Installing a 16-valve engine on a "classic": advantages and disadvantages

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

Why is it necessary to install a 16-valve engine on the "classic"? And is the game worth the candle? An unambiguous answer can only be given if we analyze all the advantages and disadvantages of such an alteration. First you need to consider what the engines of the classic series and more modern ones are, for example, those installed on the VAZ-2112. Some difficulties may arise during the work, but they can be overcome if you approach the matter with a bright head.

For most people, tuning is fixing plastic body kits and stickers on the car body. There was even such a thing as "collective farm tuning". This phrase describes cars that hardly move on the roads, but are hung from the roof to the wheels with stickers with emblems of any brands. It is much more pleasant when a simple car that does not stand out from the crowd has technical characteristics comparable to foreign-made vehicles, and not lower class.

Why do we need to install a 16-valveengine to "classics"?

Classic cars have been out of production for many years, but spare parts are still available. Pay attention to the engine - only eight valves, in the "harness" a little more than seventy "horses", and the timing chain makes terrible sounds, increasing the noise level. There are several ways to increase the power and throttle response of a car:

1. Changing the fuel system (transition from obsolete carburetor to injection).
2. Replacing the engine with a more advanced model.
3. In the case of injection cars, changing the ECU firmware can help (fuel consumption increases in proportion to power).

It is worth considering the second option in more detail. If you have a car with a carburetor engine, then you kill two birds with one stone - install a new engine and change the fuel system completely. It is worth mentioning that the ignition system is also being transformed - instead of a contactless one, you will need to mount a microprocessor one. And hence the increase in reliability, power, and durability of the power unit.

Is this substitution legal?

Recently, there is a law according to which a car engine does not need to be registered. In fact, the engine on the "classic" becomes a regular spare part, like a bumper or a thermostat. But you need to follow the recommendations that come from experts. When buying a motor, sign a contract of sale. If possible, then break through the traffic police database of the car from which the power unit was removed. The seller must provide you with documents that confirm his absolute ownership of the car or motor.

As long as the transaction is clean, there will be no claims against you. You can proceed to the next step after the installation of the 16-valve engine on the "classic" has been carried out. This is a registration with the traffic police. Many have a twofold attitude to the procedure, as some try to arrange a rework so that everything is official, while others take advantage of the fact that not a single inspector has the right to inspect the engine, and he cannot even demand to open the hood. Even at the state inspection, they don’t pay much attention to such alterations.

What advantages and disadvantages are expected from installing a new motor?

Most importantly, you will increase the power and throttle response of your car. Installing the 2112 engine in the "classic" gives another advantage - quiet operation. Due to the fact that a rubber belt is used instead of a timing chain, the noise level is reduced. It also increases speed. The reliability of many units in modern engines is much higher. From an environmental point of view, you will reduce the amount of carbon dioxide released into the environment. This was implemented by introducing a catalyst, the operation of which is controlled by two lambda probes.

The disadvantages include the need to rework almost all vehicle systems:

1. Brake.
2. Electrical equipment.
3. Fuel.
4. Ignition.
5. Clutch.

If you are offered a motor without attachments, then it is better to refuse it, since it will be expensive to buy everything separately. The new 16-valve engine, the price of which is in the range of 60-80 thousand rubles, is beyond the reach of most. Therefore, it is better to use the services of the secondary market, where the cost of the motor ranges from 20 to 30 thousand rubles. Moreover, they usually sell not only the engine, but also all attachments, including the ECU and fuel system elements.

Why do car systems need to be redone?

It is worth remembering that the installation of the 2112 engine in the "classic" entails many changes. And not only in design, but also in technical characteristics. Increased speed, power and torque. And the standard brake system is designed to work with the old motor. And it may not be able to cope with the loads that will appear after changing the design of the car. Mounting the engine takes little time - just fasten it with three bolts to the gearbox. But its correct connection, configuration, adaptation of systems to new characteristics is a whole science.

Without certain knowledge of the design of the car and its components, one should not even attempt to remake. The brakes on the "classic" should be replaced, even ventilated discs can be used for more efficient operation. On the rear wheels it is also better to use disc brakes. It is better to forget about drums, the effectiveness of which is not always good. The clutch unit works undergreater loads than before, so it is recommended to use reinforced models. And do not forget about the crosses mounted on the gimbal. It is advisable to replace them with more reliable ones, made of high-quality metal.

Summing up

You will get many benefits from upgrading your car. Try to do all the work competently, not only from the technical side, but also from the legal side. Remember that it becomes impossible to freely sell a car with a motor that is not registered with the traffic police. And installing a 16-valve engine on a "classic" is not an easy task, since it will be necessary not only to carry out work to change all related units, but also to lay electrical wiring harnesses.

Modern engines work thanks to microprocessor systems and control devices (sensors), which are many in the car. Incorrect connection of just one element will lead to the fact that the motor will not start or will work intermittently. For this reason, the installation of the 2112 engine in the "classic" is complicated, because the standard wiring does not have harnesses for new equipment.