Tuning Niva Chevrolet - how to improve your car

Cars from the Volzhsky plant are not considered prestigious. Even the updated Niva, to the creation of which Chevrolet specialists had a hand, often raises complaints regarding the level of comfort, engine power and other parameters.

Many motorists want to improve their car with their own hands, and often this desire is associated not only with improving its characteristics, but also with the desire to adjust the car to their ideas about a good car, to give it individuality.

Most owners limit themselves to external changes: installing aerodynamic and purely decorative body kits with their own hands, replacing rims, tinting windows, sticking headlight covers, etc. Real tuning begins with the engine. Chevrolet Niva tuning masters have extensive experience in modifying standard Niva engines.

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Their arsenal includes replacing factory pistons and crankshafts to increase engine displacement, altering the valve system, changing valve timing, reducing the gas-dynamic resistance of exhaust and intake systems, installing a lightweight flywheel and other measures. All this allows you to significantly increase engine power and improve the acceleration dynamics of the car.

Engine tuning is an improvement in its characteristics, and not a complete replacement, as Australian hot rod enthusiasts did by “shoving” a five-liter monster under the hood of a Niva that somehow ended up in their possession.

External transformation of Chevy Niva

As a rule, Chevrolet Niva needs proper technical improvements. By studying basic skills, you can improve the comfort of the driver and passengers and increase cross-country ability in difficult climatic conditions.

Tuning the Chevy Niva can be done in three options, which are classified into the following types:

technical specifications;
appearance of the vehicle;
combined approach.

Visual tuning of Chevrolet Niva is the most successful option for quickly achieving effective results. If we consider a dramatic change, this is due to a change in color. To do this you will have to spend a lot of money and effort.

Another alternative method is to use high-quality film. Thanks to professional pasting, you can increase the service life of the body. This material perfectly protects the surface from any damage such as scratches.

To improve the external condition of the car you will need such spare parts as:

bumper;
cover for the lamp;
spoiler;
side mirrors;
radiator grilles and so on.

Film selection

The procedure plays the most important role in transforming a car. It is recommended to approach this issue with special responsibility. Experts do not recommend buying products from a Chinese manufacturer. The quality of such a film is only sufficient for interior decoration.

Before purchasing material for a car, consider the following recommendations:

It is better to buy Japanese-made film - it has the effect of unpolished steel or polished metal. The younger generation prefers carbon film.
French-made products are also popular. Experts especially highlight the film that has a pearl effect. As an alternative, you can choose imitation leather, plastic or metal. It all depends on the client’s taste preferences.
The German manufacturer produces products aimed at the premium level. Among the wide range you can choose both different color options and unusual textures.

Work order

Many Chevrolet Niva car owners, when purchasing a new film, do not know how to properly glue it. Before you begin, you should initially practice on a small, flat area. In addition, the room must be well cleaned and ventilated so that there is no dust anywhere.

Experts recommend purchasing a primer. This is an adhesive that will help glue hard-to-reach sharp areas. Tuning a Chevy Niva with your own hands is easy and simple.

The step-by-step instructions for performing the actions are as follows:

Completely clean the selected element; the pattern is created in a mirror image.
Correctly select the area between the middle and edge of the part.
Vinyl must be fixed with extreme caution. Initially, you will need to eliminate all kinds of bubbles. A soft spatula is used for this.
The primer will allow you to fix the film in hard-to-reach areas.
By using a hair dryer, it is easy to give the material elasticity. Accordingly, the film will take the shape of the surface. In addition, you should pay attention to ensure that the material does not overheat.

Changing appearance

To achieve a quick effect, start by upgrading your appearance. It can be changed radically. One way to tune a Niva is to change the color, but repainting takes a lot of time and costs a lot of money.

There is an excellent alternative - filming. The whole process takes significantly less time. If you successfully choose a color or a combination of several shades, a worthy film manufacturer and do everything carefully, then your Chevrolet Niva tuning in the photo and in real life will look awesome.

To do this, choose a high-quality vinyl car film that has microchannels. They are responsible for the possibility of gluing curved surfaces, otherwise money and time will be wasted. Also, do not pay attention to reviews and look towards Chinese film manufacturers. They often do not correspond to the declared characteristics and are not suitable for external pasting. It is possible to use them only to transform the interior of the car.

