Trophy #185's story

[Keith185]

Loving the engine re-spray Keith, it looks great! I really need to get round to doing mine. What paint and consumables did you use?

Used RaceGlaze aluminium cleaner along with brass wire brushes to clean up the metal.

Used VHT Paints engine enamel range (primmer and top coat) it was their aluminium coloured one. Theyre not cheap but I like them. Hycote have their own range which is good and half the cost. Found their aluminium stuff has more shine to it but I was after a more natural aluminium cast finish I got from the VHT.

 

[RMDavis]

Thanks mate I'll have a look.

 

[dablk]

Great Read your Keith, Had done most of it before picking Up No.120. Any down sides at all to using hydrate 80? Mine were done recently in 2013 by DTM (using BG). However it was without powder so saving them is a priority.

 

[Keith185]

Great Read your Keith, Had done most of it before picking Up No.120. Any down sides at all to using hydrate 80? Mine were done recently in 2013 by DTM (using BG). However it was without powder so saving them is a priority.

Thank you None at all tbh, make sure you follow their instructions on how to use that's all. The paint likes rusty surface as it's designed to and doesn't really like clean steel though.

Bilt hamber has a great range of anti rust products

 

[Keith185]

Spring 2015
With Trackday coming up in April I needed to get everythin sorted and planned on getting new bits fitted. One of which were the Brembo Calipers off a Megane R26. After months of keeping an eye on ebay with all the sets on there either being too expensive, looked like theyd been sat in a pig shed all winter or seller not even being arsed to put photos up I got impatient and looked at other places, being the idiot I am I disscounted breakers as I'd stupidly assumed they'd be expensive or they'd be already taken off car. Quick email to Ren-Parts (used to be Clio Spares) and they had an R26 in and a pair of calipers for a brilliant price. Quick call to arrange payment and delivery and few days later I had these arrive

IMG_8502 by KeithRoberts185, on Flickr

Next was to get the standard pins out, what a job that was. Brother had an R26 for good few years and never had problem as he did som preventetive maintenance in greasing them up, the pins in my set don't think had ever been cleaned or greased. Days of soaking in WD40 and Plus Gas and me loosing my temper and hammering the hell out of them with more force I'd ever hand to do on something cast aluminium I got them out. Quick message to @Ph1 Tom and I had a nice set of Stainless ones on way down.

IMG_8520 by KeithRoberts185, on Flickr

Following a clean up they turned up quite well, but they were always going to be painted black. While I was waiting for these to arrived I spotted some HandR spacers with bolts on ebay with no one bids and finishing early on a Saturday. Played it safe with 15mm for time being until i know how narrow a spacer I can run.

IMG_8503 by KeithRoberts185, on Flickr

Mate at work said beforehand he'd machine them for me, so took him up on the offer and although I think he had second thoughts about it when he started with the fact he was having visions of something going wrong and having to buy me new calipers haha. Knew he'd do brilliant job of them and thats what he did.

Getting machined

IMG_8554 by KeithRoberts185, on Flickr

Following being machined I test fitted them and mocked up potential smaller spacers, will deffinately be able to run smaller ones in future.

Behind Turini

IMG_8586 by KeithRoberts185, on Flickr

Behind 2118, fair to say it's close.

IMG_8590 by KeithRoberts185, on Flickr

Masked and primmed the calipers up with pistons and seals still in to prevent any ingress of paint. Keyed up the powder coat, wiped down and then sprayed using Etch primmer and then VHT caliper paint primmer.

IMG_8605 by KeithRoberts185, on Flickr

Next was to get the pistons out. Made a rig out of a regulator and some parts I had and gently pushed them out with a 'custom' piece of wood. Got these out without too much trouble after a bit of playing around with the thickness of the wood. Then masked all up again to finish off.

Several coats of VHT gloss black caliper paint. Layed them on side to try to get a thick coat on outer face without any runs.

IMG_8650 by KeithRoberts185, on Flickr

Finished off with some silver (same colour as the 'Trophy' lettering on side skirts) brembo decals courtesey of @Ady182 at N2Graphix. Brilliant quality stuff yet again. Then some VHT clear high temp paint on top to seal.

