what can i do to make this look beter

[xxxic3xxx]

Shot with K800i at 2007-08-06
firstly i want a nice snazzy engine lol, its only a 1.4 but i spent a little while cleaning it and wonderd what could make it better, also on this sublect do strut braces increase handling by a lot or marginally/ basically are they worth it?


Shot with K800i at 2007-08-06
next is the interior what will make this look nice? ive got some idead on this one but im really just looking for opinions as i always seems to find a new idea with other ppls ideas

thanks any way:rasp:

 

[olliecook]

no sure what to do with the engine bay, possibly an induction kit. I've got a piperx and its pretty good. As for strut braces im not too sure, i believe they handle a little better and stiffen the ride but, as for that, they are a bit over priced and wouldnt do much to a 1.4.

Interior, so much you could do. I've changed the gear knob and the pedals, my mum has taken out the fabric door card parts and it covering them with grey suede. White dials maybe, and some floor mats.

That would look good.

 

[davebem]

You could polish the fuel rail guard and the top of the engine mount.

 

[RichRSi]

I'd just give it a clean in the engine bay. A bit of AG machine cleaner or some 50% mixed TFR, agitate with a brush rinse gently polish the AC pipes and polish any paint work, ask Brand or Rich for better tips.

Strut braces are a bit of a waste on a clio as not only do you have to drill the strut tops and bolt them (dont go using self tappers like some do) the improvement will be so minimal it's not worth it imo. If you want handling get some coilovers.

The retrim of the door cards and floor mats was a good sugestion and perhaps some 1*2 seats or some half leather ones from an RSi. Nice gearknob (not some cheap one) Or go mad and strip all the interior out and fit some lightweight buckets seats instead.

 

[xxxic3xxx]

thanks basically what i had in mind for the interior, does any one think that withy the interior retrim i could use the stuff on a roll from motor worlt, can get faux lether (plether) or faux suade or it might be suade i duno but its £15 a roll and can get 2 door cards out of a roll wud this be ok as ive heard it looks ok but im not sure

 

[xxxic3xxx]

You could polish the fuel rail guard and the top of the engine mount.

where is the rail gard?

 

[RichRSi]

You might be better off going to a proper material shop or leather suppliers and get real leather / suede which will look and last better.

 

[xxxic3xxx]

You might be better off going to a proper material shop or leather suppliers and get real leather / suede which will look and last better.

thanks is it difficult to retrim as im really interested in doing this, im not daft when it comes to DIY just dont want to break anything its my first clio and not used to it now, is it just fastened to the underside of the door card and then tightened over the top?

 

[Timmay]

coloured vacuum tubing for a bit of colour perhaps?

http://www.k-tecracing.com/catalogue.asp?app=Clio 2&category=Engine Dressing

 

[RichRSi]

Although I've taken the whole door card off the clio before I've never taken the door card to bits. You need a couple of torx bits, not sure on the size (if your Renault screwdriver is missing from the boot) about half a dozen screws hold the card on (bottom edge and in the door pull and handle disconnect e-window switches) there is also some black goop around the edges of the door card which stops the panal rattling / helps hold it on, which can be a bit messy. Then you can see the back of the card and work out the best way to remove the material section, it's probably stapled on.

Once you've got the material section out you'll need some sort of industrial fabric glue which can deal with the harsh changes in temp etc without the material wrinkling or falling off, failing that a VERY strong tape (or both).
Work on a flat clean surface and try to keep the covering under the same tesion in all directions, a glass table would work well so you can see if there are wrinkles appearing or use crocodile clips to hold material in tension, make sure these dont dent the fabric! Let it totally dry and refit.

It's a fairly easy job but like anything you can spend time getting it looking right and professional or do it quickly and end up with a pigs ear of a job.

The corners are usually where most people feck up and these need more care, the pattern of material needs to be cut in the correct way so that the corners are nice and tight and the material doesn't bunch up and look messy.
I would imagine there are some re-upolstery sites that'll have this sort of info and know better than me how to go about it best and what sort of gear you will need to do the job well.

 

[xxxic3xxx]

thanks rich ill see what i can do ive had the cards off on a few other cars and seems very similar so ill give it a go tomorow