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Clubsport Megane 250 Cup

Nice, Can't wait until i can get booked back in with him, altho i'm kind of going the other way, taking the sports cat off and putting the oem cat back in, got a panel filter in, but do expect the new map to be less power than the current one - but I'm ok with that if it means the pops and bangs are dramatically reduced
 
Nice, Can't wait until i can get booked back in with him, altho i'm kind of going the other way, taking the sports cat off and putting the oem cat back in, got a panel filter in, but do expect the new map to be less power than the current one - but I'm ok with that if it means the pops and bangs are dramatically reduced
I think the Pops and bangs is something that can be removed. Chris asked me if I wanted it. So may be something he can do.
 
I think the Pops and bangs is something that can be removed. Chris asked me if I wanted it. So may be something he can do.
Hmm, it's got the centre box delete on the standard exhaust, so if they can be removed that may keep the sports cat on the car then. I'll send an email and see what they say.
 
It definitely lost alot of the pops which it had before, and whilst they were cool some of the time, it was getting pretty tiresome it popping when the cruise control came off the throttle.
The childish part inside of me is still hoping that it continues to shoot nice flames out the back on track though.
 
It definitely lost alot of the pops which it had before, and whilst they were cool some of the time, it was getting pretty tiresome it popping when the cruise control came off the throttle.
The childish part inside of me is still hoping that it continues to shoot nice flames out the back on track though.
This is the exact reason why I didn’t go for it. I’d like it for about 5 mins before it becomes embarrassing ..
 
Still haven’t done any actual work on this since the last post, but did get my new Protracks fitted.
Currently clad with worn 255 Direzzas, but I’ve a new set of 245 A052’s to go on.

Need to get some more camber in it in an attempt to get the tyres to clear the arches.

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This is not what I want to hear 😂

I got them for a really good price ‘second hand but new’, so they’re gonna have to be good if I am ever to replace them paying the RRP.
 
So I always intend to take loads of pics when I’m working on the car, but always just end up getting carried away and try to get the job done asap.

When I originally bought the car, it was actually beyond my budget, and I was kinda hoping to just jump in and not have to do any work on it (I never intended on doing any work on it at all). We’ve seen from the engine oil previously that it’s maybe not had the best of maintenance of recent. With that in mind, what originally started out as me needing 2 new driveshaft boots, has ended up with me replacing the driveshafts, discs, pads, callipers, and studs (old ones hadn’t even been installed with loctite - which does explain why the nuts were coming loose last time on track)


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I could of just put the old stuff back together I guess, but I really want to do things right ready for the upcoming trip over to Germany.

The drivers side, I was greeted with the following:


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Most of the dust boots were shagged, and I was getting some uneven pad wear as the pads weren’t sliding nicely. I really didn’t get on with the Pagid RSL29 pads at Donington, even though the BMW boys fully pipe them off. It’s also only £460 quid for new callipers, which I don’t think is too bad given the cost of a rebuild/refurb, and selling the old ones on.


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I spent hours on Saturday trying to get the balljoint out of the hub on the passenger side. Every which way I could think of resulted in more frustration, and I actually managed to make my wrist snap - guessing it must be tendon related, but I think it’s a sign of my getting old. I gave up in the end and went home crying.

My old man nipped down Monday morning and this was the result:


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He just loves making a dick out of me.

The missus let me have some time on the car finishing it off last night. She even had my tea done when I got in! Couldn’t believe it!


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Also went down my mates garage to get the alignment checked, as I’m heading up Croft at the weekend to see a few other pals and go along to the RS Owners Ford day they have up there. I’m not actually booked on track, but will take my stuff just in case.

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The amazing setup kinda explains why the Protracks don’t fit too well I guess. Turrets are going to be introduced to the hole saw in the coming weeks.
 
Always feel a bit daft updating this thread, as it's across multiple sites which others are also on, so apologies to those of you who've already seen this at least once already!!!

Noticed the rear brake lines were all corroded, so replaced them with some HEL braided lines and yet another litre of SRF. Switched over my completely shagged rear calliper with a cheap used one from one of the guys over on the 197 forum.
Yes the paint might be grotty, but they’re in excellent condition. For the first time since buying it, I’ve been able to park it on my drive with the handbrake 😂

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Also been doing my best to upset the purists. Printed myself a little plastic guide to put in a hole saw so I didn’t have to strip anything apart to drill out the strut tops.

