cimeries
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Post by cimeries on Jul 18, 2011 22:29:43 GMT 2
Just out interest. I'm loving my niva's performance at stock, the previous owner has it serviced with the lada doctor, did a great job. However i'd like to add some power to it, nothing major, maybe aftermarket air filter, air intake and exhaust. Does anybody know maybe how much horsepower would be added, if the fuel emission would stick to emission standards and if the exhaust sound would be louder.
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cimeries
New Niva Petrol Head
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Post by cimeries on Jul 18, 2011 22:34:28 GMT 2
Oh just to add, I noticed the Niva has a GM ECU, so i'm wondering if a ECU upgrade would be worth it?
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cimeries
New Niva Petrol Head
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Post by cimeries on Jul 18, 2011 23:11:50 GMT 2
I came across information about a ECU mod made by Dastek, it's called the unichip. As far as I understand it gets wired into the existing ECU. There are claims that it can add up to an additional 50kw and it improves fuel economy. This has got me thinking, If I add the performance air intake and filter with the ECU mod, would the Niva's underparts be able to handle the extra power?
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Ladaniva
Full Niva Petrol Head
A Lada Niva for a new lease of life
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Post by Ladaniva on Jul 18, 2011 23:16:36 GMT 2
Hi Cimeries,
I suggest you do not modify your Lada with the normal aftermarket goodies; it will be a waste of money. Most performance parts only adds noise (serious). The Lada is already noisy.
reasons not to modify with run-of-the-mill aftermarket stuff:
A Lada Niva has a very old technology engine which was realy stretched to make it a 1700cc (started life as a +-1300cc passenger car (Fiat) if I remember correctly.
The car is heavy (built strong) and has enormous wind resistance (top-end increase in speed will negligable).
The fourwheel drive components saps power.
Aftermarket performance items will be expensive (mostly available overseas) and will change the characharistics of the power delivery. For example; a wilder cam will only increase top rev/speed performance and takes away bottom-end grunt - required for heavy going and towing.
Some aftermarket parts may stress current components (example; the valve train. More performance = more heat. Playing around with an ECU is not as easy as they make it - get something wrong and you will pay dearly. The first thing I did when I modified my Lada was to go for stainless steel valves (the standard valves seats are so thin you can not even do a three-angle job on them) to make it more tollerant for mixture variations/faults if things go wrong.
All in all; if you need more power go big and proper:
1. Nitrous (the cheapest and most reliable for a real increase in performance that you can feel) provided you get it done by an experienced professional. Or else leave it.
2. Supercharge the standard 1700 with a completely new, custom made intake system and aftermarket ECU. Njam, Njam!
3. Fit a new technology petrol engine ( I suggest a 1600 Toyota 16 valve engine) - small, cheap, spares all over and every second guy can repair and modify these engines. The 1600 stock standard 1600 Toyota supercharged motor make +- 120 Kw, reliably. That is double the free-revving power of a Niva, basically over the whole rev range.
I hope the above is of some help.
Regards,
Fanus
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Post by Charles on Jul 18, 2011 23:16:45 GMT 2
50kw? Hard to believe. You will not get that amount of performance from the lada with a ecu upgrade. Its almost double the power. The only mods that might be worthwhile is a stainless steel exhaust manifold from the lada doktor and then fit a nice stainless steel freeflow exhaust.
Other mods will not be worthwhile. Performance air filters are useless. They only give sound. They are also bad for your engine as they let more dirt through than a normal paper filter.
Do you have a TBI model? Some pics will be welcome.
Charles
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Post by jaco1978 on Jul 18, 2011 23:25:39 GMT 2
Charles, will a stainless "free flow" exhaust work fine with a 1.7 carb? I soon have to re-do the exhaust and was hoping to put the best in. I am just scared of some back pressure, or the lack there of, from a "free flow".
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cimeries
New Niva Petrol Head
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Post by cimeries on Jul 18, 2011 23:34:47 GMT 2
Thank you for the reply guys, much appreciated! I know what you guys mean by the loud sound, I live in the Cape, so I know some guys with noise due to the air filters. Yes I have fuel injection on my model.
