Bren's Sunflower 172 - Engine Rebuild

[Bren Rogers]

Well here we have it...

You all know how rare these are, so here you go..

Spec:

• Pretty much standard throughout
• Powerflow cat back with sports cat.
• K&N Filter
  

Plans:

• Change the current Powerbrap cat back, and possibly fit the standard twin cat.
• Fit Ph2 rear bumper
• Fit HIDs
• Fit FK Highsport coilovers (when Venom Motorsport pull their finger out)
• Take the car to a bodyshop (sprays) and have a couple of little dings/scratches sorted out.
• either change wheels to Speedline 2118's or get the OZ F1s sprayed Ford Graphite grey.
• Get my hands on some R888s or AO48s for track
• Possibly RS Tuner and or matched inlet manifold.
• Full service
• Find out what the annoying clunk on the drivers side front suspension is.

Done:

• Modified Ph1 airbox, and brand new filter.

 

[Bren Rogers]

Re: Bren's Sunflower 172

So, first update. I had to get rid of the braptastic K&N filter that was noticebly restricting the engine. So I had to get my hands on a Ph1, gladly a mate gave me one for free, and in order to get it to fit (tight squeeze, and a slightly large battery) I had to modify it, and chop one of the intakes.

Then came a little more modification...

As you can see, the colour is, well, shocking. Out comes some old satin paint that I think is from when I sprayed my grill on the ZS all that time ago. Gave it a quick primer, and then a few coats of satin.

The original filter looked like it had never been replaced... old Vs new

...all together, much better.

 

[Bren Rogers]

Re: Bren's Sunflower 172

From the North West Automotive Delamere meet..

 

[PP200t]

Re: Bren's Sunflower 172

Very nice mate!! How does the airbox appear to be working with the chopped intake?

 

[Nickson]

Re: Bren's Sunflower 172

Love Sunflowers
Good work so far mate!

 

[Sanders]

Looks well mate

 

[Bren Rogers]

Re: Bren's Sunflower 172

Very nice mate!! How does the airbox appear to be working with the chopped intake?

Seems to be working fine, I think the new filter made a difference. It's only modified because the battery in the car is a little too large and the lower intake can't fit through the gap. I need to get some ducting to make a cold air feed to the top intake.

Love Sunflowers
Good work so far mate!

They are a bit special, I get quite a few looks wherever I go. Mate of mine recognises the car, and knew the previous owner for back in 2009.

Looks well mate

Yeah, it needs a few little things, but find a ph1 that doesn't. I'll be happy when the bodywork has had a thorough going over, and I have the coilovers fitted. Only had this one a week and so far loving it.

 

[Cookson]

Re: Bren's Sunflower 172

Mate of mine recognises the car, and knew the previous owner for back in 2009.

Hayley's old car??

 

[Bren Rogers]

Re: Bren's Sunflower 172

Hayley's old car??

Spot on.

 

[Mr Pants]

Re: Bren's Sunflower 172

Looks a little LY-esque in the snap from the meet.

Nice car.

 

[Dunn]

Re: Bren's Sunflower 172

you would be mad to remove the sports cat if its a decent one, best of both worlds

 

[Fred@BTM]

Re: Bren's Sunflower 172

window ok?

 

[Bren Rogers]

Re: Bren's Sunflower 172

Looks a little LY-esque in the snap from the meet.

Nice car.

Yeah It's been edited a little too much, and does look a liquid yellow there. Thanks dude.

you would be mad to remove the sports cat if its a decent one, best of both worlds

It's really boomy inside, and almost unbearable on long drives. We'll see - I'll be getting rid of the exhaust on it anyway.

window ok?

Spot on, thanks again mate. Had a bit of a mare getting the door card off, but it was a perfect fit. Really paranoid about leaving my keys in the car now lol.

