The Kalina Sport modification, the only Russian car with a factory sports modification program, added fuel to the fire of popularity among tuners. Notable for its low price, it could nevertheless challenge the more famous “hot” hatchbacks from European manufacturers.
And in general, the Kalina is perhaps the most sporty car in Russia (although this title soon risks going to the completely new Lada Granta Sport). Just remember the “branded” Lada Kalina Cup and a huge number of berry models, specially prepared for a variety of competitions from drag racing to the Russian Circuit Racing Championship.
Why the budget Kalina and not the more modern Priora? The developers themselves answer this question. The handling of the Lada Kalina is the best in the AvtoVAZ model range, and the ability to repair it on your knee is indispensable in professional motorsport. The demand in sports (and, accordingly, among tuners) also has another side to the coin - there are more offers for additional equipment and spare parts for this model than for others.
"Kalina" is an ideal donor for tuning. The appearance is not for everyone, so everyone will find what and how to modify it to their taste. There are also no problems in technical terms. For example, if in the case of tuning a Mazda 3, installing a turbine is unprofitable due to the high cost and the existence of a charged version of the MPS, then the Russian model has enough space under the hood for painless implantation of the “snail”, and the cost will be much more attractive.
If we talk about build quality, there are examples where factory assembly does not meet any standards. For example, when a commercial hatch was delivered to a friend of mine, it turned out that the handbrake did not work at all and was hanging in its groove, that is, it was not secured. Hence the conclusion - replacing or strengthening such flaws during tuning will only be a pleasure, and subsequent operation will not fray your nerves.
And now - to the cost of parts. The list will show the parts that can most easily be found in stock at brick-and-mortar or online stores. The cost will also be approximate (minimum), since even identical spare parts in different stores vary in price. However, everything that is not in stores can be made to order, fortunately there are a huge number of craftsmen.
External tuning of Lada Kalina
Budget 10,000 rubles
— Alternative optics, in particular rear lights, start at RUR 3,000;
— Mirror covers with LED repeaters cost from 2,000 rubles; — Prices for body kits are quite humane, for example, “Sniper” thresholds cost only 1,000 rubles. per set; — Fog lights cost from 1,000 rubles;
Body tuning option for Kalina
An important and very eye-catching detail is the alloy wheels. Lada Kalina and Lada Kalina 2 look and handle well with size 14 wheels. The variations of shapes and colors in auto stores will pleasantly surprise you.
One of the most expensive, spectacular and unusual methods of body tuning for Kalina is airbrushing. With its help you can turn your car into a work of art. Airbrush professionals create unique masterpieces. Such pleasure costs quite a lot and not everyone can afford it. A budget option is photo stickers that imitate airbrushing. But the car will still need sanding and varnishing.
Ordinary stickers sold at gas stations and car stalls cannot be classified as tuning elements. They are short-lived and designed to mask minor scratches and defects on a car's paintwork. A car with airbrushing will definitely stand out from the gray mass of its analogues, but only a specialist can do such tuning with his own hands.
Spectacular transformation of Kalina
In addition to installing a sporty front and rear bumper, you can change the hood to a new one with air intakes, or purchase a special trim. This will not be cheap, but it will give the car a more aggressive design and will bring considerable benefits. Air intakes prevent engine overheating at high speeds. A spoiler is installed on the trunk or roof of the car, depending on whether it is a hatchback or a station wagon, which not only decorates the car, but also contributes to aerodynamics.
Tuning the Lada Kalina cannot be imagined without changing the optics. You don’t have to limit yourself to eyelashes when you can completely replace the headlights or supplement them with LEDs and xenon. It would be good to choose new sports-style rear-view mirrors for the already replaced improved parts. Threshold covers are also sold in a huge assortment; you can always find those that fit into the style that is common with all the elements.
Technical tuning of Lada Kalina
It is worth noting that Kalina Sport is quite different from the usual one. It comes stock with disc brakes, gas-oil suspension, cast 15th wheels, a dark interior and highly supportive seats. In short, it has all the normal parameters for a hot hatch. This makes you wonder whether there is any point in upgrading a standard car if it is easier (and perhaps cheaper) to take the Sport version.
Budget 10,000 rubles
— Exhaust manifolds for Kalina can be found from 3,500 rubles; — Some of the most popular shock absorbers from Plaza Sport start from about 2,000 rubles. a piece;
— Rack extensions start from RUR 1,500; — Resonators – from 2,500 rubles; — Camshafts – from 2,500 rubles; — “Zero” filters – from 1,000 rubles;
Budget 50,000 rubles
— If your Kalina is not in the Sport version, then it makes sense first of all to modify the brakes (on a regular Kalina they are drums). A rear set from Turbosmart costs about 15,000 rubles;
Internal car changes
You should not stop by changing the external data of the Lada Kalina or Lada Kalina 2. When tuning a VAZ, you should pay attention to the interior of the car. New sports seats will not only complement the image of the car, but will also provide greater comfort to the driver. Uncomfortable seats will negatively affect the spines of car passengers. New seats and covers should complement the updated upholstery.
