Tuning VAZ 2108

A little about the VAZ 2108 car

In 1984, the Volzhsky Automobile Plant began production of the VAZ 2108 model. For those times, the famous “eight” became a fairly progressive car with front-wheel drive, which had excellent handling and quite “passable” dynamics.
Today, the VAZ 2108 has ceased production; in 2005, it gave way to a modern model - the VAZ 2113, which has slightly different body panels, as well as a more modern interior, which is complemented by a bright European panel. Nevertheless, these cars are found quite often on city streets, and many of them have been modified as a result of tuning that car enthusiasts do with their own hands.

And you shouldn’t be too surprised, because the car is an excellent preparation for subsequent modifications. This model is in particular demand among young people, because its sporty nature and quite affordable price contribute to this. After purchasing such a car, there is often still money left for tuning it.

VAZ 2108

History and tuning of the VAZ 2108 or the first experience in front-wheel drive

Story

It so happened that the Soviet three-door hatchback VAZ 2108 (“Lada Samara”, “Lada Sputnik” or simply “chisel”, as it was nicknamed because of its characteristic design) with its appearance opened a completely new era in the Soviet automotive industry. After all, it was the first front-wheel drive car, which in many respects differed favorably from the “classics” that had “reigned” until that moment.

The VAZ 2108 was a rather serious long-term construction project. The idea of creating a front-wheel drive car and its first project appeared in the early 70s. However, at that time, development was somewhat stalled due to a lack of technical means to create a car that, with such a drive arrangement, would feel very comfortable on domestic roads. However, the project, specifically the VAZ 2108, was started only in 1977. A year later, the first prototype was made. But there was still a long time left before the release of a full-fledged car - the first “chisels” began to arrive in auto shops across the vast country only in 1985, thus becoming the same age as perestroika. And one of its main symbols.

One more point - starting from the G8, VAZ moved away from its cooperation with Fiat. Largely due to the Italian company’s refusal to further cooperate. This time joint development was carried out together with Porshe. And the result of the departure from the “Fiat legacy,” as they say, is obvious. The VAZ 2108 differs from previous models in almost everything, from the design and interior to the main technical components.

Externally, the “eight” has become one of the most recognizable cars, having received from its creators somewhat aggressive forms, close to sports ones. What’s typical is that the Italians couldn’t do it here either, because they were closely involved in the design of the car, originally from the Apennine Peninsula. And this was not the last foreign company with which the Soviet automobile industry, represented by engineers from the Volzhsky Automobile Plant, collaborated. Thus, the G8 received a braking system thanks to the efforts of the Lucas company; the design of the rear beam was “inherited” from Volkswagen. And such a hodgepodge made it possible to get a car that is very good in many respects.

The VAZ 2108 was clearly recognized as a car of a higher class than the VAZ 2107 and VAZ 2106 released before it. As a result of a radically new approach to development, it was possible to get rid of a number of “hereditary” diseases that plague all classic VAZ models. Lada Samara received better aerodynamic characteristics and became more ergonomic. Car enthusiasts also noted that the VAZ 2108 began to behave more confidently on the road, obey the steering wheel better, and consume less fuel.

The interior also turned out to be worthy of praise - comfortable seats, ergonomic control wheel. Moreover, the VAZ 2108 could also be used as a station wagon - it was necessary to fold out the rear seat and get a fairly spacious trunk. However, even today many people note that in general the interior turned out to be quite cramped - a sacrifice to the progressive appearance.

Initially, the Lada Samara was equipped with a 1.3-liter gasoline carburetor engine with a power of 65 hp. Since 1987, another modification came into use, which determined the use of a one and a half liter engine with 69 “horses” (VAZ 21083). There was also a version of the car that used a similar 73 hp injection engine. This modification was called VAZ 21083i.

As such, the pure Lada Samara VAZ 2108 has not been produced since 2003. Today it can be found in the person of the successor to the VAZ 2113, which in many ways completely repeats both the design and many technical characteristics of the original V8.

Interesting Facts

The VAZ 2108 car, to some extent, became the embodiment of the era of perestroika and the “dashing 90s” that followed it. “The favorite car of racketeers” - you could often hear this about him in the late 80s. This fact is most likely due to the fact that the G8 at that time was one of the most expensive and advanced domestic cars, but inferior in price to the foreign cars that were actively leaking through the Iron Curtain. The result of this situation was that the VAZ 2108 became an integral attribute of films telling about the mentioned time period.

But for many, Ladushka is, first and foremost, a car that demonstrates good sporting results. And that is why the most varied tuning of the VAZ 2108 has become widespread. Actually, we have come to another important part of our story.

To some extent, the “eight” can be compared to a piece of wet clay. You can find a lot of options for tuning the VAZ 2108 - on domestic roads and highways you can find improvised SUVs, full-fledged cramps created only for fast roads, and “wolves in sheep’s clothing”, outwardly no different from the original car, but hiding something under their hood more “horses” than the factory version. In short, tuning a VAZ 2108 is a creative activity.

