Having considered the prospects of the domestic Niva brand in time, the American automobile monster GM financed the final stage of creating a modified version. He added the name Chevrolet to the name and, together with the Russian concern AvtoVAZ, in 2002 introduced the Chevrolet Niva model to off-road enthusiasts. The new product received a decent appearance, high cross-country ability and an improved interior. But today we’ll talk about tuning a Chevrolet Niva, what you can do with your own hands, and what things need to be done with the help of specialists. But the most important thing is installing the right wheels on the Niva.
Despite this, tuning the Chevrolet Niva is very popular. By the way, the car is the owner of several professional automotive nominations. In 2015, it was awarded the title of “Best Domestic SUV”. Chevy is produced both for the domestic market and for export to near and far abroad.
Car owners strive to improve technical characteristics and differentiate their car from similar brands. Considering that 98% of it is equipped with spare parts manufactured at domestic enterprises, this is quite possible.
The volume of work depends on the strength of desire, financial capabilities and skills. The latter, however, are easy to improve. “The road can be mastered by the one who walks” - so you can go in three main directions - changing the appearance, improving technical capabilities, the first and three times at the same time. Let's look at the most popular and affordable options.
Changing wheels
Off-road tuning begins with changing the wheels. It is traditionally believed that the larger the wheels on a car, the better its cross-country ability. This is true, but sometimes replacing wheels with larger ones means enlarging the arches.
In order not to “damage” the arches, you need to know the appropriate sizes of off-road wheels that can be used painlessly for a car, for example, 215/75/R15 brands Forward, Safari, Goodrich and 205/80/R16: Kumho, Gordiant.
By installing wheels of this size, you will immediately notice the difference between the regular version of the car and the off-road version.
If you think that these changes will not be enough for you and you want even larger wheels, then cutting the arches is guaranteed for you. But you should know that in some cases you can simply bend the arches outward. This method looks better aesthetically.
Important! In any case, having enlarged the wheels, you will need to lift the car, or, more simply put, increase the ground clearance to the required off-road size.
Suspension upgrade
Having special equipment and tools at hand, you can make a Niva suspension lift in the following way:
Increase the ground clearance by 5 cm by installing special spacers for this. They can be bought at almost any car tuning store. The kit includes several spacers for the rear and front springs, a set of spare parts to increase the length of the shock absorbers and traction mounts. This kit also contains instructions that explain in sufficient detail what is attached and where; every car enthusiast who has at least once encountered modifications to a car can figure it out.
You can safely do this lift tuning of a Chevrolet Niva with your own hands; later you will be able to install 29–30-inch tires and make a decent reserve to conquer off-road terrain.
This method also involves installing special spacers in the space between the body and the main frame; such elements are made of natural rubber or soft metal.
By installing these additions on your car, you can raise it by 2-3 inches, but the installation process is quite labor-intensive, so if you want high-quality results in a short time, it is better to seek installation help from an auto repair shop.
Chevrolet Niva engine tuning parts
The increase in engine power and torque is carried out in two directions: increasing the working volume and increasing the efficiency of gas dynamics.
The first way is to bore the cylinders and replace the standard pistons with pistons of increased diameter. In this way, it is possible to increase the working volume from the standard 1700 to 1900 cc. In addition, it is possible to install a crankshaft with an increased shoulder and replace the connecting rods with shorter ones, which increases the piston stroke.
New pistons can be cast or forged. Forging produces especially durable parts that have an increased service life, but the main thing when tuning is ideal balance and accuracy. The balance of the mass of the piston and the forces acting on it, the dynamic balance of the pistons, connecting rods and crankshaft - all these are necessary conditions for reducing vibrations, minimizing loads on all parts and increasing their service life.
An increase in working volume entails the need to improve cylinder purging. This is the only way to fully realize their new potential. To ensure greater gas exchange in the cylinder, the valve seats are bored and valves of increased diameter are installed. The same effect can be achieved in a simpler way - by replacing the standard valves with T-shaped ones, which have a thinner profile and open a passage of larger cross-section for the flow of gases.
