What kind of diesel engine can be installed in the field?

Serial versions of the Niva all-wheel drive SUV (Lada 4×4) are traditionally found on CIS roads exclusively with a gasoline engine, although the manufacturer has made attempts to install a diesel internal combustion engine on this model. For this reason, one of the topics related to the popular jeep is the ability to independently install a diesel engine on the Niva.

We also recommend reading the article about affordable diesel tuning. From this article you will learn how to independently increase the power of a diesel engine by installing a special module called a tuning box.

On serious SUVs, a diesel engine, especially in a simple naturally aspirated version, is a more preferable option compared to a gasoline unit. Such a motor has many obvious advantages:

the high torque of a diesel engine at low speeds is indispensable for an off-road vehicle;
a diesel engine consumes much less fuel, which is important when driving off-road;
requirements for the quality of diesel fuel are noticeably reduced if atmospheric diesel is used;
the longer service life of a diesel engine before major repairs allows such an engine to be used actively and for a long time;

The main disadvantage is the vulnerability of high-precision diesel fuel equipment, as well as the complexity and high cost of subsequent repairs. In the power supply system of a diesel engine, fuel injection pumps and diesel injectors often fail. The presence of turbocharging (turbodiesel) can also cause certain difficulties during operation, since the condition of the turbine strongly depends on the quality of the fuel and diesel engine oil.

Installing a diesel engine on a Niva

One of the available options is the independent installation of a diesel engine on the Niva. To do this, you can use the services of large tuning studios or private professionals who modify cars. You can also install a diesel engine on a Niva yourself if you have some experience and specialized tools. You need to be prepared for the fact that in order to legally operate the car after replacing the engine, you will definitely need to register the changes made with the relevant government agencies.

In the process of selecting a diesel unit, many people wonder which diesel engine to put on the Niva. There are a sufficient number of diesel engines that can be installed on this car. Diesel engines of Japanese and European brands are most often installed on Niva with their own hands. The main requirement is the suitable physical dimensions of the power unit for placement in the engine compartment of the Niva.

The need to make changes to the design begins with the mounting features of the diesel engine. The second nuance is the increase in load on the front axle after installing a diesel internal combustion engine on the Niva, since an engine of this type is often heavier. For this reason, it is necessary to further strengthen both the suspension and the body after placing the engine. Almost always, the standard gearbox will also need to be replaced.

The list of general changes to the design of the Niva for a diesel engine includes: replacement of front engine mounts, modified sump, changes to the exhaust system. The engine cooling system is also subject to modernization. The cooling radiator is often changed (a radiator from a GAZ Gazelle car is suitable).

Changes are also being made to the chassis, individual elements are replaced with reinforced ones. For a regular Niva, they can be borrowed from Niva-Chevrolet. As for the operation of diesel engines, it is separately recommended to install a diesel fuel heating system.

The easiest option for replacing an engine for a Niva car is the Peugeot xud9sd diesel engine. The main advantage of this diesel engine is its fastenings, which are similar to the standard gasoline unit. This feature greatly simplifies the installation of a diesel engine on the Niva. Also, the Peugeot XUD9SD does not require a mandatory change of gearbox, allowing you to use the original VAZ gearbox.

You can also install a Peugeot diesel engine with the xud 11 index on the Niva, but in this case the gearbox will need to be changed. The VAZ gearbox with this engine will not last long. The solution is a gearbox from the Fiat Polonez model. Additionally, you will need to install another clutch. No less often, diesel engines from Japanese cars are installed on the Niva. Units with the Toyota 3c/ct index with a power of 80 and 100 hp are suitable. To replace the gearbox, you can use a 5-speed gearbox from the Noah model manufactured by Toyota.

The best option would be a diesel engine and gearbox, which were originally designed to work in tandem. In this case, the task is simplified due to the correspondence of all attachment points, as well as the coincidence of the axes of the internal combustion engine and transmission shafts. This approach eliminates difficulties in the process of combining a diesel engine and gearbox, and also significantly increases the service life of the associated components. There is no need to calculate what torque a particular gearbox with different diesel engines can withstand.

