Who here owns a Renaultsport?

[Amos91]

Keep the oil level on max when on track, see how it goes, beauty of these Clio's there is loads of engines for sale, running ones, £300 so you break it, well its cheap to fix.

Just ordered brand new Renault 172 cup dampers all round including top mounts, £185, it simply makes sense to do so as at that price its a steal for genuine items and I am sure the original dampers after 15yr/50k miles are no longer at their best. Now just trying to find some original springs ideally to put on them, or maybe just grab cooksport options just don't like idea of lowering it really.

Go for Eibach Pro Kit. Pretty much no drop (10mm ish) and progressive, if anything they ride better than OEM.

Posted from Germany, takes about a week - https://www.autodoc.co.uk/spares-search?keyword=+ E10-75-001-02-22

Did you get the modified spacers with the genuine top mounts? They tend to clunk without them.

https://www.renaultpartsdirect.co.uk/parts/renault-clio-range/clio-172-182-shock-mount-spacer-nut/

 

[Gibbo]

Go for Eibach Pro Kit. Pretty much no drop (10mm ish) and progressive, if anything they ride better than OEM.

Posted from Germany, takes about a week - https://www.autodoc.co.uk/spares-search?keyword=+ E10-75-001-02-22

Did you get the modified spacers with the top mounts? They tend to clunk without them.

No idea on the modified spacer, just ordered the genuine top mounts, got a link please?

Shall check out the Eibach springs, if I can find genuine at a decent price will stick with genuine I think as the car does not need lowering, seems quite low as it is, but to my knowledge the cups did run slightly lower springs on 172 than regular car?

So following is actioned:

16th August (next week):
- Cambelt kit fitted including crank bolt etc.
- Aux belt with new accessory pulley
- New water pump and thermostat
- New dephaser pulley
- Rocker cover removed and resealed to prevent any potential leaks
- A major service, oil, filters, spark plugs etc.
- New Renault cup dampers fitted all round
- New springs fitted all round
- Full inspection with a list of what needs to be done, just getting the big one out the way that is a potential ticking bomb (belts & pulleys)
- All above using Renault genuine parts!!!

Whatever the list of jobs they give me to do, shall then be acted on in coming weeks/months, unless there is something of emergency concern, but as it drives nice, with no bangs or clunks and the brakes and steering all works and feel tight, can't see any major issue, plus it failed an MOT in March, had the work done and then passed, its done a few hundred miles since.

Also ordered a pair of new plates, nothing fancy, just regular legal plates but the front at the slightly reduced size to fit in the recess as advised here.

Then to get wheels repaired (corrosion) in their original silver and probably a set of Dunlop Direzza 03G fitted all round as those are the stickiest road legal tyre in existence and can still find some E marked (legal) examples or maybe just throw a set of AD08R or Nankang NS-2R on the car, what sticky tyres have people had good experience with here on their Renaultsports?

 

[Maccy]

I never went with the stickiest because mine was a daily driver, Michelin Pilot Exalto 2's were great but probably impossible to get now. Pilot Sport 3's were good and a lot of people rated AD08R's too.

If you want cheap and soft, Hankook V12's

 

[Amos91]

No idea on the modified spacer, just ordered the genuine top mounts, got a link please?

Shall check out the Eibach springs, if I can find genuine at a decent price will stick with genuine I think as the car does not need lowering, seems quite low as it is, but to my knowledge the cups did run slightly lower springs on 172 than regular car?

So following is actioned:

16th August (next week):
- Cambelt kit fitted including crank bolt etc.
- Aux belt with new accessory pulley
- New water pump and thermostat
- New dephaser pulley
- Rocker cover removed and resealed to prevent any potential leaks
- A major service, oil, filters, spark plugs etc.
- New Renault cup dampers fitted all round
- New springs fitted all round
- Full inspection with a list of what needs to be done, just getting the big one out the way that is a potential ticking bomb (belts & pulleys)
- All above using Renault genuine parts!!!

Whatever the list of jobs they give me to do, shall then be acted on in coming weeks/months, unless there is something of emergency concern, but as it drives nice, with no bangs or clunks and the brakes and steering all works and feel tight, can't see any major issue, plus it failed an MOT in March, had the work done and then passed, its done a few hundred miles since.

