The team of the American YouTube channel announced the start of work on an unusual tuning project, within the framework of which the UAZ-452, also known as “Loaf”, will undergo a complete replacement of the power unit. The bloggers intend to use General Motors components and carry out all the work on their own, trying to make the swap project as budget-friendly as possible.
The owners of the Russian SUV, which they have been using for four years, are generally satisfied with its cross-country ability – for example, in the “Loaf” they drove the difficult off-road route El Camino Del Diablo (or “Devil’s Path”) in Arizona. However, they have now decided to increase the car’s power, as the stock four-cylinder engine produces just over 100 horsepower. The 4.8-liter V8 donated to bloggers from the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado pickup, which produces 270 horsepower, was chosen as the basis for the new power unit.
UAZ increased the environmental class and torque of the Bukhanka engine. The best-selling UAZ car in Russia was again the Bukhanka. The Bukhanka could seat 48 people, and this is a record.
To complete the project, the tuners purchased a four-speed automatic transmission from a 1992 Chevrolet Astro for $1,900, a 1970s transfer case for $700, and an 86-quart fuel tank from a 1998 GMC Jimmy for $132. The bloggers plan to carry out all the work on replacing the units themselves, despite the lack of such experience.
In the fall, in Russia, on the classifieds website Avito.ru, an offer appeared for the sale of an electric “Loaf”, created on the basis of the 2019 UAZ-3962. The project was implemented by the Crimean company Elkafa. Before the conversion, the minibus traveled 85 thousand kilometers, and after that – another three thousand. The cost of such an electric vehicle is 2.9 million rubles, which is comparable to the price of the recently introduced Lada e-Largus electric van, taking into account government subsidies.
“Loaves” for every taste: unusual projects based on UAZ
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