Improved Niva

The injector installed on the Niva, although it reduces fuel consumption, is still not the most economical option in urban conditions with traffic jams and other delays. On the highway and during long trips outside the city, this is not felt so much, since the car works without stops and downtime. Due to the unprofitability of cars in urban environments, drivers are thinking about a good and effective replacement for the old injection-type engine in their car. The best option would be a diesel engine for the Niva. It has approximately the same power characteristics, but its fuel consumption is comparatively lower. Also, diesel is less capricious in terms of fuel quality. What options from this category of motors are worth detailed consideration?

The first and most worthy candidate is the XUD 9 SD from Peugeot. This engine was used to create a modified version of the Niva - model 212151 with a French engine. It can be installed on the Niva without any problems - the fastenings of the parts and the assembly are identical, the motor fits perfectly in size, and in addition, there are some advantages from its installation.

In fact, this is the only option that suits all parameters.

Flaws

Vibration at speed 80-90 km;
Unreliable timing tensioner design;
Ignition module;
The fuel pump is noisy;
Low torque;
Long stroke of the gear lever;
When the timing chain breaks, the valves bend;
Vibration of the gear lever;
Poor dynamics on the highway due to insufficient power.

PS. Dear Nivovody! I look forward to your comments, questions and feedback on the problems that have arisen, weaknesses and shortcomings during the operation, maintenance and repair of the VAZ 21213 engine.

Niva engines have excellent technical characteristics and have proven themselves to be quite reliable power units. At the same time, it should be understood that, like all other VAZ power units, they are not without drawbacks.

The disadvantages of this motor include:

increased noise;
tendency to vibration;
increased oil consumption.

Such problems often appear after a mileage of 100,000 kilometers. Car owners need to closely monitor the condition of the cooling system.

What parts are needed for assembly?

The engine was disassembled, washed, new parts were ordered and are ready to be put back together. When assembling the engine block, the following parts were installed:

Crankshaft oil seals sizes 70x90x10 and 40x56x7
Main repair inserts 0.25 article 2101-1000102-11
Connecting rod bearings standard article 2101-1000104-01
Goetze rings article number 08-269906-00
Gasket set for engine 21213 is also suitable for engine 2101-07
Luzar pump article number 2101-1307011
Tensioner and idler rollers for the generator belt from Ina, article number 531 0760 10
The clutch kit was also replaced. Installed by Sachs, article number 3000 951 003

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.

Replacement problem

The fact is that to replace the engine on a VAZ-2121, you can choose almost a dozen different engines, but they are all from foreign cars. But the main problem is that you will have to do some additional work during installation, for example, install or change fasteners, add new parts. Because of this, it is not so easy to find a budget replacement option. The choice is significantly narrowed down to just a few options. For an engine to be suitable for installation, it must meet several conditions:

Which engine should you consider first?

Installing a diesel engine on a Niva

Advantages of installing a diesel power unit instead of gasoline or LPG. Choosing a suitable diesel engine for GAZelle and UAZ (UAZ) to replace a gasoline engine.

Comparison of gasoline and diesel engines. Advantages and disadvantages of diesel, reliability of diesel engine, features of its maintenance and operation.

Why does a diesel engine have a higher efficiency compared to gasoline engines? Torque and speed, diesel fuel energy.

Why oil leaks from the engine breather: signs and main causes of such a malfunction. How to understand why oil is flowing through the breather, troubleshooting.

Causes of noises and knocks when operating a gasoline engine in different modes. Detonation, knocking of hydraulic compensators, ignition faults and other reasons.

Diesel engine power increase module. Types of chip boxes, features of connection and operation of these blocks. Advantages and disadvantages of a tuning box.

