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Clio_fool

ClioSport Club Member
The problem With most things in life is people. They are most the time utter dick heads.

I feel for you, really do. Hope it sorts itself out.
There's plenty of love in here tonight. It's sharkys love shack[emoji7][emoji23]
s**t news about the engine, but awesome that Mark gave Steve a heads up and that he is willing to give it a once over for you. I get why people said to give up, especially with the shock of what it's cost so far, but I think that if you do that then all that money is wasted. Rusty engine aside, as you say it's not that far off and just needs assembling. One last crack at it and if it's successful the last few year's nightmare will dissappear in the rear view mirror as you enjoy Wales in your trophy again. Chin up pal, things are still progressing a few there's loads of love for it here.
 
I've not read it all, just what I can. I feel very dissapointed to hear of other peoples negligence.

But warmed to hear of the help from others on this forum to try and sort this mess once and for all.

I really do hope the end is near and that things look up for you.
 

davo172

ClioSport Club Member
  TCR'd 172
If nothing else this thead has really smashed the cliosport trader status to
s**t!
(Not including Mick) everyone who worked on this so far was at one time classed as clio tuning legends and bummed by all !
And they all well and truly fucked Andy over scary really !

I really hope this does all turn out for you in the end Andy but if it doesn't work this time PLEASE sell up .
 

Amos91

Honorary Member
ClioSport Club Member
If nothing else this thead has really smashed the cliosport trader status to
s**t!
(Not including Mick) everyone who worked on this so far was at one time classed as clio tuning legends and bummed by all !
And they all well and truly fucked Andy over scary really !

I really hope this does all turn out for you in the end Andy but if it doesn't work this time PLEASE sell up .

When you think back, very few have survived trader status without the reputation going downhill.
 

R29TJR

ClioSport Club Member
  2005 RB 182 Cup
Yesterday and today I've read all the thread.

To echo other comments my heart goes out to you but at least progress is now being mad and before too long the car will be up and running.
 

Donny_Dog

ClioSport Club Member
  Jim's rejects
It genuinely reads as though Andy is a nice chap. However, I sense that Andy wasn't/isn't assertive enough in his management of the project. (Please do not take that personally, I am very similar).
Imagine if all these nice people help you out and you do manage to getting running. It is by no means a fit and forget project. Who will you go back to next time? What will be the next issue? How much is too much money, patience and mechanics?
The most sensible thing to do, is get everything verified by Steve/Mick and if it can't be started, to cut loose.
Good luck either way.
 

SharkyUK

ClioSport Club Member
There's plenty of love in here tonight. It's sharkys love shack[emoji7][emoji23]
s**t news about the engine, but awesome that Mark gave Steve a heads up and that he is willing to give it a once over for you. I get why people said to give up, especially with the shock of what it's cost so far, but I think that if you do that then all that money is wasted. Rusty engine aside, as you say it's not that far off and just needs assembling. One last crack at it and if it's successful the last few year's nightmare will dissappear in the rear view mirror as you enjoy Wales in your trophy again. Chin up pal, things are still progressing a few there's loads of love for it here.
"Welcome to the midnight love hour, here at Sharky's Love Shack, exclusively on Cliosport.fm..." :)

You're right mate. It's shaping up to be something really quite nice in my opinion. I think I'd be more annoyed if I didn't give it one last crack of the whip. Especially given the offers of help, support and the fact that one or two folks really want to see this come to fruition as well as I do! I've got plans for road trips and shows galore throughout 2018 and I dearly don't want to end up disappointed again.

After reading that quote fest.
I can truely see the community feelings and banding together with some real offers of kindness and support.

Cliosport at its best.!
Absolutely. It's quite overwhelming if I'm being honest, but in a 'pleasant' way. There's a lot of good people around here who are only too happy to offer help, to offer up words of advice or to tell me what a dick I am. :)

I've not read it all, just what I can. I feel very dissapointed to hear of other peoples negligence.

But warmed to hear of the help from others on this forum to try and sort this mess once and for all.