Interior reupholstery and modernization

When you obtain maximum results associated with the external transformation of the machine, you can proceed to its modernization. The interior reupholstery is also done by hand.

Consider the recommendations of experts:

New steering wheel and its reupholstery with high-quality leather. This element will significantly improve the appearance of the interior.
If desired, you can install an audio system, DVR, navigator and other modern electronics. The best option is a comprehensive multi-system that will allow you to take advantage of the above functions.
Work on sound insulation - increase comfort when moving in a vehicle.
No less important elements are the dashboard and dashboard. If desired, you can change them.
You can please yourself with minor tuning. This means using pedal covers, lighting fixtures and decals.
Motorists often complain about seats that lose their attractive appearance over time. Online stores offer a huge range of cases. You can choose by color, quality of material and price.
In addition, you can paint the inserts on the regulators and gearshift knobs. You can use stickers as decoration.

Brake upgrades

If a more powerful engine is installed on a car or a standard one is modified, then it is necessary to pay attention to the brakes. Their modernization usually begins with replacing the front brake discs with discs of larger diameter. Next, replace the rear drum brakes with disc brakes. At the same time, the brake machine also changes.

After modifying the brake system, it is necessary to thoroughly bleed the system and check its performance. Especially if the car was modified with your own hands.

Trunk tuning

You can transform the appearance of your car by tuning the trunk. Many people believe that the trunk is only for storing things. However, this is not true. A tuned trunk can be made as functional as possible and used for other purposes.

For example, you can install a powerful speaker system in the trunk, complemented by LEDs on the lid. Thanks to the 320 liter volume, drivers can freely place a small billiard table, which has an automatic folding system.

Suspension tuning

You can modify the suspension even without changing the main characteristics of the Chevrolet Niva vehicle. Basically, when carrying out this operation, motorists only replace standard suspension parts. In the online store you can order reliable and durable products that will last for a long time. As a rule, a high-quality suspension can withstand any operating load.

In practice, most often Chevrolet Niva car owners change rubber bushings to polyurethane ones. When choosing components, for example, seals, limiters, silent blocks, you should give preference to products made of polyurethane. They are practical and reliable.

By installing double shock absorbers you can increase the dynamic load of the vehicle. Thus, the car owner can freely move off-road at maximum speed under any climatic conditions.

Many motorists are discussing the issue of quality shock absorbers. As a rule, they differ in type. Fans of dramatic changes can use gas-filled shock absorbers.

Important! After conducting numerous studies, it turned out that shock absorbers only pay off in the case of cross-country racing.

Oil shock absorbers are especially popular due to their best characteristics.

Chevrolet Niva engine tuning

Before carrying out various actions on your car and changing its appearance, you should pay attention to the power unit. The engine undergoes tuning much more often than any other parts. Thanks to this operation, engine power can be significantly increased. You will achieve this result if you replace the factory pistons and camshaft in time. In addition, it is recommended to modify the gas distribution mechanism together with the valve system, as well as install a balanced flywheel.

When changing all these spare parts, you should know when to stop. Some motorists replace the standard engine with a unit with a displacement of 5 liters. Experts believe that such an off-road vehicle burns a lot of fuel and also causes discomfort when driving.

Many have come to the conclusion that it is better to use a standard internal combustion engine, the working volume of which is up to 17,000 cubic cm. This is a fairly noticeable increase in power. This result can be achieved by replacing the pistons. When choosing these parts, you should choose products with a large diameter. Typically, tuned pistons are classified into two types: forged and cast.

A product made of reliable and durable material increases the service life of the pistons. However, experts refer to the fact to keep every detail in balance. If the center of gravity shifts relative to the piston pin axis, this can lead to tilt. At the same time, the walls are damaged much faster, compression decreases, etc. When choosing pistons for a Chevrolet Niva, you need to be careful.

More optimized ventilation of the Shevi Niva combustion chamber is achieved thanks to tuned valves that are T-shaped. If you properly treat the locking surface of tuned valves, you can achieve excellent sealing of the cylinder. With the help of the low mass of the plate, the specified temperature regime of the valve is maintained. It is important to note that the T-shaped valve almost never burns out.

An upgraded camshaft for tuning can be classified into three categories. Tuning the Chevrolet Niva engine will make you feel as safe as possible when driving off-road. In addition, it is important to maintain the driving pace if a lower gear is engaged. For this purpose, you will have to select the appropriate camshaft.