Source

Modified options

Since it is not always possible to supply an engine of a certain foreign car, it is worth considering imported production options that require a little modification:

The first candidate will again be the French engine from Peugeot XUD 11 series. Since the power of this unit is higher than that of the previous model, some changes will need to be made to the design of the Niva - replacing the gearbox. An acceptable option is a gearbox from Fiat Polonez. In addition, a good solution would be to replace the front supports of the power plant fasteners, pan and exhaust system. It is also worth replacing the drive elements with similar parts from the Chevrolet Niva.

NIVA with a factory diesel engine.

VAZ-21215

- this is reality, they installed a PEUGEOT engine in the field. This manufacturer of diesel engines is a leader. 800 thousand of such units are produced per year.

"Lada-Niva" VAZ-21215

Motors for the field are installed at JSC Lada-Export in Chekhov, Moscow Region. Engine XUD-9L

, volume
1.9 cc
, power
65 hp.

Why XUD-9L Engine?

As I said, these are leaders in the production of diesel engines. With this unit it was possible to maintain the “base” of the field. Consumption has become significantly less by 35-40%.

Such NIVAs are assembled and sent for export. As the management of the Volzhsky Automobile Plant says, this is not the first attempt to install a diesel engine in a field.

VAZ-21215 Niva-Diesel -

It is assembled only for the European market, such as France, Italy, Spain, and there is not much demand in Germany. And also in other European countries.

There is no Niva-Diesel on our market yet, but as the leaders of the Volzhsky Automobile Plant say, this model has a place in Russia.

VAZ-21215 will be sent to European countries until the agreement signed with PSM is fulfilled. The contract was concluded for 10,000 of these machines. And while the release of this model is not possible in a short time.

Source

Practical advice for installing a diesel engine

When deciding to install it yourself, you should pay attention to the following experience. Among the possible units that the designers of both the classic car and the Chevrolet Niva considered was the Peugeot engine with the index XUD-9SD

Not the most powerful unit (from 69 to 75 hp) is highly reliable.

When planning such tuning, you need to be prepared to make some modifications:

Replace the gearbox. Among the options, a box from Fiat Polnes was offered, as it would work with such an engine. But it won’t be easy to find a unit from a car that is now rare.
Clutch mechanism. When searching for a box, they immediately select a clutch mechanism, which must ensure transmission of rotation and match in size.
Engine support points. When installing on the Niva, the front engine mounts required modifications.
Pallet shape. Taking into account the dense layout of the Niva’s engine compartment, the pallet requires an original shape, and was often made individually.
Exhaust system. Minimal modifications to the exhaust piping are required.

The serial Niva with this engine was produced until 2009 and was mainly exported. With a certain amount of luck, the car can still be found in advertisements for sale. A special feature of the car is its low dynamics. The car reaches the first hundred in only 25 seconds.

When carrying out independent modernization, do not forget about one more aspect. Replacing the engine with a non-similar version will require technical expertise. In practice, it will be possible to undergo such a procedure, but it will require a certain investment of time, money and nerves. Only after this you have the right to count on hassle-free registration of your car with the traffic police. Perhaps we should wait for the car to appear in a diesel version when the new generation comes out.

AutoNews / Reviews / Tests

What kind of diesel engine can be installed on Niva

Diesel for Niva: solving problems of self-installation

Passenger cars and SUVs with diesel engines are very popular abroad. For us, the idea of equipping a car with such an engine did not take root for a long time. Only not so long ago UAZ all-terrain vehicles with such an engine began to arrive on the market.

Nevertheless, there were attempts to make a jeep with a diesel engine. One example of such a car was the diesel Niva

.
This VAZ Niva 2121
was exported and had an index of 21215.

Equipping a car with a diesel unit has a number of positive qualities. These engines are significantly more economical than gasoline-powered units and are less demanding on fuel quality. They have excellent traction characteristics at low engine speeds. The service life of a diesel engine is not easy, which allows it to be used longer without undergoing extensive repairs.

The main drawback of these engines is the complexity and high cost of repairing the fuel accounting system, since a number of units use precision-machined parts.

What's inside?

