Niva Resource: Alternative Parts

Alternate parts that fit Nivas.

Genuine Lada replacement parts are usually the best parts to fit to your Niva.
If Lada has withdrawn from your country, don't panic - see the Newbies Guide to find a genuine Lada/VAZ parts dealer near you.

However, if these are not available or if you're caught on the side of the road there are many parts that can be used instead. Most info here is for the Niva 1600, but some 1700/injection bits have sneaked in. Please note though these alternatives are all from reliable sources afaik, but I have not tried many of these alternatives myself so can't vouch for them. And don't forget that some people's idea of "perfectly the same" / "direct swap" / "fits no problem" is not the same as other people's.

Know of any other bits you've tried that do - or don't - fit?
E-mail me at mark dot baxter at op dot ac dot nz.

Parts that DO fit Nivas:

Classic/Riva/Zhiguli
• Many parts are the same as on Lada classic saloons, check out the parts-manual, and as a rule of thumb any part whose part-number starts with 210... is also Classic/Riva/Zhiguli.

Carby
• The Niva's carby has the same footprint as the down-draft Weber opening up many options for swaps. See my Weber swap for detailed info.
• The accelerator pump from the Motorcraft 2150 carby fits just perfect into the Niva 2121-1 Carby (Vince W Drake).

Engine
• Many Lada Classic/Riva/Zhiguli saloons had chain-driven 1100, 1200, and 1500cc versions of the Niva's engine. While these would be underpowered for a Niva, many of their internals and accessories are the same or compatable with the Niva's. Try to keep as close to your Niva's year as you can as the engine has been in production so long it's had many minor changes along the way (eg different alternators, carbys, etc).
• Crank rear oil seal - Partquip 709010 -"70 90 10" (Sakkie)

Air-filter
• A346 (interchangeable with a Nissan filter), Valvoline VA62, GUD AG715 (Izak Crafford), Fram CA660 & CA4354, AC Delco A383C, Motorcraft FA250, Purolator A30023.
• See warning about Ryco A88 & GUD AG380 below.

Sparkplugs
• Champion - N10Y, N9Y, RN9YC; Bosch - W7 DC; Marelli - CW7LP; NGK - BP6ES; MotorCraft - AG22; AC - 42XLS; KLG - FE65P; Beru Ultra 14 - 7du (Izak Crafford)

Starter Motor
• Wilson Auto Electric #91-36-7500
• 1.7 starter brushes (Lada-nr 2101-3708340) can be replaced with Fiat (JSX13 -4045771). (ahma)

Alternator
• Wilson Auto Electric 90-36-7501 (50 AMP) or 90-23-6533 (60 AMP) (Carmine/lalunette)

Ignition module
• The VW Golf 7-pin type is a plug in replacement for the 1.7. (sakkie)

Oil filter
• Avoid cheap oil filters if you want your Lada engine to live (indeed on any vehicle).
If you can't get a real Lada one, or Lada isn't listed at your local parts store, apparently the Ford Pinto (UK) bolts on fine. Just make sure it's not a greatly different size than the Lada filter as that may effect your oil pressure.
• Booneylander reports using a FRAM PH8A (or similar) improved oil pressure over a stock filter.

Thermostat
• Many '70s/'80s Fiats & Lancias use the same style thermostats, just make sure the temperature rating is correct for the Lada.
• If you can't get original or Fiat one, any external syle one can be adapted; eg 1990 BMW 318i, you'll just have to change the top and bottom hoses to suit. (Brandt Aucamp)

Gearbox
• Lada Classic/Riva/Zhiguli saloon 5-speed 'boxes are the same as Niva 5-speeds, though ratios may slightly vary in some - gearbox ratio info here. Likewise Classic 4 speeds can be used to replace a niva 4-speed.
• Lada Classic and Niva 4-speeds can be swapped into a 5-speed model. You will need a 4-speed 'box mount (ie the mount that joints the x-member to the gearbox). They are reputed to be vastly stronger than the 5-speeds, and some have lower ratios than Nivas 'boxes - low ratio gearbox swap info here.
• Fiat 124 gearboxes bolt to the Lada engine and have been swaped in. The 4-speeds should be reasonably the same to fit as a Lada 4-speed (except maybe the mount?). But the Fiat 5-speeds are longer than the Niva boxes and won't bolt in without some mods (eg shifting the TC backwards a little). Some 132 'boxes look the same as a 124 so I assume will also fit, and are reputed to be stronger. Some Fiat 124 'box internals can be used in the Lada 'box, but not all.
• SFK bearing replacements for the Lada 5-speed may be found here.

Clutch
• DynaPak Clutch Number NU31010, 3 Piece kit
• Valeo Clutch Kit, Part #3495

Donut
• Rubber donuts as used on some Euro Fords (eg Sierra) and others are the same size and fit. However, they they do not have the flange-tip locators Lada ones do, and are reported to be of an inferior rubber to the Russian originals.
• Obviously many Fiat donuts will also fit.