Machined valves have less weight and are able to operate without “hanging” at higher speeds. Pushing the timing kinematics break point to the high speed zone allows you to shift the operating frequency range up to 8000 rpm and thereby obtain a noticeable increase in power. In accordance with the general logic of reducing the inertia of moving parts, the upper valve spring plates, the springs themselves, and pushers are replaced to achieve maximum effect.
For efficient engine operation at high speeds, other valve timing phases are needed, taking into account the high speed of the piston and the inertia of gas processes. More than a hundred tuning camshafts with modified cam geometry have been developed for the Niva engine. Among them, you can select a shaft that provides the required amplitude and the required opening and closing moments of the valves.
To fine-tune the valve timing (GDP), a split gear with a movable ring is installed on the camshaft. When assembling a timing kit, you need to take into account existing software systems for flashing the engine control unit.
Do-it-yourself modification of the Chevy Niva engine in the video:
Installation of power kit
External tuning of a Chevrolet Niva involves installing a power body kit, without which it is generally better not to go off-road. Its preparation will not take too much time and effort, especially if the materials and tools are already ready.
So, briefly about what needs to be done:
- Replacing the standard Niva front bumper with a power one. A good option would be a bumper with an integrated winch.
- Replacing the standard rear bumper with a power one.
- Setting power thresholds.
All these changes are made in order to protect the car body from damage while overcoming obstacles and, in principle, while driving off-road, since they are inevitable.
Tuning options
If you look at the Drive 2 website, read various reviews, look at pictures and photos of Niva modernization, most car owners get a very decent result.
It all depends on what your goal is and how much money you are willing to spend on improving your domestic crossover. Some are quite happy with the factory version of MD (with single-wheel drive) or 4x4 without any improvements. Others definitely want to make a real candy out of an ordinary crossover, which everyone will turn around and look at with a hint of envy.
I will say right away that the Chevrolet Niva is not a car that is used for racing or some kind of exquisite tuning exhibitions. This is a workhorse. Therefore, tuning has several goals:
- make the car more attractive;
- give it more practicality;
- increase cross-country ability;
- improve comfort inside the car for the driver and passengers;
- improve technical specifications.
All modification activities can be divided into several types of tuning:
- external;
- internal (applies to the interior and trunk);
- technical (including engine chip tuning).
I suggest considering the following options:
- off-road modifications;
- engine;
- salon;
- external improvements.
Each item includes several subcategories. But we’ll figure this out as we go along. So get ready. Feel free to grab something tasty to munch on while you read. And I'll start. Bon appetit, if anything.
Off road kit
Reviews clearly show that the Chevrolet Niva is very suitable as an off-road vehicle. But here you should take into account only the 4x4 version, since a single-wheel drive crossover will not cope with real off-road conditions.
Off-road tuning is the most popular. Technologically, this is not the most difficult thing you can think of. The whole point of the modification is to install and select several elements.
- Body kit. I’m not sure that the plastic body kit from China will withstand real loads. Therefore, it is better to use a powerful front bumper based on steel pipes and with a platform for a winch. You can make an off-road body kit with your own hands, or order it through an online store or purchase it from a craftsman. Read separately about the power bumper using the example of the VAZ Niva;
Additionally, you can repaint the car, stick on various stickers, install a roof rack on the Chevrolet Niva, etc.
That's enough for now. We are moving further according to plan.
Engine
If you decide to touch on the topic of the engine, then you will have to understand it more carefully. Do not do tuning yourself if you do not have a basic understanding of the structure and operating features of the elements of the power unit.
To modify the Chevrolet Niva engine, you can get into the design of the power unit, change some elements or perform other operations.
Among the most popular solutions are the following:
- Replacement of the crankshaft and installation of new piston rings. This allows you to increase engine volume by about 0.1 liters. The change seems minor, but in fact the technical characteristics are improved;
But all such modifications require significant knowledge and serious intervention in the technical component of the crossover.
That's why most car owners choose chip tuning.
Chip tuning
The standard firmware on the Niva is not optimal and allows you to improve some indicators. If everything is done correctly, the car will become faster and more economical. Before chip tuning, a complete diagnosis must be carried out. If the engine is faulty, tampering with the electronics is strictly prohibited. The consequences can be unpredictable and sad.
