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Reinforced valve spring kit Nissan CA18DET

Reinforced valve spring kit Nissan 200SX 180SX CA18DET

€544.20 (tax incl.)

€680.24 (tax incl.) -20%

Kits of 16 uprated valve springs for the Nissan CA18DET engine of the 200SX, 180SX and Auster.

Brand: SUPERTECH
Engine: CA18DET (200SX, 180SX, Auster)
Springs: double or single depending on the kit
Contents: springs, titanium upper retainers, lower spring seats depending on the kit

The Nissan engine covered

These kits are made for the CA18DET, the 1.8 litre, 16-valve turbocharged four-cylinder of the Nissan 200SX and 180SX (S13) and of the Auster (T12), sold between 1987 and 1993.

Three SUPERTECH kits are offered: two with dual springs, at 73 and 82 lbs, and one with 55 lbs single springs. Each kit replaces the original springs.

SUPERTECH reinforced valve spring kits

As soon as the cam withdraws, the spring must pull the valve back onto its seat without delay. Revving too high for the spring rate lets the valve bounce off the cam and perhaps strike the piston: valve float.

The three kits differ by seat load at 35.00 mm (73, 82 or 55 lbs), spring rate and maximum lift, all in the table.

Valve spring kit technical specification

Part number	Brand	Springs	Outer / inner Ø	Seat pressure	Open pressure	Rate	Max lift	Kit contents
SPRK-TS1012-NCA	SUPERTECH	Double 73 lbs	Outer 27.5 / 20.0 mm Inner 20.0 / 15.2 mm	73 lbs at 35.00 mm	175 lbs at 10.0 mm	10.4 lbs/mm	15.0 mm	16 springs SPR-TS1012, 16 titanium upper retainers RET-NVG1015/T1
SPRK-TS1015-NCA	SUPERTECH	Double 82 lbs	Outer 27.5 / 20.0 mm Inner 20.0 / 15.2 mm	82 lbs at 35.00 mm	207 lbs at 10.0 mm	12.1 lbs/mm	14.3 mm	16 springs SPR-TS1015, 16 titanium upper retainers RET-NVG1015/T1
SPRK-TS2081-NCA	SUPERTECH	Single 55 lbs	Outer 27.5 / 20.0 mm	55 lbs at 35.00 mm	150 lbs at 10.0 mm	9.6 lbs/mm	13.5 mm	16 springs SPR-TS1015-SI, 16 titanium upper retainers RET-NVG1015/T1, 16 lower spring seats SEAT-SS3025

Valve spring kit fitting details

Part	Nissan original	Reinforced spring kit
Spring		SPRK-TS1012-NCA : SPR-TS1012 SPRK-TS1015-NCA : SPR-TS1015 SPRK-TS2081-NCA : SPR-TS1015-SI
Retainer		SPRK-TS1012-NCA : RET-NVG1015/T1 SPRK-TS1015-NCA : RET-NVG1015/T1 SPRK-TS2081-NCA : RET-NVG1015/T1
Spring seat		SPRK-TS1012-NCA : SEAT-TS1015/2 (optional) SPRK-TS1015-NCA : SEAT-TS1015/2 (optional) SPRK-TS2081-NCA : SEAT-SS3025

Each kit contains 16 springs and 16 titanium upper retainers RET-NVG1015/T1. The SEAT-TS1015/2 lower spring seat is available as an option with the dual kits; the single kit already delivers its 16 SEAT-SS3025 lower spring seats.

Installed height means the gap separating the lower and upper bearing faces of the spring, valve closed. The three kits state their load at 35.00 mm. Regrinding the seats or skimming the head enlarges this figure: each millimetre gained removes the spring rate from the load. Measure this figure on all 16 valves before ordering.

	SUPERTECH
Installed height	SPRK-TS1012-NCA : 35.00 mm SPRK-TS1015-NCA : 35.00 mm SPRK-TS2081-NCA : 35.00 mm
Seat pressure at this height	73 lbs 82 lbs 55 lbs

Technical guide

Our brands

Based in San Jose, California, SUPERTECH has built valve train parts for competition for over thirty years. Each batch of chrome-silicon-vanadium wire used to coil its springs is examined by X-ray, ultrasound and laser before any kit is shipped to a workshop or a customer.

How to choose

Stiffer springs allow higher revs, a bolder camshaft or more turbo pressure without valve float. Here, seat load is 55 lbs for the single kit, then 73 and 82 lbs for the dual kits. A higher load also wears cams and lifters faster: pick the right value. Before ordering, check that your camshaft lift stays below the lift of the kit, from 13.5 to 15.0 mm depending on the reference. Seat load keeps the valve shut, while load at lift holds it back when the cam opens it fully.

Criterion	Key point
Choosing the load	Each load is given at an installed height of 35.00 mm. Weigh cam lift, target revs and turbo pressure before aiming for the top of the range: needless load tires the valvetrain and brings nothing. A lightly modified CA18DET is content with a moderate load.
Single or dual spring	Two concentric springs share the effort and damp one another: that is the principle of the dual kit. The single spring, lighter, follows the valve movements more readily and suits less extreme use. The choice depends on use and budget, not on performance alone.

When reinforced springs become necessary

Camshaft lifting higher than the original
Maximum rpm taken well beyond stock
Larger turbo or raised boost
Head prepared for track, drift or competition
Sagging original springs, floating valves

Compatible vehicles

Model	Engine code	Power	Years
Nissan 200SX (S13) 1.8 Turbo	CA18DET	169 hp	1988 - 1993
Nissan 180SX Coupé (S13) 1.8 Turbo	CA18DET	177 hp	1988 - 1992
Nissan 180SX Coupé (S13) 1.8 Turbo II	CA18DET	201 hp	1989 - 1992
Nissan Auster (T12) 1.8 Xtt	CA18DET	169 hp	1987 - 1989

Important: these kits are for the turbocharged CA18DET of the 200SX, 180SX and Auster. The naturally aspirated CA18DE is not covered here. One kit of 16 fits a complete engine.