Important! Manufacturers produce various modifications of tuning shafts for Chevrolet Niva SUVs. Therefore, they have to be numbered in order to select the appropriate model.

When choosing a tuning kit for a gas distribution mechanism, pay attention to the availability of software firmware. Thus, in the future the Chevrolet Niva engine will operate correctly. You can contact a car service center where turbines will be installed.

Heater modification

The standard heater in the Niva car is quite weak and in severe frosts does not warm up the interior of the SUV well. In specialized stores you can purchase a modernized stove, which is much quieter than the standard one in terms of noise level and at the same time heats the interior better even in severe frosts.

The new heater uses VAZ spare parts, so if necessary, you can easily and cheaply repair the stove.

Chip tuning

Some motorists don't like it when their car has standard factory firmware installed. To do this, experts suggest performing chip tuning. The operation can be performed by removing the control unit. It is necessary to provide an additional power source that has a suitable connector.

In addition, the diagnostic mode is activated. During the steps, a laptop is connected to the ECU, which will allow you to determine the problematic components of the electronic system. The operation will help get rid of problems with the oxygen sensor or catalyst. The firmware can be installed if the equipment is in good condition.

The new firmware has a number of positive qualities:

gasoline consumption is reduced to one liter for every 100 km;
there is an increase in power by as much as 10%;
dynamic performance of the engine increases;
engine operation is stabilized;
costs are optimized.

Transmission tuning

As a rule, transmission tuning serves to reduce vibrations that occur in the front gearbox. Therefore, most often, drivers install a self-locking gearbox, which causes less trouble. In some situations, the part presents problems. That is, the durability of structural materials is noticeably reduced, which impedes their effective use.

To improve the road properties of an SUV, it is recommended to use wheel gears. Such parts will make it possible to install softer tires on a Chevrolet Niva car. In this case, the driver will be able to freely move his car in deep snow.

How to tune a Chevrolet Niva for off-road driving

Many people think that an SUV is great for off-road driving. In fact, this only applies to the 4x4 model. This car can drive on any road in the most difficult climatic conditions. This is a real drive for those who like to ride at high speed. Off-road tuning on a Chevrolet Niva is very simple:

Tires and wheels help raise the vehicle relative to the road, resulting in improved raking ability.
The body kit is made of steel pipe. It is also necessary to prepare a platform for the winch. It is not recommended to buy a Chinese-made analogue. This may result in double costs.
Installing a winch is recommended not only for racing or other competitions. With this accessory it is easy to pull your car out of even the deepest hole.
In addition, you need to take care of the snorkel. This is a special pipe that is intended for air intake.

Additional work

When installing the front part, first tighten the nut on the embed, and then the embed itself. By tightening, adjusting and tightening the rear mount, parallel placement of the sills in relation to the Chevrolet Niva body is achieved. This takes into account the area required to support the jack.

You can install sill covers. For the manufacture of the last elements, stainless steel or anodized aluminum alloy is used. The pads perform the following functions:

protection - linings protect the SUV from the influence of external factors (rain, salt, sand);
aesthetics - the linings are originally combined with the overall design of the Chevrolet Niva.

You can install the covers yourself or at a car repair shop. To protect vehicles in the event of an accident, a guardrail is installed. To do this, you can use various installation methods:

for 2 bolts (according to the number) and studs, which we weld onto the reinforcing arch of the bumper at the bottom of the Niva;
using an amplifier (the holes for installing the factory protection are used).

The choice of method depends on the type of structure. External tuning of the Niva also includes the installation of new tires. The choice of disk is made taking into account the personal preferences of the vehicle owner.

How to improve the airflow into the feet of the heater on a Lada Niva Travel (Chevrolet)

The design of the Niva Travel (formerly Chevy Niva) heater is not ideal. For example, SUV owners write that during the cold season, warm air does not blow well into the feet of the driver and passenger. The problem can be solved by modifying the design, which will take you about 2 hours.

The instructions were shared by someone who picked up the idea from the Niva forum. He compared several improvements proposed by forum members and decided to implement one of them, which in his opinion was not complicated and effective.

Required
: plastic plumbing pipes with a diameter of 40mm, a drill with a 50mm crown, a stationery knife, sealant/silicone, mastic/plasticine.

