"Humpbacked Zaporozhets", ZAZ-965: specifications, tuning

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

"Humpbacked" ZAZ is a Soviet passenger car of category "A". Years of production - 1960-1969. During this time, more than 322 thousand copies were released. The trunk volume is one hundred liters, the drive is rear. As a power unit, a gasoline engine with a four-speed manual transmission is used. Fuel consumption in the city is about 7 liters per 100 km. The maximum speed threshold of the car is 90 km / h. In the people it is also called "bug", "zhuzhik", "elephant". Consider its features, characteristics and tuning possibilities.

History of Creation

US specialists designed a 746 cc V-shaped four-cylinder engine for the hunchbacked ZAZ. The engine had a unique design with cast shafts. The parameters of the new power plant for that time looked very decent. It was mounted at the back, assembled at the Zaporozhye plant, and then finalized in Melitopol at MeMZ.

Difficult internal tests of the unit took place for several months. Two experienced cars ran over them 5 and 14 thousand kilometers. Then the transport was accepted by a special interdepartmental commission. Remarks were made that the estimated weight is greaterby 54 kilograms, and the height of the body does not match the drawings (it differs by almost 300 millimeters). After eliminating the shortcomings, the "humpbacked" ZAZ went into mass production (1960). The price of the car was 18 thousand rubles, which is one and a half times cheaper than the 407th Moskvich. At the end of 1962, engineers improved the engine by increasing the cylinders to 72 mm, the volume to 887 cubic meters. cm, power - up to 27 horsepower.

Design

From the first years of production, the car in question fell in love with buyers and did not cause serious complaints. "Humpbacked Zaporozhets" (ZAZ-965) has proven itself well when driving on rural and problematic roads. Good cross-country ability is ensured by the presence of a smooth bottom, independent suspension on all wheels, as well as a decent load on the leading elements. Even if it happened to get stuck in a swamp or snow, there were no problems getting out. The mass of the car is only 665 kg, two people could easily push it.

A distinguishing feature of the Zhuzhik was the ability to drive between the rough tracks left by trucks. Other cars couldn't do it. The owners of the "humpbacked" ZAZ pleased not only with good maneuverability, but also with a strong body, efficiency and ease of maintenance of the power unit.

Exterior

Creating the design of the car, the designers did not attach much importance to decorative elements and wide additional functionality. This is not surprising, because the main task was to create a budget model for the general public.population. The closed load-bearing body is made of solid metal, which made it somewhat bloated. The front part was distinguished by a pair of folds of the original symmetrical shape.

The curved transitions of these elements had a small radius, and the wheel edges protruded slightly. The hubcaps had three bolt heads and the rear wheels had noticeable camber. The power unit was located at the rear, respectively, the trunk was moved forward. Its lid closed from the inside.

Interior

ZAZ "humpback", the photo of which is presented above, was equipped with adjustable movable separate seats. The back seat in the form of a sofa was quite comfortable. Useful accessories include sun visors, door pockets, and 12 volt single-wire electrical equipment.

In the interior of the car, the advantage was given to minimalism. Behind the steering column there are several control devices, on the right side - ignition, adjustment buttons, radio and heater. The windshield guaranteed acceptable visibility, there were vents in the form of corners on the side elements. Although the car in question had only two doors, it belonged to a full-fledged four-seat class.

Landing on the rear seat was carried out by folding forward the front passenger seat. The disadvantages include high noise, poor soundproofing of the cabin, opening the doors in the opposite direction and placing the fuel tank in front, which is dangerous in a collision.

ZAZ"hunchbacked": specifications

The crankcase became the main part of the body. In its internal partition, a special cavity is provided for supporting a one-piece bearing. On the walls of the crankcase there is a mount for the camshaft, on top there are 4 holes for mounting cylinders with aluminum heads and cooling fins. Four inlets, two outlets.

The quad gear has two shafts and three strokes. One gear is reverse, the rest are equipped with synchronizers. The couplings of the assembly are moved using forks and rods. The cooling system has a tendency to overheat, especially on long journeys.

The front suspension is borrowed from the Volkswagen Beetle. It includes a pair of transverse torsion bars with four levers. The fists of the driving wheels are additionally connected to them. The rear node is two diagonal levers with axle shafts. In the future, the engineers changed the design to an oblique lever block with hinges on the axle shafts.

Main parameters

The following are the main characteristics that the ZAZ "humpback" has, the photo of which is presented in the article:

• Length/width/height - 3, 3/1, 39/1, 45 m.
• Body type - all-metal two-door sedan.
• Ventilation - local type.
• Weight - 665 kg.
• Wheel track (front/rear) – 1, 15/1, 16 m.
• Clearance - 17.5 cm.
• Minimum turning radius - 5 m.
• The speed limit is 100 km/h.
• Power unit -gasoline engine with atmospheric cooling and overhead valves.
• Compression – 6, 5.
• Clutch - dry single disc assembly.
• Carburetor type - vertical feed flow.
• Brakes - pads.