The first thing that catches your eye in the 2022 Chevrolet Niva is the compartment for glasses on the roof behind the rearview mirror.
A hint of elegance, thanks to Italian designers. The rear view mirror is glued to the windshield, making visibility easier and no unnecessary squeaks being heard while driving. The cabin has become more comfortable and convenient. The instrument panel is simple and clear, nothing superfluous. Ergonomics worthy of a good car. The information is clearly visible.

Innovations in the cabin:

power steering,
height-adjustable steering column,
electric windows for the driver and front passenger,
electric headlight corrector,
cup holders and coin compartment,
The luxury trim includes rear seat headrests, roof rails and air conditioning.

The Chevrolet Niva with a diesel engine has a lot of positive qualities. Gasoline fuel prices are gaining momentum, and one can only guess at what level this process will stop. In recent years, diesel costs almost the same as gasoline. But since a diesel car has less appetite, the choice is obvious.

The savings on fuel when operating a diesel Chevrolet Niva are very noticeable. Consumption per 100 km is reduced by almost half.

The only problem is the price of the car. The Chevrolet Niva is quite expensive. For this money you can buy a foreign-made SUV that is not yet old, which is both more comfortable and quieter. A price reduction can only be achieved if we begin industrial production of the machine.

Advantages of diesel

For off-road use, a diesel engine is preferable. The advantages of a diesel engine over a gasoline engine in an SUV are obvious:

greater torque achieved at low speeds;
The fuel consumption of a diesel engine will be lower under similar operating conditions, due to the engine operating in optimal mode;
The service life of a modern diesel engine before overhaul is higher;
atmospheric diesel engines without electronic injectors can run on cheap, low-quality diesel fuel;
The installation of a diesel engine allows the use of large wheels and other main pairs.

At the same time, any diesel engine has its drawbacks: the engine is demanding of high-quality fuel, and the cost of repair and maintenance of fuel equipment will be noticeably higher than that of gasoline. A more powerful engine requires modifications to the gearbox, transfer case, and axle gearboxes. Starting a heavy fuel engine in winter has its own characteristics and often requires special heaters.

NIVA diesel engine: characteristics, overhaul

Niva is a popular Soviet SUV produced by AvtoVAZ. The Niva diesel engine is a Peugeot engine with the XUD9SD marking. Cars with this power unit have not gained much popularity.

Specifications

The Niva diesel engine has high technical characteristics, and the car itself has increased cross-country ability, since there is a 4x4 option.

Niva with XUD9SD engine.

Engine XUD9SD manufactured by Peugeot

Name	Index
Motor type	Diesel
Engine capacity	1.9 liter (1905 cc)
Number of cylinders	4
Number of valves	8
Fuel	Diesel fuel
Power	75 horsepower
Fuel consumption	7.1 l/100 km

NIVA power units were equipped with 4-speed manual and 5-speed manual transmissions.

Engine tuning

Tuning a NIVA engine is an art. Since the car has the characteristics of an SUV, the engine is tuned accordingly. The air filter duct is installed as high as possible, and the motor from below is protected by a special tray, the purpose of which is not to allow water to pass through.

So, the modification of the Niva’s power unit is designed to increase cross-country ability and traction capabilities, since the vehicle is mainly designed for operation on rough terrain. So, many car enthusiasts bore the power unit in such a way as to add not only horsepower, but also traction.

XUD9SD engine under the hood of the Niva.

As practice shows, tuning of NIVA engines and its modifications is carried out by tuning studios that are well versed in which unit needs to be modified.

Also, in the process of refinement, the ignition system and fuel injection are being modernized. Many car enthusiasts install additional sensors that help control the operation of the power unit.

Conclusion

Diesel engines NIVA or XUD9SD are reliable, but have a short mileage before major repairs. Although, on the other hand, carrying out overhauls of power units is quite difficult.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=Ro7_5mZKBGc

Specifications

The car received additional confidence on the track thanks to vacuum brake boosters and a new clutch. And the powerful and reliable suspension will allow you to travel for a long time over potholes and off-road without any loss to yourself. Of course, all these positive characteristics of the car are worth paying for, but not that much, according to drivers. For that kind of money you can buy an older European SUV.

