Trackspec Clio 197

[trackspec197]

Cadwell park went really well despite a 2 hour delay from the mist. The car performed very well but developed an electrical fault which meant I had no ABS and had locked EPS off (switched off anyway). Videos to follow.

After getting the car back home it wouldn't start after a number of checks it turned out that the battery had in fact died and was the cause of the systems shutting off. It's no big deal as I am planning on swapping the battery out for a race version anyway.

I have made a little progress on it too. I have stripped the inlet off and cleaned it up, this week a friend will be port matching it to see if it makes any difference. I'm not sure about whether to fit a 64mm TB after reading some mixed reviews. Is it really worth it? I can see the logic but cant find any results to back it up.

The cam cover was very dirty and there were also signs of fuel on the lower inlet manifold. Has anyone else had this? The injector seals seem fine so it could be the gasket?


Clean


All cleaned up ready for porting


Trial fitted the V6 airbox

I still need to fit the new gearbox and other related parts but I now have more pressing things. I need to buy new tyres in time for the first round of the Midland Speed Championship on the 26th of March. The last set did 4 track days .

Videos of Cadwell coming shortly.

 

[trackspec197]

Inlet manifold porting and matching.

Marked out. Let the porting commence.


Roughing finished


Should be finished tomorrow evening including the bottom half.

Really want a set of cams now to go with this mod.

 

[trackspec197]

Removed the aircon this evening which only took about an hour which wasn't too bad. Just waiting on the lightweight kit from @Flacsi . Looking forward to getting it fitted along with the ported inlet.

 

[sevenfourate]

Last three posts are awesome.

Forging ahead at record speed.

Very interested to hear your thoughts on the port matching..........

 

[Magnum]

Diff in yet ? Worth it ?

 

[Pav]

Good stuff Matt..you may want to pm @Yiannis197 as he'd all this done on his 197..
Hope you are happy with the result

 

[trackspec197]

Last three posts are awesome.

Forging ahead at record speed.

Very interested to hear your thoughts on the port matching..........

Should hopefully have the inlet back on this week if the gaskets come through.

Diff in yet ? Worth it ?

Not yet mate, I've got a few other expenses this month including tyres and competition entry so it will have to wait until April time. I can imagine it will make a world of difference though. I have good traction with the Dunlops and the KWs but there is clear room for improvement and the diff should take it to a new level.

Good stuff Matt..you may want to pm @Yiannis197 as he'd all this done on his 197..
Hope you are happy with the result

It will probably be quite minimal but it's surprising how much material there is in the inlets so theres no harm in seeing if it will help a little. I should think it would work a lot better with a set of cams which will happen along with the new cambelt later this year.

Once I've sorted and fitted the new airbox set up I might take it up to RS Tuning for a remap and see how they get on with it.

I'm also having to refit my rear interior to be eligible for my class regs, so I'm looking for new ways to reduce weight. The air con removal should help but I'm also going to chop down the alternator mount to remove a chunk of weight from that along with a few other bits. It's not much but every little helps!

 

[trackspec197]

Bit more progress. Brake fluid flushed out and replaced with new.


Starter heat shield protected with heat reflective tape



Lightened and shot blast alternator mount. Around 300g saved!



Alternator fitted ready for the air con delete kit



Top half of the inlet ready for refitting tomorrow.




Should have the inlet back on tomorrow. I've also been weighing all the parts that I've removed to keep track of weight. I'll share all that shortly as it's quite surprising when you add it up.

 

[Pav]

good progress..are you not painting your inlet while off the car??

 

[trackspec197]

good progress..are you not painting your inlet while off the car??

No mate. I'll leave as it is for now.

 

[sevenfourate]

No mate. I'll leave as it is for now.

I love the bare aluminium look. Reminds you this a raw machine after all !

The painted look is a little second-rate in my eyes. But as ever: "Each to their own"........

 

[trackspec197]

Inlet manifold refitted. I've cleaned the whole engine bay now too as I hate a dirty engine.



The front grills were looking a little pale so decided to paint them.

Fitted and looks loads better!



Weight saving:

1 x Horn: 230g
Standard airbox pipe work: 1160g
Alternator mount weight reduction: 280g
Altenator brace: 335g
Battery box: 1030g
Standard Battery: 14.5kg
Aircon Rad: 2.4kg
Aircon pump: 5.2kg
Idler pulley: 800g
Pump / aircon fittings: 190g
Pipe work: 650g
Standard crank pulley: 4kg

Replacements:

Race battery: 7kg
New pulley set up under 1kg

 

[BenAG200]

Nice post mate, the engine looks very fresh. Good to see it's not just me who's anal enough to weigh everything that comes out haha.

Hmm do I really need AC...

 

[trackspec197]

Couple of videos from Cadwell Park 180217

 

[peter]

what a brilliant track.

 

[Pav]

greats vids..only watched the 1st one but looks like no one can keep up with you..well done!!

 

[trackspec197]

New tyres have arrived and fitted

 

[krash67]

Video's of Cadwell

1) Made me even more determined to get mine on the road sooner that later, love that track, covered many a mile round it.
2) Did you have tyre warmers on in the pit, 1/2 a lap and your on it!!
3) The look your misses gave to that volvo driver
4) .....having time to give your misses a pat on the leg......some time gone there!!...started to wait for the heavy petting and stopping at barn corner for different action. Come on son concentrate!!

 

[trackspec197]

lol. thanks mate.

1) do it, get out and enjoy the car for what it is good at.
2) I had just been out minutes before believe me the tyres were warm
3) Lol. She knows I was getting frustrated. Many fast expensive cars there with slow drivers don't want to get out of the way when they look in the mirror and see a Clio worth bugger all on their bumper. It was strange actually, I've done many many track days but never had so many people not get out of the way. A new Focus RS slowed everyone down all day and was reported by a few people.
4) Always time for the ladies mate. It's things like that pat on the leg that allows me to keep doing this!

 

[krash67]

Always time for the ladies mate. It's things like that pat on the leg that allows me to keep doing this!

Agree with you there!!