We install the engine on the Niva from a foreign car. It's worth it

We remove the engine assembly with the clutch and side supports of the power unit from the engine compartment.

To fix the gearbox, we insert a wooden block of a suitable size between the clutch housing and the anti-roll bar.

We install the engine on the car in the reverse order of removal.

When connecting the engine to the gearbox, the input shaft of the gearbox must fit into the splines of the clutch driven disc.

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.

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

What else can be done to improve?

Experts do not recommend chipping a naturally aspirated engine. You can further increase engine power if you try to increase the piston stroke. This can be achieved by installing another crankshaft with a stroke of 84 mm, suitable for the VAZ 2130

. The piston has a diameter of 82 mm, but the piston pin must be offset by 2 mm. After this, the working volume will become 1.8 liters. In the future, if you bore the block to 84 mm. with the same crankshaft, the volume will become 1.9 liters. But that’s not all, in the future you can increase the filling capacity of the working cylinders. This is achieved by boring and installing valves with an increased diameter of their plates. This operation is quite complex and requires special equipment. It is also advisable to use lightweight connecting rods and then you can have about 100 horses at the output.

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.

Chip tuning

This method is the cheapest since the engine does not undergo any technical changes. The work of chip tuning comes down to changing and adjusting the software in the ECU, which regulates work processes in the heating system. Using this type of tuning, power increases by 15%. Despite the fact that this method is the cheapest and makes it unnecessary to perform any manipulations with the power unit, it has its drawback: increasing power causes an increase in loads, thereby reducing its service life.

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.

Parameter

Meaning
Power	87 horses
Engine capacity in liters	1,7
Ecoclass	Different models have different classes. For example, 21214-41 – Euro 3. 21214-30 – Euro 4.
Torque	129 Nm
Number of cylinders	4
Number of valves	8
Max speed	142 mph
Cylinder diameter in mm	82
Piston stroke in mm	80
Nutrition	Distributed
BC	Cast iron
cylinder head	Aluminum alloy
Lifetime of the power unit	150,000 km
Fuel for operation	AI 95
Cylinder operation	1-3-4-2
Tact	4

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.

Niva-Chevrolet diesel

Further attempts to almost “officially” install a diesel engine on the Niva (Niva-Chevrolet model) were made in the city of Togliatti. For this, a tuning studio called “Tema-Plus” received permission from the manufacturer GM-AvtoVAZ. The main modification of the Niva-Chevrolet model was the installation of an Italian diesel engine produced by Fiat paired with a Japanese Aisin transmission.

Working volume:	1929 cm 3
Power:	90 hp
Maximum torque:	195 Nm
Average fuel consumption per 100 km:	7.5 l

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.

Tips for improving the “native” engine

In addition to the above changes, you can try using lightweight valves and guide bushings for them. This will reduce the resistance to the suction flow of the working mixture into the cylinders, improving filling capacity increases the power performance of the engine. It can be recommended to lighten the mass of the flywheel (see the article “Pros and cons of a lightweight flywheel”). It has areas where excess metal can be removed. Reducing its inertial mass saves power to overcome the moment of inertia of the engine.

You can also improve the performance of the engine by installing a tuning camshaft and a split gear in the timing drive. The installation of a so-called zero-resistance air filter will help improve the filling of the working cylinders with the air-fuel mixture. To improve the removal of exhaust gases, direct-flow exhaust systems are used. There are tuning engines with Solex carburetors, which have increased flow sections of the diffusers of the primary and secondary chambers. It is also advisable to replace the ignition system with a more modern, electronic contactless one.

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.

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:

1. 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.
2. There are options from the Japanese concern Toyota - 3C and 3CT. You won't have to change the transmission, but you'll have to tinker with the fastenings. Another acceptable option with modifications is 2JZ. It will be necessary to install an automatic transmission and update almost all parts of the exhaust system and engine compartment, since the model is too powerful for the standard Niva design.
3. Engines from BMW models M42-M43. To install, you will have to use a few tricks and buy a few additional parts, but the final effect will please many car enthusiasts.

Malfunctions of VAZ-2123

Causes	How to fix
Engine won't start
There are several main reasons for problems with starting the Chevrolet Niva VAZ-2123 engine: 1. Severe contamination of the fuel line, which causes insufficient fuel to enter the engine; 2. The filter in the connection between the gasoline supply pipe and the engine has not been replaced for a long time; 3. Problem with the feed pump (does not pump, does not pump enough fuel).	Basically, you can fix the problem on your own: 1. To eliminate clogging of the fuel system, you need to rinse with water or blow with compressed air; 2. Repair or replace the fuel injection unit; 3. Clean or change the filter.
Constantly stalls while driving or idling
1. Lack of the required level of pressure in the gasoline supply system (also true for a field with a diesel engine); 2. Problems with the idle control device; 3. Air getting into the fuel supply hoses, unstable operation of the crankcase ventilation, air getting into the brake boosters, which should be sealed by default.	1. Check the serviceability of the pump, repair or replace it with a new one; 2. It is quite difficult to repair the idle air control yourself, so an easier solution would be to completely replace it with a new one; 3. If air is trapped in places where it should not be, it is worth checking all the clamps, tightening them, and making sure that there are no damaged hoses and fasteners.
Engine power is not rated
1. Problem with the throttle valve, its incomplete opening; 2. Also, due to a malfunction of the electronic component, namely the throttle position sensor, problems may arise with supplying the required amount of gasoline to the engine; 3. Inoperative or faulty ignition system in the car.	1. Carry out diagnostics and adjustment of the throttle. To do this, you do not need to have any special skills, which allows any car enthusiast to cope with the task; 2. If there are problems with electronic sensors, the best solution is to completely replace them; 3. Check the serviceability of the spark plugs and the presence of a working battery.

FAULTS	CAUSES AND REPAIRS
The appearance of a characteristic knock at the bottom of the engine.	This indicates problems with the main bearings. The car must be towed by a tow truck to a service center and the appropriate repairs must be carried out.
The appearance of a pronounced knocking sound with a metallic sound.	The reason for this is problems with the bearing rods and piston pins. It should be said that operating a car with such problems may subsequently lead to the need for expensive major repairs.
Engine troubles at low speeds.	There may be several reasons for engine tripping: first of all, it is the use of low-quality gasoline. It is also possible that carbon deposits may appear in the combustion chamber. In rare cases, problems are observed in the operation of the injection system. Repair in this case is carried out only after a comprehensive diagnosis.
Loud knocking sound when the engine is not warmed up.	This may indicate the beginning of camshaft wear. This problem is typical for power units whose mileage exceeds 100,000 kilometers. It is necessary to carry out appropriate diagnostics and then replace the camshaft.