↑ General directions for tuning a Lada Vesta car
The tuned Lada Vesta attracts the attention of other road users: a modern and stylish car that came off the AvtoVAZ assembly lines, and after making some changes, the appearance of the car becomes even more stylish and eye-catching.
External changes to the body structure of the Lada Vesta most often involve:
- Refinement of the Lada Vesta body. The changes concern the installation of a spoiler on the trunk lid of a car. The part reduces the aerodynamic drag of the car, which has a beneficial effect on fuel consumption. In addition, the shape of such a part allows you to protect the license plate from dirt. Also, when modifying the body, the bumpers are changed. On VAZ models, bumpers from foreign cars are installed, or they are made independently using fiberglass. In some cases, thresholds from the Chevrolet Niva are installed on the off-road version of the Lada Vesta. Kits of body kits are installed on Lada Vesta. Some other parts from the Chevrolet Niva, for example, find their application on the new product of the domestic automobile industry. So, some suspension elements can be installed on Vesta from the Russian-American SUV.
- Covers for the Lada Vesta, made of plastic, are installed on the roof, trunk and doors of the car. Thus, you can order accessories for your vehicle such as a “fly swatter” (hood deflector), a spoiler on the trunk lid, plastic moldings on the door, handles on a VAZ and a gas tank flap. In addition, the driver can install wheel arch extensions, also made of hard and durable plastic.
- Lada Vesta is also being improved by installing new VAZ front and rear optics. This element of external tuning for a VAZ involves the installation of special overlays on the headlights, sold in branded kits or made independently. A more serious modification of the lighting devices consists of replacing headlight units with a different design, installing LED running lights, and fog lights. On Lada Vesta cars, the headlights are partially tinted and the light element is enhanced. As a result of the modification, xenon or gas lights can be installed on the car.
- Standard bumpers can be replaced with parts included in tuning kits intended for installation on the VAZ2170. VAZs, including the Vesta model, also install stinger, resonators and STT mufflers.
Despite the fact that Lada Vesta and Xray cars appeared relatively recently and have a modern and stylish appearance, drivers subject their cars to changes in design. Bumpers, sills, body kits, optics, radiator grilles, spoilers and additional air ducts are just a small list of parts that are replaced on a car to give it a unique and inimitable look.
However, in addition to making external changes, tuning Vesta and Xray implies improving the driving performance of the cars. To do this, do:
- Improving the engine of models by replacing camshafts.
- Replacing tie rod ends on a VAZ.
- Improved suspension and brakes.
- Improving engine mounts for VAZ.
- Replacing cooling radiators with more advanced ones.
- Adjusting the operation of steering rods on a VAZ.
- Installation of engine crankcase protection, and installation of a larger fuel tank.
Attention! Many VAZ models undergo external tuning and improvement of driving characteristics: from classics to Largus, Granta, Priora, Kalina models and the restyled Granta 2 and Kalina 2. On more modern cars, for example, on Vesta and Kalina 2, the changes are minimal.
In addition to installing body kits, other rear-view mirrors are installed on the Lada. They also supply components to improve the driving characteristics of the car.
As for remaking classics, here body elements are improved, for example, the doors of VAZ 2108, 2109 are replaced or modified (installation of lambo doors), and the hoods of models VAZ 2110, 2111, 2112 and others are replaced with parts made of carbon fiber and carbon fiber. Lada Vesta is also equipped with door sill covers from Chevrolet Niva.
Is it worth doing chip tuning of Lada Vesta: disadvantages and possible consequences
It is quite obvious that many owners are interested in how firmware changes affect engine life, whether the warranty on the new car is still valid, etc. First of all, you need to understand that the chipped engine of the Lada Vesta and any other car will have a shorter lifespan compared to the stock version.
At the same time, flashing only one cannot significantly reduce the life of the internal combustion engine. More precisely, the reduction in engine life is around 5-7%. However, this can be stated if the chip tuning was performed by professionals, high-quality software was used, etc.
The high probability of accelerated failure concerns the gearbox rather than the engine, since the load on the box will inevitably increase. You should be especially careful when chipping a Lada Vesta with an AMT robotic gearbox. To implement the task correctly, it is also necessary to modify the “robot’s” firmware, and in this case additional difficulties arise.
