http://youtube.com/watch?v=GayAxCzCtTw&mode=related&search=

Looks like it pushes thru the corners and prefer lawns to asphalt. ;) Pretty 
stiff construction though. Kept lifting the driver side front wheel.  Cool 
looking ride.

Mudge

Val Danilov (Seattle, WA) wrote:
: http://youtube.com/watch?v=GayAxCzCtTw&mode=related&search=
'69 124 Sport Coupe (Shared duty, DD)
'71 124 Spider (rusty project)
'72 124 Spider ('77 conversion)
'75 124 Spider (OC..orange car)
'79 124 Spider (daily driver)

Needs a wee bit more suppension travel on that inside front:)

How about a 350 in that, some superswampers and it would be
a real stump jumper:)

80 Spider CSP
81 Lancia Beta (Farm Use:))
80 X1/9 in pieces

Val Danilov (Seattle, WA) wrote:
: http://youtube.com/watch?v=GayAxCzCtTw&mode=related&search=
Csaba

'71 124 Spider hi-po 2000, A/C, big brakes, r&p, 3.9 with LSD
personal: http://www.geocities.com/f124ss/
work: http://www.vickauto.com

that was pretty crazy!  If you are going to drive yours like that you ought to
install one of those Landrover Defender style external roll cages!   PB  : )





Val Danilov (Seattle, WA) wrote:
: http://youtube.com/watch?v=GayAxCzCtTw&mode=related&search=
1971 124 Sport Spider

Hey Val, can your cousins send me one a part at the time
till complete:)
Are there any in the states?

80 Spider CSP
81 Lancia Beta (Farm Use:))
80 X1/9 in pieces

Robert McNabb (Blue Ridge Mountains, Virginia) wrote:
: Are there any in the states?

Yeah, Val has a white one :-)

George Emery

: Yeah, Val has a white one :-)
: George Emery

But it's not for sale :) 

They did sell them in Canada and South America until about '98, so this is 
where you should look.

Since I've started looking for one I have come to realize how rare these 
things are becoming. They basically went the way Fiat did in US. The cars were 
being driven to death w/o proper maintenance. Consiquently, most ended up in 
junk yards. The remaining examples are either in enthusiasts hands, or in very 
poor shape, and get sold for cheap.
There's also a small but constant demand for them north of the border. People 
are looking for good examples.

You can probably find a later model car easily enough if you look, but the 
trick is to find a 25-year-old one, so you can import it. And that may prove 
very very difficult.
I know of one car of '96 vintage in pristine shape that is now in Hollywood 
being used for some video shoots. I was tempted to buy it (at $3k!) when it 
was for sale in Montreal, but this Californian beat me to it. He was able to 
import the car on a temporary basis for his purposes.

Another one came to Chicago from Hungary or Germany via Ebay. Read about it 
here:
http://www.ladausa.net/

I got lucky with mine, as I bought it off of Canadian who was moving to US, so 
he was able to bring it with him, and sell it to me.


I can ask my cousins to send you one piece by piece, but it'll prove very 
expensive! :) But, if you are seriously interested, contact this guy:
http://www.sovietcarsinusa.com/ He imports them, and should be able to help.

Val D.

Good read on the Chicago Niva. How tough are the drive lines on 
these things. If I ever found one I'd make a work truck out of it.
Off road daily.


80 Spider CSP
81 Lancia Beta (Farm Use:))
80 X1/9 in pieces

Mike Mudge wrote:
: Looks like it pushes thru the corners and prefer lawns to asphalt. ;)

Dang, it sure hooks up in the mud!  (just got around to viewing video)

George Emery

Robert McNabb (Blue Ridge Mountains, Virginia) wrote:
: Good read on the Chicago Niva. How tough are the drive lines on 
: these things. If I ever found one I'd make a work truck out of it.
: Off road daily.

It's a 124-based drivetrain. The engines are rugged, transmissions are weak.
Rear suspension is basically 124, but with 5-bolt rear end shafts and large 
drums. Never heard of transfer case failures. Front suspension is all Niva 
specific with massive disc brakes (12" discs?) and 3-piston calipers. 
Post '93? cars came with GM fuel injection.

The beauty of a Niva is that so many Fiat parts will fit, all new parts are 
available inexpensively., you can upgrade to LSD diffs, and new interior 
fixtures, and much more. Otherwise I'd be looking for UAZ, which is much more 
authentic: http://www.sovietcarsinusa.com/page5.html


I am putting in a twin-cam which has one drawback for off-roading: it's got 
the belt driven cams, so you cannot dive into too deep a mud or you'd be 
risking a belt failure. I suppose reinstalling all the original belt shields 
isn't a bad idea.