The material for upholstering the interior can be any, the main thing is of high quality. It should be easy to clean and wash, durable and beautiful. This role can be played by artificial and natural leather, Alcantara (artificial suede), velor and carbon fiber.
The interior matches the body color - fashionable and stylish
The latter gives free rein to imagination. You can create any design from it, it is not difficult to use. Velor gives warmth and comfort, and leather gives solidity and high cost. Door panels, in addition to upholstery, can be decorated with wood or marble inserts. This will add an aristocratic flair to the car.
The steering wheel can be replaced with a sports one. It will not only fit perfectly into the interior, but will also make driving more comfortable. The gear lever cover must match the car's steering wheel, and the lever itself can be replaced with a new one.
Lada Kalina and Lada Kalina 2 have an interesting dashboard design. For it, it will be enough to purchase and install the backlight of the required shade along the contour.
Flocking as one of the tuning methods
Flocking is the act of covering the interior with a special coating that feels like terry to the touch. This material is quite soft, original, covered with short fibers, the length of which can be up to 2 mm. Some interior parts are covered with this material, which creates an original and unusual look.
This method of tuning the interior is quite simple, does not take much time and does not require any special skills. You can do this yourself, without contacting car services.
This type of coating is available in two types - with negative and positive lint. Villi with a “plus” charge will attract oppositely charged particles. Accordingly, fibers that have the same charge will repel each other. Before applying fluff to selected areas of the interior, they must be treated with negative particles. At the same time, the area of the interior where the coating will be applied is treated with positive particles. A thin layer of glue is applied to the selected part of the interior. As a result, particles charged differently create the appearance of moving around the cabin and are attracted to each other.
This type of tuning is quite unusual. Your passengers will be pleasantly surprised watching and touching this unusual covering.
Unfortunately, nowadays you can find many fakes of this material. The most common is the Chinese manufacturer. If you pick up a product and see instructions in Chinese, then it is better to refuse to purchase this product. The Swiss manufacturer is considered to be of the highest quality, which is what experts recommend buying.
Carbon interior sticker
If you have been driving for a long time, then, most likely, you have already heard about the special carbon fiber coating that is used for tuning car interiors. In addition to the body, some parts of the interior are also covered with this material. Many specialists at a car dealership will do this type of tuning quite efficiently and for little money. However, such work can be done with your own hands. It will not take much time, but will require extreme care and accuracy. When purchasing carbon film, you should be careful, as it is available in different textures. There are several types of carbon film:
- painted film;
- relief film.
Embossed film has improved quality and a presentable appearance, but is more expensive. It is also worth considering that this material cannot be used for the entire interior. It is best to use carbon film to cover parts with a smooth transition that do not have sharp corners. Carbon tuning usually requires the following tool:
- carbon film;
- scissors;
- blade or stationery knife;
- construction hairdryer
Before starting work, it is necessary to dismantle those parts on which the film will be glued. We first lay out the carbon fiber, place the parts and trace the contours with a pencil. Cut out the circled pieces, making a small margin. Next, we apply the carbon coating to the part and bend the edges. Using a hair dryer, heat the coating. When heated, the film will become elastic and easily stick to the part. All excess parts and edges must be removed using scissors or a blade.
By performing this operation yourself, your Lada Kalina will be transformed and acquire a bright, original appearance.
Pasting with vinyl based film
The outer surface of the vinyl film can imitate carbon. This material is also offered in different colors. Each element subject to modification is first dismantled. In Kalina-2, this action is simple to perform: the linings snap off, and the door handles are attached with self-tapping screws. Each step of the work performed is shown in the photo:
Refinement of air duct covers
Every detail needs to be covered.
Installation of decorative elements completed
Result of revision
By the way, no one says that you need to limit yourself in choosing colors. White carbon fiber in Kalina-2 also looks good, even if vinyl is actually used again:
This is how it all started
We paste over each element
Door armrest trim, pasting
The most suitable tone, its choice
The owners have already tried all the options shown above on their cars. But no one forbids trying to invent something new.
When working with vinyl, the workpiece is cut along the contour, leaving an allowance of up to 10-15 mm. After gluing, the surface sometimes has to be leveled, for which hot air is used. Use a regular household hair dryer.
Armchairs
The first thing all passengers pay attention to is the seats in the car. And the Kalina’s interior will look incomplete if the standard seat models are not modernized or replaced with new seats. The main disadvantage of classic chairs is the lack of lateral support for the armrests and a short bottom cushion. To correct these shortcomings, you can contact a specialized studio, where they will offer you a more suitable option from other car models or try to change the shape of the existing seats.
