The Good, The Best & The Ugly

[Impuzzable]

Ok.. I have to admit it... I am ever so slightly obsessed with Mk 2 Clio Sports! It seems I have no love for any other car right now, lost interest in other marques and can barely identify modern cars on the road! As part of my "self-help therapy" for "Clio Obsession", I thought i'd chat a little.. about plans for them....(as my friends have stopped listening...understandably). So here we have: The Good, The Best & The Ugly.


"The Good" Clio 172 Pearl Black

"The Best" Clio 172 Monaco

And wait for it............ THE UGLY

So currently, I am on a mission to make "The Good" and "The Best" kinda perfect, sometimes with the help of "The Ugly". Just so you know, Ugly is just a spares car, so don't get overwhelmed with rage and hatred at the Ktec Grill! The original grill is having a black refurb.

My main focus right now, is the Monaco 172, purchased in April with 60,000 on clock and the only mod, a 182 exhaust manifold. First job, a trip to Engine Dynamics for Major Service, Cambelt Kit, Dephaser, Aux Belt Kit and Water Pump. Also fitted a Ktec Sports Cat (one that fits the 182 manifold, but fits 172 exhaust) and added Ktec Stealth Exhaust. Clean bill of health given and its said to be "a good one"... phew!! Whilst safe in the knowledge the car is mechanically sound, the bodywork needs improvement. I had all the car parking dents removed, but future plans include a new bonnet, and a visit to the spray booth! But I do have some goodies ready for this car...

Five newly refurbished Silver Turinis, Snappy Wheel and newly sprayed Cup spoiler and Engine Cover.... Currently saving for Michelin PS3's!

 

[imprezaworks]

Grill for sale?


Cars 2/3 looks good mate

 

[ADS_V6]

Look great,1 of them refurbed alloys looks dodgy though :wink:

 

[Impuzzable]

Got it from some right dodgy geezer :wink:!!

 

[Impuzzable]

Grill for sale?

Not at this time..!

 

[ADS_V6]

Not at this time..!

Bless him his oven broke today. @imprezaworks you cant use that sort of grill for cooking

 

[182_steve]

Nice collection there, will await further progress

 

[imprezaworks]

Bless him his oven broke today. @imprezaworks you cant use that sort of grill for cooking

Buy that grill and rub your face over it vigariously.

 

[LeeRS]

Needs a cheese grater to get through that bumfluff.

 

[ADS_V6]

Needs a cheese grater to get through that bumfluff.

I see dumb and dumber are back then

 

[Impuzzable]

I wonder how long "ugly" will continue to serve us well... Always the subject of all our jokes.... but always makes us chuckle.. Surprised he hasn't thrown a valve!

 

[Impuzzable]

So not much progress as such... just more refurbished items for two 172's
I got me some sparkly powder coating...
Finally got enough money together to get PS3 tyres fitted on newly sparkly Turini's so the Monaco will be getting a makeover soon! Will add more then...when I've finally achieved something!

 

[LeeRS]

How much was that to be powdercoated mate?

 

[Impuzzable]

One inlet with one fuel guard was £35.
I've since had the wording on one manifold metal/machine polished to reveal the shiny lettering again.

 

[ADS_V6]

Looks great can't wait too see Monaco with the new wheels

 

[182_steve]

That's a good price!! Looks really smart powder coated

 

[cs_dave]

Very nice doing it twice tho sounds pricey lol

 

[Impuzzable]

Very nice doing it twice tho sounds pricey lol

Indeed! Everything is pricey when you're trying to make two cars near mint - double trouble!! I had them done at different weeks to spread cost! Will be worth it though!

 

[Impuzzable]

So last week the "good" black 172 had a trip to Engine Dynamics for Cambelt, dephaser, waterpump and alt belt kit. Plus oil and filter change and vehicle inspection. I also had fitted, a new dog bone, gearbox mount, engine mount and goodridge braided brake hoses. It came back also having had the engine mount bracket, top inlet manifold and fuel rail guard swapped for the freshly powder coated silver ones. Overwhelmed by its fresh look, I forgot to take a photo... doh! Will get one next time.
Today, time for alittle car DIY... The Monaco had started to use copious amounts of fuel, smelled strong of petrol and not running quite as well. Today we fitted four new injectors and both oxygen sensors. It's rectified the overfueling and now is running spot on. It's booked in for an MOT Monday, and I'm hoping it sails through as already spent £1000 in 2 weeks on clios!
These cars are certainly fine examples of the 172, but my mission over the next year or two is "near mint"!
The ugly "spares" car is up for sale as a complete car, to fund further improvements on the other two.