Clio 172 Project

As part of my massive monthly spending spree, more on that later, I got hold of an RS Tuner unit second hand, a licence and a new Eee PC 1000H netbook to use with it.

I’d read all of the rave reviews about how this little box of tricks changes the whole feel of the car, I was still sceptical though.  But I thought fuck it, I can always try it and sell it on if it was shit.  I’m glad to say though everything I read was true.

The car now idles a lot smoother, the rev limit has increased to 7,800 RPM and the shift light has moved up the range with it too.  But most importantly is the effect it has had on driving the car, it’s always pulled well but now WOW.  It will pull strongly all the way through the revs to redline and doesn’t feel like it’s running out of steam at any point, although a side effect of that is that the 5k “kick” has now lessened…but I can live with that for the better acceleration.

Most people that post their performance Analyzer graphs show substantial differences in the before and after…mine don’t lol.  Dunno if I did something wrong or what but quite frankly they are bullshit.  But thankfully I don’t need a graph to tell me that the car has much got more torque (no it’s not a plural Mr Clarkson you annoying cunt) and accelerates better through the range.  But just for those that want to see what they look like…

So all in all I’d highly recommend people give it a whirl, if you’re around the East Midlands way and just want to change the map on your car instead of buying your own unit drop me a comment with your email address and I’ll sort something out with you.

Anyway other things since my last update, as I’ve been really fucking lazy in keeping this upto date recently.

Brakes

The car is now running new discs and pads all round, along with braided lines and ATE Super Blue Racing brake fluid. I opted for the highly recommended Brembo High Carbon (HC) discs on the front from GSF (part number R60139), cheapest I could find them and the Super Blue, and Ferodo DS2500 racing brake pads from Fred at BTM Performance.  At the back I’m running OEM Renault discs, including bearings and ABS rings pressed, and pads from the local stealers, that did me a blinding deal on them TBH.  Lastly I got a full set of Exact braided lines from Kam Racing, not the best of fits TBH as I had to file out all the holes that the lines feed through.

Towing eye

As the OEM towing eye for my car was bent, bad tow in the past I’d assume, I decided to go down the Clio Cup Racer style and grabbed one of these from a lad on ClioSport.  The quality of it is mint and the fit perfect, just had to tap out the towing hole as it was full of nearly nine years worth of shit.  Saves me having to fuck about when I finally get back out on the track.

Carbon splitter

Spotted this K-tec carbon splitter going for cheap on ClioSport, brand new and never fitted.  So snapped it up and then quickly got it fitted.  As it’s for a Ph2 the fits not perfect and I had to fuck about with it a bit, but now it’s on it looks mint and finishes off the front end…although I now live in fear of kerbs/speedbumps/rabbits/large pebbles lol.

PTFE Gaskets

In a bid to cool down the inlet temperature I grabbed a set of PTFE gaskets from, once again, a lad on ClioSport.  The OEM gaskets, at least under the plenum, needed replacing anyway.  Until I get the inlets matched I’ve just fitted the gasket under the plenum for now, but will get the other one on when I need to swap the inlets out.

Other bits

As I’ve got an annoy knocking noise I’ve got a Powerflex polyurethane Dog Bone mount bushes kit to go on along with a set of  Compbrake Solid Top Mounts.  I’ve also just ordered a set of Eibach Sportlines which I’m waiting to take delivery of, but unfortunately Eibach are having problems manufacturing the rear springs at the minute so I’m having to wait.   Hopefully be here soon and then this little lot will go on.

So another post and the same list, just updated.

DONE – Silvervision bulbs
Pioneer DEH-P6/7000UB
Pioneer TS-SW1241D Sub, Pioneer UD-SW125S box & amp
DONE – ITG Panel Filter
DONE – Xenons
ORDERED Eibach Sportline lowering springs (-30mm)
DONE – KTR Stealth Exhaust System
DONE – Brakes (post coming soon)
DONE RS Tuner
DONE (partially) PTFE gasket kit
Matched Inlets
Pioneer TS-Q131C uprated front speakers

Maybes
DONE KTR carbon front splitter
Oil cooler
182 Manifold & sports cat
Toad Ai606 alarm/immobiliser
172 Ph2 bump strips & bullets
172 Ph2 rear bumper
Silicone Hose kit
Recaro “Trendline” reclining bucket seats
Cat Cams 428s

of “The List” dun dun durrrrr.

So waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay back in December 2008 I threw up a list of ideas I had for what I wanted to do to the 172 when I got it, so I decided to update things so I can see what I’ve done so far, what’s left to do and what’s changed.

DONE – Silvervision bulbs
Pioneer DEH-P6/7000UB
Sub & amp
DONE – ITG Panel Filter
DONE – Xenons
Eibach Sportline lowering springs (-30mm)
DONE – KTR Stealth Exhaust System
DONE – Brakes (post coming soon)
RS Tuner
PTFE gasket kit
Matched Inlets
Uprated speakers

Maybes
KTR carbon front splitter
Oil cooler
182 Manifold & sports cat
Toad Ai606 alarm/immobiliser
172 Ph2 bump strips & bullets
172 Ph2 rear bumper
Silicone Hose kit
Recaro “Trendline” reclining bucket seats
Cat Cams 428s

Quite a lot done already, but still a lot left to go.  A few changes too.

As part of my massive monthly spending spree, more on that later, I got hold of an RS Tuner unit second hand, a licence and a new Eee PC 1000H netbook to use with it.

I’d read all of the rave reviews about how this little box of tricks changes the whole feel of the car, I was still sceptical though.  But I thought fuck it, I can always try it and sell it on if it was shit.  I’m glad to say though everything I read was true.

The car now idles a lot smoother, the rev limit has increased to 7,800 RPM and the shift light has moved up the range with it too.  But most importantly is the effect it has had on driving the car, it’s always pulled well but now WOW.  It will pull strongly all the way through the revs to redline and doesn’t feel like it’s running out of steam at any point, although a side effect of that is that the 5k “kick” has now lessened…but I can live with that for the better acceleration.

Most people that post their performance Analyzer graphs show substantial differences in the before and after…mine don’t lol.  Dunno if I did something wrong or what but quite frankly they are bullshit.  But thankfully I don’t need a graph to tell me that the car has much got more torque (no it’s not a plural Mr Clarkson you annoying cunt) and accelerates better through the range.  But just for those that want to see what they look like…

So all in all I’d highly recommend people give it a whirl, if you’re around the East Midlands way and just want to change the map on your car instead of buying your own unit drop me a comment with your email address and I’ll sort something out with you.

Anyway other things since my last update, as I’ve been really fucking lazy in keeping this upto date recently.

Brakes

The car is now running new discs and pads all round, along with braided lines and ATE Super Blue Racing brake fluid. I opted for the highly recommended Brembo High Carbon (HC) discs on the front from GSF (part number R60139), cheapest I could find them and the Super Blue, and Ferodo DS2500 racing brake pads from Fred at BTM Performance.  At the back I’m running OEM Renault discs, including bearings and ABS rings pressed, and pads from the local stealers, that did me a blinding deal on them TBH.  Lastly I got a full set of Exact braided lines from Kam Racing, not the best of fits TBH as I had to file out all the holes that the lines feed through.

Towing eye

As the OEM towing eye for my car was bent, bad tow in the past I’d assume, I decided to go down the Clio Cup Racer style and grabbed one of these from a lad on ClioSport.  The quality of it is mint and the fit perfect, just had to tap out the towing hole as it was full of nearly nine years worth of shit.  Saves me having to fuck about when I finally get back out on the track.

Carbon splitter

Spotted this K-tec carbon splitter going for cheap on ClioSport, brand new and never fitted.  So snapped it up and then quickly got it fitted.  As it’s for a Ph2 the fits not perfect and I had to fuck about with it a bit, but now it’s on it looks mint and finishes off the front end…although I now live in fear of kerbs/speedbumps/rabbits/large pebbles lol.

PTFE Gaskets

In a bid to cool down the inlet temperature I grabbed a set of PTFE gaskets from, once again, a lad on ClioSport.  The OEM gaskets, at least under the plenum, needed replacing anyway.  Until I get the inlets matched I’ve just fitted the gasket under the plenum for now, but will get the other one on when I need to swap the inlets out.

