swap. Not sure what I have on it but will check tomorrow.
Also need a standard cat the current system has a decat on.

 

[Rob_Willow]

Attacked the drivers side rear Caliper brakes yesterday, and fitted a new genuine shock.
I took the rear bumper and petrol cap off to clean up all the arches and remove and treat the usual rust areas to stop future problems. You
Just need to order and apply some flame red paint and lawyer over the filler cap to finish that off.

 

[Rob_Willow]

More pics

 

[Ant1]

You changed the rear shocks in pairs right?

 

[Rob_Willow]

Not updated this for a while.

Whilst stripping down the rear, I noticed two rust holes, one behind the NSR wheel arch/ behind light cluster, and on the edge of the spare wheel well.
Having watched countless Ed China episodes and the fact I bought a grinder not long back, decided to have a go myself.

It’s hidden from sight being behind Panels, so didn’t warrant the cost of a professional garage to weld in new plates, went for the cut out and bolt new metal over option.

I cut out all loose rust, and got the paint back to reveal solid metal.
Fabricated some patches from 1.0 mild steel sheet, and M6 bolted them to solid material behind. Body work mesh, filler, primer and paint, I’m a lot happier with the result and rust eradicated. The wheel well was rust treated, and wax oiled over.

Of course welding in new plates would be better, but I haven’t got a welder and I’m trying to keep the cost down. The area isn’t on show.
Polished up the bumper and the rear end is now built back up ?

 

[Rob_Willow]

Spare Wheel well

 

[Rob_Willow]

You changed the rear shocks in pairs right?

I Want to get the MOT passed and then will add the remaining pair.

 

[Rob_Willow]

New shock on. Will replace all once I’ve got it through an MOT.

 

[DomP182]

I've got to do that to my filler cap area on my Flamer too. Checked behind the interior rear panels to see what state my sills are in which i was dreading doing, very clean which was a relief!

 

[Akay]

They are all starting to rust now, rivetted on skirts dont help as most have never been off! Mine was going under the seam sealer in the arches.

 

[Rob_Willow]

Currently away on holiday, but here’s some updated photos from the past few weeks of work.

Basically removed the arch and skirts and removed a bucket load of soil, this has happened on every MK2 I’ve bought over the years.
Also picked up a Black gold Cup spoiler.
Will be painted at some point, or may just leave black. Thoughts?
The horn not working was another MOT failure. A replacement double horn off eBay for £11 sorted that out.

The car failed badly on emissions.
Upon removing the Cat it appears to have a 182 manifold set up.
I sold the Cat which looked knackered, and bought a new BM one, along with a front genuine Lambda Sensor. Will install this when back home.

 

[Rob_Willow]

New Cat installed with made to fit reducer.
Drivers side skirt removed and paint bubbling sorted
Drivers arch cleaned up
Bent jacking point repaired
Engine painted

 

[Rob_Willow]

+

 

[DomP182]

Rob your flamer project is much like mine even down to the black gold cup spoiler. I need to see to behind my fuel cap as well then onto the bent jacking points - all four?

Is that built hamber you've used to neutralise the remaining rust?

 

[Rob_Willow]

Rob your flamer project is much like mine even down to the black gold cup spoiler. I need to see to behind my fuel cap as well then onto the bent jacking points - all four?

Is that built hamber you've used to neutralise the remaining rust?

Only the drivers front jacking point was bent/curled around. Bent it back with a small bar and some mole grips, sanded down surface rust and used rust converter. Let it dry and go at it with red primer, and use Wax oil on the inner sides.

 

[Rob_Willow]

Clio is all done ready for a trip to Mick @ Diamond in two weeks time.

New shocks all round,
New Catalytic Converter
Lots of cleaning underneath
New Horn
Brake pads
Cup splitter
Cup spoiler

Can’t wait to finally drive it!

 

[DomP182]

Looking good! If you come across a flamer bonnet or bumpers on your travels let me know.

 

[Rob_Willow]

Not updated this for a while!

The car was sent to Diamond for an MOT, and to sort a problem with the rear brakes and lose gear linkage.
A new rod donated from a 182 fixed this, it was on back to front!
New handbrake cables and she flew through the MOT

 

[Rob_Willow]

I really didn’t like the Magnex Exhaust, so removed it for a cheap and cheerful backbox for now. Looking much better.

 

[Rob_Willow]

Today I got bored, so decided to strip out the Clio, see what all the fuss is about!
De wiper, and basically everything from the behind the front seats back.

 

[Darren61]

Are you making it a track car then?

 

[Rob_Willow]

Are you making it a track car then?

I wasn’t planning on doing..
I think I will put the door cards and boot trims back, to give some sound proofing. It’s very noisy in this state ?
It’s also on gumtree for sale. So really unsure what direction I’m going in now it’s fixed! ?

 

[Rob_Willow]

Put the Interior back in again, added some 182 alloys, much prefer these to 172 standards.

 

[PP200t]

Love it with the 182 wheels. They seem to suit flame red and Monaco so well. You’ve made some nice progress on this, looks very nice.
Wish I could have another 172/182, miss the feel of driving one. Sadly stuck with my Fabia vrs for a bit though.

 

[DomP182]

Put the Interior back in again, added some 182 alloys, much prefer these to 172 standards.View attachment 1427532View attachment 1427534

Are those on spacers Rob?

 

[Rob_Willow]

Are those on spacers Rob?

Yes mate 10mm with extended bolts.

 

[DomP182]

Ah ok

Yes mate 10mm with extended bolts.

Ah ok, on both front and back? What did I look like on the standard alloys?

 

[Rob_Willow]

Ah ok

Ah ok, on both front and back? What did I look like on the standard alloys?

Yep all round. Here’s a before pic