Traditionally, VAZ 2108 tuning includes the following elements: styling, interior tuning and technical tuning of the VAZ 2108.

Styling the VAZ 2108 allows you to get an appearance that corresponds to the class of a sports car by installing tuned side mirrors, body kits, an air intake on the hood and roof, forged or alloy wheels with low-profile tires, a spoiler or a wing. And finally - installation of Lambo hinges (the doors will open upward, similar to Lamborgini sports cars.

If someone is planning to tune a VAZ 2108 engine, then you can advise him on several options, depending on the desired result. The most effective step may be to switch to an injection type engine. It lends itself more easily to further tuning, opening up the possibility of installing a 16-valve cylinder head, a compressor with excess pressure over 0.5 bar, and turbocharging. If you do not have the opportunity to switch to an injector or for a number of reasons want to keep the original carburetor and keep the piston system intact, engine performance can be increased by expanding and grinding the channels, installing a zero resistance filter, installing an equal-length 4-1 or 4-2-1 manifold and much more. Increasing the cylinder volume to 1.6-1.8 liters by using a crankshaft with increased strokes also helps in this situation.

Tuning the brake system of the VAZ 2108 and tuning the transmission of the VAZ 2108 for the most part includes a set of standard measures, which you can familiarize yourself with by reading articles about other VAZ models. Or by contacting us, our specialists will select the best options.

Consult and sign up for tuning by phone: +7(903) 124 78 25, (Monday to Friday from 11-00 to 20-00, Moscow)

From the history of the model

The history of the VAZ 2108 brand is filled with interesting facts. The car received the names now known to many - “nine” and “chisels”. This car is incredibly popular today. The entire “eight-nine” family, named in the early stages as Sputnik, and then Samara, appeared in the world thanks to the fruitful collaboration of masters from Tolyatti with the well-known German company Porsche.

This, without a doubt, gave the “chisel” excellent potential for subsequent improvements.

The general modification range of VAZ cars includes many car models, but the 2108 model and its modifications are the most common in the so-called tuning area. By the way, when tuning the VAZ 2114, the “relative” of which is the presented model 2108, you should start from the same principles that are used when improving the famous G8.

The VAZ 2108 became a test car and, today, the oldest representative of a front-wheel drive car in the entire VAZ family, and this in itself is attractive to many tuning fans. The car took part in sports racing, and after such testing on race tracks, the tuned new items made significant progress among the people and immediately won the hearts of many ordinary owners of 2108 cars.

Superficial "makeup" of a car

Tuning the VAZ 2108 is usually carried out according to the following scheme:

motor;
transmission;
suspension;
salon;
body.

However, it should be noted that both the engine and transmission, together with the suspension of the presented model, “from the moment of birth” provide tolerable dynamics and power. Therefore, in such a situation, it is better to start tuning from the end. In order to generally get a beautiful and original car, you must first start updating the appearance of the car.

Tuning the VAZ-2108 carburetor

This type of modification is not very popular among motorists. But there are ways to implement it. Which? There are questions and there are answers.

First of all, it is necessary to stabilize the fuel level, in this way to really avoid depletion of the fuel mixture during the stages of active movement on highways. It would also be correct to set the limit in the float chamber at 1 mm. Other restrictions will lead to a change in unprogrammed operating modes during high-speed driving, that is, at too active levels, the car’s dynamism will begin to fade. The introduction of a rubber shut-off needle into the system can better harmonize and contain the already adjusted fuel level.

There is another type, it can even “strain” the uninitiated driver a little; when implementing it, it is necessary to eliminate the EPH system. This will have to be done so that the engine’s activity becomes stable and measured. Of course, we cannot do without the negative aspects of modernization, or rather, in any case, there will be a sharp increase in fuel consumption, but its level will not be very high, no more than 4–8 percent. You can turn the conceived scheme into reality using several options: 1) The shut-off needle is removed from the standard solenoid valve. It is either abruptly pulled out, erased at the root, broken off, cut off, the method of action is not critical, the most important thing after the performed actions is to treat the operation site correctly, here a situation of air leakage may arise, which can significantly affect the work. Next, take into account the purchase of a nozzle holder, which is inserted in place of the valve and thus eliminates the electromagnetic suspension system of the car.

IT IS IMPORTANT! Tuning VAZ 2105 with your own hands

Tuning headlights

Next, you should update the rear lights of the car (which are certified by the car plant). If your car is not equipped with a backup brake light, it is better to install one. The front optics of the G8 are difficult to dramatically modify in any way; the only option is to install “eyelashes”.

However, in certain cases it is also possible to replace standard optics with modern alternatives. You should also install a special protective strip over the rear door of the car, which will protect the edge of the door from premature rotting. Of course, the standard rear-view mirrors also need to be replaced, preferably with drainage grooves and heating.