I really do hope the end is near and that things look up for you.
Hi mate - thanks for taking the time to have a bit of a dip-in and skim over the thread. I realise there's an awful lot of stuff in here, some of it more relevant and interesting than other bits! Fingers crossed, eh? :) Cheers.

If nothing else this thead has really smashed the cliosport trader status to
s**t!
(Not including Mick) everyone who worked on this so far was at one time classed as clio tuning legends and bummed by all !
And they all well and truly fucked Andy over scary really !

I really hope this does all turn out for you in the end Andy but if it doesn't work this time PLEASE sell up .
So... K-Tec -> TDF (pt1) -> TDF (pt2) -> BTM -> SJM -> Mick (Diamond Motors). I bet Mick's really sh!tting himself now! :p

When you think back, very few have survived trader status without the reputation going downhill.
I'd just like to add that it's nothing to do with me. Honest! :) Quality specialists are very much becoming a rare breed these days and are spread quite thin across the UK it would seem.

Yesterday and today I've read all the thread.

To echo other comments my heart goes out to you but at least progress is now being mad and before too long the car will be up and running.
I take my hat off to you mate - that's a lot of stuff to read through! Thanks for taking the time to do so though; as you've seen, it's been quite a rollercoaster ride over the last decade. Especially the last handful of years. I'm feeling a fair bit more upbeat today and hopefully I will have far happier updates to post as we roll into the new year. Cheers :)

It genuinely reads as though Andy is a nice chap. However, I sense that Andy wasn't/isn't assertive enough in his management of the project. (Please do not take that personally, I am very similar).
Imagine if all these nice people help you out and you do manage to getting running. It is by no means a fit and forget project. Who will you go back to next time? What will be the next issue? How much is too much money, patience and mechanics?
The most sensible thing to do, is get everything verified by Steve/Mick and if it can't be started, to cut loose.
Good luck either way.
Hi buddy - I've not taken it personally and welcome your views and opinions as I do anyone else's. :)

I would disagree insofar that I haven't been assertive enough in managing the project. I'm quite a cautious and assertive person by nature believe it or not. However, I was never intending to manage or watch over the shoulder of those who I entrusted my car to for the various work, fixes, repairs and rebuilds I've had done. In each case I have chosen who I thought would be best for the job in hand (although that's not always quite gone to plan as you know!), explained what I've wanted to achieve, taken their advice and recommendations and then made sure I have sufficient budget to cover costs (including a significant chunk of funds for contingency and the 'unexpected'). As said, I tend to be cautious. I'm not sure how much of the story you've been able to take in but there truly have been many instances where things have happened whereby even a project management plan wouldn't have helped. Those that know me outside of this forum know how I have prodded and pushed to get things done, all whilst trying to be fair to the parties involved in terms of allowing sufficient time to work on my car alongside their bread and butter jobs. What hasn't helped is the fact that the last couple of builds were very ad-hoc and the specialists were also friends. As a result the builds weren't really 'booked-in' jobs and that, being brutally honest, did not help. In fact, the current turbo build actually came to life without me knowing about it. Whilst I was upset and lamenting the failure of my high compression ITB build a couple of friends (who were specialists) took on the project as a favour to help me out. They knew the problems I'd faced and thought they'd offer their services in getting me back on the road with something a bit special. Hence the high-boost turbo build was borne out of that. As you've read, that hasn't gone to plan either and I've been left hanging with even more issues to deal with (as is the current state of the project).

Of course, it has gone to Mick (Diamond Motors) now to be finished and I have every confidence that it will finally see the light of day. Once Steve has done his magic on my engine then I truly expect to see some progress early in the new year. Now, there's always a risk that this could go the same way as previous builds - especially as I would class Mick a friend of mine (even if he doesn't!!!) :p The difference here is that he's incredibly organised, efficient and professional. And my car is a 'real' job, not just a side project that is to be dipped in and out of when he has a few spare hours. No favours, no messing, no bullsh!t. Get the job done, get it paid for, enjoy the car and share a few pints with him afterwards. :)

