When creating a car, engineers design a vehicle that will suit the majority of users. At the design stage, it is determined which price segment the future car will belong to. Based on this data, a package of preset options that this model range will have is formed. Therefore, budget cars are designed from inexpensive materials with a minimal set of options. Many car enthusiasts do not change anything in the car after purchase. But there are also those who want to have a car for little money that will be different from others and have a number of convenient options. Such a transformation will require investment. This number can be reduced if you make changes yourself and resort to the help of specialized centers only when performing very important and complex work. Tuning can be external and internal (technical), it can be done either sequentially or in parallel. It is important to know what the car will look like after all the improvements, and strive to make your wishes come true.
Brakes
"Kalina" is equipped with a classic brake system. This system is not the best, but it is capable of stopping the car at low speed. It is not intended for long and effective braking. It is possible to increase the power of the braking system by replacing the rear brake drums with disc brakes. The disc brake system has a shorter lifespan, but does its job more efficiently.
Disc backlight: how to do it yourself
A common modification of almost all domestic cars is the backlighting of the rims. To create it you will need the following elements:
- Mounting tape.
- Heat resistant adhesive.
- LED strip, approximately 65 cm per wheel.
- Power fastening ties.
- Twisted pair.
- Protective casing for installed wiring.
The features of the work carried out include the following points:
- The wiring is hidden in a protective casing. Twisted pair is used as wiring.
- The wiring is secured near the brake pipes using purchased ties.
- The diode strip can be fastened along the body of the structure. In order to prevent moisture from entering, insulation is carried out using a special heat-resistant adhesive.
- Power can be obtained from connector A6. The weight is taken from any nearby body bolt.
This modification looks very attractive. In this case, you should choose a diode strip with a certain shade, which will create an unusual and attractive effect. The above work recommendation applies to front wheels that have disc brakes. Problems may arise with the rear ones due to the installation of a drum structure.
Engine
After tuning the brake system, you can start increasing engine power. The Kalina power plant does not have significant power readings. There is a radical way to improve the engine by replacing it with a larger power unit from another car. This method, although effective, is impractical due to the cost of the unit itself and the cost of introducing it into the car. An effective and expedient way would be to tune the existing power plant. To do this, you need to improve the filling of the cylinders with the combustible mixture:
- Increase the diameter of the intake and exhaust ports in the cylinder head.
- Replace the standard intake manifold with a receiver with a shortened intake tract.
- Replace standard valves with valves with a reduced stem diameter in the area of its widest part.
- Install higher capacity injectors.
- Replace the standard air filter with a zero resistance filter element.
Then improve exhaust gas removal by installing a tuning exhaust manifold and a direct-flow exhaust system. The next step will be installing a lightweight flywheel and balancing the clutch basket and flywheel. After which you will need to configure the engine electronic control unit for the design changes made.
Suspension
Tuning the Lada Kalina Sedan will be incomplete without making changes to the suspension. There are options for radically changing all suspension mechanisms with tuning elements made from pipes. This suspension option will significantly improve the car's handling and make cornering more predictable. But this option has a significant drawback - its price, due to the fact that the introduction of a tuning suspension is associated with a change in the body structure. A budget option would be to replace the rubber silent blocks with polyurethane ones, as well as install a transverse link between the upper parts of the front struts.
Salon
Changes in the interior space directly depend on the preferences of the car owner. For long trips, Kalina lacks sound insulation and comfortable seats. The seats can be taken from another car or the existing ones can be modified by adding lateral support and increasing the lower part.
To travel short distances, the Kalina must be equipped with a good stereo system and additional interior lighting (back row lighting, front passenger and driver foot lighting). Another way to change the appearance of the interior is to change the color scheme of the dashboard. This can be done by covering its individual parts with vinyl film.
Car tuning emphasizes the individuality of its owner. Makes the car unique and noticeable. The changes made should not impair safety or make the car less comfortable; otherwise, each owner can make changes according to his needs and his understanding of comfort.
Tuning options for the Lada Kalina interior
The most affordable and obvious way to transform the interior of Kalina is to install new seat covers. However, you need to be able to choose them correctly, since there are a large number of varieties.
Case update
The first type is model covers, i.e. they are used, including by the automaker, as original ones for Kalina. Such products take into account the shape of the front and rear seats, headrests, the presence of an armrest, etc. Usually it is impossible to find them in the public domain; you have to order individual tailoring from special car workshops.
The second type is universal. These covers are made of elastic materials and are made in such a way that they can take any shape and bend as necessary. Even a beginner can install them; there is no need to remove the seats. But they also have a significant drawback: the shapes and sizes of the seats are not always exactly the same. On the other hand, they are easy to find in any auto parts store at prices affordable to everyone.