Interesting facts

1. Assembly of the ZAZ "humpback" engine was carried out simultaneously by two manufacturers.
2. In Odessa, the car was often called the "Jewish tank".
3. Among the car's nicknames were: "Baby", "Zazik", "Constipation".
4. "Humpbacked" was the last Soviet car, the doors of which opened against the movement.
5. Stable air intakes were called "Wassermann graters", after their inventor.

Modifications

There are several developments of the machine in question. Among them:

• 965AB - with manual control.
• 965AP - a special vehicle for disabled people with one injured arm or leg.
• 965С - right-hand drive postal van.
• 965E Y alta is an export model supplied to Finland and Belgium. Had the best equipment, sound insulation and interior trim.
• "Pickup" - produced for internal use at the factory.

ZAZ "humped": tuning

In order to carry out the correct modification of the car in question, you will need to create sketches on paper or in 3D format. This will allow you to see the big picture from the expected tuning. The project will provide an opportunity to determine the scope of work and further actions. Typically subject tohub changes, drum discs with ventilation are installed, and standard springs are changed on the rear suspension to a stiffer version. In front, you can mount a suspension from ZAZ-968. "Humpbacked" after that will become more resilient and tougher.

Reducing fuel consumption will allow new connecting rods, boring the intake and exhaust manifolds, installing a pump from the "eight" and a carburetor zeroer. In this case, the power of the power unit will increase. Often resorted to installing disc wheels, which provides better cornering stability, making it easier to control.

Engine boost

Increasing engine power is a very justified operation. After all, the native installation has a capacity of only three dozen "horses" with a speed maximum of 100 km / h. Given that the engine is located at the rear, it is necessary to choose a suitable gearbox designed for rear power units.

The transmission unit will fit with later versions of Zaporozhets, as well as from Volkswagen, Porsche and Tatra vans. If you install the MeMZ-968 engine, you get a power increase of up to 45 horsepower. True, it will be necessary to replace the native carburetor with a two-chamber analogue of the "VAZ" type. You can fix it directly in the trunk. It is also desirable to change the stove for an improved heating system.

Body

The body of the ZAZ "humped" car is also undergoing restyling. Tuning, the photo of which is presented above, allows you to improve aerodynamics and appearance. Since on the machine in question the doors open in the opposite direction.side, which is dangerous in the event of unforeseen traffic situations, it is better to outweigh these elements from the rear canopies to the front hinges. The outdated lock is also being replaced with a modern one.

Exterior upgrade also includes wheel arch extensions for 195/60/R14 tires. To increase the originality of the car and clean the incoming air, the intakes are mounted on top. In addition, a kenguryatnik, rear wings, side arches, and an aerodynamic plastic body kit are installed. In this design, the car will look great and very stylish.

Salon

This element of the Soviet car is obsolete for a long time. It has not been distinguished by high comfort for passengers and the driver before. Improving the interior of the ZAZ-965 is not so difficult. They install new seats, a sports steering wheel, oil pressure and other performance indicators, including a temperature and fuel gauge.

On the ceiling, you can adapt the finish of natural black or red leather, and lay carpet with similar shades on the floor. You should also replace the door trim, pedals. If there is no desire to throw away regular seats, their high-quality trim should be made. If you are not confident in your own abilities, entrust the upholstery of the interior to specialists.

Electrical equipment

The electronics on the machine in question is 12 V, powered by a single-wire system. Headlights from IZH-12 are suitable as lighting elements. At the beginning of the improvement, you should remove your nativeoptics. To do this, the movable socket is removed, the wires are unhooked, the tongue is sawn off on top of the “eye socket”. Then a round headlight from the Moskvich is taken, tried on to the installation site. Six holes are planned, two of which are made larger in diameter for adjustable chips.

The element will be placed vertically, so the tongue needs to be ground down. The optical element and adjusting chips are removed. The wires are output to regular sockets. The headlight is fastened with bolts wound from the inside and external nuts. After that, the optics are mounted and pressed with control nuts. The protruding parts of the bolts are cut off. For the outer binding, the rim from the 968 is suitable. With proper manipulation, it will be possible to install halogen dimmable lamps.

Extra

To enhance the quality of the engine cooling unit, you can mount a pair of radiators from Ford or Tavria. The new ZAZ "humped" will become even more attractive and practical if you install a transmission, for example, from the VAZ-2108 with five ranges. External changes are mainly associated with reshaping the frame for a new engine, as the wheel arches expand and the rear axle of the car is transferred.