Bumblebee 2 featuring LY R26

[Brigsy]

Here we go again.

Got a random message off a lad i knew from years ago asking if i wanted to buy a car just before i went on hol. Initially said no, but because im an idiot i cannot just say no and a few beers in the sun in Turkey im asking for more info.

Was a bit of a slow starter after initial contact but ended up viewing a week ago and picking up last Sat.

Meet Bumblee2. Leggy on the mileage but cleans up ok..cheap, needs tlc.











Snag list is pretty big as i repeat cheap.

A quick once over reveals even after fixing a few bits

All front suspension needs refresh including hub bearings.
Fuel hose (cracked all over where its been replaced in the past)
Rear passenger caliper (binding)
Washer jet reservior pipe (leaks more than it takes)
Radiator is leaking
Service
Aircon regas
Cruise not working
Centre exhaust hanger shot
Prob loads of other small bits.

On the plus side

Recent engine with 80k on/belts done
Decat, alloy intercooler and back box delete, cone airfilter, mapped by rstuning
Decent amount of mot
Cleans up ok

I have a ton of parts in stock so should be able to turn this around pretty fast.

Should be alright for a bit of trackday fun.

 

[Brigsy]

1st few jobs done daft couple of hours this morning.

Bonnet wouldnt open without a 2 man job and bumper was badly fitted/ziptie special. Whipped front end off and adjusted bonnet stops etc.


Note washer fluid pissing out when filled and alloy intercooler poss forge.

Scuttle had a pond in it so unblocked the drains.


Took airfilter out for a look, knackered as it was rubbing on gear selector. Ive replaced it for a ramair i had off the Kangoo.



Horn did not work was a simple plug new one in.

Battery tray clamp was knackered as they all are. Epoxy resined the fitting in


Xenon control box has seen better days.



Cleaned 131ks worth of fart and grot off the recaros.

Before - shiney



After a mild soap mist and scrub with soft brush/wiped clean with microfibre. Not bad.


Stacks of history from previous owners and old engine, so pretty worthless and ill be changing all the suspension bits that appear to have been changed several times in the past.




Ill pick this up again after CSF. I did intend on taking it but i need a few days to get it right.

 

[Brigsy]

Updates.

On way home i took it to my mates to get it on the 4 poster for a good look to see the damage. Id had a quick look underneath but its good to get it up in the air.



Floor looks good.



Turbo oil return is leaking/looks like its been bodged with chemi metal. Whiffs of oil.


Suspension looks like its been in the sea. Apparantly this has had new shocks on it a few years ago, i dont believe a word of that. Look like original to me



I plan on replacing all of it so thats a non issue, its all shagged.

Meg2 RS lower arms are NLA..there is some expensive remanufactured arms on ebay £300 a set.

I had my suspicions these were modified lower spec as the pressing looks identical to rs apart from no hole for the anti rotation link.

I bought a pair of quality Delphi lower arms for 2.0 meg2 on a whim £28 a side to compare.

Yep identical apart from incorrect balljoint/no anti rotation link hole



Pressed the incorrect balljoint out and pressed in a Delphi espace 2.0 balljoint which is identical to oem.




Yep that will go and miles better than refurbing rusty as feck oem arms.

Just need to make a jig to drill the anti rotation link hole.

 

[Brigsy]

Couple of small updates

Stereo had no surround around it and looked crap.


£5 trim to tidy it up.


The silver centre part of the dash still looks a bit shite. Might get a new one or paint it up at some point.

Coilpack studs and nuts fitted. Coil number 4 had no bolt in it initially suprised it was not misfiring. £6 stainless 40mm m6 stud and nut kit from ebay, threadlocked in so no future issues. Also renewed seals on coilpacks with the £8 ali express coilpack seal kit, no pics as working fast between work. Bit of silicone grease on them to stop future issues.


Will keep my eye out for an oem engine cover for it as no show winner under here.

Also removed the stock recirc valve for a blanking plate as i hate the oem whoosh with a cone filter. Had a spare half hour today so cracked on, these can be a bit of a t**t to do in situ as access is tight and easy to drop the bolts so expected it to take a while. Anyway the stars aligned and 9 mins later its on. New record!



Its also got one working key and a spare that does the ign only not the doors and both are well worn. After @Clio_fool asked me about keycard coding i had a shot as i have a couple of spare meg keys. I can do them and its easy however needs to be a virgin uncoded key as not possible to recode used unless you strip it down and replace the chip for a virgin one.

Renolink in action.

 

[Brigsy]

Quick half hour on it on Monday.

Exhaust was hanging low and noted the middle rubber had snapped. Had a gen renault centre hanger in stock that i bought years ago for the blue meg but did not use so fitted that.