Other bits

As I’ve got an annoy knocking noise I’ve got a Powerflex polyurethane Dog Bone mount bushes kit to go on along with a set of  Compbrake Solid Top Mounts.  I’ve also just ordered a set of Eibach Sportlines which I’m waiting to take delivery of, but unfortunately Eibach are having problems manufacturing the rear springs at the minute so I’m having to wait.   Hopefully be here soon and then this little lot will go on.

So another post and the same list, just updated.

DONE – Silvervision bulbs
Pioneer DEH-P6/7000UB
Sub & amp
DONE – ITG Panel Filter
DONE – Xenons
ORDERED Eibach Sportline lowering springs (-30mm)
DONE – KTR Stealth Exhaust System
DONE – Brakes (post coming soon)
DONE RS Tuner
DONE (partially) PTFE gasket kit
Matched Inlets
Uprated speakers

Maybes
DONE KTR carbon front splitter
Oil cooler
182 Manifold & sports cat
Toad Ai606 alarm/immobiliser
172 Ph2 bump strips & bullets
172 Ph2 rear bumper
Silicone Hose kit
Recaro “Trendline” reclining bucket seats
Cat Cams 428s

Well ok it’s not drastic.  The CV boot as I thought has gone, don’t think it’s split though just the circlip has come off, the boots slid back and then grease and spunked everywhere.  So it’s going in next Saturday, I’m too lazy to do it myself and it’s a fucking annoying job lol, to Mark Lightfoot in Ilkeston, done great work on my families cars for years, to get it sorted.  Once it’s done I’ll grab some AutoGlym Engine and Machine Cleaner and get to work on the arches, might as well do them all, to clean them up and remove the CV grease from the o/s/f.

Also got a bargain on a replacement rear bumper from Daniel on ClioSport so once the new exhaust has arrived and been fitted, won’t be this month now due to an unexpected bill, I’ll get that fitted too.  It’s got a few small imperfections such as light scratches in the laquer and a few tiny bits down to the plastic.  So I’ll see how it comes up after a good wash and polish today and if it needs a spray I’ll take it somewhere local to get done, probably end up doing the prep myself though depending on the quotes they give.

Some pictures of the replacement rear bumper before, during and after a good wash and polish.  Took most of the light scratches out TBH, but I’ll still probably get it resprayed at some point along with the front for that minty fresh look.

O HAI Mr Bee!

Also got some replacement engine cover bolts and washers coming from davo172 on ClioSport which I’ll use with my other engine cover when I get around to spraying it, probably this month depending on my cash.  Hmmm just thought I need a replacement 2.0 16v sticker for the engine cover too…

This month though it’s Cam and Aux belt replacement.  Big expense, but it will give me peace of mind and it’s cheaper than replacing 16 bent valves!

Yup that was quick lol.

Went to see the one near Colne and after a terrifying drive over Snakes Pass in pea soup fog, so thick I couldn’t see the end of the bonnet, I finally made it to the middle of fucking nowhere.

Had a good look around it and took it for a spin.  Can’t really pick too many faults with it.  Needs a few things, like I’d expect from most used cars especially one that’s nearly nine years old, but nothing I could see, hear, feel or “feel” that was worrying.  After some haggling we agreed on the price, which was exactly what I wanted to pay , I dropped a deposit and headed back home, getting stuck in a three fucking hour traffic jam on the M6.  Wank.

Some of these pictures have been posted before, but I want them backed up so here’s all of them from the PistonHeads ad.

So first things first, it’s near due an Aux belt replacement, including tensioners, and the cam belt will be due again next year.  So come pay day I’ll get it booked in at somewhere that I actually trust to do the job.  Also needs two new tyres, rear, so that will also be sorted next month.  After that I’ll do a full service and hopefully get it rolling roaded, so I know what power it began with when I got it.

Then it’s time to find a Ph1 rear bumper and a K-TEC stealth exhaust…because DAMN that powerflow shit is gash and has to go.  Then I can hopefully get on with doing what I want with the car.

Anyway I sorted the insurance today thanks to Brentacre and am training it up tomorrow to go and bring her home.

I’ll update the “to do list” at some point and get some proper photos this weekend if the weathers not shit.