Post by Niva Nuts on Oct 7, 2013 15:57:46 GMT 2
My name is Robin and with others around the world, share the passion of owning a Lada Niva.
After researching the Lada Niva, its body style, mechanical superiority, superb handling, charisma and 4x4 simplicity when they first arrived in Australia in the early 1980's, it was decided I must have one some day. Ownership occurred in November 1992 when I bought a standard white 1989 Niva (which had 114,000 kilometres on the odometer), from a second hand car dealer who knew nothing about the vehicle, other than it could make him money at sale time. On the other hand I knew what I wanted after looking at 6 or more other Nivas over the past month, so pounced on the bargain.
By 1994, my Niva had undergone many changes as I like to be innovative, maximize the Niva attributes and just like tinkering. It is not possible to include a detailed list of instructions for the modifications or improvements that have been completed. I will be able to E-mail some info with JPEGS on specific items to those interested.
Late one night in May 1994, an after market electrical solenoid short circuit caused a fire in the engine bay that severely damaged everything forward from the dash and windscreen to the front bar. Thankfully only the top half of the engine suffered external damage. The fire brigade arrived to put out the fire and liberally hose down the interior and engine compartment.
Over the next 10 months of rebuilding, the body was progressively gutted and stripped of all running gear, suspension, engine, interior, electricals, glass; yes everything in total. Where required metalwork was done, repainting, reglazing, complete new interior, custom wiring loom and other modifications to further enhance the Niva legend.
It was timely to put new bearings in the transfer box and to fit a complete new clutch kit. The engine and gearbox were left untouched when removed, as both were still running very strong at 160,000 km. Thank goodness !
Some of my Niva's extras.
dual battery system with a Rotronics 100 amp isolator
85 amp Bosch Alternator BXU1285
1 air horns
custom built wiring loom which includes: 4 circuit breakers, 44 fuses, 30 relays, 8 interior lights, custom built dash assembly
air compressor - Thomas Blue tounge
Then in 1997 another upgrade and more improvements.
My Niva has more than meets the eye.
Other modifications include two snorkels, the left side for ducted fresh air through the heater intake and the right for carburettor fresh air. The electric's have been waterproofed to enable deep water crossing, i.e. over the bonnet..
Three thematic fans - 350 mm x 1 & 250 mm x 2 (added for cool running on days of extremely high temperatures, particularly when crawling in low range for long periods). Larger cooling system capacity.
Roof rack, new paint trim.
Raised suspension, reinforced lower front control arms, reinforced rear axle housing, dual rear upper trailing arms and strengthened lower rear trailing arms.
Rear disc brake assembly.
Tyres (215x15 Mud terrain)
Sports camshaft.
Weber jetted for 1600 cc GT performance with reasonable economy.
Performance sprocket timing chain tensioner.
RFDS HF transceiver, 27 meg hz CB.
New grill and headlight surrounds.
In 2001 I fitted power steering (Toyota Cressida), Fiat 131 steering column.
Limited slip differentials in front and rear.
100 litre fuel tank made for the inside cell area and can still utilize the rear seat for passengers and 45 litre tank under rear of body, swing-away spare wheel & petrol can holder. We now carry 165 litres of fuel.
IronMan 12000lb electric winch.
The engine has never been pulled down, the head has never been off and the sump never opened and the Niva has just clocked up 205,000 kilometres, plus still able to cruise at 120 kph.
One of my many projects I am slowly working on is to rebuild a recently acquired 1700 cc Niva engine.
It's now 2013, after 16 years of planning and collecting parts I have finally replaced the tired 1600cc engine which had around 450,000kms on it. My Niva now has a 1700cc engine with all the bells and whistles.
The 1700 engine improvements are:
fully balanced
the head port matched, ported and polished
custom made head gasket (multi layer stainless steel)
adjustable cam sprocket
mild cam shaft
88mm stroked crank (ex Russia)
84mm pistons & conrods to match crank (ex Russia)
Starter motor (hi-torque gear reduction type)
sprocket timing chain tensioner
auto timing chain adjuster
38/38 dual throat Weber
Donaldson dual element air filter system
new oil pump
Engine oil cooler
Bypass oil filter system
New 3 core radiator (VN V8 Commodore)
Tyres 235x15 Kumo Powerguard
What I have now is a 2000cc Lada Niva engine with heaps of torque. It must be noted that the engine block had to be dye ground in a number of places internally to allow the stroked crank to rotate without fowling the webbings.
