And moreover, people are attracted not only by the rather low price (especially for used ones), but also - mainly - by the increased cross-country ability and relative low cost of maintenance (compared to foreign analogues). Since this topic has come up, read our test drive of the Niva 2121.
In addition, the car has all-wheel drive and feels good even in the absence of any roads! For this you can forgive even the low comfort and small trunk, uncomfortable seats and brick design.
Content
- Camshaft
- Sealing
- Wheelbase
- Appearance
- Results
Tuning a Niva for off-road use consists of several stages, if you have already clearly decided to re-equip and improve your movable property. Well, firstly, this is the appearance of the car. It can be significantly modernized, but appearance is not always the main thing. Despite the fact that the Niva’s chassis itself is quite well-made, it is also subjected to certain procedures. The engine can also be given additional strength using some accessories. But let's talk about everything in order.
The relevance of the issue of Niva tuning
It cannot be said that tuning a Niva is a simple and pleasant task, because when buying an SUV, of course, we want it to meet our requirements and withstand a certain critical road minimum. But the truth is that if you like ease of operation, take a foreign car. It will immediately be prepared for certain conditions, and not only will you not want to, but even if you wanted to, you will not be able to particularly modernize it. If we go from the opposite, this is the whole beauty of the Niva, because by investing 20-30 thousand in it, you can get the same comfort, cross-country ability and quality, but for much less money.
It’s up to you, of course, to decide: a Niva, the tuning of which can be extended over a long period of time, slowly bringing it into proper shape, or a foreign car that will fully meet all your requirements and whims, but will force you to fork out big once.
Camshaft
Usually, with the torque adjustment not modified, the Niva overcomes hills with bumps exclusively during acceleration (second gear and the gas pedal to the floor).
Do you want to turn your car into a tractor that is not afraid of off-road conditions? Then the best solution is to install a so-called lowered camshaft, which increases torque (emphasis on low speeds, allowing you to literally crawl over obstacles). And at the same time as changing the camshaft, you can grind the channels (intake/exhaust) and the intake manifold. Using these methods, you can achieve improved engine performance and some savings in fuel.
Chipovka "Niva"
This is a relatively new direction of tuning in Russia, which provides many advantages in car operation. To implement such an update, you should turn to software products in the chip tuning segment. True, this method requires the performer to have some skills as an electronics engineer, since you will have to deal with specific firmware of the electronic unit. In essence, such tuning of the VAZ-2121 makes it possible to optimize the settings of the vehicle’s energy systems together with the engine so that it provides optimal dynamic driving performance. For example, there are special firmware for the city, for off-road use, as well as universal versions that provide comprehensive reconfiguration of the machine’s performance parameters. If the flashing is successfully implemented, the driver can count on the following benefits:
- increased dynamics during acceleration;
- more confident traction coupled with a smooth transition between speeds;
- increasing stability in the operation of a cold engine;
- reduction in fuel consumption up to 15%;
- reduction of vibrations.
Sealing
Why is it necessary? When driving off-road, you sometimes encounter water obstacles: deep puddles, trenches filled with water, shallow flood spaces and similar nasty things. Some aces cut through water spaces, completely forgetting that the machine has spare parts that do not tolerate the penetration of liquids.
To accomplish such feats
we seal the air filter
in order to shift the emphasis of the air intake to a snorkel installed additionally (usually at the height of the car roof using appropriate fasteners). As for the fan: mechanics are replaced by electrics, which make it possible to control it from inside the car. When driving into a deep puddle, for example, we turn off the fans, which protects the ignition unit from getting wet (by the way, it is also recommended to waterproof it).
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Preparing the Niva for light off-road use, list of spare parts for the road
1. + Long tie rods - I have 2. + front pads 1 piece 3. + Ball joint 1 piece 4. + Cardan crosspieces (1 large, 1 small) 5. + brake pads (1 set) 6. + Wheel bearing repair kit ( 1 piece) 7. + Repair kit for axle shaft bearing (1 piece) 8. + Air filter 9. + Fuel filter 10. — Generator brushes 11. — Diode bridge for the 213rd generator 12. — Relay voltage regulator 13. — Tie rods short — y I have 2 long ones 14. — Distributor cover 15. — Solex carburetor repair kit? 16. — distributor runners, hall sensors 17. Transmission oil (2 l) — individually 18. Motor oil (for topping up) — individually 19. — antifreeze for topping up 20. Pumpkin burner 21. Tool, jack, hijack 22. dynamo, shakla
Wheelbase
To improve the connection with the road surface and the Niva's off-road capability, the wheels should also be replaced. It is necessary to select one with a mud tread (like that of tractors) and large in diameter. Usually it increases by 5 centimeters. And for a wide wheel, you understand, you need a wide disk, preferably a forged one. You also need to think about raising the suspension (you can install longer springs, or add inserts to the old ones).
The cutout of the arches when reinstalling the wheels can be masked with linings - extenders, usually soft and durable (so that they do not come off or break under extreme conditions).