Chip tuning is done something like this:
- the control unit is dismantled;
- connect a laptop or computer;
- The PC reads information about the engine program and saves it in the archive;
- the program is upgraded and recorded on the ECU;
- the block returns to its place.
Engine compartment of Niva Chevrolet
Modification of the engine compartment is also necessary if you plan to overcome harsh natural areas, for example, swamps, fords, etc. It is necessary to protect the engine from moisture, since in almost 90% of cases, when water gets into the engine, it fails.
To prevent this from happening, experienced tuners install a special protection called a “snorkel”; it prevents water from penetrating the engine.
Off-road tuning also involves placing the exhaust pipe on the roof. This is done so that if you stop in the water, exhaust gases do not penetrate into the interior of the car. In addition to the fact that this addition is a must for those who like to travel on water, it also looks very impressive and adds brutality to the car.
Interior trim
It would be a mistake to think that interior decoration is needed only for beauty and comfort. When traveling in the cold season or through swampy areas, insulating the interior and improving sound insulation and vibration insulation properties are important. Many drivers recommend replacing the seats because the factory version is not very comfortable for long trips. Another tip from experts is to install a navigator.
Interior trim also includes the installation of stereo systems, leather upholstery, heated seats, tuning the instrument panel, and the use of neon lighting.
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.
Useful improvements
A do-it-yourself expedition trunk for a Chevy-Niva will be very useful for lovers of long trips and outdoor adventures.
The Chevrolet Niva car itself is not very roomy, so an additional trunk will be very useful.
You will need:
- Profile 15 by 15, length 24 m.
- Mesh 120 by 160 with cells 50 by 50 and thickness 2.5 mm. One will be enough.
- Profile 30 by 15, approximately 6 m.
- 4 things. eye nuts.
- 12 pcs. M6 bolts (for attaching the trunk and shovel).
- 2 pcs. M12 bolt (for attaching the jack).
- Welding machine, plumbing tools.
There is no need to make a trunk from a heavy profile; 15 by 15 is quite enough for transporting heavy loads within the expedition vehicle.
To carry out welding work, you will need a welding table, and if you don’t have one, then just a flat surface will be enough.
Progress
- We weld 4 clamps around the perimeter to the profile pre-cut to size.
- Then we begin to fill the perimeter according to the drawing with transverse and longitudinal bars.
- Attach the top of the profile to the bottom and press with clamps and weld, this will give relative identity to the top and bottom parts.
- The next step will be to weld the racks.
- Then we weld a mount for a shovel onto the racks + top.
- You can also attach an antenna mount; there are usually two of them.
- Weld 4 loops of eye nuts for branch cutters and fasteners for camp bands.
- Weld 2 nuts to secure the sand trucks; they should run through the middle of the trunk.
- Use a 30 by 15 profile to make the jack mount, but for the top of the jack, 15 by 15 will suffice.
- Secure the contact points between the trunk and the roof with rubber bands.
- The finished trunk can be painted using powder paint.
To secure the finished roof rack, use bolts on the crossbars and thrust plates placed on them, respectively, nuts and rubber bands with clamps as a fuse and damper.
Optics: what can be improved in the car
The car will shine in a special way if you tune the Chevrolet Niva headlights. This will require Hiper Flux yellow LED chips and GT Block Small (GTS) reflectors, as well as a can of matte black spray paint. Tools: drill or screwdriver, soldering iron and wires.
Disassemble the headlight and paint the backing black. Then make 16 holes for the reflectors at the same distance in the lower part of the body. They will serve as daytime running lights, so the installed LEDs must be white. Having connected them in a circuit, connect standard power to them.
For turn signals, use yellow LEDs. As a base, thin plastic is useful, in which you make symmetrical holes. It is enough to drill 4 or 6 holes vertically and 10 horizontally in the upper part of the headlight closer to the hood. After connecting them using wires, also connect them to the standard wiring. Assembling the headlight and installing it in place is not difficult. There can be a large number of options for the location of holes for lighting; the choice depends on your preferences.
It will also be interesting: Armoring the windshield and other glasses will protect not only from stones
Instead of individual diodes, you can use LED strip. In this case, the amount of work will be reduced. The advantages of such an upgrade include significantly higher brightness, longer service life of light elements and lower energy consumption compared to classic car lamps.
