kiwigunner Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 Hello Long time reader, first time poster I just purchased a $139 1993 Lada Niva 1.7i 58kw model, De-reg but that will change at some stage. The engine works real well but the clutch is buggered. Anyway I am going to do an engine swap to the 4g93T engine and adapt it to the lada box (hopefully). The measurements say the radiator wont fit up front and needs to be larger then the stock one. Can you mount a radiator ontop of the bonnet or the roof? I remember seeing 4x4 cars in Africa with their radiators on the roof. unsure why. I think it maybe not be legal so may have to use 2 smaller ones.. any ideas? thanks Aaron Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Testament Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 thats going to be a very involved and expensive conversion unless you know some secret info that it just happens that mitsubishis fwd engine has almost of the same mounting points as ladas rwd one..... otherwise why do you want to spend so much time and effort on a $139 dereg niva? not dissing nivas, cheap cheerful 4x4 fun is great but there would be a number of easier powerups if it's required. The radiator would be one of the lesser troubles, if it came to it there are plenty of alloy radiator options in smaller sizes that still cool enough. you may even find the niva one is actually adequate anyway. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 They put them on the roof because when they are driving through long dry grass the seeds go into the radiator and block it. In NZ you aren't allowed to have anything on the front of the car that can harm a pedestrian. eg, you have to have a bonnet on because if not and you hit a pedestrian they are going to get a face full of sharp engine. I imagine it would be the same as having a radiator in the bonnet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyingbrick Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 you could run a total loss cooling system Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sentra Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 is the niva 4wd box regarded as good or are you just hoping to avoid driveshaft hell? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yowzer Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 I would think driveshaft alterations would be a shitload easier than mating a gbox to a different engine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yowzer Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 Although these are 4wd aren't they? In which case what I said is probably stupid. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwigunner Posted October 14, 2012 Author Share Posted October 14, 2012 Sorry it was just an idea. I have a number of 4g93's already and thought it could be ok as a long term project. I guess i will have to modified the 58kw soviet engine. It is the later cossak version with fuel injection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yowzer Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 Slap a hairdryer on the side. Surely it's just a tank engine with a few cylinders chopped off, so it should handle it fine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azzurro Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 replace the clutch and then see if you can be bothered with all the rest? plenty of info out there on them in english and much more if you google translate. the engines respond well to light fettling esp carberetion and ingition and can handle light boost ok as they are faily low compression already. the 'injection' is a big single one where the carb main jet usually is, swap it for a weber and keep the leccy ignition? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwigunner Posted October 14, 2012 Author Share Posted October 14, 2012 Just found out the 1993 cossak has the 1.6L carb engine not the 1.7i engine! AHHHH!!! Oh well i guess its time to tune the 1.6L then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SP450andLE Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 Just found out the 1993 cossak has the 1.6L carb engine not the 1.7i engine! AHHHH!!! Oh well i guess its time to tune the 1.6L then. time to turbo! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
77magnum13hundy Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 my uncle converted one to a Toyota diesel engine not sure which one 2y? , maybe a 1.8 or something. Those things are neat with low range and diff lock... prob just bellhousing adapter and leave all its driveline intact as they go ANYWHERE, few times ive actually said let me out before going over a bluff or round some ridge, no mud swamp tyres or nothing, just fun, as. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glen Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 Don't ladas have a stange front diff set up ? like it's part of the sump or something ? would make an engine convertion a mission. Id slap a SC14 supercharger on there and see how you go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SP450andLE Posted October 14, 2012 Share Posted October 14, 2012 Front diff aint in the sump, all is fairly normal, just has the remote transfer case. Google cloggy fiva to find the writeup on the conversion one of my nivas had Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidian Posted October 15, 2012 Share Posted October 15, 2012 i would suggest first and foremost looking at your steering before you start any swap with the exception of a fiat one or something that would stay in a similar spot and use your current driveline. re. the radiator im looking at fitting a custom one into the grill cavity Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P_Star Posted October 15, 2012 Share Posted October 15, 2012 My first suggestion would be to read everything on here: http://www.ladaniva.co.uk/baxter/resources/index.htm Second suggestion would be: Give it to me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HRT Posted October 15, 2012 Share Posted October 15, 2012 Could be a pretty cool conversion. Better with a turbo diesel though! Something like a x3d-t if you can manage to lay your hands on one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranter Posted October 15, 2012 Share Posted October 15, 2012 The Toyota 1/2c diesel conversions they did from new had the diff mounted to the engine, well the 2 or 3 I've worked on have. I wouldn't bother with that conversion be better with the original engine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwigunner Posted October 15, 2012 Author Share Posted October 15, 2012 Thanks guys, I am sorry about asking the stupid question. I am trying to find a tow company which will not rip me off completely to tow the car from swanson to west harbour, its like 5km max. The interior is in very good condition, the exterior is ok, paint is a little rought, thinking a nice camo style paint job. Thinking for the engine, use the TD-04 turbo from the GSR and run a 4agze intercooler, run a lew low boost setup 4-5psi and it should last na fair while. Maybe even a webber 32/36 conversion along the way somewhere. Keep it simple ands realiable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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