NEW Trophy owner needs some advice

[elvis100]

Hello just got number 14. Very pleased with the car and the way it goes. It's my 1st decent fast 'new car' having always had classics. I'm 42 so not a real racer type. I think it will fit in well with some of the oldies own. Only poor areas for road driving in my opinion are: a bit of movement at gear lever ( not really banging but too much ) and poor brakes when really pushed.. Bit too much sliding at the front. New tyres and alignment should sort this.

I've read good things about the Evol eng. dog bone mount as it doesn't cause more noise or vibration. Anyone using it?
Whats the most common front pads that you guys and girls are using? Ferodo Ds2500??
its due an aux belt. Cam belt in 1.5 years officially so planning on just the aux belt very soon.
I always insist on suspension being top notch but feel that the Trophy doesn't need too much done. Are camber and castor factory set? I've seen top mounts or camber bolts. Any thoughts on using these on a road car regarding improving handling/ tyre wear? What are the correct settings for alignment? What tyre pressures are you using? She needs some inner roll bar bushes and I'm thinking about some Powerflex. Can I just buy the inners?
anyway as you can tell I love my cars ( like y'all) and the Trophy is a bit special for a lil run about. Cheers
The King.

 

[Mikeyjp]

i would do what you said 1st and get some better rubber and get the tracking done, think most people are on the ds2500, think i was 28psi all round, i hear bad things about the powerflex ones, i would just get new oem ones

 

[hoolio]

I've read good things about the Evol eng. dog bone mount as it doesn't cause more noise or vibration. Anyone using it? Not sure
Whats the most common front pads that you guys and girls are using? Ferodo Ds2500?? I use the Pagid RS4-2, expensive but excellent.
its due an aux belt. Cam belt in 1.5 years officially so planning on just the aux belt very soon.
I always insist on suspension being top notch but feel that the Trophy doesn't need too much done. Are camber and castor factory set? My camber on the front was neg 0.5 and 0.75, I now run neg 2degrees with camber bolts and toe out of 10. I've seen top mounts or camber bolts. I also use solid top mounts and have no problems with if I'm honest a harsher but more connected drive. Any thoughts on using these on a road car regarding improving handling/ tyre wear? Not noticed any increased wear on the inside but handling is much improved. What are the correct settings for alignment? Forgot to mention rears are fitted at neg1.5 iirc though you can add shims to increase this.What tyre pressures are you using? 30 front 28 rear. She needs some inner roll bar bushes and I'm thinking about some Powerflex. Can I just buy the inners?
anyway as you can tell I love my cars ( like y'all) and the Trophy is a bit special for a lil run about. Cheers
The King.

So what other cars do you have? I did add text to your post in red but does not seemed to have changed the colour.

 

[jjames]

congrats on your purchase of such a low number trophy, have a look at the pure motorsports site this will give you some good ideas where to spend your money, enjoy

http://www.pure-motorsport.co.uk/clio_shop.php?cat=1&model=6

 

[Carbon Chaos]

Ive got the front roll bar fitted with powerflex bushes inner and outer with no more issues,As they are poly its pretty much fit for life so do it once and forget it.

Adding camber bolts and solid top mounts is personal choice there are a few companies out there doing them,depends if your precious about drilling holes in your car?

As for front brakes go for Brembo HC disc's(same size) and DS 2500 pads,make sure you get the correct ones there are two types

http://www.cliotrophy.co.uk/forum/showthread.php/51976-Ferod-DS-2500-Which-Ones?highlight=ds2500

 

[elvis100]

Thanks Gents. Think I'll get some camber bolts and take some air out of tyres. What make of camber bolts. Wont get top mounts just yet. Ive been quoted a good price for cam and aux belts by Birchdown. What are they like. Know what their doing or not???
Cars in the stable: Alfa Montreal ( in Trophy red) classic merc coupe, merc G Wagon (<€€#}$ing tank) just sold early turbo Lotus Esprit and an Airstream rv ( huge big block v8) and fast for a 7 tonner.

 

[Mikeyjp]

personally i think ya wasting ya time getting camber bolts, it handles like a dream anyway? unless you are planning on track days?, might be worth getting the dephaser done at the same time as the cam belt

 

[Claude]

Couldn't disagree with Mike more, my Eibach camber bolts (which seem to be common for Clio 1*2s) gave the front end so much more bite and offered much more direct turn-in inspiring confidence in buckets.

There are trade-offs, of course, but my T does 3k a year and I'd never go back. For the sake of £25 or so they're a great value mod.

As for Birchdown, mine had its belts done there by the previous owner and that was the kind of specialist I was looking for in the history. I don't think you can go wrong with them but I'm sure there are plenty of people who live that way and can offer advice or suggest better alternatives.