Procedure:

1. Cover the holes in the heater housing through which air flow is lost (mastic/plasticine). You can identify problem areas with your hand, with the airflow in your legs turned on at maximum.

2. Make a hole in the heater housing using a 50mm hole saw.

3. Cut 30 degree corners and install into the holes made.

4. Assemble the air flow line as shown in the photo.

By the way, instead of plumbing pipes, you can use corrugation of the same diameter. Lay it over the feet of the driver and passenger. Make holes in places where the air flow should enter the legs, and close the end of the corrugation with a plug.

Now the flow of hot air is not lost in the depths of the heater housing, but is directly delivered to the feet of the driver and passenger.

Installation of branch cutters (trophy cutters)

If you are going to modify your car, then do it to the end. Modernizing the Chevy Niva also involves tuning the review. To do this, experienced off-road enthusiasts use a special device called a “branch cutter” or, in professional slang, a “trofiler.” These devices prevent sudden impacts on the windshield. They are very effective when moving through the forest, since stopping and cutting branches every time is very inconvenient.

A branch cutter is a special steel cable that is pulled from the corner of the hood to the roof. You can make them yourself, or you can buy ready-made ones.

Sequence of tuning a Niva car

The first thing on the tuning list should be replacing tires. Factory tires, even new ones, are definitely not suitable for off-road use. Need good mud tires. But their installation will immediately affect the noise level when driving on asphalt.

No amount of sound insulation will save you. But that's not so bad. The fact is that the 29-inches recommended for installation do not fit into standard arches. It will be necessary to trim, of course, not the tires, but the arches. They can also be lifted, but then you will have to replace the main pairs of gearboxes. The gear ratio should be 4.3 or 4.7. The drives and axle shafts will need to be strengthened, and stronger wheels will need to be installed. The body will also require serious strengthening. You need to start by installing power bumpers and thresholds, without which it will be difficult for the body to withstand the loads that appear on the roads.

Be sure to protect the crankcase and transfer case from stones and stumps on the way. Recommended distribution ratio is 3:1. And for more remote and impassable places, a second stage of tuning will be needed. And then self-blocks are installed in the bridges.

When the Niva “hangs” in a rut, they will allow all wheels to rotate simultaneously, which means that the car has every chance of getting out of the rut without the help of passengers.

For forests and fields, the list provides for the installation of a power bumper and a high-quality (naturally, not Chinese) winch, or better yet two at once - front and rear.

And an eight-millimeter Kevlar cable for reliability. The force can be at least 3 tons. And so that the body does not bend, you need to scald the side members. This is especially important for five-door Niva car models.

Additional off-road equipment

Now about overcoming obstacles. When off-road, a reinforced jack (hijack) can be useful, capable of lifting a car more than a meter above the ground. It is also used as a hand winch, with which the car can be pulled out of the mud.

Iron slats (sandtracks) purchased in a timely manner and placed under the wheels will help save energy. They are metal plates with hooks over their entire surface.

A device that ensures uninterrupted operation of the engine under water (snorkel) will save the car when overcoming water obstacles.

For initial tuning, the above will be enough. But these measures are suitable for off-road driving. For off-road use, the Niva will need an expeditionary trunk, on which a light must be installed.

These lights are especially good for wading in the dark, or just at dusk. After all, standard headlights may be flooded and inoperative.

Niva car engine tuning

To help the engine, which overheats from loads, electric fans with sensors for radiators are installed in carburetor Nivas.

Instead of standard ones, which have forced activation, since they cannot cope with cooling when passing a rut at low speed. A hot engine may not last long when operating in this mode. In addition, when the car is in the water, the mechanical fan removes all the dirt, and the electric one can be turned off. The pistons should be replaced with forged ones.

They will last longer than cast ones, but the main thing here is not their novelty, but the separate balancing of each piston. The block head also needs to be modified; a direct-flow exhaust system requires installation. The most important thing for an SUV is the firmware of the electronic control unit.

This will increase the engine power by ten horses. To overcome difficult off-road conditions, it is necessary to strengthen the lower camshaft. Its “help” will consist of increasing torque and improving engine performance at low speeds. The tuning possibilities are not limited, they allow you to improve interior comfort and make the car a threat to any obstacles that arise along the way.

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