The first option is more acceptable due to its low cost. Specialist workshops charge a lot of money for their services, and if you are lucky enough to find original chairs that suit you, you can redo the fasteners yourself.
Improvements at the factory
The manufacturer cannot always make what will actually be effective under different operating conditions. Therefore, car enthusiasts often modify their cars on their own.
Rear shelf
In viburnum, the rear shelf is made of low-quality material, which soon leads to it being skewed. Also, if you install a speaker system in your car, then a standard shelf will not allow you to achieve good sound.
An alternative to all these problems is an acoustic shelf made of thicker materials and covered with carpet.
Weight
Masses affect not only the car’s electrical appliances, but also the operation of the internal combustion engine itself and the battery charge. Standard masses are not very effective, so it is recommended to duplicate them in order to achieve more reliable battery charging and smooth operation of the internal combustion engine.
Category: Tuning
How to take up trunk space
In Kalina-2, as in most other hatchbacks and station wagons, the trunk and interior are separated by a removable shelf. This shelf can be dismantled, or you can use it to install speakers. True, then there will be little space left for the subwoofer, especially if we are talking about a hatchback:
Subwoofer housing in the trunk of a hatchback
Everything looks great in the station wagon, especially if the shelf has been removed:
Homemade subwoofer housing in the trunk of a station wagon
The amplifier in both cases is mounted on the back of the rear seat. In fact, it is not recommended to do this - the cladding elements are not designed for significant loads.
Interior of Kalina Sport
The most favorite tuning element in the Lada Kalina Sport, as in any other car, is the interior space. It is inside the car that we spend the most time. And everything here should please our eyes. It would seem that the Kalina Sport package already contains many elements of modern tuning: sports pedal pads, sports front seats, a short steering rack.
But there is no limit to perfection. We suggest considering the minimum list of interior tuning for Kalina Sport. The first and cheapest thing is to replace the gearshift knob. This accessory costs from 300 rubles. You can buy it at any car market. Next, you can change the steering wheel to a sports model. This will cost from 1000 rubles.
But if you are planning frequent city trips, then attention from the traffic police will be ensured. It is better to buy products certified in the Russian Federation, these include Momo and Sparco. It is better to carry a copy of the certificate issued by the seller with you. Otherwise, you can legalize your tuning in the traffic police by receiving o.
Although the chair is a sports one, if desired, it can be upgraded to a more comfortable option. The asking price is from 6,000 rubles. The standard equipment of the Lada Kalina Sport is equipped with inertial three-point seat belts. They can be replaced with:
- 4-point belts - from RUR 2,500;
- 6-point - from 4,000 rub.
One of the finishing touches in interior tuning can be LED lighting of the dashboard and niches under the driver and passenger seats. For those who are electrically savvy, the installation can be done independently. For others, the issue price starts from 1,300 rubles. The cost of the LED strip was indicated above.
Floor lighting
It will be comfortable to sit in the Kalina's cabin if you equip it with additional lighting in the foot area. For this you will need:
- about three meters of LED strip;
- several meters of cables;
- corners - 2 pcs
To organize lighting for the driver's floor, attach the LED strip to double-sided tape. The second option is to use a plastic cable duct, which is installed using self-tapping screws. The front passenger floor is illuminated in the same way, that is, an LED strip is attached under the glove box. To create illumination for the feet of rear passengers, install light sources in the corners that are installed on the air ducts. There is no need to remove the seats for this job. Simply move the seats as far forward as possible.
Console
The torpedo has a great influence on the interior of literally the entire cabin. And if you compare the tidy of the Zhiguli with the Kalina, you can notice with the naked eye that Tolyatti engineers have stepped far forward in design. But the ideal option is still very far away. To make the dashboard of a domestic car, the factory uses fairly low quality plastic, which negatively affects the performance properties of the entire instrument panel. Over time, the color of the material fades. The plastic elements become covered with small cracks, and the entire structure of the torpedo begins to make unpleasant creaking sounds when driving.
Do-it-yourself tuning of the Kalina salon:
- Carefully disassemble the torpedo structure and apply glue to all places where the plastic touches metal and other materials.
- Secure all electrical wiring elements with plastic clamps.
- Secure the air ducts.
- Replace all plastic fasteners with new ones.
- If desired, change the color of the torpedo by covering it with a special wear-resistant film. It is not difficult to perform this procedure yourself.
- The central tunnel with cup holders will improve the appearance of the interior, highlight it in a different color and also cover it with thick vinyl film.
- Install an armrest between the front seats. This will significantly reduce fatigue from driving over long distances. In addition, the armrest serves as an additional niche for storing all kinds of small items.