As far as the vehicle warranty is concerned, no one will be connected to the ECU as part of normal maintenance. However, if problems arise with the engine or gearbox, and the client decides to apply for warranty service, the fact that the factory firmware has been changed will be established. It is logical that this will serve as a strong argument in favor of the dealer completely waiving its warranty obligations.
Some car enthusiasts practice a method of saving the factory program, which is “poured” back into the ECU of a warranty vehicle if problems begin with the engine or gearbox. However, this method also does not always work.
You also need to take into account that the factory firmware was tested by specialists in the factory; the internal combustion engine with such software was tested in a variety of conditions. As for alternative firmware, in any case it will be an individual modification of the standard program.
Large tuning studios, in the process of creating firmware, necessarily “test” the program by installing the car on special stands, reading various data, monitoring the operation of the engine in all modes, etc. Often the engine of test samples is even disassembled and its condition is visually assessed.
Also, often after chipping, an additional “break-in” is practiced online, that is, correction occurs directly while driving in real time. Such studios provide a guarantee, and such chip tuning itself can be considered safe. The only thing that makes sense is that the price of reflashing the ECU will be quite high.
We also recommend reading an article about what disadvantages and consequences of engine chip tuning a car owner can expect. From this article you will learn about the various risks after chipping a car engine.
Given the high cost of chipping, professionals, as a rule, will always have more affordable offers. At the same time, you need to be prepared for the fact that such firmware is “no name”, that is, without indicating the author of the assembly, in this case no one tests or tests it. There are also no guarantees.
In practice, large studios usually warn about possible risks for the car owner, small organizations can only partially address this issue, chipmakers from the garage will simply “upload” unknown software at their own peril and risk. It’s good if garage craftsmen carry out additional running-in and calibration, since many do not even do this. Moreover, in the latter case, the warranty ends when the car leaves the garage.
As a rule, after using programs that are freely available, there are frequent cases of increased fuel consumption, floating speed, rapid failure of the catalyst, etc. Sometimes, in order to increase power, non-professionals “drive” the engine into operating mode only on rich mixtures and shift the OZ so that the engine operates on the verge of detonation.
It also happens the other way around, when the customizer practically does not change important parameters in order to protect himself from possible risks. However, the result of such chip-tuning is almost invisible, although you still have to pay for the service.
↑ How to increase comfort in the cabin
The latest AvtoVAZ products have a comfortable and cozy interior, but drivers are faced with a number of shortcomings:
- Seats that are not highly ergonomic. Compared to the seats of many domestic cars, including the Chevrolet Niva, the seats of the Lada Vesta are quite comfortable. However, their level does not reach the seats installed in foreign cars of a similar class.
- Cheap upholstery materials.
- Insufficient level of sound insulation.
- Non-ergonomic dashboard.
- Creaks and “crickets” that appear in the interior after a short period of use of the car.
↑ Do-it-yourself interior improvement
To increase comfort, seats from other models, mainly luxury foreign cars, are installed in the car; upholstery materials are changed to better and more beautiful ones (leather, automotive velor). Improvements to the Lada instrument panel include improving the lighting and installing additional devices on the car. For example, on-board computers are installed on the Lada Vesta.
Attention! To maintain aesthetics, the seat upholstery should be identical to the design of the materials used for the upholstery of the cabin and dashboard.
A number of drivers, especially those with non-standard dimensions, change the steering wheel to a larger or smaller one, depending on the characteristics of the body. A different steering column is installed on the Lada Vesta, which has much more settings for adjusting its position, and on the front seat the fabric armrest is changed to leather.
As for improving sound insulation, the inside of the hood, the floor of the car, the wall of the engine compartment, the trunk curtain, the trunk floor, the roof, doors and pillars are treated with special sound-proofing compounds and materials. This work requires dismantling the standard casing. As a result of the work performed, the music in the cabin is of higher quality, and noise is also reduced.
On-board computers for Lada, navigators are installed on the car dashboard and the standard multimedia system is replaced with a more modern and functional one. The devices can be equipped with a different backlight, and the car’s dashboard is decorated with LED elements that imitate neon light. When performing such operations, it is important to think about replacing the wires on the VAZ and strengthening the car's wiring. Other technical improvements include installing a Jetter pad on the car pedals, installing temperature sensors, improving the standard mms system, and installing a rear view camera.