No - it's not a 'fit and forget' project as such. There will be niggles and things that will likely need addressing as the car is run-in and comes together. I went into this with open eyes and that included covering the long-term aspects of the build, too. Being prepared to replace faster-wearing components, higher risk of problems due to the significant level of modification above standard spec, gearboxes, clutches, more diligent care and maintenance to keep it running sweet and safe, and so forth. That's why my 'budget' also includes funds set aside in case I need to dip into them to address any of those aforementioned issues (or, indeed, others that crop up). I'm no millionaire by any stretch of the imagination but I am careful with money and very fortunate to have a good job / business that is - touch wood - going well so far. It's one thing to buy and/or modify a car but that's only half the story! :) Had there been any doubt over funds then I simply would not have allowed this build to go ahead. Of course, it's cost me more than I had hoped (more so in lost time) but it is what it is and I'll just work to make the best of what is a bad situation. I'm sure it will come good soon enough.

It's hard to say who I'll go back to next as and when problems arise. I am hoping that Mick is around for many a year to come and that he will be able to look after the car. I also hope that Steve and his expertise / experience is also around for many years to come in case I need an engine refresh / rebuild / etc. Of course, I'd never take these gents for granted but I trust in their work and abilities hence why they'd be my first port of call now given the circumstances leading to where we currently find ourselves. I can't predict the future sadly so, like your good self, I'll just deal with the problems as and when I encounter them whilst doing my best to try and minimise future problems by being proactive and making 'the right choices' in the meantime (if that makes sense). Whatever the outcome, this is the last throw of the dice with this car. I'm drawing a line under it regardless of it being a success or another failed scenario. The main thing I really want to avoid is a catastrophic engine failure hence the lengths and measures that have been taken with this build. I am fully prepared to replace worn pistons, new gearbox, etc. I just don't want to be in the position again whereby something fails and ends up taking out the whole thing. I think 5 times is enough for anyone! :) What will be will be.

Thanks for your post mate - appreciate the views and being able to mind-dump some of my thoughts in way of a reply. :)
 

Sir_Dave

ClioSport Trader
Just read all the updates & really dont know what to say.

Other than, when it does actually finally work, just sell the f*cking thing, its a boosted Clio, it will break as soon as you start to use it in any way properly. They all do. The only one that doesn't fail all the time is the Trophy that the bloke built/fixes himself. You HAVE to be a mechanic to run one in my opinion, purely as they are financial disaster area, as you've found out. And yours doesn't even work yet.

Hell, I'm miffed that i've put a few grand into my R53, £40k is completely & utterly bonkers.

Good luck.
 

BREMBO

ClioSport Club Member
  V6 Mk1, Golf GTI Mk5
Have been in and out of this thread probably from page 1. Only yesterday did I take the time to piece together, fair play for sticking at it.

With the way Trophy's are going I'm surprised with what appear to be very good detailing skills and an eye for perfection you don't go back to complete OEM!

Hope it works out, will keep an eye on this!
 

Stay Puft

ClioSport Club Member
  Clio 172
Wow, what a shambles and I feel sorry for you! £40k is mind numbing!

How much of an idiot can you be to leave a very expensive (or any) engine outside?!

I've lost track of the timeline, but which of the failures was it who left it outside?
 

imprezaworks

ClioSport Club Member
  Mk5 Golf GTI :)
If nothing else this thead has really smashed the cliosport trader status to
s**t!
(Not including Mick) everyone who worked on this so far was at one time classed as clio tuning legends and bummed by all !
And they all well and truly fucked Andy over scary really !

I really hope this does all turn out for you in the end Andy but if it doesn't work this time PLEASE sell up .

Maybe the myth of getting belts done by a ‘specialist’ is just that.

Maybe the specialists and rolling road owners are in cahoots, the timing will allways be out?.

Just a thought for the day.....
 

davo172

ClioSport Club Member
  TCR'd 172
Maybe the myth of getting belts done by a ‘specialist’ is just that.

Maybe the specialists and rolling road owners are in cahoots, the timing will allways be out?.

Just a thought for the day.....