Chevrolet Niva is not in great demand, so it makes no sense to produce them in large quantities.

Other engines

Some owners install Japanese-made diesel engines on their Niva. The most common are 3C and 3ST engines from Toyota. Both of these power plants have a displacement, but differ in power. The 3C engine has a power of 79 “horses”, the 3ST has 100 hp. With.

As with the XUD-9SD, the car goes through some modifications to ensure the engine's performance. At the same time, using the specified Japanese power plants, transmission elements are not always replaced. In this case, the gearbox remains standard, but no guarantees are given regarding the durability of its operation.

The car is not afraid of off-road conditions

Along with the Japanese-made power unit, some owners also replace the gearbox. The most commonly used gearbox is a 5-speed gearbox from a Toyota Noah minibus.

Some craftsmen install diesel power plants on the Niva from:

Mercedes Benz,
Volkswagen,
Nissan.

The main criterion for installation is the overall dimensions of the power unit. It should at least approximately correspond to the dimensions of the standard engine.

Next, design changes are made that will allow the unit to be secured in place. Some power devices are heavy. Therefore, after installation on the car, the suspension is strengthened. It is worth considering that some changes in the body structure made to replace the engine reduce its strength. Often, after the work has been done, the body needs to be strengthened.

Additionally, the transmission will have to be replaced and modified. It’s good if the power unit and gearbox are used from the same car. Then there will be no need to adjust the mounting points and maintain the alignment of the motor and gearbox shafts. Otherwise, even a small deviation in alignment will lead to frequent malfunctions, especially in the transmission.

Self-installation of a Peugeot engine

There are also Nivas on which the owners install diesel engines themselves, or they turn to specialized service stations that replace engines.

This diesel engine is the easiest to install on a car, since the mounting points on the XUD-9SD are exactly the same as on the original gasoline engine. It is worth considering that in addition to replacing the engine itself, some modifications have to be made. There is also the possibility of installing the XUD 11 power unit, produced by the same Peugeot, on the Niva instead of the XUD-9SD.

In addition to the engine itself, the gearbox will also need to be changed. This is due to the fact that the original VAZ gearbox will not be able to withstand the loads that the diesel unit will create on it. Instead of a VAZ gearbox, a Fiat Polonaise gearbox is often installed. It is used because the same XUD-9SD unit was installed on the Polonaise. The clutch housing is also installed together with the gearbox.

In addition, owners who convert the Niva to the XUD-9SD diesel engine also additionally change the front mounting supports of the unit. The pallet also undergoes transformations. The exhaust system will also need to be redone. To ensure additional reliability of front-wheel drive elements, some parts are replaced with similar ones from Chevrolet Niva.

To ensure proper cooling of the power plant, the standard radiator is often replaced with a radiator from a Gazelle. At the same time, the rubber pipes are also changed. It wouldn't hurt to install a diesel fuel heating system in winter.

After all these alterations and modifications, documentation will be required at the State Traffic Inspectorate.

Other engines

Some owners install Japanese-made diesel engines on their Niva. The most common are the 3C and 3ST engines from Toyota. Both of these power plants have the same displacement, but differ in power. The 3C engine has a power of 79 “horses”, the 3ST has 100 hp. With.

Just like the design for which the XUD-9SD is intended, the car undergoes some modifications to ensure the functionality of the motor. At the same time, using the designated Japanese power plants, it is rare that parts of the box are changed. Then the gearbox remains standard, but no guarantees are given regarding the durability of its operation.

The car is not afraid of off-road conditions

Along with a Japanese-made power unit, some owners also replace the gearbox. In most cases, a 5-speed gearbox from a Toyota Noah minibus is used.

Some craftsmen install diesel power plants on the Niva from:

The main factor in the installation process is the overall dimensions of the unit. It should at least approximately correspond to the dimensions of the standard engine.