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Ladaniva
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Post by Ladaniva on Jul 18, 2011 23:42:33 GMT 2
Hi Charles, Very good advice you gave Cimeries and obviously you have seen and heard many a modified car/bakkie. Even a free-flow makes a lot of extra noise (as if a Niva is not noisy, compared to never 4 x 4's). It is impossible to add 50 Kw with an ECU upgrade, especially in the case of a Niva (5 Kw will be risky and plenty), if possible, and maybe with a complete custom exhaust, and then only maybe. There is also not a piggy back ECU for a Lada in SA - a lot of work goes into it, from there that they quote common popular vehicles. I know guys that can fit an aftermarket ECU reliably to a standard Lada, but they will not do it, because they are not rowers, I mean sharks (Danie, I mean the type that can swim ;D). An ECU upgrade with nitrous (done by a real experienced pro) will make much more sense. The motor will basically stay standard (mechanically). How is your Lada doing after all the work you put in? The price you bought it for made all the work worthwhile, and I am sure you will enjoy it more now! Regards, Fanus
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cimeries
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Post by cimeries on Jul 18, 2011 23:54:35 GMT 2
I have much to learn, maybe I should stick to pc modifications .
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vincentc
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Post by vincentc on Jul 19, 2011 8:15:00 GMT 2
The PC mods are easier to rectify if you make a bugger up.
Regards Vincent
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Post by ronnie on Jul 19, 2011 8:36:41 GMT 2
Hi Jaco I have fitted plenty of free flow stainless steel exhausts in my life and I don`t think I could ever say the car felt any different. A Niva does not need to be noisy if you fit under felt and carpeting and a slightly more sporty exhaust note would be fine for me. Ronnie
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Post by Charles on Jul 19, 2011 10:09:35 GMT 2
Darryn has a freeflow on his and it sounds fantastic.
Charles
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spikes
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Post by spikes on Jul 19, 2011 10:23:23 GMT 2
The PC mods are easier to rectify if you make a bugger up. Regards Vincent AND a lot cheaper ;D
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bobbyd
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Post by bobbyd on Jul 19, 2011 11:39:38 GMT 2
I have been through all this and more with some friends with an engine overhaul business. 1/ the exhaust port is shocking for flow absolutely shocking so this is the biggest hurdle. 2/ comp ratio is very low but custom pistons can sort this out. 3/ We stratigized a stroker crank to bring the capacity up to two litres (very very expensive) 4/ We flowed/sussed out the intake port which needs alot of work but only a tenth of the exhaust port. 5/ Custom headers. Our outcome was $5000 to get 100hp! Engine swap wins hands down.
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Post by Charles on Jul 19, 2011 13:06:37 GMT 2
Guys just to clarify, a freeflow exhaust does not have to be noisy. I have heard many cars fitted with them that are quieter than the stock exhaust. Take it to a GOOD exhaust builder and tell him what you want.
A freeflow exhaust gives you less back pressure but does not have to give you more noise!
Charles
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Post by jaco1978 on Jul 19, 2011 14:07:51 GMT 2
Charles, so the loss of back pressure with a free flow will not create problems on the engine (especially the valves)? I'm not to worried about the sound, but if it sounds good (as per Darryn) I'd be very happy. ;D
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RATEL
Senior Niva Petrol Head
BOOYAH!!!
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Post by RATEL on Jul 19, 2011 14:30:11 GMT 2
Turbo?
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Post by ronnie on Jul 19, 2011 19:03:35 GMT 2
Hi Charles
you are correct and a free flow is the way to go. Preferably stainless steel.
Ronnie
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Post by hotstuff on Jul 19, 2011 19:15:35 GMT 2
Just out interest. I'm loving my niva's performance at stock, the previous owner has it serviced with the lada doctor, did a great job. However i'd like to add some power to it, nothing major, maybe aftermarket air filter, air intake and exhaust. Does anybody know maybe how much horsepower would be added, if the fuel emission would stick to emission standards and if the exhaust sound would be louder. nice to hear of a new Lada owner...which one did you purchase? as far as mods go stick with the Lada mods available after market rubbish not worth the money. if and when you are ready give me a ring or email me. MESSING AROUND WITH ECU ETC A WAIST OF MONEY. CAM UPGRADES AND VALVE UPGRADES GOOD, AND STAINLESS STEEL EXHAUST MANIFOLD GOOD WITH STAINLESS STEEL FREE-FLOW AND SMALL SILENCER TO HELP KEEP BACK PRESSURE. GAS-FLOW AND PORT HELPS A LITTLE AND ON CARBS UPGRADE, BIGGER FUEL JET WORKS BUT HAVN'T TRIED IT YET ON THE LADA (IT WILL NEED ECU REPROGRAMMING THO. SUPERCHARGER IS THE WAY TO GO TURBO AS FAR AS I AM CONCERNED IS RUBBISH AND A WAIST OF TIME. OR AS THE OTHERS PUT IT CHANGE ENGINE, BUT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE 1.7i. Regards Mike 4x4 Doctor- Cape Lada Doctor
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