Well let just say I have attended a fair few rolling road days with cliosport over the years and a few who have been to "well known specialists " and have been told your timing is way out because its not been done by me !
Have consitently been best performing cars on the days (different rollers ) while others that have been done by specialist not so good and also remember a couple of occasions when no mods had been done other than belts at a specialist and made less power than before the were done.
( and I am comparing results difference with the other cars there not just different rollers.)
Also remember a very famous turboed clio on here at the time that made 70 plus bhp less than the specialist had claimed it had run on rollers.
He was then on phone straight away it was taken back next week to tuner " get map tweaked on their rollers " and boom as if by magic it was now running
the "quoted figure" .
Car was sold on by owner not long after.

So yes it really Does make you wonder !
 

BIFCAIDS

ClioSport Club Member
  340i M-Sport & 182
@davo172 the only place I trust is EFI for mapping etc. Once I get the engine ready to be put back into mine for timing and mapping it will be going to Scoff.
 

Ricardos

ClioSport Club Member
  LY 200 EDC
When I did my projects I had a chap called Matt who used to work for Renault as a master tech, he also had a sideline in motorsport prep. Having a degree in all things motorsport tech, worked for Quaiffe spannering on the GT cars.... I knew the Clio would be in safe hands.

What he didn't know about Renaults and all the quirks about the models right back to the Renault 5 and beyond wasn't worth knowing.

These are the kind of people I would entrust to do my high boost, ITB, cambelt etc etc. I'm just glad I know the right people.

It's just almost disbelief to see a thread into 60 odd pages, 40k and nothing to show for it.

Agreed with EFI, again with another Clio project (266bhp supercharged PB 182) I could have gone piggyback but decided it was best to go standalone and have it mapped. It's well known that Scoff is a genius for mapping, and having seen him progress through the years with his high powered Renault 5 it was a no brainer.

Surely in a project there's some serious homework before taking on such feats, what you actually want from the car.... There's so much more to say but hate typing out long paragraphs but in the same scale that phrase speechless springs to mind.

If I can help in any way
 

Jaff.

ClioSport Club Member
Mick will never disappear, there’s too many idiots like you funding his Apple addiction 😂:wink:
 

Oggy997

ClioSport Club Member
  997.1, Caddy, e208
Having met Mick, and seen the quality of his work, you’ve gone to the right place. Just a shame it’s so far down the line.

As for what you’ve spent...the less said the better I think!

He went to the right place every other time. No offence to Mick, was always helpful to me in the past.
 

Mr R.

ClioSport Club Member
  A special one.
When I did my projects I had a chap called Matt who used to work for Renault as a master tech, he also had a sideline in motorsport prep. Having a degree in all things motorsport tech, worked for Quaiffe spannering on the GT cars.... I knew the Clio would be in safe hands.

What he didn't know about Renaults and all the quirks about the models right back to the Renault 5 and beyond wasn't worth knowing.

These are the kind of people I would entrust to do my high boost, ITB, cambelt etc etc. I'm just glad I know the right people.

It's just almost disbelief to see a thread into 60 odd pages, 40k and nothing to show for it.

Agreed with EFI, again with another Clio project (266bhp supercharged PB 182) I could have gone piggyback but decided it was best to go standalone and have it mapped. It's well known that Scoff is a genius for mapping, and having seen him progress through the years with his high powered Renault 5 it was a no brainer.

Surely in a project there's some serious homework before taking on such feats, what you actually want from the car.... There's so much more to say but hate typing out long paragraphs but in the same scale that phrase speechless springs to mind.

If I can help in any way
Wasn't the cam timing out and you ended up taking it to (Alex w)? To get reset?
 
When I did my projects I had a chap called Matt who used to work for Renault as a master tech, he also had a sideline in motorsport prep. Having a degree in all things motorsport tech, worked for Quaiffe spannering on the GT cars.... I knew the Clio would be in safe hands.

What he didn't know about Renaults and all the quirks about the models right back to the Renault 5 and beyond wasn't worth knowing.

Yep, but wasn't done by Matt. He'd moved to France with his family by then which was a shame.

He was really really good wasn't he. Was gutted when he told me he was moving to France.
 