IMG_8665 by KeithRoberts185, on Flickr

While I was waiting on the rebuild kit to arrive I set about getting the side skirts off to clean behind them and underseal. Managed to destroy the rusted clips in the leading edge of the skirt and unable to get new ones I ended up buying several types of chimney nuts off ebay and got some to fit after a bit of fettling on bench grinder.

Wasn't too bad considering it's lived most it's life on a Farm. Underside showed some road rash though but thats a job for another day.

IMG_8652 by KeithRoberts185, on Flickr

Rebuild kit arrived so weekend before I was off to get things fitted I got onto it, and this is when my plans started crumbling lol.

IMG_8702 by KeithRoberts185, on Flickr

Kit looking all nice and innocent there, got on with rebilding it all. Piston seals went in no problem, pistons a dream but the dust seals were little b****ds.

IMG_8705 by KeithRoberts185, on Flickr

IMG_8706 by KeithRoberts185, on Flickr

Had scraped the grooves clean but half went in prefectly, then rest seem to go in but not seat perfectly but were held secure then odd one or two were not sitting at all while one was as if it was warpped and wasn't staying in at all.

Lots of head scratching and post on here and I got fed up so chucked in box and left until I saw brother (one of my brothers a mechanic) and ordered another set as I was expecting to have to remove all seals which seem to tear when removed and redo (had torn one when I was changing them around with the fault anyway. . . .

Got new seal few days later and saw brother and took them out for him to see (they'd been in footwell of other car now for couple of days) and magically they were all ok now, the worse one was even ok, no idea how exactly but assume they somewhow settled in?? Anyway I was annoyed but happy.

Tested the seals and piston movement

IMG_8747 by KeithRoberts185, on Flickr

All ready with new Stainless Pins

IMG_8749 by KeithRoberts185, on Flickr

Quick wash and took for a spin before I started on the work

IMG_8720 by KeithRoberts185, on Flickr

Steering didn't feel brilliant on the short run and when I took the dampers off to replace the top mount bearings which I knew needed doing I got a couple of surprises.

First was how tight the PMS top mount bearings are pressed in lol, drift wouldn't budge, 2 pairs of 2 legged pullers wouldn't so just before I gave up and took down to garage I remembered I had these beasts from where I used to work.

IMG_8730 by KeithRoberts185, on Flickr

These made easy work of them although the washers holding the collar to the two shafts didn't like me using them as a press.

The amount of rust on the topmounts when I took them off also is something to note to anyone using thir clio on the road and more specifically during winter as there bearings have no additional seals and the nickel plating doesn't stand up well to salt, so anyone who has these on a road car I'd recomend getting them off yearly atleast to inspect.

Have now painted mine up to give them some protection although mine wont be seeing winter salt again now.

During strip down I checked the dampers out quickly, tbh hadn't been that long since last time they were off and hadn't done many miles since but as I took spring off the second damper I was greeted to a weak rod, one had lost pressure, was surpised tbh as they were rock hard last time.

IMG_8727 by KeithRoberts185, on Flickr

IMG_8734 by KeithRoberts185, on Flickr

Spent best part of following day trying to get hold of BG Motorsports and sod's law they had telephone problems. Sent them an email and less than an hour later I had their mobile number and got onto phone with them. Brilliant customer service from them and hugely helpful. Dashed down to local courier that I use with all large parts (DelSol) and they were on their way to Northamptonshire for a rebuild.

My only problem is they said due to time of year I guess they had a 2 week lead time on rebuilds and my track day was 3 weeks away.

This had meant I'd decided not to fit the calipers before the trackday as didn't want anything else giving me any more problems so these are waiting to be fitted along with the new hubs.

Also had my new boss kit delivered to finally get my Sabelt Renault Sport Steering wheel fitted (must have had this 4 years atleast now lol)

IMG_8742 by KeithRoberts185, on Flickr

This will be fitted along with a switch plate to do the cruise control and limiter. Thanks to @Dan@M.A.D for this. Just need to finish off the wiring loom for it.

IMG_8745 by KeithRoberts185, on Flickr

Thats all for now, waiting on the dampers to get back to me then few little jobs to do before a weekend watching the BTCC at Donington and then on track day after.

Diolch.

