2005 Clio 182 FF - Occasional track car
Discussion
I'll also make a solid recommendation on changing up the standard bus Renault steering wheel to an aftermarket one such as sabelt.
You wouldn't think it would be such a big deal but trust me, it makes a vast difference on these cars in both the feel/feedback and the seating position. I couldn't believe the difference.
You wouldn't think it would be such a big deal but trust me, it makes a vast difference on these cars in both the feel/feedback and the seating position. I couldn't believe the difference.
Steering wheel is on the list, but until it becomes just a track car, it'll probably not get done. Airbags are good! Maybe when I get a harness in it.
Mine are 16"'s, and I got them from Camskill. I did ask a person from one of the groups (everyone recommended him), but I decided to save a bit and get the 595's.
Mine are 16"'s, and I got them from Camskill. I did ask a person from one of the groups (everyone recommended him), but I decided to save a bit and get the 595's.
Well that didn't take long! I found someone selling 2 vibra technics mounts (gearbox and top engine), made a deal and done the 100 mile round trip 30 minutes after I spoke to him. Fitted the mount in about 20 minutes, I'm yet to do the gearbox one, as it's still functional...
Previous to all this mess, I could move the engine back and forth at least an inch either way! Now it barely moves.
Previous to all this mess, I could move the engine back and forth at least an inch either way! Now it barely moves.
The damn exhaust is still popping out of it's bracket, and the car vibrates like crazy. I haven't fitting the poly gearbox mount, although I imagine it'll help more as it'll tighten the engine up more. But will probably vibrate me out of the car.
I can't sort the bumper out until this is fixed for good.
On a more positive note, I've booked Mallory park for 7th Aug (only £99!). Looking forward to that! Trying to rope some mates into a drive, but it's a monday and no one wants time off work...
I can't sort the bumper out until this is fixed for good.
On a more positive note, I've booked Mallory park for 7th Aug (only £99!). Looking forward to that! Trying to rope some mates into a drive, but it's a monday and no one wants time off work...
Chris x said:
Is it titanium silver?
If so, I have a bumper or even the exhaust surround cover if you want either?
Depends on your location!
I think thats the only silver you can get in 182, no? If so, I have a bumper or even the exhaust surround cover if you want either?
Depends on your location!
I've ripped too much of the bumper off to just replace the surrounds! Also has a scuff on the corner, so the bumper would be great! What do you want for it? I'm in Oxford...
Chris x said:
As a fellow PH'er you can have it for nothing! However, i'm in Bexhill, East Sussex 
That's very kind! But 320 mile round trip is not a small journey. Unless you could wrap it and I could arrange collection? Obviously I'd give you money for your troubles. (Is it in good nick?)
As I had the Vibra-tech mount sitting about, and a free morning, I decided to fit it and see if it stops the exhaust popping out of its hanger. This is one of those fairly annoying jobs, where the battery, ECU, airbox and loads of cables needs to be removed/moved. Then it's 7 bolts...
Anyway, it's done, took maybe 2 hours. Now for a shake down, see how movement is and if the exhaust pops out. Just moving the car about on the drive the shift seems tighter, but I think that's just in my head.
I've had the oil light come on a few time recently too, but always when I get it from it's side street parking spot, and it's not level. But as I've got a track day in a week, I figured I'd also do some basic checks. Turns out it is low on oil! I put 1/2L in after the last track day, so it's either burning 1L every 700 or so miles, or it's leaking. I will just buy a 5L thingy and keep it topped up, I don't have time to swap gaskets etc before the track drive.
Slight side note, my ratchet is a pain. The ratchet direction picker thing keeps free spinning, so I'm going to treat myself to a new one. My jack also keeps slacking off and returning to it's base, so it's fked. It's only a cheap one, I think it's time to invest in a good low profile one (as I struggle with both cars with my currently one).
Anyway, it's done, took maybe 2 hours. Now for a shake down, see how movement is and if the exhaust pops out. Just moving the car about on the drive the shift seems tighter, but I think that's just in my head.
I've had the oil light come on a few time recently too, but always when I get it from it's side street parking spot, and it's not level. But as I've got a track day in a week, I figured I'd also do some basic checks. Turns out it is low on oil! I put 1/2L in after the last track day, so it's either burning 1L every 700 or so miles, or it's leaking. I will just buy a 5L thingy and keep it topped up, I don't have time to swap gaskets etc before the track drive.
Slight side note, my ratchet is a pain. The ratchet direction picker thing keeps free spinning, so I'm going to treat myself to a new one. My jack also keeps slacking off and returning to it's base, so it's fked. It's only a cheap one, I think it's time to invest in a good low profile one (as I struggle with both cars with my currently one).
Edited by illmonkey on Saturday 29th July 13:17
It's been a few months! Little update.
Rear bumped swapped out, as I thought I'd finally got the exhaust problem sorted. £40 for a better condition than mine, second hand one and an hour to fit. But after a spirited drive, it's popped out again! ARGH. So powerflex exhaust hangers have been purchased. Fitting tomorrow.
In better news, a mate decided to trade his PoS golf in and get a 172. It's in a nicer colour but down BHP. He's a fully fledged motor sport mechanic though (jag E types...), so will have it setup better and run rings around me I'm sure. But we can now take them both out and NOT race.
And finally the best news, we've a track day booked in Nov. Going to take my car, as I've got the brakes/mounts etc sorted and his needs a new clutch. Next year we'll get doubledates track days booked up.