Also ordered a pair of new plates, nothing fancy, just regular legal plates but the front at the slightly reduced size to fit in the recess as advised here.

Then to get wheels repaired (corrosion) in their original silver and probably a set of Dunlop Direzza 03G fitted all round as those are the stickiest road legal tyre in existence and can still find some E marked (legal) examples or maybe just throw a set of AD08R or Nankang NS-2R on the car, what sticky tyres have people had good experience with here on their Renaultsports?

Sorry did edit with the link. To give you the history, Renault revised the top mount design slightly which caused knocking when turning. They then released the revised top mount spacer to fix it.

https://www.renaultpartsdirect.co.uk/parts/renault-clio-range/clio-172-182-shock-mount-spacer-nut/

AD08Rs or PS3s are the most popular tyres on these cars. If it's a dry weather car I'd go with the former.

 

[Jester*]

Loved the Hankook V12's to be honest.

 

[Gibbo]

Loved the Hankook V12's to be honest.

Yes always found them an excellent gripping tyre in both wet and dry conditions for the road, not sure they perform on track or how long they last but in a car this light longevity is not a worry and with 15" wheels the tyres are so cheap.

 

[Gibbo]

Sorry did edit with the link. To give you the history, Renault revised the top mount design slightly which caused knocking when turning. They then released the revised top mount spacer to fix it.

https://www.renaultpartsdirect.co.uk/parts/renault-clio-range/clio-172-182-shock-mount-spacer-nut/

AD08Rs or PS3s are the most popular tyres on these cars. If it's a dry weather car I'd go with the former.

Shall order a pair of those bolts, any other must haves or bang for buck upgrades or refreshing items I should consider ordering whilst at it?


Give the car a good wash this evening, pressure washed all the arches and then pulled all the dirt and muck from behind the arches and wells, had a good feel and look, absolutely zero corrosion. Removed all the rubbers from around the doors, windscreen to check for corrosion, boot etc. Absolutely nothing, it seems a very solid shell indeed.

The wheels however are trash, nothing a repair won't solve and the front passenger tyre only had 12psi in it, that could explain odd handling on drive home.
Also started polishing up a headlight, to try and remove all the cloudiness and fogging, coming up pretty well so far, shall give it some more effort tomorrow.

Once belts are done next week, then shall drop the car off with a wheel repairer to get all the wheels done in the factory silver or as close as and fit 4 new matching tyres.

Quick go through interior, only quick but inside its spotless, rear seats never used by looks of it and no marks, burns, rips and even the steering wheel thumb grips and seat bolsters have zero signs of wear, the owner was an old but small thin guy, so guess that is good for the cars interior.

Once thats all done I shall start removing engine items, intake, manifold, battery and literally totally cleanse the entire bay and most of the components and of course get the paint chips and scratches sorted, then it can go for a full detail and paint correction, hopefully all done before winter, will also get the underside wax oiled particular prone areas.

 

[shauncr91]

Edit: Nevermind you're already on it!

 

[Amos91]

Shall order a pair of those bolts, any other must haves or bang for buck upgrades or refreshing items I should consider ordering whilst at it?

I think that you've made a solid start to be fair and should see how you get on with it before doing other changes.

One thing I would look at is the gearbox oil, a standard feature on these cars is for the selector seal to leak (so don't be alarmed if you see oil on it) and as far as I can recall the box oil is not part of the service schedule. Due to the lack of cambelt changes I would bet its never been done.

It takes 3 litres of oil but its normally expensive from Renault. This is the gen stuff:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Elf-Transe...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=SQHCZPRGZ220F5F7PCV2

Copper crush washer can be bought from Halfords

https://www.halfords.com/motoring/c...mp-plug-washer-peugeot-citroen-renault-hfx227

Easy DIY job.