 

[Jimbo_M]

Re: Bren's Sunflower 172

I love sun flowers! that looks like a very nice example you have got yourself dude

 

[Bren Rogers]

Re: Bren's Sunflower 172

I love sun flowers! that looks like a very nice example you have got yourself dude

Thanks dude. I love the colour, but I'll be honest I had to take a deep breath before buying it. I wasn't sure whether I'd hate it after a while. Can't wait for the day I pass another sunflower on the road... if ever

 

[Whiteley]

Re: Bren's Sunflower 172

I knew exactly who's it was when I saw that bumper cutout, there can't be more than one sunflower about with one that size!

Very nice though

 

[Bren Rogers]

Re: Bren's Sunflower 172

I knew exactly who's it was when I saw that bumper cutout, there can't be more than one sunflower about with one that size!

Very nice though

Yeah, Jord showed me a pic of the car from 2009, and the exhaust was just comedy. Double letterbox... fail.

 

[Xanda73]

Re: Bren's Sunflower 172

Loving that mate. Bet it kind of demands attention wherever you go, which could be hard work I guess?

 

[Bren Rogers]

Re: Bren's Sunflower 172

Found out what the annoying knock is... loose bottom ball joint. Fitted a month ago apparenlty, and were nearly finger tight.

Loving that mate. Bet it kind of demands attention wherever you go, which could be hard work I guess?

it does get a few looks, people that don't know what it is just think it's a standard clio. When I pass a 172 I get a second glance though. Oddly enough, girls love it.

 

[Bren Rogers]

Re: Bren's Sunflower 172

Sparco wheel makes such a huge difference.. finally remembered to get some pics.

Fingers crossed coilovers will arrive by the weekend, but Venom Motorsport are so w4nk that I imagine it'll be September.

Also, due to not being able to find any tools and my collection being generally terrible. I made an impulse purchase.... could be something to do with owning a french car.

 

[Wick]

Re: Bren's Sunflower 172

Car looks superb!

 

[Bren Rogers]

Re: Bren's Sunflower 172

Car looks superb!

Thanks man, not quite there yet.. will look much better in a few months.

 

[elcie]

Re: Bren's Sunflower 172

Looks good, 2118's would be a nice touch.

Did you sell the A4 then ?

 

[Bren Rogers]

Looks good, 2118's would be a nice touch.

Did you sell the A4 then ?

Cheers, 2118s would be great but they carry a premium because everyone wants them. We'll see, as wheels aren't THAT much of a priority at the mo.

A4 is gone, bought this the next day. Miss cruising in piece, but this is miles more fun.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[wilky19]

Re: Bren's Sunflower 172

looking great mate, would really love a sunflower over most other 172's

nice costco buy with the tools.

 

[Chrisjk]

Re: Bren's Sunflower 172

I really want a sunflower after seeing a select few on here, please please do not fit a ph2 bumper.

 

[lbrench]

Re: Bren's Sunflower 172

looks gorgeous mate

 

[Kieran..]

Re: Bren's Sunflower 172

nice steering wheel and tool kit

 

[elcie]

Re: Bren's Sunflower 172

Cheers, 2118s would be great but they carry a premium because everyone wants them. We'll see, as wheels aren't THAT much of a priority at the mo.

A4 is gone, bought this the next day. Miss cruising in piece, but this is miles more fun.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I see, well what ever you buy make sure you have a decent set of locking wheel nut this time. what's first priority then ?

Thats what I always say when getting out of the daily.

 

[Bren Rogers]

Re: Bren's Sunflower 172

looking great mate, would really love a sunflower over most other 172's

nice costco buy with the tools.

Yeah, loving the colour so much, gets better the more i see it.

Bought the tool set on ebay but jord mentioned they sell a similar one in costco. all 6 side sockets which is awesome.

I really want a sunflower after seeing a select few on here, please please do not fit a ph2 bumper.

They are something a but special. I have to get a new bumper anyway as the original has a big cut out from a previous owner. Also as much as I love the front end of teh ph1, the rear bumper makes no sense. It doesn't even follow the lines on the car like the ph2 does. I have had a ph2 rear bumper arch liners etc for nearly a year sat at a mates place. So shall be fitting it.

looks gorgeous mate

Cheers man, much appreciated.

nice steering wheel and tool kit

Thanks dude. can't overstate how much better the new steering wheel feels.