Next, structural changes are made that will allow you to secure the unit in your apartment. Some power devices have significant weight. Therefore, after installation on the car, the suspension is strengthened. It is worth considering that certain changes in the body structure made to change the engine reduce its strength. Often, after the work has been done, the body needs to be strengthened.

Home
Articles
What kind of diesel engine can be installed on Niva

Diesel for Niva

: solving self-installation problems

Passenger cars and SUVs with diesel engines are very popular abroad. For us, the idea of equipping a car with such an engine has not caught on for many years. Only not so long ago UAZ all-terrain vehicles with such an engine began to arrive on the market.

However, there were attempts to make a jeep with a diesel engine. One example of such a car was the diesel Niva. This VAZ Niva 2121 model was exported and had an index of 21215.

The main drawback of these engines is the complexity and high cost of repairing the fuel system, which allows for accounting (software), since a number of units use precision-machined parts.

Engines Peugeot XUD9, XUD9A, XUD9SD, XUD9TE

Peugeot diesel engines are considered among the best. The French automaker offers a large selection of cars with this power unit. They are characterized by endurance, quality, power and good maintainability. One of the popular Peugeot diesel engines are various modifications of the XUD9 series.

The assembly of the first engines of this series began in 1982 and continued until 2005. They were assembled at several factories at once, and installed not only on cars of the French concern, but also on products of other automakers. Engines of this series could be found on Peugeot 305/306/309/405 models, Expert, Partner, as well as on products from other manufacturers. The French Peugeot began using the engine in 1982 and used it until 1998. The XUD9 was also purchased, for example, by CITROEN for its BX, Berlingo, Xantia and Xsara models from 1982 to 2005. FIAT purchased the engine for the Scudo from 1996 to 1998, and ROVER for the 200 from 1989 to 1995. FSO installed this powertrain in its Polonez from 1992 to 1997, and TALBOT installed it in its Horizon from 1982 to 1987. But the most interesting and remarkable thing is that even the domestic auto giant LADA also used a French engine to equip the Niva between 1993 and 1998.

ATTENTION! A completely simple way to reduce fuel consumption has been found! Don't believe me? An auto mechanic with 15 years of experience also didn’t believe it until he tried it. And now he saves 35,000 rubles a year on gasoline! Read more". This is the first engine model from which all other developments and modifications came.

It was first demonstrated and began to be used on French cars in 1982. At that time, it was one of the brightest and best developments in diesel engines. At the same time, subsequent modifications allowed the engine to remain relevant and in demand over a long period of time. Its main advantages were reliability and long service life. Most owners of cars with this engine note that it can easily travel 500 thousand kilometers before major repairs without serious breakdowns

This is the first engine model from which all other developments and modifications came. It was first demonstrated and began to be used on French cars in 1982. At that time, it was one of the brightest and best developments in diesel engines. At the same time, subsequent modifications allowed the engine to remain relevant and in demand over a long period of time. Its main advantages were reliability and long service life. Most owners of cars with this engine note that it can easily travel 500 thousand kilometers before major repairs without serious breakdowns.

However, it also has some disadvantages. For example, many car owners do not like the low location of the expansion tank - this makes servicing the car very difficult and makes it inconvenient. The second nuance is the cylinder head gasket, which breaks through any decrease in the antifreeze level. As it turned out, the main disadvantage of the engine was that every hundred thousand kilometers it requires expensive valve clearance adjustments. It is important to timely replace the fuel filter, otherwise the injection pump will need to be repaired. The peculiarity of replacing a fuel filter is that its expensive glass often breaks easily during the process. Another disadvantage of the engine is that at long runs there have been cases of pre-chambers falling out into the cylinders.