Related articles:
- How to make wheel arch extensions;
- How to treat wheel arches.
Also, from the inside, the wheel arches, during these base transformations, must at the same time be treated with liquid anticorrosives, which will perform several functions at once: protection against liquid penetration and an impact barrier against minor mechanical damage to the body: the impact of pebbles, branches, lumps of dirt, and the like.
Changing shock absorbers:
It is necessary to install stiffer suspensions for maximum safety. And they, in turn, require more durable mounting points, since the factory installed ones may simply not withstand more powerful shock absorbers, and the metal will tear. Therefore, the fastenings also need to be strengthened when replacing the wheelbase.
See the article “Which shock absorbers are better - gas or oil?”
Self-locking differential:
Tuning for increased cross-country ability is probably impossible without this device, which, when one wheel slips, transfers torque to the other. This innovation is usually very useful when moving the Niva through mud. All the same, whatever one may say, namely the Niva 2121, one of the best SUVs for Russia.
General advice to Nivovods on tuning an off-road car
Having set the task of improving the cross-country ability of his car for off-road use, the motorist should perform a certain algorithm of actions that significantly transforms the external exterior of the car and improves the cross-country ability of both the classic VAZ 21213 with a carburetor and the modern model of the 2131 series:
- replacement of tires (without DIY surgery, you can install tires of type 215/75/R15 or 205/80/R16 on the Niva). To achieve maximum effect (tires type 240/80 R15), you will have to cut the wheel arches;
- choosing the right mud tires that suit both your budget and the driving nature of the VAZ 2121;
- suspension lifting - you can easily cope with the task even with your own hands in your garage. The lifting kit has a complete list of necessary spacers for springs, as well as extensions for shock absorbers and traction;
- power body kit - special impact protection for the front and rear bumpers, also known as kengurin, longitudinal body protection, as well as engine crankcase protection. The product is easy to buy from almost any dealer of spare parts for the VAZ 2121;
- installing a snorkel will allow the engine to take air from the roof level, thanks to which, together with some modifications to the engine compartment that protect the electrics from moisture, even on an old carburetor VAZ 21213 you can storm a serious ford;
- You also cannot do without means of self-towing. The removable winch on the front bumper can be electric, manual, or controlled by hydraulics of the steering mechanism;
- and, finally, the forwarding trunk - allows you to carry a lot of bulky cargo and install additional lighting devices (on the VAZ 21213 it requires replacing a generator with a higher power).
Appearance
To give it a more crossover look, you should probably think about installing a guardrail. Not only will the car look at least more impressive with this detail, but the additional grille will allow the body and headlights (lighting) to be protected from mechanical influences - impacts and beating. Lighting technology is something that is being finalized at the top and looks very popular and cool. Additional spotlights
They especially help to navigate when hunting or fishing at night, and if money allows, you can also install a thermal imager.
They also use airbrushing, painting both the entire body and its individual parts (the camouflage option is popular). But in this case, you will need to document the corresponding coloring (in the car’s technical passport). Popular among extreme sports enthusiasts is the installation of a power bumper with an attached winch.
Salon
Unfortunately, the Niva’s interior has been outdated for a very long time and is extremely inconvenient for a modern person. Tuning the interior must begin with insulation (heat, noise, etc.). So that during the cold weather you do not end up in the hospital.
In order to give the interior elegance and modernity, you can change the trim on the side panels and doors. You can add new buttons and toggle switches. If you wish, you can completely remove the old instrument panel and replace it with a more modern one that fits the dimensions.
You can also change the seats to more comfortable ones, purchase a powerful stereo system with good sound quality and improve the heating system.
Special mention should be made about the Chevrolet Niva. This model is relatively new and therefore does not require such drastic changes to the interior. If you want, you can install an on-board computer, change the upholstery and add some decorations.
Results
All of the above methods regulating the tuning of the Niva for off-road use certainly contribute to sharpening the popular domestic SUV for Russian off-road conditions, rural and forest mud roads, where even a front-wheel drive SUV is unlikely to be able to slip through. They give the car greater stability and controllability. It does not get stuck in mud and does not allow liquid to pass through. And most importantly, they can be done gradually, step by step, without causing much damage to the family or bachelor budget.
CB communication, Lemm antenna, Megajet 3031M
With the walkie-talkie, everything is simple, my father gave me a broken Megajet 3031M, and I took it for repair. I bought a new antenna. The installation location for the Niva is classic - on the back of the roof. From there, it is possible to run the cable into the cabin and run it under the ceiling (or seal) to the dashboard or into the center console, depending on where the radio will be installed.
Special photo showing the assembly order.
We screw it all onto the installed mount.
Engine
If you want to make your car more powerful, you need to bore the cylinders. It would also be an excellent option to install pistons with an increased diameter.
After replacing the pistons, the ventilation of the combustion chamber can be improved. To do this, you will have to bore the seat, and then replace the standard valves with larger ones.
Tuning a VAZ 2121 Niva is quite an interesting process. A car can be transformed in many ways. The main thing is to use your imagination.