 

[Ady182]

Thanks for the nice comments appreciated

 

[dablk]

Utter Class mate,
So can I double check.. R26 Megan callipers have the correct bolt spacing? Rather than having to use 197 brembos with adaptors?

The machining was that just for the 15"s? Or would it be necessary on 16"?

Love the attention to detail.

 

[dablk]

Lol, ignore that. Been staring at rears for too long and got my bolt orientation the wrong way round.

 

[SharkyUK]

Great update, Keith. The Brembos have come up beautifully

 

[Ph1 Tom]

Nice update! Dit you try anyone else for the shock rebuild to reduce that 2 week wait?

 

[Keith185]

Thanks for the nice comments :smile: appreciated

No worries Bought fair few pieces from yourself over the years and always been brilliant.

Utter Class mate,
So can I double check.. R26 Megan callipers have the correct bolt spacing? Rather than having to use 197 brembos with adaptors?

The machining was that just for the 15"s? Or would it be necessary on 16"?

Love the attention to detail.

Lol, ignore that. Been staring at rears for too long and got my bolt orientation the wrong way round.

Thank you Haha no worries The adapters are slightly different for the 280mm discs to the 300mm discs that @chris powell makes. But the calipers only need machining when using the smaller of the two brackets.

Very much doubt you'd get 15" wheels over the 300mm kit due to the caliper rather than disc size. the 2118's have got a lot of internal clearance too tbh although there are others that are better. Will probably end up chamffering the end like Tom has done on his just to increase the clearance slightly.

 

[Keith185]

Great update, Keith. The Brembos have come up beautifully :smile:

Thanks Andy

Nice update! Dit you try anyone else for the shock rebuild to reduce that 2 week wait?

Diolch Tom, no didn't, only other place I knew of was Cornering Force and from what i've heard they take 4 weeks + to do them so thought my best chances were with BG. Had used them previously too so knew what they're like too.

Expecting call today hopefully and fingers crossed I get them by end of week

 

[Martin.]

Nice update. Those Brembos have come up fabulously!

How did you know to inspect the PMS top mounts? Did they look rusty before you pressed the bearing out?

 

[Keith185]

Nice update. Those Brembos have come up fabulously!

How did you know to inspect the PMS top mounts? Did they look rusty before you pressed the bearing out?

Thanks Martin

When I had them off last time the bearings weren't as smooth as they should have been, cleaned them up best you can with sealed bearings and they were ok but knew it wouldn't last so thankfully ordered a new pair.

They were surprisingly rusty on the underside tbh, only light surface rust but all exposed parts were coated. Wire cup in drill and few seconds later they were fine but when going back on the underside will be coated in grease to try to help aswell as being painted. I'll put photo up when I do the next write up with the suspension.

 

[Martin.]

Thanks Martin :smile:

When I had them off last time the bearings weren't as smooth as they should have been, cleaned them up best you can with sealed bearings and they were ok but knew it wouldn't last so thankfully ordered a new pair.

They were surprisingly rusty on the underside tbh, only light surface rust but all exposed parts were coated. Wire cup in drill and few seconds later they were fine but when going back on the underside will be coated in grease to try to help aswell as being painted. I'll put photo up when I do the next write up with the suspension.

Sweet, I look forward to having a read.

I fear one of mine might have become a bit worn. The top mount doesn't move as freely over the bearing as it used to.

 

[RMDavis]

Keith those Brembo's look lovely mate. Top work!

 

[-Jamie-]

Aye, Those callipers look great. How did you find the VHT paint? Been looking for stuff to re do my Brembos as well as the look shite and had seen the VHT stuff mentioned before

 

[Keith185]

Keith those Brembo's look lovely mate. Top work!

Thanks mate

Aye, Those callipers look great. How did you find the VHT paint? Been looking for stuff to re do my Brembos as well as the look shite and had seen the VHT stuff mentioned before

Thanks I love the VHT stuff, they've got loads of specialist finish paints, not cheap but I'd recommend them to anyone.

Used their engine enamel, roll bar paint, epoxy and caliper paint. They do a lot of OEM colours too, mainly American stuff though

 

[RMDavis]

Used RaceGlaze aluminium cleaner along with brass wire brushes to clean up the metal.

