Reinforced ARP bolts for OEM rods Renault F7P F7R F4R

The Renault F7P, F7R and F4R engines concerned

This kit is for the 16-valve Renault engines F7P (1.8 litre), F7R and F4R (2.0 litre), which ARP's application list ties to this part number. The header of the instruction sheet refers to the F4R 2.0-litre 16-valve with an M9 thread.

The original rod bolt of the F7P, F7R and F4R comes out and an ARP2000 bolt in M9 goes in, with a 12-point head and no washer, tightened directly into the rod. The sporting versions, in particular the F4R of the Clio RS and Mégane RS, are heavily loaded as soon as a build raises engine speed or power.

Reinforced ARP bolts for connecting rods

At every revolution, the rod bolt takes the pull of the rod and piston assembly, which tries to force the cap away through inertia. As original equipment, it is sized for stock power and is replaced at every strip-down.

ARP's reference method is tightening to a measured stretch with a gauge; without one, the instruction sheet gives a torque of 57 Nm. These bolts are made from ARP2000, an ARP-specific alloy steel heat treated to 220,000 psi tensile strength, with threads rolled once the treatment is complete. Classes 10.9 and 12.9 of standard fasteners start at 150,800 and 176,900 psi: ARP2000 exceeds them by 24 to 46%. The engine speed allowed by the ARP2000 bolts goes up to 10,250 rpm (calculated estimate).

Technical specifications

Tightening torque and stretch

ARP recommends tightening to a measured stretch, which gives a more accurate preload than torque alone, given as a fallback. Torque and stretch figures assume ARP lubricant.

Figures taken from the ARP 216-6301 instruction sheet, revision in force on the day of publication. Should any difference appear, the official instruction sheet takes precedence. Read the ARP 216-6301 instruction sheet

No thread locker is called for by the ARP instruction sheet for this kit: the bolts are fitted with ARP Ultra-Torque grease, on the threads and under the head.

Once the fasteners are fitted, the ARP instructions call for the big ends to be checked and resized by a machine shop.

Measuring bolt stretch

Stretch measurement supplements torque tightening and gives the most accurate preload. It is done with the bolt in place: the gauge, fitted with a dial indicator, bears on both ends of the bolt and shows the stretch achieved, to be brought to the value in the table above. This avoids the variations caused by friction, which matters on a highly stressed engine.

Technical guide

Torque and stretch figures are only valid with ARP assembly grease, applied to the threads and under the head.

The ARP brand

An engineer with an aerospace background, Gary Holzapfel launched ARP (Automotive Racing Products) in the early 1970s with one goal: to eliminate engine failures caused by weak fasteners in racing. ARP designs and manufactures thousands of part numbers in California, cylinder head, main and rod bolts, in several materials depending on the use, and has become known for the consistency of its manufacturing.

Vehicle compatibility

Why is it the most cost-effective solution?

A rod bolt that breaks on an F4R or an F7R seldom destroys just one part: the rod, the piston and the block follow. Fitting ARP2000 bolts before pushing the engine costs a fraction of a bottom-end rebuild.

Matching connecting rod bearings

New bolts, new bearings: find below the connecting rod bearings suited to this engine.