Attention! A set of devices and accessories can make using the car more comfortable.
Discs
In the factory equipment of the Lada Vesta, only the Luxury version includes 16-inch wheels; the other versions are equipped with 15-inch tires. For this sedan, even 16-inch wheel sizes create the impression of a slight discrepancy between the wheels and the dimensions of the body, and 15-inch tires even more so. The engine power allows you to install more impressive 17- and even 18-inch alloy wheels on the car, choosing a design to your taste, but you should take into account the inevitability of increased fuel consumption.
Sources used:
- https://vestaxray.ru/tyuning/lada-vesta.html
↑ What material and tools may be needed for tuning
When tuning the interior you will need:
- Leather, high-quality leatherette, automotive velor, suede and other similar materials.
- Fiberglass, to create a unique dashboard design, or higher quality plastic, to improve the trim.
- Soundproofing compounds and materials.
When tuning the interior, they use wrenches and screwdrivers of various diameters, adhesives, a soldering iron, a tape measure, masking and double-sided tape, and electrical tape.
Attention! The selection of tools depends on the nature of the work being carried out.
↑ Main directions in tuning the Vesta interior in 2021
So, what work is most often carried out when tuning the interior of the Lada Vesta? To answer this question, we turn to the comments of drivers who decided to improve. Basically, the scope of work includes improving sound insulation, installing a parking camera, upgrading the standard instrument lighting and multimedia system of the car, as well as installing additional devices to protect rear-view mirrors.
Car owners also install zero-resistance filters on their cars, which significantly improves the microclimate and air inside the car.
Features of chip tuning
Review of Lada Vesta with high mileage
The operation of a modern engine is controlled by on-board computers or electronic control units (ECUs). They are the ones who manage the fuel supply system, set the ignition timing, and ensure the synchronous operation of all vehicle components. Chip tuning allows you to choose other options for the installed parameters. This is done by changing the engine control program. The electronic unit contains memory cards in which the engine operating programs are stored. Access to these cards is possible using special electronic equipment and professional software.
On modern cars, reprogramming is carried out through the OBD diagnostic port directly on the car. By adjusting the engine control program, you can change the air-fuel mixture supply mode, ignition timing and other characteristics.
Advantages and disadvantages of the procedure
Numerous brochures and websites are replete with advertisements about the fantastic possibilities of chip tuning. They report that only by updating the controller it is possible to increase engine power by up to 50%, torque by up to 30% and reduce fuel consumption by 15%.
All these advertising statements contradict the laws of mechanics. The law of conservation of energy says: “Nothing comes from nothing and nothing disappears without a trace.” The power of internal combustion engines is the product of torque times the number of revolutions. Therefore, to increase the motor power it is necessary to increase one of the indicated factors.
It is almost impossible to programmatically increase torque on naturally aspirated engines, which are equipped in the Lada Vesta model range. But you can increase the number of revolutions per unit time by reducing the ignition timing. However, this increase in power is limited and does not exceed 5-7 percent.
The consequences of such an “improvement” must also be taken into account. Over-ignition causes an increase in temperature in the combustion chamber and an increased content of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide in the exhaust gases. This not only harms the ecosystem, but also poses problems when passing emissions control. Also, such modernization significantly reduces the service life of an expensive catalyst and reduces the engine's service life. As a result, the tuned car becomes sensitive to the quality of fuel and the octane number of gasoline.
Main stages of chip tuning
If you still decide to start upgrading the car, you first need to restore the factory technical specifications, otherwise the cost of chip tuning will not pay off, and the tuning itself will be useless. The chip tuning procedure consists of three stages:
- Reading the standard program in the ECU - this procedure is carried out through the OBD diagnostic connector.
- Editing a downloaded program.
- Uploading the edited program back to the controller.
- Checking the operation of all vehicle components on a special stand equipped with control and measuring equipment and mechanical rollers, and at a test site in the field.
According to the above algorithm, the procedure for modifying the car software can be repeated several times to achieve the desired effect.
Tuning a Lada Vesta car is a set of measures related to improving the exterior by installing modern body kits and changing some interior parts. You can perform chip tuning of the engine, which allows you to increase the power of the power unit within certain limits and improve the smoothness of the car. At the same time, it is necessary to take into account the negative consequences of such changes.
