Jimbobs RB 197 Track focused!

[j!mbob]

Hi All,

Have been nosing around on here and the Facebook page for quite a while, and finally decided to purchase an RB 197! It seems hard to find one that hasn't been played with/ is not battered/ has half decent history ha!

The idea of the Clio is to be a bit of a track toy, whilst staying road legal.

No need to daily it as I have an e92 335i for this!

Onto the RB!...Purchased 2 weeks ago completely standard bar a centre silencer and 2nd cat delete, and some nankang NSR-2'S. Drove well on test drive bar a horrendous flat spot approx 2500rpm!

Has had a new gearbox some time ago by Renault and also a recent exhaust manifold (Both common issues that have been addressed) Also nice that there is no corrosion around the rear window

What I have done so far:

16.7.19 @ 92847 Miles:
-Replacement gearbox oil as a precaution - Using genuine Renault NFJ ELF oil 2L
-Replace clutch fluid
-Secure map sensor using the ally adaptor from "clio3rs200"
-Debadge the "Clio" lettering from tailgate
-Refit a standard centre section - What a difference that made! 100x better

17.7.19
-Fit stubby aerial - although aesthetically pleasing it does not pick up much signal!!

18.7.19 @ 92898 miles
-Fit 3x power flex engine mount bushes - Upper torque arm, Lower torque arm and gearbox mount
-Fit ram air induction filter using adapted 45 degree blue silicone hose

20.7.19 @ 92903 miles
-Replace the all important cambelt, tensioner, idler, water pump, cam oil seals, belt drive pulley, aux belt and tensioner, and of course fresh coolant (All genuine parts, fitted using genuine Renault tools to set cams/ lock pulleys and set timing)
-Replace spark plugs - Genuine parts
-Fit H&R lowering springs all round - including new front top mounts
-Fit rear wiper delete from Kill All wipers
-Fit 2x COB led 501 to number plate and 2x COB led 501 to front sidelight

23.7.19 @ 92905 miles
-Fit 2x front vertical ARB links -FAI

25.7.19
-Remove tired B-Pillar vinyl and polish paint below

I bagged a bargain replica cup spoiler on eBay for £38 Delivered! - This is currently in the bodyshop at work being painted, should be ready to fit next week

Also on route are a 6 line set of braided brake lines from Mitch @ Pro line Motorsport

Wheel alignment to be set up at work next week (Perks of working at a main dealer with use of the 4 Wheel alignment machine!)

I have a long list of plans that are subject to change/ Unsure on what order things will happen, but consist of the following:

-Regas the A/C
-Hole saw cutouts behind number plate - Just due to the look - I know no real gains of cooling due to crash bar/bumper support
-Either royal retrim on steering wheel or an aftermarket suede wheel
-Sun strip
-Pure motorsport 10mm rear axle spacers
-5mm hub centric front spacers with longer bolts
-Resonated cat back exhaust (Will this give me a big flat spot without a remap?)
-Remap if required - Likely engine dynamics
-Strip interior
-Bucket (s)
-Rear half bolt in cage
-Extra set of wheels

Pics to follow

 

[j!mbob]

And one of the BM :

 

[Big Ben]

Looks good. Welcome aboard

 

[Beany]

Welcome aboard

Cars looking good, hope to see more progress

 

[lewishunter98]

No messing about here! Cars looking good, and fair play for doing all the work yourself

Funnily enough I just removed the door strips off of my RB too. Looks 10x better

Sent from my ONEPLUS A5010 using Tapatalk

 

[petercronin]

Welcome along, looking good.

 

[j!mbob]

Thanks all for the warm welcome!

Carried out the wheel alignment today, just went with standard settings - Rear no adjustment anyway but all in the green! Front just required the toe setting up!

Spoiler is almost ready to fit - just requires flat/polishing

Will update with pics when fitted

 

[Pav]

brill upgrades..maintaince is the key

 

[j!mbob]

Bargain cup spoiler eBay find fitted! Fitment is OK not perfect but hey, what can you expect for £38!



Ordered and recieved in 3 days is my steering wheel and boss kit, Just awaiting my Volantech button panel then can fit



Also met a friend of mine Andy (Who's on here somewhere) for a couple of snaps!

 

[lewishunter98]

I'd seen that post about the wheel on the Facebook group today, how's the quality of it?