I know nothing of the Evol dog bone mount but I have a competing product but haven't noticed any negative effects.

I'm on DS2500s and they're awful from cold but I've not heard anyone else comment on this, they're a superb starting point. My next step will be Pagid RS4-2s, I've heard very good things. Speak to G 172 on the CS forum - he's the go-to man for anything brake-related.

Bushes, as has been said, OEM is fine.

Welcome to the forum(s) and to Trophy ownership, enjoy #14!

 

[hoolio]

Yep, sorry Mike, It does handle like a dream but that added negative camber takes it up a level. Birchdown are one of the more respected renault specialists. I thought it was well known that the DS2500 were poor from cold!? Either way if you get them they need to be put through the correct bedding in phase or they can fall to bits. BTW George cannot supply the Pagid.

 

[elvis100]

Good comments. So the camber bolts go where? Do I use 2 or 4? So the standard is under -1 camber and camber bolt cars are set up -1.5 to -2 neg camber? What should toe be? 0 or slight toe out? Dont want to wear tyres and cars only used on road and in all weathers. Is there a 'greenstuff' pad available?
D

 

[hoolio]

Just the two camber bolts, one on each side inlace of the top bolt of the two attaching the damper to the hub assembly. Like I said I run neg 2 but if you want to ere on the side of caution re tyre wear some run neg 1.5. I also run 10mins toe out but parallel is also an option.
"Greenstuff" go wash your mouth out.

 

[elvis100]

Ok. Its washed. How about Carbon lorraine(great name). Sounds like they are good from cold which is important as my lady will drive it too. How about dust build up on wheels and paint? Is it bad with racy pads? How much is an Aux belt change these days. Might just do this and put cash towards other bits. Cam belt will be due in 26k or 1.5 years. Will i have to change the new aux belt again then?? Was going to run it on a budget but not looking likely i think.

 

[Luke335]

I can't comment on the Carbon Lorraine pads but DS2500 can be a bit rubbish from cold. I swapped mine for Pagid rs42's and they are in a different league and last for ages.
I also much prefer the car with some extra negative camber to help front end grip. The other great mod is a white line anti-roll bar.
The dog bone mount will add a bit of vibration to the cabin but not too bad.

 

[Carbon Chaos]

The pagid RS4's better be good because they are more than twice the price of the DS2500

If you're running on a budget then DS2500 are better than oem but if not go for the pagid RS4's

brake dust will always be an issue with this type of pad over standard along with noise imo.

 

[elvis100]

Anyone know about my belt question?

 

[RsMax]

I recommend the following brake setup:

ATE Powerdisc
ATE Standard Pads
ATE Superblue brake fluid

I use the car on the Autobahn, Cross Country,
Nurburgring and trackdays. Never had any issues.
Perfect for every day.
I got 30.000 miles out in the front!! Very good quality..

 

[Luke335]

Come the (2nd) cam belt time all the cost is in the labour. You would change cam and aux belts and I would say water pump and dephaser pulley too.

Cc. I changed my ds2500 after a few thousand miles so the Pagid have been much more cost effective for me. They were ok with some heat in them but didn't suit my commute and I didn't feel like I had the stopping power in an emergency or at the end of a long dual carriageway when they have cooled down.

 

[Mikeyjp]

Couldn't disagree with Mike more, my Eibach camber bolts (which seem to be common for Clio 1*2s) gave the front end so much more bite and offered much more direct turn-in inspiring confidence in buckets.

There are trade-offs, of course, but my T does 3k a year and I'd never go back. For the sake of £25 or so they're a great value mod.

As for Birchdown, mine had its belts done there by the previous owner and that was the kind of specialist I was looking for in the history. I don't think you can go wrong with them but I'm sure there are plenty of people who live that way and can offer advice or suggest better alternatives.

I know nothing of the Evol dog bone mount but I have a competing product but haven't noticed any negative effects.

I'm on DS2500s and they're awful from cold but I've not heard anyone else comment on this, they're a superb starting point. My next step will be Pagid RS4-2s, I've heard very good things. Speak to G 172 on the CS forum - he's the go-to man for anything brake-related.

Bushes, as has been said, OEM is fine.

Welcome to the forum(s) and to Trophy ownership, enjoy #14!

i guess it hard for me to say really, as mine came with solid top mounts, so i got no idea what its like when throwing it round a bend as an oem spec

do camber bolts cause the tires to wear uneven ?

 

[Luke335]

It depends how aggressive your driving is, the type of driving and the tyres I guess. If you are always on the motorway it might wear the inside edges. With the PE2's I used to wear out the outside edges first so the extra camber helped even up the wear and stopped the car rolling onto the outer edge so badly.

 

[Mikeyjp]

Luke where ya hiding ya T not seen ya rd stratford