Special types of covers include fur ones. They not only prevent wear and tear on the seat upholstery, but also prevent you from freezing in winter, especially if there are no heated seats. In addition, they add a certain richness to the interior decoration. Fur covers are sold freely at reasonable prices. The only thing you need to pay attention to is the quality of the fur
Leather covers are in fact model and are made according to individual seat shapes. They have an attractive appearance, but in winter they are too cold without additional heating, and in summer the back quickly sweats. As an alternative, and most importantly universal option, you can use eco-leather covers. This modern material has excellent breathability and at first glance does not differ from genuine leather. Eco-leather allows air to pass through, but will not allow the seats to get wet when water hits the surface.
Universal type covers can be installed in literally half an hour, and if the material stretches well and has additional zippers, then even faster. If you purchased model covers, then you will have to tinker with removing the seats.
Replacement of interior upholstery with modelin
Upholstery with another material is the second way to significantly transform the interior. The main disadvantage here is the complexity and labor-intensiveness of the process. To achieve excellent results, you need to have extensive experience in such work and patience. The simplest option for reupholstering the interior is modelin.
The advantage of modelin is its affordable price: on average, the cost of a standard sheet of 700x1200 mm will be no more than 350 rubles, leather or Alcantara (artificial suede) will cost much more. Modelin can be used to cover door cards without dismantling. In addition, you do not need to buy special glue: there is a special adhesive base on the back of the material.
The sticker process is simple. First, you need to clean and degrease the surface. Secondly, remove the protective film from the adhesive base and stick it on the door card, carefully smoothing it from the center to the edge. Thirdly, cut off the excess pieces with a utility knife and fold the edges inside the seams. In this simple way you can cover the entire interior in 30–40 minutes. Do not forget about the triangles of the side mirrors; pasting is carried out in a similar way. Such simple tuning will not only decorate the interior, but will also prevent the accumulation of dust and dirt in the cabin.
Foot lighting in the interior of the Lada Kalina
Getting into a car (especially at night) will be much more convenient if you add additional lighting on the floor. Illumination can be done both from the front and from the back. For installation you will need the following kit:
- 3–4 meters of 12V LED strip;
- wires;
- corners.
The LED strip is attached with double-sided tape to the steering column casing and to the bottom of the dashboard; for the convenience of the front passenger, the mounting location is the bottom of the glove compartment. To illuminate the floor near the rear seats, an LED strip is glued to the corners, which in turn are attached to the foot heating ducts. There is no need to remove the front seats for this, just move them as far forward as possible.
When connecting, you first need to find a convenient place to connect the ground. If the lighting is turned on via a toggle switch, then any metal part of the body can be used for this. If the backlight lights up when the doors are opened, the ground is connected to the limit switches on the doors. In order not to waste time pulling a new wire out of the door, you can connect to the wires under the sill trims. On the driver's side it is a white-blue wire, on the passenger's side it is red-brown.
The positive connection can be made from the side lights, from terminal block A6 on the car radio or from the cigarette lighter, but in the latter case you will have to remove the central tunnel. You can get a constant plus 12V by hooking it up to the red wire from the ignition switch or from the ceiling light. It is better to lay all wires under the carpet. If you pull it over it, the wires will interfere with your legs when landing and will be torn.
The optimal connection option is the central lampshade. The wires are pulled under the windshield pillar trim and connected directly to the solder contacts, otherwise the backlight will not work in several modes. If everything is done correctly, the backlight will work in three modes: when the door is opened, when the lamp is turned on, or through a button on the console.
Ultimately, such lighting will make the interior design of the Lada Kalina much more interesting, especially at night. In order not to disturb the harmony with the overall interior design, you need to take a responsible approach to choosing the color of the LED strip. When connecting, the polarity must be observed. If you confuse plus and minus, the backlight will not work.
Interior repainting
Many Kalinas use light shades as the main color. This design does not look as solid as, for example, black. Painting the interior is not such a difficult procedure. To work you will need:
- fine-grained sandpaper;
- White Spirit;
- spray paint of a matching color.
For better adhesion, it is additionally worth using a primer in several layers. Apply the first layer of paint, after drying another layer, and so on according to the instructions on the paint can. If desired, you can use additional varnish.
To properly paint the plastic interior, it is necessary to dismantle the central tunnel, the side parts of the dashboard and the plastic trim on the door pillars. After cleaning and degreasing, a primer is applied in several layers and 2-3 layers of paint. All plastic parts of the interior are processed and painted in the same way.
As a rule, when working with cars manufactured before 1997, you have to put in a lot of work to first remove the memory chips and then start working with its data. This is a very delicate work that requires high qualifications.
The main tuning methods that are applicable to the Lada Kalina are considered. Each of them is interesting in its own way, each is widely popular in the world of car enthusiasts. Choose your option. Good luck!