Further down the line I would look at engine mounts:

Upper Engine Mount
•https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Febi-Bil...epid=0&hash=item543f9fe053:g:6-0AAOSwtJFaz7Uo
• Powerflex insert is also available - https://www.kamracing.co.uk/car-tun...ex-front-upper-right-engine-mount-insert.html

Most popular mod is to powerflex the gearbox dogbone mount as its pretty soft. Does improve the gear change etc but at the expense of some vibration in the cabin -
•https://www.kamracing.co.uk/car-tun...-renault-clio-mk2-2-0-rs-172-182-phase-2.html

Then the standard replacement upper gearbox mount:
•https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-FEBI...epid=0&hash=item23a2581806:g:tvEAAOSwxQJbE6wQ


And when you want to fully refresh the suspension the following can be done:

•Lower arms / wishbones (genuine)
•Steering rack bushes (I used Powerflex)
•ARB bushes, inner & outer (genuine)
•Inner track rods (genuine)
•Track rod ends (genuine or lemforder)
•Rear beam bushes, not many people tend to do this (genuine / powerflex)

Hope that helps!

 

[Gibbo]

I think that you've made a solid start to be fair and should see how you get on with it before doing other changes.

One thing I would look at is the gearbox oil, a standard feature on these cars is for the selector seal to leak (so don't be alarmed if you see oil on it) and as far as I can recall the box oil is not part of the service schedule. Due to the lack of cambelt changes I would bet its never been done.

It takes 3 litres of oil but its normally expensive from Renault. This is the gen stuff:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Elf-Transe...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=SQHCZPRGZ220F5F7PCV2

Copper crush washer can be bought from Halfords

https://www.halfords.com/motoring/c...mp-plug-washer-peugeot-citroen-renault-hfx227

Easy DIY job.

Further down the line I would look at engine mounts:

Upper Engine Mount
•https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Febi-Bil...epid=0&hash=item543f9fe053:g:6-0AAOSwtJFaz7Uo
• Powerflex insert is also available - https://www.kamracing.co.uk/car-tun...ex-front-upper-right-engine-mount-insert.html

Most popular mod is to powerflex the gearbox dogbone mount as its pretty soft. Does improve the gear change etc but at the expense of some vibration in the cabin -
•https://www.kamracing.co.uk/car-tun...-renault-clio-mk2-2-0-rs-172-182-phase-2.html

Then the standard replacement upper gearbox mount:
•https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-FEBI-BILSTEIN-LEFT-REAR-GEARBOX-MOUNT-MOUNTING-SUPPORT-09483-P/153047537670?fits=Model:Clio|Cars+Type:2.0+16V+Sport&epid=0&hash=item23a2581806:g:tvEAAOSwxQJbE6wQ


And when you want to fully refresh the suspension the following can be done:

•Lower arms / wishbones (genuine)
•Steering rack bushes (I used Powerflex)
•ARB bushes, inner & outer (genuine)
•Inner track rods (genuine)
•Track rod ends (genuine or lemforder)
•Rear beam bushes, not many people tend to do this (genuine / powerflex)

Hope that helps!

Thank you for that list buddy.
Shall get the specialist to change gear box oil next week, gets it done and dusted.

Gonna leave the engine mounts, gearbox mounts for now, see how it drives and what the specialist advice on the condition.

Will probably get all those suspension items done over time, but I am gonna order a pair of the rear beam bushes to go in when they fit new dampers as to me anything that locks the rear axle in place makes for a better handling car, it just helps limit beam movement, no different than RTAB limiters on an E46 M3, just there to help prevent the side to side movement and thus makes for a better handling and more engaging car, so might as well get those done.

Did quite a bit of work on the car last night, shall post some pictures later.
Am also gonna make a dedicated thread, so I have a history of the car all in one nice place, I tend to find making dedicated threads particular for project cars has a real positive impact on re-sale value when that times comes as future owners love to see the dedication, time, effort and money put into a build, plus its all documentation online then.

What is the best/popular UK Clio forum to register on would you say?

 

[Uncle_Gravy]

ClioSport will probably be the biggest

https://www.cliosport.net/forums/

 

[Amos91]

Rear beam bushes is a fairly involved job just fyi.

As above on the forum. Cliosport owners club on Facebook is also busy.

The forum is far better for searching / guides though.

 

[Gibbo]

Rear beam bushes is a fairly involved job just fyi.

As above on the forum. Cliosport owners club on Facebook is also busy.

The forum is far better for searching / guides though.

Yeah social is useless for build/project threads.

Just bagged myself a set of genuine 172 CUP springs, 30k miles, look spotless for £12, so they can put them in when they fit the new dampers, will be fresher than the current ones and at £12 had to be done.

 

[Amos91]

Yeah social is useless for build/project threads.

