I would like to improve the handling on my 08 non-touring machine. I like the idea of the BT strut tower brace, but I am by nature a sceptic. I've read most of the posts regarding the brace as well as the stiffening plate. I will change the tires, but only after they wear out. So ............................. is there any quantifiable data, such as skid pad numbers, on either of these products? Any help is greatly appreciated! ThanX! ... Brad
Nobody has tested the strut tower brace yet? What about the skid plate? Any numbers? Any comments? Anyone here? ... Brad
No numbers are available, AFAIK. If it makes any difference, I upgraded mine one component at a time. I have noticed a change in handling characteristics with each upgrade. I got the stiffening plate first, which was noticeable with the first corner. After that, I had to get 'em all. Money well spent, IMHO. I go tear up the twisties every couple weekends. Sport bikes and Porches freak out when I quickly close in on them in the tight corners, and remain on their tail until the straights.
i agree 100%.. i only have the rear brace. it helped a lot. changing tires helped too. i'm going to go back to smaller tires though.. i want higher mpg.
This is why I'm a sceptic. I'm sorry, but I'm just not buying that statement. Your Prius may (or may not since we have NO numbers to support any claim) handle better, but you are certainly not "closing in on Porches and sports bikes in the corners". Sorry, but if you are, it's because they are not trying. ... Brad
Brad, racing has a lot to do with driver skill and willingness to torture a car. I've been to many races (drag and autocross) where people simply embarass themselves behind the wheel of an otherwise capable car. Presto has quite a bit of equipment on his Prius and in the right hands I have no doubt it could hug corners with other "sporty" cars. One portion of my Internship commute has me going up or down a super windy road and with just the 17" wheel/tire upgrade I can come into turns pretty damn hot and not have any problems other than some body roll which is easy to work around. Add in some bracing, lowering, better springs and performance shocks and the Prius should be no slouch. Case example: I am trying to learn how to autocross my old C5 with the crappy runflat tires. Laugh all you want but it was a rough day and by it's end everyone knew I was a drag racer at heart. lol Too much throttle coming out of the tight corner Full throttle straightaway but too much wheelspin after a hard shift (automatic).
Only the RT skidpad number for a base ? Consumers Reports says their "Emergency Handling Avoidance Maneuver" was 50.5 MPH on the base and 53.5 MPH on the Touring for 2008.
ThanX for the vid post ... nice! However, what I hear you saying is that all things being equal, you can't hang with high performance autos/bikes. However, certainly a superior driver can make up some (or all, depending on the skill of the other driver) of the difference. I'll buy that! So, does anyone have any numbers to back up either the strut brace or the stiffening plate, or both? I'd really like to buy one (or both), but I just can't bring myself to do so without some real numbers behind the hype. ThanX!!!! .... Brad
Brad, If you want numbers, I don't think there are any. You'll just have to rely on (or disregard if you want) the testimony of others here, or rely on your own experience if and when you try each modification. I don't doubt Presto's description. Presto didn't just have the BT Tech Stiffening Plate. He started with that, and ended up upgrading with a full set of the TOM's braces, including front strut tower brace, and the TRD Sportivo Shocks & Springs, and maybe better tires. His description of the handling matches that of apriusfan (who has the TOM's braces on the Touring Prius, along with better tires), as well as others I've read. Anyways, if you don't know this already, I think the list of available modifications to improve handling is more or less as follows: 1. Increase your tire pressures. 2. Wider, better and/or bigger tires and/or wheels. 3. BT Tech Rear Stiffening Plate, Front Strut Tower Brace, and if and when it comes out, Front Sway Bar. 4. TOM's Braces. 5. TRD Sportivo Shocks & Springs. 6. BLITZ and other brands lowering springs. 7. Touring Edition Front Stabilizer Bar, Rear Stabilizer Bar, Rear Shocks & Rear Springs (I believe the front stuts and springs on the Touring Edition are the same as those on the Standard Prius). Good luck.
I added the BT Tech Stiffening Plate, upgrade Nokian WR 60R-195 tires and BT Tech Strut Tower Brace in that order. Each made a huge difference. If I were to do it again and could only afford one at a time, I think upgrading the tires is the first thing to do, becuase if you die running on the Goodyear Integrities, you will have no option to make further improvements. Everyone is looking for numbers on the BT Tech products, but I beleive there are too many variables involved to take such a strict quantitative approach. Trust all the happy customers and give them a try. If you don't like them, someone else will probably gladly buy them from you at 60-70 percent so each would be less than $100 to test drive.
Aye, all things being equal except vehicles, the performance car/bike should embarass the Prius. Unless of course it's an autocross event and the person who designed the course loves small tight wheelbase cars..... The miata club used to screw us (Camaro/Corvette) over that way. Tight turns and short straights. lol
