Robin's Racing Blue Clio 182 Cup track car

[Robmarriott]

Not really a build thread this as the car is basically all done, only a cage, ported inlets and maybe some Wilwoods in the future.

Picked it up like this -







Gave it a quick service then set about getting the stripes off. Nightmare job, took about 3 hours!





Stripped the rear of the car



Swapped the steering wheel for an OMP suede one



Then got a load of bits ordered, bargain bucket seats (£300 for the pair)




Bargain Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2s (£220 brand new)




Six point TRS harnesses



Vibra Technics engine mounts and a Powerflex dogbone mount



Ferodo DS2500 pads



S2000 aerial



Nankang NS2-R 195/50 15 tyres



Kam Racing solid top mounts



Got some Spax RSX coilovers coming tomorrow

So it's all being put together as we speak, ready for the wife to do Croft next weekend!

Seats are in tonight, will all be in one piece by the end of next week ready to use.




So the spec so far -

Pipercross panel filter
Samco induction hose
Vibra Technics engine mounts
Powerflex dogbone mount
KTec cat back exhaust
15" Team Dynamic Pro Race 1.2s
195/50 15 Nankang NS2-Rs
Ferodo DS2500 front pads
DOT 5.1 brake fluid
Goodridge braided brake hoses
Spax RSX coilovers
Kam Racing top mounts
OMP steering wheel and boss
Corbeau Club Sport bucket seats
TRS New Pro 6 point harnesses

I'll update this thread with coilover pics tomorrow and a load of trackday pictures after Croft, if it's still in one piece!

[Robmarriott]

They were peeling off, I'm considering re-applying them in the future.

[Robmarriott]

I googled it before and found some resistors which would switch the light off, got them from Maplin for about £3 for ten.

Need to fit some to the seat wiring too thinking about it.

[Robmarriott]

Dogbone mount fitted



Also got a picture of the Samco inlet hose



Then set about helping get the suspension on







Old leaky stuff



and on the floor with the wheels on (after the wife sealed them with Carbon Collective wheel sealer)







So all that's left now is to get the front pads in, with new discs, need to replace the rears too as they're dead. Need to replace an ABS sensor as it's snagged on something before and there's wire hanging out, CV boots need new grease and new clips, engine mounts need fitting and water pump needs doing, with new aux belt, braided hoses and brake fluid need doing, also need to fit a new front lambda sensor. The seats need finishing off and the harnesses need fitting, then geometry and it's done and ready.

[Robmarriott]

e46acs said:

e46acs said:

maxest said:

Those wheels were cheap! Ebay??

and the seats? where are you getting these so cheap?

Found the seats, but those wheels were cheap! Loving your work.

Yeah, the best thing about the wheels was that they actually came direct from Rimstock, even though they were so cheap! It was an eBay auction, I'm not going to name the seller because I want another cheap set for everyday tyres

Seats were on eBay too but I think Corbeau sell them direct now, I'm fairly certain the price has gone up slightly though.

[Robmarriott]

[Robmarriott]

They seem alright so far, nicely made, my only bugbear is the lack of a bracket for the abs sensor, having to use the old one seems a bit poo considering the price I paid! Other than that though, they're bang on.

[Robmarriott]

Erm, they're wound down as low as they'll go, the car will be corner weighted though so will come up a little. Shame really as I think it looks spot on that height

[Robmarriott]

So, I went and bought a couple of bolts from Renault...



To replace the lower shock bolts and the ball joint pinch bolt




You'll also notice in the pics that the CV boots have been replaced, the Goodridge hoses are fitted, the disc and pads have been done and the ABS sensor has been replaced because this happened



Just a few bits left to do now, like get the seats mounted in their final positions then off for geometry it goes before going up to Croft on Friday morning!

[Robmarriott]

Nearly done, water pump needed doing which by the looks of it was a nightmare job involving basically taking the engine out of the car!









Brake fluid has been done too, judging by this it was a good thing we've had it done





and Claude (blame the Mrs) can see again, as the headlights no longer have cataracts.





Geometry tomorrow morning and then off to Croft.

