Niva VAZ 21213 engine: characteristics, malfunctions and tuning

December 16, 2015 Lada.Online 181 241 20

Lada 4×4 is an off-road vehicle. We know that the capabilities of an SUV depend on a number of factors, which together give the vehicle good cross-country ability. One of them is the characteristics of the power unit. Let's look at the features of the Lada 4×4 with a diesel engine.

What is the best engine to install in NIVU to replace the original one?

Every motorist dreams that the engine in his car would be more reliable and stronger. Niva owners
know firsthand that sometimes just a little bit of power is not enough to overcome any obstacle.
In a standard NIVA,
the engine is rather weak and everyone knows this; in one of the posts I told you how to inexpensively increase the power on a NIVA by 40%.

Someone like this tuning

It seems unreliable and tedious.
Therefore, Niva
go a different route and install engines from other cars.

So, 3 engines with better qualities than the original Niva engine.

1.

Probably the most
reliable and budget
option is to install a
Toyota

2-liter 3S
petrol .
Perfectly fits the NIVA
with minimal modifications.
are also installed from this engine .
reviews of such a converted
NIVA
; everyone who has this internal combustion engine installed, I think that this engine was created for
the NIVA
.

2.

This motor is very easy to install and
does not require
huge investments and effort for installation.
For this motor, the Russian market already has all the necessary spare parts for a “swap”
.
Yes, you understood correctly, this is a VAZ 16 valve engine
.
The advantages of the engine are more powerful and lower fuel consumption. Niva
owners with such
a “heart”
recommend changing
camshafts “for traction”
.

3.

Diesel engine from
PEUGEOT.
XUD 9 is a 1.9 liter engine that NIVO drivers really loved.
This unit is installed on NIVU at the factory
, but these models are exported (read here).
This engine is also installed on the car practically without modifications
.
Only in price it will be more expensive than the internal combustion engines
presented above.

We would like to know your opinions:

Is it worth changing the engine on Niva?

What alternative should I buy instead of NIVA?

Share your opinion in the comments.

Source

Design Features

The 21213 engine was created from the working version 2121, taking into account new developments for the VAZ 2107 engine, which were never completed. The main differences from the Niva internal combustion engine are:

• new design pistons;
• changing the parameters of the cylinder head and connecting rods;
• crankshaft modernization;
• camshaft modification;
• use of Solex carburetor modification 21073;
• improved lubrication system;
• original design of the chain tensioner shoe.

Pistons 21213

Crankshaft

Chain tensioner shoe

A detailed description of the components is contained in the manufacturer's manual. To reduce costs, designers mainly used parts of engines already in production that were already in mass production at the time of 1994:

• standard cylinder block, from 2103, height 214.58 mm, cylinder center distance 95 mm;
• crankshaft - taken from 2103 with a crank radius of 40 mm, equipped with additional counterweights, oil channels are drilled in the connecting rod journals, and their diameters are increased by 0.02 mm;
• the cylinder head was used from 21011, but the combustion chambers were enlarged (30 cm3 each), the height was ground down to 111 mm;
• timing valve mechanism – used from 2101 without changes;
• Timing chain – bush-roller double-row from 2103.

Cylinder head 21213

Factory boost provided a power of 81 hp. s and a torque of 126 Nm, but the manufacturer left a potential of about 45 - 60 hp. With. At the same time, he recommends improving the intake and exhaust tracts with your own hands without boring the cylinders and turbocharging the engine.

The main feature of the lubrication system is the presence of plugs to accumulate and then remove dirt from the oil.

From a foreign car

Do you want to install the engine in the Niva without modifications? Then try another diesel from Pegout XUD9SD with a volume of 1.9. The engine is very reliable and torquey, and what’s most interesting is that it fits perfectly into the Niva using almost all fastenings.

After this modification, the Niva will become very dynamic, and it will definitely not let you down off-road. There will be no problems with spare parts.

In conclusion, I would like to say that absolutely any engine can be installed in any car. The most important thing is desire, without it you can’t go anywhere. And love your car.

Photos taken from the Internet!

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Source

Let's sum it up

So, which is better - a Niva carburetor or an injector? For off-road use and for the city, the second option is definitely better. An injector is a more reliable and practical system. There are far fewer problems and headaches with it, as evidenced by numerous reviews from owners. The engine starts easier and responds better to the gas pedal.