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[j!mbob]

Seems pretty good to me! The proof will be in the pudding once fitted, see if any flex etc! But for the money i cant complain

I'd seen that post about the wheel on the Facebook group today, how's the quality of it?

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[lewishunter98]

Yeah, absolute bargain! I was half tempted myself but I just wasn't sure on whether it'd flex or anything! Guess you can be my guinea pig [emoji6]

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[j!mbob]

Fitted a modified motamec nylon gear knob - feels great! Required the threads drilling out to enable it to be an interference fit. Also needed to remove the collar from lift up reverse. Happy with the results



Parts I have awaiting fitment still:
-Steering wheel
-Pro line 6 piece braided brake lines
-Pure motorsport 10mm rear stub axle spacers

Ebay/Direnza cat back exhaust on route also! Another bargain!

 

[Pav]

looks good...

 

[j!mbob]

Finally got my steering wheel on! Fits well, although the painted logo was poor and basically disintergrated. Overlayed a carbon cutout over the top which I'm happy with. Had to make a plastic spacer to fit behind the boss to depress the centre of the squib ring to stop 95% of the clicking! Volantech button panel on also - This makes it in my eyes! Feels great to drive with!





Managed to fit my resonated eBay Direnza cat back, which I mounted up with a secondary decat. Took some fettling to get it to sit right with no knocking etc - but worth it in the end! Used the Renault sport exhaust trims that I had from standard tailpipes. The sound is awesome but not too loud - no real flat spot either which is nice (no more than normal anyway!) (Only pics I have at the moment I'm afraid!)





Also did the front number plate holes - hidden well by the number plate when required. May get a number plate decal made up to put to the left of the recess.

Bodyshop at work also painted the front and rear diamond badges gloss black to match spoiler ends (Y)

Also have removed the ramair induction kit - although throaty noise was nice, it was definitely a lot more sluggish!

Have some 5mm hubcentric spacers with longer bolts on route, then going to fit these along with the stub axle spacers

All for now

 

[Big Ben]

Plenty going on! Taking shape nicely. Love the wheel

 

[j!mbob]

Hi all,

So since last time a fair bit has gone on, just haven't had time to update!

Fitted:
-10mm Pure motorsport rear axle spacers - Looks SO much better and fill the arches nicely
-5mm Front slip on spacers
-6 Line pro line motorsport braided brake lines
-Front and rear ultra racing strut braces -another Ebay bargain!
-Applied front number plate decal - Legal font size and spacing with border pulled in to 5mm
-Made my own front tow strap adaptor out of an old tow eye and weld on threaded sleeve
-Applied ELF decal to mirrors and TOW decal to front bumper
-Applied F1 replica decal in gloss black to roof (I know its not an f1 but like how it looks!)
-Got hold of another set of standard wheels which I rattle canned black to use as daily wheels to then keep other set for track
-TRS stud and nut conversion all round - Staggered lengths so they are aesthetically pleasing and equal front to rear
-Went back to the standard airbox - In my eyes it feels smoother

And last but not least, Today I picked up:

-Brand new safety devices R020 rear bolt in cage from Mark fish
-2x Corbeau Clubsport XL

Need a pair of harnesses, specific direct to floor side mounts/ subframes and then strip the interior!

Pics below












Screenshot_20190908-140235_WhatsApp

 

[Gorman]

Looks great that car. Did alot of similar stuff to my RB and currently have it on a lift to do a front end refresh and rad support, braided lines too etc etc. How did you get rid of the Airbag light when fitting the steering wheel?

 

[j!mbob]

Used 2 resistors, one in each socket .can't for the life of me remember the ohm but it's not a lot. Google will tell you!

When I remove the seats/airbags I will be turning them off using clip hopefully

Looks great that car. Did alot of similar stuff to my RB and currently have it on a lift to do a front end refresh and rad support, braided lines too etc etc. How did you get rid of the Airbag light when fitting the steering wheel?

 

[Gorman]

Used 2 resistors, one in each socket .can't for the life of me remember the ohm but it's not a lot. Google will tell you!

When I remove the seats/airbags I will be turning them off using clip hopefully

Thanks mate, just 2 bare resistors and stuck them into the sockets? I think guys use 3 ohm resistors.

Going to change the driver's seat myself so I'll have to do that too!