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I’ve just flashed over with some zinc primer for now, but will get some weld on them and some proper paint soon........ (probably)

Had a nut and bolt check ready for Blyton at the weekend, and spotted some ominous looking grease. Can’t make my mind up whether it’s come out of the new shafts, or was from the old ones. The boot looks in perfect condition when rotating it round, and there’s plenty of clearance between it and the block

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I’ve come home in it tonight and will go work in it tomorrow in the hope that more grease spews out. It’s gonna properly piss on my bonfire if a new genuine shaft is buggered, and will also mean I likely miss out on Blyton, given the grease flings directly onto the downpipe.
 
MR. @Brigsy suggested there might be a pinhole in the shaft boot, so I set about pulling it out, which was a very quick job given it had only recently been in kit-form and I like to use copper grease on everything. Pulled it out, and yep….. the shafts defo leaking.

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OEM parts took the L on this one! Gonna have loads of fun returning it to AUTODOC I know it!
Fortunately I still have the old shafts, so switched that back in ready for Blyton tomorrow.

Switched over the Direzzas to my new A052’s, in the hope they they’d fit better. 255 direzza vs 245 a052

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My AC has been blowing warm too, so set about drawing a vacuum on the system to check for leaks…….. wouldn’t even draw a vacuum it was that bad. But I guess that’s a problem for another day!

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Nipped back over to my friends for some alignment. Unfortunately the KW’s maxed out would only give 3 degrees of camber on one side, and 2.5 on the other. Will sort the rear toe out with some shims before the ring too.
Gone for a bit more toe out on the front than I usually do. Will see how it goes.

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Packed up and ready to go. Really odd how a Meg boot is smaller than a Clio

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03/06 me and the poor showing from my Baguette frens ventured up to Blyton - the intention being to use the day as a shakedown before the ring at the end of the month, given I’ve replaced quite a few bits since purchasing.
The day may as well of been a private booking, there was approximately 20 cars total in the pits.



Given I’d just fitted new brakes most the way round, and off the back of advice from a friend about brake dust, I decided to do a bit of a warm up session on my road wheels in an effort to not s**t up my Protracks with all the bedding in material.
Mind, was difficult not to get carried away trying to play with everything else which was on track at the time.

A return to the pits and I set about changing the wheels over with the freshly clad a052’s. All three of us managed to leave our rattle guns at home, so a lengthy wheel swap ensued.
Back out on track, instantly the car felt completely different. The steering was precise and direct, and there was instantly more grip on the front.

I’d actually remembered to charge and bring my camera this time round, but stupidly forgot to set the exposure since changing phones. This resulted in footage much like it had been filmed on the sun. Unfortunately this means that whilst I can share the video, you can’t actually see what happened (both of which I’m blaming on fresh brakes).

A mate did get a couple of videos chasing me in his 197, and mentioned that it was quite difficult to keep up now. It’s still pretty close between the cars, but his mechanical sympathy and plated diff far outweighs my commitment. Will be interesting to see what the difference is between them on the next day.



I handed the keys over to him the session after which resulted in a little boo boo. It’s difficult to see in the video, but you can see the car go from three wheels, firmly to four when he hits the kerb.



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It is what it is, and was certainly bound to happen at some point. He has offered to buy a new wheel, but I’m not overly fussed.

The photographer spent very little time actually snapping the cars on track, and always seemed to be stood in completely the wrong place. However, there were a few interesting one.

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Bit of a big update this. But my trip to the Ring below.

Friday, before the trip:
I was chatting to my old man and he decided now was the best time to question whether the timing belt had been done on the Megane. It's 13 years old, so should of had 1 at the very minimum during it's life. I have no history of this in any of the old documents, and all three of the previous owners I contacted, said "oh the previous owner did it".

Saturday:
I set about doing the belts (inc aux belt and tensioner) having previously ordered one, but being way too lazy to do it (this definitely bit me in the arse). Meganes are much more of a pain to do compared to the Clios, but it went pretty smoothly. Fortunately (i think it counts as fortunately), the belt had been done in the past as there were pen marks beneath the timing cover.

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Sunday:
Got the car packed up, and washed 😄

Monday:
The AC debacle continues. Thought it best to drive it to work for a couple of days prior to the trip. I set off for work and the AC is blowing warm again. No time and no motivation to sort the issue, I'll just have to put up with the displeasure of being warm!

