Reinforced valve spring kit Renault F4R

The Renault F4R engine of the Clio RS

The F4R is the 2.0-litre 16-valve four-cylinder fitted to the Clio II RS and then the Clio III RS, in 172, 182, 197 and 200 hp versions. It has sixteen springs, one per valve.

The kits described here replace the sixteen original springs. SUPERTECH kits also bring their retainers and eight SEAT-F4R-IN spring seats, and the factory collets stay in place; the CATCAMS PAC-E99862*16 kit holds only the sixteen springs and keeps the original retainers, whereas the CATCAMS PAC-D19864 kit also brings its sixteen retainers and sixteen spring seats.

SUPERTECH and CATCAMS reinforced valve spring kits

When the lobe moves on, the spring drives the valve back down. Past the rpm it can follow, the valve floats, comes down late and may reach the piston, with costly consequences for the head.

Here SPRK-TS1012-F4R delivers 325 N seat pressure at 34.0 mm and SPRK-TS1015-F4R 369 N, both built on nested double springs. The CATCAMS PAC-E99862*16 kit, with single springs, gives 304 N seat pressure at 34.5 mm and 834 N at 12.5 mm lift. The CATCAMS PAC-D19864 kit, with double springs, gives 284 N seat pressure at 33.5 mm and 883 N at 14.5 mm lift. Replacing all sixteen springs together restores the same pressure on every valve, whereas aged springs no longer recall evenly.

Valve spring kit technical specification

Valve spring kit fitting details

Each SUPERTECH kit contains 16 double springs, 16 RET-TS55/T5R retainers and 8 SEAT-F4R-IN spring seats. SPRK-TS1012-F4R carries spring SPR-TS1012, SPRK-TS1015-F4R carries spring SPR-TS1015. The CATCAMS PAC-E99862*16 kit contains sixteen PAC-E99862 single springs: the original retainers are kept. The CATCAMS PAC-D19864 kit contains sixteen double springs, sixteen 99536/S retainers and sixteen 99528/O spring seats, one of each per valve. No collets are supplied with any of the four kits: the original ones are reused.

To read the installed height, place the spring between its two retainers with the valve shut and measure the gap between the bearing faces. SUPERTECH quotes both kits at 34.0 mm. A larger figure, left by seat cutting or head skimming, costs the pressure one rate's worth per millimetre; a valve-by-valve reading is needed before the engine is closed.

Technical guide

Our brands

	The Belgian brand CATCAMS (Cat Cams N.V.) produces camshafts for racing, exported to customers worldwide; its CNC grinding machine also cuts inclined lobes. Its springs are developed to work with its camshafts, which have taken part in the Le Mans 24 Hours and the BTCC.
	SUPERTECH is a Californian company based in San Jose, developing valve train hardware for racing. Wire for its chrome-silicon-vanadium springs goes through X-ray examination, ultrasonic inspection and laser scanning, on samples from each batch, before delivery to resellers.

How to choose

More seat pressure means a valve that stays glued to the cam longer once the engine climbs through the revs, which is what permits a livelier camshaft or a more serious build, with no float of the valves. Seat pressure here runs from 284 to 369 N and pressure at lift from 747 to 907 N. Keep your camshaft lift below the SUPERTECH kits' 13.3 mm.

When reinforced springs become necessary

• Camshaft with a bolder profile than stock
• Engine meant for track days and rally
• Supercharging fitted to a modified F4R
• Head rebuilt with reinforced valves
• Ageing springs, valves lifting off beyond the usual rpm

Compatible vehicles

Related products

Cylinder head off? Have valves, guides and seats inspected before reassembly; the inlet and exhaust valve ranges for this engine are linked just below.