Read news about the new Niva

• The modernized Lada Niva Legend (4x4) 2021 was shown on the Internet
• Lada 4×4 Bronto - sales stopped, new details » Lada.Online - all the most interesting and useful about LADA cars
• Description of the instrument panel Lada 4×4 (VAZ 2121, 2131) » Lada.Online - all the most interesting and useful about LADA cars
• LADA Niva – Operating manual – Official LADA website
• Chevrolet Niva gasoline consumption per 100 km
• Buy LADA (VAZ) 2131 (4×4) 2022 in Rostov-on-Don, low price for Lada 2131 (4×4) 2022 on the Avto.ru website
• Fuses Niva 21214 injector «
• The new large Lada 4×4 Niva “Bigster” 2021-2022 based on the Dacia Bigster was shown for the first time. The SUV has changed beyond recognition

Engine for Niva from a foreign car without modifications

When buying a Niva engine from foreign cars, many new car enthusiasts are interested in whether the engine from a foreign car will fit into a domestic car without modifications. Despite the fact that the Niva is a vehicle that can pass any road, thanks to its ground clearance of 20 centimeters. And the volume of the power unit of 1.7 liters will not allow you to spend extra money on gasoline.

Technical characteristics of engines on Niva

Since the domestic car has been so advertised, let's take a look at the technical characteristics of the Niva 2121 internal combustion engine. They are all recorded in the table.

Attention! The closer the Niva engine is produced to the year in which it lives, the higher the environmental class.

The Niva's fuel consumption is as low as all small cars. Car owners often change their gasoline engine to a diesel engine for their Niva Chevrolet. Let's take a look at the advantages obtained by installing this engine and the negative aspects that the owner has to face.

Repair dimensions of cylinders and pistons of the VAZ 21213 engine during major repairs

Diesel engine for Niva Chevrolet

As a replacement, a diesel engine is used for the Niva. Such a motor provides the following advantages for the car:

• traction performance at low speeds increases. The car does not slip in the mud on rural roads or on asphalt with wet snow in the autumn. Good performance in the last parameter is also determined by the installation of high-quality studded tires;
• Niva fuel consumption decreases when traveling on rural roads and the highway;
• the lifespan of the engine increases.

However, there are also disadvantages to installing a diesel engine on a Niva. The weight of the car increases, and in city mode this affects the increase in fuel consumption. Vibrations from the diesel engine are transmitted to the body. A diesel engine from a foreign car requires replacement of foreign-made parts. Therefore, the cost of repairing such a power unit increases.

What diesel engines can be installed on the Niva in the list:

• Peugeot XUD 9SD;
• Peugeot XUD 11SD;
• Volkswagen Vento.

Together with the installation of the above-described engines, a gearbox from Fiat Polonese is suitable. It will take a little work to remodel, but it's worth the effort.

What you will need to do:

1. Install pillows from VAZ 21215.
2. Install a bellhousing and gearbox from an already known Fiat.
3. Slightly alter the pan, oil intake, flywheel and some other parts.
4. All changes must be submitted through the traffic police.

After such tuning, you will not need to invest in the car for another five years. The only thing that is needed is to observe regular technical inspection and preventive replacement of consumables: filters from air to diesel, oil seals, if the machine was used in difficult conditions, for example, such as heat and frost below 20 degrees Celsius with a minus sign.

Let's now see which engine can be installed on the Niva, but without making modifications and without completely reinstalling the “heart” system of the engine. Some of the engines listed above still have the ability to fit without modifying the space for the engine. Let us describe in more detail why these engines are good.

Options without modifications

The Chevrolet Niva will be equipped with the Peugeot XUD engine without modifications. Replacing with this power unit is better than installing the original new engine. Firstly, it is more durable than the one that was originally installed on the Niva. Secondly, a dozen different engines will be inferior in terms of power and maintainability compared to Pezhovsky. You don't have to replace many parts to get the motor to fit into the car and interact with the wheels and transmission.

Another disadvantage of this engine is its high cost. It is installed on Niva cars for export. Therefore, parts for it have a high price.

The remaining diesel engines are installed with modifications.

Modified options

Engines on the Niva with modifications are already coming from Toyota and Volkswagen. I wrote about them above and how they need to be changed so that the engine works properly was also described. However. If you do not understand the design of power units, then it is better to leave the replacement procedure to experienced mechanics.

Therefore, I will not go into details. I’d rather write what you need to know when swapping an engine for diesel or gasoline:

• the power unit must be freely placed under the hood in the engine space of the car;
• The maximum permissible excess power is no more than 20 horses. Otherwise, other parts of the car will not withstand the load;
• swap should be useful.

Now let's talk about gasoline power units.

Reliability, weaknesses, maintainability

Reliability

The problem of reliability is relevant for any engine. Every car owner is interested in a high-quality and at the same time economical engine for his car.

Unfortunately, in fact, the issue of reliability does not cause delight among some car enthusiasts. Others, on the contrary, are glad that their Niva has a VAZ-2121.