Val D.

Val 
Will the Niva LSD "pumpkin" bolt in to any 124 differential housing?
Have seen hints that this is possible on another Fiat forum, but no 
confirmation.
I am loathe to weld up the diff for my 124 Spidr race car. 
Thanks in advance
JD 

Joseph,

yes, both Quaiff and Torsen style LSD are available for early [pre-79] 124
differentials, as well as ring and pinions in any ratio, as well as close ratio
gear sets for 5 speed transmissions. I believe Csaba has done this mod.
I can look up prices.

Val D.

DeGasperis wrote:
: Val 
: Will the Niva LSD "pumpkin" bolt in to any 124 differential housing?
: Have seen hints that this is possible on another Fiat forum, but no 
: confirmation.
: I am loathe to weld up the diff for my 124 Spidr race car. 
: Thanks in advance
: JD 

Hey let me know too! I have several early differentials lying around.

80 Spider CSP
81 Lancia Beta (Farm Use:))
80 X1/9 in pieces

Val
Any an all info about "bolt in" stuff by Quaife or Torsen is good, but hoping 
a Lada Niva LSD (provided it exists) will just drop in the 124 housing
Please email me off line if you like with any PN's or other data on the Niva 
diffirentials
Thanks again
JD

Quafe America and Torsen web sites show no application for Fiat or Lada

OK, my memory isn't as good as I thought. Quaife LSD isn't available, but 
Torsen is, as well as another "disc" style LSD. Either one is listed at $350.
New crown and pinion 4.4 is $200

Tranny close ratio gear set 1R 3,242-1,989-1,289-1,0-0,759........$350

Hmm.. also available is a 6-speed gearbox for my Samara, tempting!

Here's the phone # in Moscow (495) 363-7445

Val D.

Val 
I have ben all over the Torsen Products page and I do not see any application 
for "our cars" 
What and were are you looking?
Also what about the Niva connection for a usable LSD for the 124 housing? 
Thanks again
JD

Joseph DeGasperis wrote:
: Val 
: I have ben all over the Torsen Products page and I do not see any 
application 
: for "our cars" 
: What and were are you looking?
: Also what about the Niva connection for a usable LSD for the 124 housing? 
: Thanks again
: JD

Joseph,


Keep in mind that I left Russia 16 years ago, and haven't been back for the 
past 11 years. I left as a young man more interested in girls than cars, 
whereas now I am an old guy who spends too much time in a garage :)

The LSD for Niva (and older Lada sedans) is an aftermarket addition, not a 
factory part, as best as I can tell. Since the rear axles are same as 124, I 
assume they'll fit.

I have found a couple of guys over there willing to look up info, and send me 
stuff when needed, but not even close to Moscow. They told me of this tuning 
shop in Moscow, and give me a phone #. They said 2 LSD styles, including 
Torsen, so I have no reason not to believe them.

I may go ahead and order one for the Niva to try it out. Hopefully I'll have 
more info soon.

Val D.

Val Danilov (Seattle, WA) wrote:
: Joseph DeGasperis wrote:
: : Val 
: : I have ben all over the Torsen Products page and I do not see any 
: application 
: : for "our cars" 
: : What and were are you looking?
: : Also what about the Niva connection for a usable LSD for the 124 housing? 
: : Thanks again
: : JD
: Joseph,
: Keep in mind that I left Russia 16 years ago, and haven't been back for the 
: past 11 years. I left as a young man more interested in girls than cars, 
: whereas now I am an old guy who spends too much time in a garage :)
: The LSD for Niva (and older Lada sedans) is an aftermarket addition, not a 
: factory part, as best as I can tell. Since the rear axles are same as 124, I 
: assume they'll fit.
: I have found a couple of guys over there willing to look up info, and send 
me 
: stuff when needed, but not even close to Moscow. They told me of this tuning 
: shop in Moscow, and give me a phone #. They said 2 LSD styles, including 
: Torsen, so I have no reason not to believe them.
: I may go ahead and order one for the Niva to try it out. Hopefully I'll have 
: more info soon.
: Val D
Thank you very much for your time
JD

80 Spider CSP
81 Lancia Beta (Farm Use:))
80 X1/9 in pieces