Used VHT Paints engine enamel range (primmer and top coat) it was their aluminium coloured one. Theyre not cheap but I like them. Hycote have their own range which is good and half the cost. Found their aluminium stuff has more shine to it but I was after a more natural aluminium cast finish I got from the VHT.

Just another question sorry mate! Did you bother using the VHT clear coat?

 

[JohnnyE]

Looking good Keith what track you doing Angelsey

 

[Keith185]

Just another question sorry mate! Did you bother using the VHT clear coat?

No worries. Yeah, needed to seal the decals mainly only reason I did tbh. Probably wouldn't have if I didn't need to do that.

 

[Keith185]

Looking good Keith what track you doing Angelsey

Thanks Johnny, no doing Donington, first time there. Hopefully be back at Anglesey in summer.

 

[JohnnyE]

Let us know if you book Angelsey mate meet up and give this little cup a run out

 

[RMDavis]

No worries. Yeah, needed to seal the decals mainly only reason I did tbh. Probably wouldn't have if I didn't need to do that.

Did you use it on the engine too mate? Inlet manifold etc?

 

[Keith185]

Let us know if you book Angelsey mate meet up and give this little cup a run out

No worries, hoping to do Anglesey and the RS day at Oulton Park atleast this summer.

 

[Keith185]

Did you use it on the engine too mate? Inlet manifold etc?

No didn't use it on there. Used their engine enamel paint on it's own (with their primer underneath though), not sure if they made a clear coat for that specific paint but don't think it's needed. Was wary of using normal laquer on calipers with heat especially on trackdays, think normal laquer would have given a nicer finish though.

 

[RMDavis]

No didn't use it on there. Used their engine enamel paint on it's own (with their primer underneath though), not sure if they made a clear coat for that specific paint but don't think it's needed. Was wary of using normal laquer on calipers with heat especially on trackdays, think normal laquer would have given a nicer finish though.

Thanks Keith! I'll tag you in a post when I get mine sprayed up!

 

[Keith185]

Thanks Keith! I'll tag you in a post when I get mine sprayed up!

Thanks any other questions just ask.

 

[Keith185]

April 2015

Got the dampers back from BG a week before I was booked to be at Donington. Many thanks to BG for getting them back to me on the Monday having worked on them late Friday before and getting courier in specially to get mine out. Great job on them, one new piston rod needed (had had the other changed last rebuild few years ago) and they'd replaced their massive stickers from last rebuild with some smaller subtler ones

DSC04514 by KeithRoberts185, on Flickr

Painted

DSC04517 by KeithRoberts185, on Flickr

Built back up

DSC04518 by KeithRoberts185, on Flickr

Fitted

DSC04519 by KeithRoberts185, on Flickr

Bit of a rush to get them cleaned up, painted, refitted and set up the geometry to what it was, which was bit of a pain having to drive 10min on dirt track then 5 min up narrow lanes to get to some flat tarmac to test drive only to find out alignment wasn't spot on to go back to check and adjust . . . and repeat several times until right lol.

Cleaned everything up and painted all parts before refitting, only to scrape paint off the topmounts

DSC04520 by KeithRoberts185, on Flickr

But look 100x better than before and work just a bit better lol. Road salt and winters don't seem to go with them. From recollection the new bearings seemed noticably smoother and free-er (spelling?) than the original old ones. Photo looks worse with flash on as wire wheel brush got them up like new in few seconds but bearings were seized @Martin.

Before

IMG_8728 by KeithRoberts185, on Flickr

Even though the H&R camber bolts are more substantial than the Eibach ones they don't seem to be as nice to adjust the camber, so might go back to eibach in future..

Got everything done in the end and all set for Donington

image by KeithRoberts185, on Flickr

 

[Stefan.]

Lovely

can you get these shock absorber 'socks' i see in another thread?

Might help delay rebuilds etc

 

[Keith185]

Lovely

can you get these shock absorber 'socks' i see in another thread?

Might help delay rebuilds etc

Thanks Not sure which socks you mean mate?

Opted not to go for the new scraper seals as mainly didnt have time as needed them back and not sure theyd help thst much now with being secind car

 

[NorthloopCup]

The socks are basically jackets that wrap around the spring. Only ever seen them on coilovers though tbh.

 

[Keith185]

The socks are basically jackets that wrap around the spring. Only ever seen them on coilovers though tbh.