The unit has the following characteristics:

Engine capacity in cubic centimeters	1868
Fuel/consumption liters per 100 kilometers	Diesel/6.9
Supply system	Prechambers
Horsepower	71
Cylinder block/head	Cast iron R4/aluminum 8v
Stroke/Bore in millimeters	88/83
Compression ratio	23,5
Torque at rpm	125/2500
Maximum power at rpm	71/4600
Engine Features	Four cylinders, in-line, two valves per cylinder, timing belt drive

The Peugeot company installed this engine on:

Partner minivan from 1996 to 2002;
J5;
Ranch;
Partner Space;
Mk;
205;
305/Mk/Break;
309/Mk

In addition, the motor was used on the following cars:

CITROEN – BX/Break;
ROVER – 200;
SUZUKI – Samurai/Sierra;
TALBOT - Horizon;

The engine uses 5W-40 oil and fills 4.5 liters. Belongs to the environmental class EURO1/2. The approximate resource is about 500 thousand kilometers.

Niva-3 - with the engine across?

AvtoVAZ announced that the development process of the Lada 4x4 NG (New Generation), that is, the third generation Niva, is still at the platform selection stage, and most importantly, that this platform will quite possibly have a transverse power unit. This architecture, as AvtoVAZ says, “is a global trend in the 4x4/SUV segment with engines up to 200 hp.”

The press service reports that the final decision has not yet been made, but, according to unofficial signals from Tolyatti, the likelihood of the “third Niva” moving to a crossover platform is very high and it is obvious that AvtoVAZ, which had not previously commented on the development of the project, has now decided to prepare the ground before, than information will begin to leak outside the plant.

Parting with the classic layout should deprive the Lada 4x4 of a solid rear axle, front suspension with double wishbones and almost certainly also a range-shifter. The cost of the project and the task facing AvtoVAZ to increase production volumes speak in favor of parting with them. The set of units that the Lada 4x4 NG with a longitudinal engine requires is almost impossible to unify with other AvtoVAZ models, and the only exception could be the second generation Chevy Niva, but this project is still very far from completion.

In addition, the demand for serious SUVs is steadily declining, and AvtoVAZ, apparently, does not believe that the new Lada 4x4 with a “classic” transmission will be able to maintain a competitive price and become truly mass-produced. Today, sales of these SUVs are comparable to the results of the UAZ Patriot (20-27 thousand cars per year) and Chevy Niva (30 thousand cars per year), while the Renault Duster and Nissan Terrano together are almost twice as popular, and the Hyundai Creta crossover in less than six months showed a result of 21 thousand cars.

AvtoVAZ is faced with the task of entering the mass crossover market, which is at least 40 thousand cars per year. This is the only way to load the plant’s capacity. The press service reports that the project will be developed in close cooperation with specialists from the Renault-Nissan Alliance, which means unification with the alliance’s cars.

The transmission of the classic Niva is still controlled by three levers, although even the Chevy Niva has two

Will the “third Niva” turn into a modified Duster? According to Autoreview, AvtoVAZ is looking for original technical solutions in order to move away from the Duster scheme with plug-in rear-wheel drive and preserve serious off-road potential for the Lada 4x4, as well as eliminate the risk of overheating of the center coupling. However, neither AvtoVAZ itself nor the alliance’s arsenal today has transmissions that combine a transverse power unit with permanent all-wheel drive. Although technically such a scheme is possible: a transverse engine and center differential have long been used, for example, by Lexus RX and Toyota Highlander crossovers of previous generations.

In addition, we can recall the example of the Jeep Cherokee, which in 2013 changed the layout with a longitudinal engine and a connected front axle to a transverse architecture with reinforced clutches in the rear wheel connection unit (it can be completely locked like a differential) and with the ability to use a low-gear mode transmission ratio without a separate range multiplier.

It is not yet known exactly how the release date of the new Lada 4x4 will change if a decision is made to switch to a crossover platform. Previously, the estimated launch date for this project, according to unofficial information, was 2022.

Latest improvements

After restyling, the car began to make less noise. Rubber-metal bushings were replaced, and the entire transfer case was modernized. Externally, the car has also changed. Block headlights with elegant fog lights, modified optics using new lenses that allow even distribution of light.