Tuesday, the trip itself:
I went from Hull to Rotterdam this time, this being my first foray on the ferry over such a distance. The ferry is overnight, leaving a 20:30, and arriving at 08:30. The journey was smooth sailing (lol), and upon docking on the other side, we only had a 3-3.5 hour road trip ahead of us (this a stark contrast to the 12+ hours it takes via the eurotunnel).
I travelled over with my mate in his E92 M3. Originally there was 3 of us heading over, but the 3rd member of the cohort had lapsed 16 days into the remaining 3 months of his passport and they wouldn't let him travel. This put a bit of a downer on the trip from the start, combined with both of us feeling slightly anxious about how savage the angles would be on the loading ramps to the ferry, and also the proximity of other cars once parked up.

We'd managed to time it just right, and got an ace little spot with plenty of room round the cars.

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Wednesday, food and TF spectating:
The journey through the Netherlands was without any hold ups whatsoever. A chilled drive across saw nearly 40mpg out of the Megane. Arriving in Adenau, we headed straight to The Cockpit for some Currywurst mitt fries. Check-in for the house rental wasn't until 4, so we mooched around for a bit and then headed up to Brunchen until we were allowed in.

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A speedy unload of the car, and a swift wheel changeover, the car was now ready for some laps. Decided against going out on TF because i'm a big wuss.

Thursday, a day of monging about:
I'll skip this as nowt interesting really happened. Did take some moody pics of the car at the boulevard though

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Friday, trackday:
First port of call, breakfast! My absolute favourite thing in the world, is a handful of croissants at ED, and a can of Chocomel.

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For me, the day was pretty steady. I was pretty close to the lead car on the sighting laps, and after the first slow paced lap everyone decided to pit with the exception of a few and myself. Now, we were told on the gate upon entering, that as soon as the clock goes 08:45, the track goes live no matter where you are on the track. This message clearly hadn't processed in the M3 owners brain, as he was rather upset with me barging my way through.
I did have to take to the kerb a little on the exit of Brunchen 2, as the GR Yaris started to move over. No harm done thankfully 😄



I did a couple of laps just blasting round on my own, without any distractions from others. The track was wet, but the A052's were gripping really well off the normal racing line. I love doing wet laps, as it makes me feel like a right hero going passed everyone.

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It didn't take me too long to catch up with the back of the pack, so decided to come in for a natter with some of the lads. I'd timed this pretty well, as almost instantly, the track went red and everyone started heading in. A GT3 had managed to lose the rear end and send it straight into the barriers on the exit of Hohe Acht.
Once the GT3 was recovered, the track time resumed, but with a large yellow flag section where the marshalls were on track repairing the barriers.

Had a couple of laps with a fellow Megane owner which was a good laugh. These laps were still pretty steady, but there's definitely some points where i need to remember that i'm not driving an n/a car any more.



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I'd noticed a bit of a clunk on the front of mine towards the end of the day. Had a quick mooch around, but couldn't find anything untoward. There was quite a length closure in the afternoon where an M3 had gone over the barrier. This meant that the final hour on track was really busy, so i didn't bother pushing on too much. One thing which was a bit of a shock, is my extinguisher had managed to come out of its mount, and partially go off in the footwell.
I fortunately managed to clock what had happened, and sharp opened the windows. Definitely had a bit of a throaty cough since it happened.

In total, i did 23 laps, which has gotta be a record of mine for a single day given the closures.

The rest of the trip:
Not too much to mention here. The rest of the trip was a combination of eating, sleeping, spectating, eating, and looking at all the wrecks being recovered off the track.


Definitely gonna book 2 dates over there next year. Itching to get myself sub 8!
 
Again. Apologies to those of you who’ve read this already on other sites.
I like keeping it up to date everywhere so that there’s something to look back on when I become old and senile
 
Great write up mate, thanks. 23 laps in one day, thats more that i've done in total!

Testament to the car that its held up, its brutal punishment on the 'ring.
Nice one!
Very impressed with it really. I did plenty of laps on the bounce and it didn’t get warm at all.

awesome read, looking forward to more (y)
Cheers Adey!
Looking forward to seeing more EDC content too
 
Looks like a great time, always fancy doing the track, but def wouldn't be going for any times etc, just couldn't justify the cost if something happened. One thing your own driving but someone coming flying up and taking you out. that would scare the life out me.

Also really like what you have done with the car etc. Keep up the good work!
 
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