Contact me for more information and pictures robinsbooth@bigpond.com
After researching the Lada Niva, its body style, mechanical superiority, superb handling, charisma and 4x4 simplicity when they first arrived in Australia in the early 1980's, it was decided I must have one some day. Ownership occurred in November 1992 when I bought a standard white 1989 Niva (which had 114,000 kilometres on the odometer), from a second hand car dealer who knew nothing about the vehicle, other than it could make him money at sale time. On the other hand I knew what I wanted after looking at 6 or more other Nivas over the past month, so pounced on the bargain.
By 1994, my Niva had undergone many changes as I like to be innovative, maximize the Niva attributes and just like tinkering. It is not possible to include a detailed list of instructions for the modifications or improvements that have been completed. I will be able to E-mail some info with JPEGS on specific items to those interested.
Late one night in May 1994, an after market electrical solenoid short circuit caused a fire in the engine bay that severely damaged everything forward from the dash and windscreen to the front bar. Thankfully only the top half of the engine suffered external damage. The fire brigade arrived to put out the fire and liberally hose down the interior and engine compartment.
Over the next 10 months of rebuilding, the body was progressively gutted and stripped of all running gear, suspension, engine, interior, electricals, glass; yes everything in total. Where required metalwork was done, repainting, reglazing, complete new interior, custom wiring loom and other modifications to further enhance the Niva legend.
It was timely to put new bearings in the transfer box and to fit a complete new clutch kit. The engine and gearbox were left untouched when removed, as both were still running very strong at 160,000 km. Thank goodness !
Some of my Niva's extras.
dual battery system with a Rotronics 100 amp isolator
85 amp Bosch Alternator BXU1285
1 air horns
custom built wiring loom which includes: 4 circuit breakers, 44 fuses, 30 relays, 8 interior lights, custom built dash assembly
air compressor - Thomas Blue tounge
Then in 1997 another upgrade and more improvements.
My Niva has more than meets the eye.
Other modifications include two snorkels, the left side for ducted fresh air through the heater intake and the right for carburettor fresh air. The electric's have been waterproofed to enable deep water crossing, i.e. over the bonnet..
Three thematic fans - 350 mm x 1 & 250 mm x 2 (added for cool running on days of extremely high temperatures, particularly when crawling in low range for long periods). Larger cooling system capacity.
Roof rack, new paint trim.
Raised suspension, reinforced lower front control arms, reinforced rear axle housing, dual rear upper trailing arms and strengthened lower rear trailing arms.
Rear disc brake assembly.
Tyres (215x15 Mud terrain)
Sports camshaft.
Weber jetted for 1600 cc GT performance with reasonable economy.
Performance sprocket timing chain tensioner.
RFDS HF transceiver, 27 meg hz CB.
New grill and headlight surrounds.
In 2001 I fitted power steering (Toyota Cressida), Fiat 131 steering column.
Limited slip differentials in front and rear.
100 litre fuel tank made for the inside cell area and can still utilize the rear seat for passengers and 45 litre tank under rear of body, swing-away spare wheel & petrol can holder. We now carry 165 litres of fuel.
IronMan 12000lb electric winch.
The engine has never been pulled down, the head has never been off and the sump never opened and the Niva has just clocked up 205,000 kilometres, plus still able to cruise at 120 kph.
One of my many projects I am slowly working on is to rebuild a recently acquired 1700 cc Niva engine.
It's now 2013, after 16 years of planning and collecting parts I have finally replaced the tired 1600cc engine which had around 450,000kms on it. My Niva now has a 1700cc engine with all the bells and whistles.
The 1700 engine improvements are:
fully balanced
the head port matched, ported and polished
custom made head gasket (multi layer stainless steel)
adjustable cam sprocket
mild cam shaft
88mm stroked crank (ex Russia)
84mm pistons & conrods to match crank (ex Russia)
Starter motor (hi-torque gear reduction type)
sprocket timing chain tensioner
auto timing chain adjuster
38/38 dual throat Weber
Donaldson dual element air filter system
new oil pump
Engine oil cooler
Bypass oil filter system
New 3 core radiator (VN V8 Commodore)
Tyres 235x15 Kumo Powerguard
What I have now is a 2000cc Lada Niva engine with heaps of torque. It must be noted that the engine block had to be dye ground in a number of places internally to allow the stroked crank to rotate without fowling the webbings.
Contact me for more information and pictures robinsbooth@bigpond.com