If you rely on the description of the innovations, you can find out that the side mirrors were not only increased in size - they were added with electric drive and heating. The designers equipped the power steering with a fluid cooling system, which will significantly improve its performance, especially in off-road conditions. Generator belts have become more durable.

A beautiful body kit and a new radiator grille undoubtedly benefited the field. They gave the car European restraint; nobility and confidence appeared in the forms.

Earlier models had polypropylene bumpers installed. This material became very fragile in the cold, any blow ended in a crack. When updating the 2022 model, it was decided to add rubber to polypropylene, which significantly improved the “endurance” of the bumpers.

The rear of the body also looks very noble. The glass on the tailgate is created in a very original manner: on the driver’s side it is narrower than on the passenger’s side. It’s difficult to understand what the authors were guided by, but it adds originality to the car.

The trunk door opens to the side and can be locked in three positions. Niva owners are familiar with this and are not surprised. I would like to note one feature: the hinges on the car door are not visible. It's beautiful, stylish and looks decent. The body is made very well, the gaps are uniform and small everywhere. Reviews have shown that the manufacturability of the body has pleased many automotive market experts.

The full-size spare wheel is mounted on the trunk door, thereby significantly saving space inside. The luggage compartment volume is 320 liters with a permissible cargo weight of 450 kg. It's not much, but it's quite enough. The depth of the trunk can be adjusted by folding the rear seats. Another “quirk” of the developers is that there is a tool bag in the luggage compartment.

Niva 3S automatic transmission, automatic (part 1)

Niva

21213. Installed ICE-3SFE (2l), automatic transmission (automatic transmission), steering rack, power steering, etc.

As was said, many engines from other cars can be installed on the VAZ-2121, but the most preferable are

: XUD9TE, D8A. 1.9 l, 90 hp, fits perfectly into the Niva, has 190 Nm at 2200 rpm, spins up to 4400 rpm, weighs a little more than 120 kilograms, will need heating of diesel fuel for the winter.

The second contender is an import diesel turbocharged FIAT-CMD with a volume of 1.93 liters. and 90 hp, the cost of a new engine ranges from 280,000 to 297,000 rubles, but this is not profitable and it is better to buy a used one.

Read

Another option can be used with BMW 1.6-1.8 liters; diesel is even much better.

Possible from a Mercedes 1.8 liter

. Many people have an engine

from Fiat Ducato 2.3 liters, however, this option is not the most budget-friendly and not the most powerful; the previous options are better suited for the Niva.

To finally tune the Niva, you can install a turbine, turbocharged Nivas, an incredible picture. However, the installed turbine can have a bad effect on the transfer case and it simply won’t hold up.

KEY-DOP

Installing a turbine on a Niva costs 35,000-50,000 rubles. It should also be remembered that the standard engine

Niva copes with the turbine, but its power is not enough; you can try to play it, but most often without success.

Basically, the work of the turbine is that, due to the exhaust gases, more friction is acquired, it brings a sensitive gain in horsepower and torque

Regarding driver safety

sitting in a VAZ 2121 car with replaced engines, we can say that there is a threat to him. In general, the Niva is a reliable car created according to Soviet GOST. However, by replacing the engine with a more powerful one, as stated, more than 120 hp, the car may simply fall apart on the road.

Diesel for Niva: solving problems of self-installation

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. Owners of NIVA

They know firsthand that sometimes just a little bit of power is not enough to pass some obstacle.
In the standard NIVA,
the engine is rather weak and everyone knows this; in one of the posts I talked about 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.

Advantages of the Priora engine

Based on all the characteristics and descriptions of the engine, we can say that it will be a reliable and efficient component of the vehicle, which will improve and increase its service life. It is worth noting that domestic manufacturers have been using the most modern techniques and developments for a long time, which allows them to create high-quality car components. That is why drivers have been making decisions to replace engines in their fields for a long time. Such a replacement increases the performance of the vehicle, and the costs relative to the purchase of a new car are not large.