Car owners who take care of the engine consider it quite reliable. Well, those who, among all types of service, recognize only refueling with gasoline, have very doubts about the reliability of the engine.

Driving style and compliance with operating rules are of no small importance. For example, on one of the forums the author wrote this: “...then the ardor subsided and he stopped throwing money at her, and what I want to say is that the ride didn’t get any worse, but he stopped mocking her - he excluded extreme sports, so he’s holding on.”

Maxim from Sosnovy Bor also speaks positively about his engine: “...cheap to maintain, starts perfectly in any frost.”

To increase engine reliability, many car enthusiasts advise not to spare money on oil (buy only high-quality oil) and to replace it after 8-10 thousand kilometers.

For maintenance and minor repairs, it is recommended to use only original spare parts and consumables.

You need to fill your car with gasoline only at proven gas stations.

Promptly eliminate detected engine faults.

If you follow these simple operating rules, the motor will respond with high reliability and increased service life.

Weak spots

They are available in any engine. VAZ-2121 is no exception. At the same time, it must be borne in mind that the appearance of weak points is often provoked by the car owner himself.

Motor overheating. This kind of malfunction is not uncommon. A faulty thermostat, dirty radiator or water pump may be to blame. Sometimes it is enough to clean the radiator and the problem with engine cooling disappears. But the thermostat and pump will have to be changed.

Vibration of the internal combustion engine at idle speed in most cases occurs when using low-quality gasoline, as well as loss of shock-absorbing properties of the engine mounts. Less commonly, the cause is a damaged cylinder head gasket or burnt-out valves. If vibration occurs, the motor needs diagnostics at a car service center.

Increased camshaft wear. Unfortunately, this is a peculiar disease of all VAZ engines of the previous generation.

Some car enthusiasts are concerned about the significant oil consumption of the engine. As a rule, the main reason here is the use of cheap types of oil. For your information: saving on oil, as well as not replacing it in a timely manner, lead to an increase in the cylinder diameter by 0.15 mm after 50-60 thousand kilometers.

In other words, the quality of the oil directly affects the wear of the rubbing surfaces of the CPG. Hence the increased oil consumption.

In any case, if engine malfunctions occur, you need to seek help from service station specialists.

Gasoline engine on Chevrolet Niva

Not only imported engines are suitable for the Niva. Domestic production is also quite suitable. For example, a sixteen-valve power unit from VAZ can be easily installed without modification. It has lower fuel consumption than diesel engines and more power.

Car owners of such an engine are advised to change the camshafts for traction. There is no need to replace the gearbox. Engines from foreign cars require improvement. The next block will show which gasoline power units are suitable for swapping a Niva engine.

With modification

Niva is suitable for an engine from a BMW M42, M43 or Toyota, but gasoline. You will need to buy some parts for the swap, but changing the engine to one of these will give results that will surprise you. The car will become more maneuverable and will respond better to the accelerator pedal.

The fuel consumption of these power units is low. Therefore, you won’t have to spend money on them if you only follow the technical inspection rules and visit service centers on time.

No modifications

Many engines that are suitable without modifications for the Chevrolet Niva do not differ from the power unit that left the factory with the vehicle. Therefore, experienced mechanics advise installing an additional turbine if you want to increase engine power. The choice of gasoline engines is much higher than that of diesel engines.

A budget engine that will successfully fit into a Chevrolet Niva is Toyota’s 3S. There is no need to make major changes when installing this power unit. You can install a transmission from this car and a transfer case. Then Niva will become more powerful.

Attention! When swapping a power unit, do not forget that the controllability of the car changes along with the engine. For example, if a more powerful motor is installed, then controllability deteriorates somewhat.

Advantages and disadvantages

At the time of its creation, ICE 21213 had the following advantages over earlier versions:

• trouble-free carburetor - does not require frequent adjustments, when adjusted by a specialist, it ensures gasoline consumption at the level of injection injection;
• improved performance - in addition to power/torque, speed and throttle response have increased;
• several repair sizes of ShPG - major repairs can be performed several times without purchasing a new unit.

ShPG 21213

The disadvantage is the excessive noise during operation of the internal combustion engine, high consumption of fuel and lubricants and antifreeze. Currently, instead of standard elastic cylinder head gaskets, metal packages with a long service life can be used. However, machine grinding of the surface of the head and block, respectively, will be required.

Users note among the disadvantages of the motor the low quality of the factory assembly. For example, the connecting rod pin bushings are pressed in incorrectly - with a cut in an arbitrary direction. And these parts experience maximum loads at dead spots, so in the literature it is recommended to press them either at 45 degrees or in a horizontal direction, which will increase the service life of this consumable.