Rear bumped swapped out, as I thought I'd finally got the exhaust problem sorted. £40 for a better condition than mine, second hand one and an hour to fit. But after a spirited drive, it's popped out again! ARGH. So powerflex exhaust hangers have been purchased. Fitting tomorrow.
In better news, a mate decided to trade his PoS golf in and get a 172. It's in a nicer colour but down BHP. He's a fully fledged motor sport mechanic though (jag E types...), so will have it setup better and run rings around me I'm sure. But we can now take them both out and NOT race.
And finally the best news, we've a track day booked in Nov. Going to take my car, as I've got the brakes/mounts etc sorted and his needs a new clutch. Next year we'll get double
God, those powerflex bushes were a nightmare! You need to cut the rubber out of the existing bracket, must have taken 2 hours one side, 20 minutes the next! Then squeeze the new bushes in. wow. Upon fitting, turns out the bush is deeper, so the welded stop on the hanger had to get grinded off. Under a car in the dark grinding was not enjoyable!
BUT, it has sorted the exhaust out for good as you can see.
Next annoyance was the low charge lights came on, confirmed that the alternator was done by checking output of the alternator. So a 2nd hand one with new belt was sourced, and I set about it. I don't have a serpentine tool, so found a cheat way of using some jubliee clips to compress the pulley and managed to get the belt out and swap the alternator. At the point it got dark. I now have friday PM off to fix the new belt and remove the clip. My mate (with the red clio above) is coming over to help ahead of the track day this Sat. Let's hope we get it sorted (and the 2nd hand alternator works!)
BUT, it has sorted the exhaust out for good as you can see.
Next annoyance was the low charge lights came on, confirmed that the alternator was done by checking output of the alternator. So a 2nd hand one with new belt was sourced, and I set about it. I don't have a serpentine tool, so found a cheat way of using some jubliee clips to compress the pulley and managed to get the belt out and swap the alternator. At the point it got dark. I now have friday PM off to fix the new belt and remove the clip. My mate (with the red clio above) is coming over to help ahead of the track day this Sat. Let's hope we get it sorted (and the 2nd hand alternator works!)
That damn exhaust! It had fallen out once I'd got to the track on Sat. So, my mate set about doing it proper (mechanic guy), 10 mins later and it was all back together and central, and the exhaust hasn't fallen out since! (b
d!)
Now, the aux belt was a bugger too. I decided to take some advice and jack the engine up, remove an engine mount and a few other bits, to get more space. To do this meant lifting the car, as my jack is not low enough. So all that done, I set about fitting the belt. The gap between the engine bay and pulleys is narrower than the belt, so it ment twisting it to get it past (or engine out!).
Belt through and fitted, just as my mate turned up to help. Well timed! Upon inspection, it may have been fitted wrong... He jumps under the car and we fiddle until it's sorted. It invloved winding the already tight jubliee clip holding the tensioner spring, and a lot of swearing. Finally on, and 1 last inspection, we took the jubilee clip off, but it didn't tension. So a rather large pole and a swift bang with a hammer and it was, err, ok.
We got to a wet track at 7:30 and proceeded with the usual sign on et al, before heading out for some sighting laps. It was very slippy. Session started very ease with a few tricky moments for all 3 of us, but the track started to dry out and just got better and better. There were defiently a few moments for all of us and we all seemed to get traction breaking on the banked corner ~110mph, a scarey experience with a concrete wall 2 meters away!
Lunch went by and we decided to try the semis, they made a world of difference and gave bags of grip. The afternoon was much more enjoyable, you could just throw it in and it'd stick, if not, a little slide, but nothing like when it was wet, it was all over the place!
This was the first proper day on the new brakes and tyres, and the car was faultless. Before we were having cool downs between 20 mins of driving, but this time we just swapped drivers and away we went. Little brake fade and the tyres didn't go off. It got quieter and quieter, the last 20 mins there was 3 cars on track and it was at it's driest.
A few shots, I will propably buy the pro photos, so will upload them too.
d!)Now, the aux belt was a bugger too. I decided to take some advice and jack the engine up, remove an engine mount and a few other bits, to get more space. To do this meant lifting the car, as my jack is not low enough. So all that done, I set about fitting the belt. The gap between the engine bay and pulleys is narrower than the belt, so it ment twisting it to get it past (or engine out!).
Belt through and fitted, just as my mate turned up to help. Well timed! Upon inspection, it may have been fitted wrong... He jumps under the car and we fiddle until it's sorted. It invloved winding the already tight jubliee clip holding the tensioner spring, and a lot of swearing. Finally on, and 1 last inspection, we took the jubilee clip off, but it didn't tension. So a rather large pole and a swift bang with a hammer and it was, err, ok.
We got to a wet track at 7:30 and proceeded with the usual sign on et al, before heading out for some sighting laps. It was very slippy. Session started very ease with a few tricky moments for all 3 of us, but the track started to dry out and just got better and better. There were defiently a few moments for all of us and we all seemed to get traction breaking on the banked corner ~110mph, a scarey experience with a concrete wall 2 meters away!
Lunch went by and we decided to try the semis, they made a world of difference and gave bags of grip. The afternoon was much more enjoyable, you could just throw it in and it'd stick, if not, a little slide, but nothing like when it was wet, it was all over the place!
This was the first proper day on the new brakes and tyres, and the car was faultless. Before we were having cool downs between 20 mins of driving, but this time we just swapped drivers and away we went. Little brake fade and the tyres didn't go off. It got quieter and quieter, the last 20 mins there was 3 cars on track and it was at it's driest.
A few shots, I will propably buy the pro photos, so will upload them too.
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