Just bagged myself a set of genuine 172 CUP springs, 30k miles, look spotless for £12, so they can put them in when they fit the new dampers, will be fresher than the current ones and at £12 had to be done.

Nice one! I'm sure they're not available from Renault now anyway.

Any questions though give me a shout, after 6 years of ownership I've seen most things lol!

 

[Maccy]

Are Renault Wolverhampton parts still going? I used to use them for all genuine parts, there was a dedicated contact on ClioSport who could get hold of almost anything.

 

[Gibbo]

Nice one! I'm sure they're not available from Renault now anyway.

Any questions though give me a shout, after 6 years of ownership I've seen most things lol!

Shall do, as I am not running the car, don't know so much about it yet, once all done next week can give feedback how it drives, though won't be pushing it considering its fitted with 4x different budget tyres and one of those tyres is a Pirelli Winter tyre. Basically an incredible car and a great find, but its been ran on a shoe string, but on the flip side it seems the owner purchased it as a run about and his reasoning for buying the cup model was because it was cheaper. It's been used as his commuter, 4 miles each way, I guess explains why the belts have survived as I got the impression the car has not seen much loud pedal action at all, just been a daily driver doing short trips.

Once all sorted next week, fresh fluids, tank of Vpower, I shall give it some stick, is the rev limit 7200 or 7500rpm on them do you know, safe to rev them to the limiter?

 

[Jester*]

You can abuse the F4R it loves it.

 

[Amos91]

Are Renault Wolverhampton parts still going? I used to use them for all genuine parts, there was a dedicated contact on ClioSport who could get hold of almost anything.

Renault Wolves still exist but basically Adam left which made the community face fall down completely.

Renault Parts Direct under Paul Temperton now really controls this business from Fish Brothers in Swindon.

Shall do, as I am not running the car, don't know so much about it yet, once all done next week can give feedback how it drives, though won't be pushing it considering its fitted with 4x different budget tyres and one of those tyres is a Pirelli Winter tyre. Basically an incredible car and a great find, but its been ran on a shoe string, but on the flip side it seems the owner purchased it as a run about and his reasoning for buying the cup model was because it was cheaper. It's been used as his commuter, 4 miles each way, I guess explains why the belts have survived as I got the impression the car has not seen much loud pedal action at all, just been a daily driver doing short trips.

Once all sorted next week, fresh fluids, tank of Vpower, I shall give it some stick, is the rev limit 7200 or 7500rpm on them do you know, safe to rev them to the limiter?

From memory its a bit like the M3, dependent on temp, you'll also have a shift light in the right corner of the dash.

Engine Temp <75C max rpm 6700rpm in all gears
Engine Temp >75C max rpm in 1st and 2nd gears 7200rpm
Engine Temp >75C max rpm in 3rd, 4th and 5th 7000rpm

Most remaps like mine (RsTuner box) allow it to go to 7800 rpm, which I've had for about 3 years now.

I've done over 80k miles in mine and would say its redlined every trip at some point lol. So yeah its all good and needed to extract the most from it. Its a car that eggs you on to keep revving, you'll see what I mean!

 

[Maccy]

Mine was remapped at Ktec but wouldn't rev past 6800 even when warmed up. Had to replace the cat sensors and adjust the timing when I had the belts changed to fix it, it's crazy how much the cat sensors can affect the car.

 

[Gibbo]

A question guys, as you know my cup has the 16" I think called Turini allows, they are very nice. At the moment they are fitted with 195/45/16 tyres but I wondered if this is the factory size, the handbook would seem to suggest it is but I have noticed quite a bit of alloy wheel lip is exposed so easier to curb, of course I noticed even though all 4 tyres are same size, they all have different footprint as the winter tyre exposes the most lip.

My question is do most stick with the 195/45/16 or do some people upsize to say a 205/45/16.

Next what is the best tyre, seems choice is a bit limited in 16", shame they are not 15" as I see Dunlop Direzza 03G still available in 15" and that is the best dry grip tyre I ever experienced, pretty much slick levels of grip in dry when warm, hence they are no longer legal but in 15" you can still get E marked.

As such those with this 16" size, what tyre has yielded best results for you, is AD08R available? I see NS-2R, 595RSR and R888R seem available, wondered if there was any others?