Oh ok thanks mark. Don't think I've ever seen them

 

[NorthloopCup]

Oh ok thanks mark. Don't think I've ever seen them

Yeah this is them

Do a search for coilover shock covers.

 

[Keith185]

Yeah this is them View attachment 127000Do a search for coilover shock covers.

Thanks Mark, can imagine they'd be useful for coilovers with protecting the threads.

 

[NorthloopCup]

Thanks Mark, can imagine they'd be useful for coilovers with protecting the threads.

No problem. Yeah definitely mate. It's normally to stop the dirt and grit getting on to the piston and damaging the seals.

 

[Keith185]

April 2015

BTCC and then Trackday with Javelin at Donington. First time I'd gone with Javelin. Had 30-1hr delay in morning due to heavy fog , but they cut the lunch hour down to give us some time back. Overall a great day, really enjoyed once I'd gotten to know the track, pushing things a bit. No patch on Oulton Park or Anglesey though.

DSC04568 by KeithRoberts185, on Flickr

Brother was with me in his Impreza STi Spec C Toshi Arai edition (ironically for a limited editiion of a less common Impreza there was another there too) aswell as one of his friends in his mk 2 Astra GTE.

DSC04613 by KeithRoberts185, on Flickr

DSC04613 by KeithRoberts185, on Flickr[/IMG] DSC04568[/URL] by KeithRoberts185, on Flickr

DSC04615 by KeithRoberts185, on Flickr

IMG_2392 by KeithRoberts185, on Flickr

IMG_2549 by KeithRoberts185, on Flickr

IMG_3434 by KeithRoberts185, on Flickr

IMG_3368 by KeithRoberts185, on Flickr

IMG_3334 by KeithRoberts185, on Flickr

IMG_4613 by KeithRoberts185, on Flickr

My Brothers Impreza

DSC04637 by KeithRoberts185, on Flickr

DSC04627 by KeithRoberts185, on Flickr

His Mates Astra GTE

DSC04582 by KeithRoberts185, on Flickr

This sounded evil

DSC04594 by KeithRoberts185, on Flickr

There seemed to be a lot of professional drivers there too using as a test day (Andy Wallace being one deffinate pro) but biggest dissapoinjtment of the day was fact it was a 70 car list and I have never seen as many red flags in my life. It almost ruined the day the amount of flags that we saw. Meant you had loads of people quing up to go out only for a red flag to get waved then have half og the people who were out and got called in then queing up in pitlane so the day never got into a natural groups that tends to happen as everyone was out to get their tracktime. Not to mention few cars that were obviously racing and overtaking into corners, once you knew who to give a wide berth and I learnt the track it was brilliant.

DSC04616 by KeithRoberts185, on Flickr

Had a great day and great mix of cars, but would have been better with less cars and bit more talent from some drivers not to put it into the kitty litter every 30-60min, must have been 8-10 red flags if not more.

IMG_8853 by KeithRoberts185, on Flickr

Some Photos from the BTCC

DSC04558 by KeithRoberts185, on Flickr

DSC04539 by KeithRoberts185, on Flickr

DSC04541 by KeithRoberts185, on Flickr

Would love one of these, had the Ohlins option on it too.

DSC04530 by KeithRoberts185, on Flickr

DSC04528 by KeithRoberts185, on Flickr

DSC04527 by KeithRoberts185, on Flickr

DSC04526 by KeithRoberts185, on Flickr

DSC04525 by KeithRoberts185, on Flickr

Next will be to get all the parts (brembos, RC hubs etc) I have building up fitted aswell as get the exhaust off and refitted with new mounts as cable ties had to come out night before to stop it moving about and then onto Anglesey in August with Javelin @JohnnyE

Diolch / Thank you.

 

[JohnnyE]

Nice one will book that one

 

[NorthloopCup]

Typical javelin Trackday mate! Overbooked and loads of stoppages. I've stopped doing their days now for this very reason.

 

[Keith185]

Typical javelin Trackday mate! Overbooked and loads of stoppages. I've stopped doing their days now for this very reason.

Really :/ looks like my Anglesey Trackday will be same then. Will highlight the issues even more there as been there loads of times with other organisers so will be a massive contrast.