Universal Joints
• Hardy Splicer universal joint GKN HS194

CV boots
• The front CV-boots are of the same dimensions as the Audi 100, 1977 - 1986 outer boot. (Markus at lada-niva.se) (might pay to check the dimensions and to know if this applies to both the Niva inner and outer boots; I can't recall if they are the same off hand?)

Bleed nipples
• 8 x 1.5 Metric x 24mm Long, part no. 639520 from Russell. (Toshi38)

Fuel Cap
• Some '80s Fiats and Lancias have the same screw-on non-vented cap.

Seats
• Many '80s Honda, Toyota, and Rover models have a similar distance between the seat's mounting rails (about 43 to 44cm). However, the Niva's rails sit at different heights, so you'll need an spacer (about 45mm) under the outer rail of each seat to lift it about an inch and a half (a couple of lengths of 50x100 box section look like they might do it).
• Centurion Lada say Hyundai Elantra or Accent seats are easy swaps as well.
• Detailed seat swap info.

Interior
• Many of those fiddly black plastic bits you loose and break can be found in Lada cars. If you can find an older Lada Classic/Zhiguli saloon (eg the 1200) you may even be able to find some metal replacements (eg window winder & door opener handles). Fiat 124 and some others also have useful swaps and upgrades for Niva interiors.
• Most Fiat steering wheels up to 1984 (eg 124, 131, etc) will fit on the Niva splines.

Dashboard lights
• Euro bulbs are not easly available in America. US type no. 1445 works but is a bit dim (2w), longer types won't fit. Osram no. 39316 will fit and is avalible as stock no. 937-0010 from Allied Electronics. (porschev812)

Wheel rims
• See the list of rims with the same PCD (stud pattern) as the Niva (be aware of off-set problems though).

Self-adjusting Brakes
• Self-adjusting rear wheel cylinders from Lada Samaras and later Nivas fit earlier Nivas, but you'll need the backing plates from a self-adjusting later model Niva, and shoes. (Andy, Lada Parts Australia)

Brakes
• Fiat Uno Master Cylinder seals (part No. 4396) are an exact fit (Danie)
• Fiat 147 Master cylinder and equalizer may be swapable

Steering
• The Lada Classic/Riva/Zhiguli saloon steering-box is the same, though you'll almost certainly need to use the Niva's arm, and the input shaft length may be different on some models (use the Niva's).
• Likewise the Fiat 124 (and others) steering-box can be used (and I believe have bearings instead of bushes as a bonus), make sure you get the right shaft length. (RealNivaMan)

Suspension
• Front Shocks: Monroe MNR.M8046 (Toyota Hi-Ace) (Sakkie), Rancho RS 5605 (ahma)
• Rear shocks: Monroe GA2006 G45051 (Nissan) (Sakkie), Rancho RS 5113 (ahma)

Crank-start Handle
• The coupling off a Lada Classic/Riva/Zhiguli saloon fits but the handle is too short iirc. If you can't find a second-hand one here's a diy.
• Gadgetboy reports "The jack handle from Nissan pickups (not the Navara) works a treat".

Parts that DON'T fit Nivas:

Engine
• The FWD Lada Samara's engine is belt driven unlike the chain driven Niva engine so many parts are are not swapable. Likewise the belt-driven engine is found in a few Classic/Riva/Zhiguli saloons (eg the 1300cc).

Fiat ZF-style gearbox
• The ZF-style 'box from later Fiats (131 etc) will bolt to the Niva engine. But it is too long and will need the TC moved backwards (enough to need relocated mounts and body mods) to fit in the Niva. It will also need a custom joint between the Fiat ZF-style 'box and TC if it's not the type with a donut output, a custom cross-member (a Fiat one could probably be easily adapted), and some mild cutting of the body for the shifter-lever.

Ryco A88 & GUD AG380 air-filter
• The A88 was listed for the Niva 1600 in Australia, but is about 6 mm too short and does not seal up - thus letting unfiltered air bypass the filter! Thanks to Joel Menich it no longer is listed, but some shops might still have the old catalogue. 2009 Update: Repco NZ still sells A88 as a Niva replacement!
Likewise the GUD AG380 fitted by some in South Africa is too small and also lets in unfiltered air.

Steering and suspension
• Lada Classic/Riva/Zhiguli saloon steering-arms and wishbones are different.

Seats
• Lada Classic/Riva/Zhiguli saloon seat rails are a different width, and do not bolt in.

Know of any other bits you've tried that do - or don't - fit?
E-mail me at mark dot baxter at op dot ac dot nz, but please put something sensible in the subject-line or my spam filter will nail you.

The up-to-date copy of this list lives permanently at www.ladaniva.co.uk/baxter/resources/Parts.htm If you're reading it from elsewhere it may not be the most up-to-date copy.

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