Front exhaust clamp was loose too and blowing. Repositioned the clamp and tightened up, the centre silencer is nicely tucked up in the tunnel now. Did wonder why it caught a speedbump at stock rideheight when i drove it home.


Fired up to check for blows. All good.



Blanking plate sounds way better than recirc.



Thanks for reading!

 

[andybond]

At last! Some suspension parts that looked like they were at sea next to mine.

 

[Brigsy]

Ive set a budget for this one (he says!?) I reckon i can get it right for £1k with all new suspension components.

Cant wait to use it in anger. I had a few laps driving @rogerreno 's LY on sat and forgot how easy to drive/effortlessley quick they are on a circuit.
.

 

[andybond]

Not sure there is faster for the £ on track

 

[Brigsy]

I dont think there is. The ££ for speed and fun is unbelievable. The great thing is the depreciation is already done on this due to high miles, so no worries about that.

 

[Turbell]

Really love this colour on 225's, sometimes think we went half cock on lads inferno and should of spent more on a R26 base car, as it would have been same refurb cost, but better end car.
But he loves it and I really rate 225's if spend a bit of time and money on going through them, much more under the skin than just a big turbo lump thrown into a Meg 2.

 

[Brigsy]

I do like a good inferno ph1 to be fair. Now your all in upgrade to r26 spec and enjoy.

They are great cars when right. Good all rounder.

 

[Big Steve - Raider]

You have an amazing knack of attracting unloved Renaults Brigsy, and making them something special….

Car looks lush!

 

[Mark Davis]

It’s satisfying watching you fix other peoples shit work.

 

[Brigsy]

Cheers all. Question my own sanity taking on projects like this but should be able to turn it over fast.

Work continues.

Assume position.


Oil leak fixed. Nice chemi metal bodge done by somebody in the past. New return fitted.


Goodies started arriving last week. Cooksport springs, oem ren r26 front shocks, oem ren tie rods. Also have new drop links, new delphi trackrod ends, new lower arms etc not pictured.




Dug the compbrake adjustable top mounts out that i bought for blue 225 ages ago but couldnt be arsed to fit.


Engine cover from @Ian_R

 

[Brigsy]

Suspension work started last Sunday. Passneger side first. Overall this side was OK no play but well worn.

Very rusty


All binned, will drop subframe to change arms and rack later lets get top done.


Note cv grease. No boot clip. Moved cv joint and it fell off as no retaining clip on shaft. So dropped gear oil and fitted new clip/knocked cv on. New band style.cv boot clip to clear hub.


Checked its not lost its lsd with engine change - lsd present and correct.


Hub stripped..suprisingly not seized but swivel rough.


Quick wire brush and slap on some paint, new swivel installed.

Rebuilt.


New shocks, cooksport springs and compbrake top mounts fitted. Retained oem bump stops and dust covers off the original shocks.


Fitted.


See how much neggy camber i can get with these.

 

[Brigsy]

Passenger side took me about 2.5 hours after pissing about with the driveshaft.

Started drivers side. Everything fooked and proving hard work. Both cv boots shot, anti rotation link shot, droplink shot, balljoint shot, play in wheel bearing, tie rod and outer shot, bushes shot. Nothing salvageable.




Had to even bin the alloy upright as the threads pulled out of the bolts holding balljoint plate on due to corrosion. I could timesert it but no point when good used available.

Losing the will to live at this point so give up for the day, it had to get worse before it gets better.

Sniped a pair of hubs off fb marketplace in South Shields approx 45 mins away. Collected Sunday night.


Good used o/s driveshaft in stock to save boot replacement.


Current state of play. Swept 3x shovel full of rust up!



Speaking of rust ive been derusting. Citric acid and water mix.


Looking good. Not concours so just getting the thick off and a quick coat of spray.




Hopefully get drivers side boxed off soon and subframe off and done at the weekend.

Thanks for reading!!

 

[Mark Davis]

Good work mate!

 

[andybond]

Come up alright that! I have been looking at smaller media blasters. They arent crazy money either.

 

[Turbell]

Satisfying seeing this done, you only get to feel how floppy everything is when it's all apart , took me a month to track chatter down on front of my Meg estate, top mounts parted....they're bonded now instead of old sandwich arrangement on strut bolt.
You might just inspire me to sort rear heat shield rattle on lads Inferno , I've gone deaf to his requests last six months or so......

 

[DaveL485]

Come up alright that! I have been looking at smaller media blasters. They arent crazy money either.

I picked up a used blast cabinet for free, already got a compressor, so I got this from Machine Mart

Clarke SB3 Gritblast Gun - Machine Mart - Machine Mart

www.machinemart.co.uk

And

Clarke 22kg Aluminium Oxide Abrasive Powder - 60 Grit - Machine Mart - Machine Mart

www.machinemart.co.uk

Works well with good pressure behind it.