I see, well what ever you buy make sure you have a decent set of locking wheel nut this time. what's first priority then ?

Thats what I always say when getting out of the daily.

haha... yeah IF I get new wheels then I'll have like 20million locking wheel nuts, padocks, trip wires... everything!!

 

[Bren Rogers]

Re: Bren's Sunflower 172

Finally got round to giving the car a service, will be ordering the correct PF6E-10 spark plugs at the end of the month, as well as either booking the car in to the bodyshop.... or a cheeky trip to Ireland to enjoy the country roads.

Also need to order a new lower O/S ball joint as someone has stuck a non-sport one on there that keeps working it' way loose. Also, the O/S driveshaft is on it's way out, as there is CV grease everywhere, yet a new boot on there. So look like someone has tried to cover up the problem. Will all have to wait till the end of the month when I get paid, and after I've been to Awesomefest.

apart from that, loving the car, and sitting around waiting for Venom Motorsport to pull their finger out and send me my coilovers!!

 

[Bren Rogers]

Re: Bren's Sunflower 172

Well, after waiting for about 2 weeks for coilovers, they finally arrived. First set I recieved were for a MK1, not impressed I had to wait ages to get a new set. Arrived this afternoon, and because I don't trust them to send the right set I went about measuring the bolt spacing, and started a thread with pics to make sure everything was just right... looks like they are spot on. So shall be cracking on at some point this week to get them fitted.

FK Highsports for those of you that want to know.

 

[TonkaTruck]

Re: Bren's Sunflower 172

Lovely Car! WANT!

 

[Bren Rogers]

Re: Bren's Sunflower 172

Lovely Car! WANT!

Cheers man, trust me you don't want it right now... little list of things to sort out.

• New O/S Driveshaft
• New O/S Ball Joint
• Bodywork / rear bumper
• New Exhaust
• New Rear disks (Bearings knackered)
• Find out why the engine light has come on (running fine, likely a sensor)

 

[YorkshireDaz]

Re: Bren's Sunflower 172

Nice!

The plate on mine start's with Y372.

 

[Revels]

Re: Bren's Sunflower 172

Lovely! Part of me wishes I'd held out for a decent yellow one.

 

[Bren Rogers]

Re: Bren's Sunflower 172

Nice!

The plate on mine start's with Y372.

Just one diget away from 172... little annoying.

Lovely! Part of me wishes I'd held out for a decent yellow one.

When i decided I wanted another ph1, I wanted either a Black, red, yellow one or an immaculate silver one. Didn't expect to find a sunflower, but this one looked pretty tidy, was within budget (although slightly more than I intended to pay for a ph1, it was something a little special).

 

[Bren Rogers]

Re: Bren's Sunflower 172

Well this evening was interesting...

Decided I wanted to fit the coilovers when I got home, as f0xy was popping down to get the sump plug key he lent me the other day. Got the front top mounts loose, and then go going. Jamie Rigby gave me a hand / did most of the leg work. Got finished after a bit of head scratching regarding the rear shocks. Everything seems spot on now.

Few little things to do.

• Sort out the camber on the front (mega positive camber)
• Get the tracking done
• Get some 50 profile front tyres as the currents are 45 (that's why it looks a little odd)
• Possiblylower the rear a little once it's settled.

Pics (sorry for iphone quality - it was 11pm).

Due to be RR'd at RST this weekend, so lets see how it's running after a service.

 

[Cookson]

Re: Bren's Sunflower 172

That camber does NOT look right at all. LOL

You got camber bolts?

 

[Bren Rogers]

Re: Bren's Sunflower 172

That camber does NOT look right at all. LOL

You got camber bolts?

Will be getting sorted this evening. It was getting dark, so we wanted to crack on with the rears, and we just set the strut straight in the hub, rather than guessing what camber we were setting it to. Will jack up the front and adjust them tonight, shouldn't take long.