Ricardos

ClioSport Club Member
  LY 200 EDC
He was really really good wasn't he. Was gutted when he told me he was moving to France.
Genuinely gutted when he said he was selling up and moving there. He really is, I know it's easy to say that and people tend to over rate friends or people when they've had work but he was bloody good. His depth of knowledge about Renault tech was unbelievable, add the Motorsport equation ino it and it was a winner.

I've been over to visit him and his family a couple of times and he's set himself up to motorsport prep race and rally cars on a small scale in between working locally. One conversation we did have was all about doing work on club members cars, he toyed with dipping his toe into service work etc but decided his reputation wasn't worth the one idiot rinsing his good name through social media. He's also sorted shoddy workmanship by 'reputable' tuners that have been fan boyed on forums.

He's spent years on the low down building up an amazing reputation, cherry picking work for certain people in between prepping saloon race cars. I feel so lucky to not only have him work on my old Clios but to call him a friend.
 
Genuinely gutted when he said he was selling up and moving there. He really is, I know it's easy to say that and people tend to over rate friends or people when they've had work but he was bloody good. His depth of knowledge about Renault tech was unbelievable, add the Motorsport equation ino it and it was a winner.

I've been over to visit him and his family a couple of times and he's set himself up to motorsport prep race and rally cars on a small scale in between working locally. One conversation we did have was all about doing work on club members cars, he toyed with dipping his toe into service work etc but decided his reputation wasn't worth the one idiot rinsing his good name through social media. He's also sorted shoddy workmanship by 'reputable' tuners that have been fan boyed on forums..

That shows how much of a nice bloke he is. Told me that if I was every going to the ring etc to pop by. Didn't know he'd set up a shop properly now though so that's good to hear, good for him.

I seem to remember him saying he wasn't too far from a famour race circuit...

He sorted a lot of shoddy work on my car from previous 'reputable' specialists too.
 

Ricardos

ClioSport Club Member
  LY 200 EDC
That shows how much of a nice bloke he is. Told me that if I was every going to the ring etc to pop by. Didn't know he'd set up a shop properly now though so that's good to hear, good for him.

I seem to remember him saying he wasn't too far from a famour race circuit...

He sorted a lot of shoddy work on my car from previous 'reputable' specialists too.
He sent me a video of the fuel line leaking in the engine bay and bad wiring, done by a well known 'specialist' that everybody on here swore by.... Ridiculous.

He bought a house that I can only describe as a row of 4 terraced houses in one plot, half of which was a barn to store hay and the other as a dwelling. Part of that is also his workshop with much a bigger floor space area than his last workshop. It came with a hectare of land out the back, it really is a nice place to be. I think they just wanted a different way of living to how but all is here.

He spent the first year making it habitable for the family, then a freak tornado came in and took the whole roof off so that was replaced.

Anyway, I think even now if I had a balls deep project wanting doing I'd be more than happy to trailer it to him in France to have him do it.
 

davo172

ClioSport Club Member
  TCR'd 172
He sent me a video of the fuel line leaking in the engine bay and bad wiring, done by a well known 'specialist' that everybody on here swore by.... Ridiculous.

He bought a house that I can only describe as a row of 4 terraced houses in one plot, half of which was a barn to store hay and the other as a dwelling. Part of that is also his workshop with much a bigger floor space area than his last workshop. It came with a hectare of land out the back, it really is a nice place to be. I think they just wanted a different way of living to how but all is here.

He spent the first year making it habitable for the family, then a freak tornado came in and took the whole roof off so that was replaced.

Anyway, I think even now if I had a balls deep project wanting doing I'd be more than happy to trailer it to him in France to have him do it.


Who was the specialist ? Bet it' one of the ones who worked on sharkeys car ?
 

Silent_Scone

ClioSport Club Member
  Evo 5 RS
The trouble I found, especially in the Renault scene as it's fairly niche, the people who you'd really want to work on your cars aren't interested in Joe Public. There's no money in it and far more backlash.
 

Ricardos

ClioSport Club Member
  LY 200 EDC
Was indeed mate :-( luckily Matt found it before it caused a fire!! 'Specialists' aye!
And to think people wooed over their work! The main thing was he sorted it.

He posted a pic earlier back in his Quaife days :cool:
FB_IMG_1513841881505.jpg
 


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