[Robmarriott]

It's all done!

Got a picture of the vibratechnics mount fitted (can't see the other one but it is fitted!)



Had to replace the brake fluid cap, for some reason, after bleeding the brakes, the warning light was on.



Then we got the seats in, as I don't intend to put the car back to standard at any point, this was the easiest solution, got some bars welded in with captive nuts for the seat rails to mount to, also welded the plate for harness eyelets to screw into, then got the seats in for the final time.






Also replaced the wheelnuts with some with a smaller hex on them and ditched the locker as it was tight on the wheel and I didn't want to damage them.



Had to remove the fitting shims from the calipers too as the pads were binding but with them off there's no trouble, hopefully they'll be fine when they are red hot and I don't need to grind the ends of the pad down too.

It's round at Jamsport having the geometry done now and the Mrs is going to give it a good clean and polish before heading up to Croft.

[Robmarriott]

The noise is good, not too loud and it actually sounds decent. Considering 4 piston engines normally sound crap, it does well to sound alright!

[Robmarriott]

Care to expand on why? The instructions suggest an angle very similar to how they're mounted.

They'll be moving as soon as the cage is in anyway.

[Robmarriott]

Actually hang on, in those pictures the seat is all the way back, you'd need to be 7'2" to drive the car with it there!

When the seat is set up for me the belts are about 45 degrees, because the car is shared, and the wife is a short arse, they're about 40 degrees for her.

The paperwork said to mount them between 0 and 45 degrees.

[Robmarriott]

It's fine, no pedantry noted!

I jut wondered what the reasons were.

The plates welded to the floor are from competition supplies and are 3mm thick.

TRS' instructions showed 45 degrees maximum and that's te maximum theyll ever be, nobody taller than me will drive the car.

The cage will have a harness bar though, that was always the intention, just haven't had the time to sort one out.

Currenty the rear belts are mounted with the standard seatbelt points, I haven't just drilled holes and used repair washers

[Robmarriott]

So the Mrs did 2 full days at Croft a couple of weeks back, absolutely loved it and the car was spot on with no issues, not bad for a 'shakedown'

Having the geo done





This was when the weather was 'good' on the Saturday





and here's what it was like on the Sunday!







Beating a Noble :0





In the paddock





State of the brand new wheels just when she got back!





and the tyres






Got another day booked in July at Donington Grand Prix circuit so it needs oil and filter beforehand

[Robmarriott]

Not really.

I don't think I'd buy a 182 Cup though, all the weight is removed anyway and there was more suspension choice for non cups!

I'd have probably picked different top mounts too, Compbrake and Pure Motorsport ones seem to be a better design as you have to drill holes so they can't move like the pinch type I have.

Got a few updates too...

[Robmarriott]

So...

This is it for the year, needs a few bits an pieces sorting out before it's used next.



Big old list to do, main one is the gearbox, it's always had a whine so it's time to sort it, clutch too, needs a cam belt as it's been leaked on from the cam seals, dephaser pulley needs doing as well, plus an oil cooler as it gets a bit warm.

Loadsa money





Gearbox has been collected by the local gearbox company to be inspected and have anything which is worn replaced.

I'm seeing a guy on Thursday about a roll cage, getting some prices and seeing what he can do for me.

Still need to find a decent clutch, got a Black Diamond one on my desk and a Valeo (standard) one but I'm trying to get a price on a Helix one or a Sachs motorsport one too before I decide.

[Robmarriott]

Right then...

Cage is being trial fitted now then sent away for powder coating before refitting.

Had a gearbox rebuilt and that's going in with a new clutch.

Cam belt kit is being done with a new dephaser pulley, new aux belt and tensioner.

The oil cooler is being fitted, oil leak being fixed and oil changed.

Powerflex wishbone bushes and rear beam bushes are being fitted and the geometry set up again.

I'm having a decat made as there's a restriction in the exhaust at the moment after it, there's a pinch point.

Then the seat and gear linkage need adjusting.

[Robmarriott]

15s, really don't like them in black but they'll do until I sneak them away for powdercoat next year.