I told myself years ago, "I can mod this car (2012 v), but I'm not doing anything that noticeably decreases the fuel economy." So no roof racks with massive light bars, as sick as that would be, for example. I am running out of ideas (no pics yet...work is still in progress...presumed capstone project should be next year). One thing that did occur to me--has anyone here replaced their exhaust (or part of their exhaust system) for fun? I'm curious if there's any reasonably-priced component replacement that can be done, specifically to make the engine noise a lower pitch/tone, but not also affect the fuel economy, cause warning lights, and/or be louder than the stock noise.
I know I'm not qualified to comment as a Gen 5 owner, but I'm not sure the Prius with its CVT (and Atkinson cycle engine?), have much potential for mellifluous tones.
You'll be dealing with the cat back portion only remove the resonator back from cats I think this car has it put pipe from wet resonator was out back of car w Ansa muffler .
Light bar and lights no issues as long as a fairing is fitted for buffeting . I have a set of roof racks for this model you can get .
Most people want a quiet hybrid and complain about the pedestrian warning sound when in ev. Regardless, any deeper tones means removing the muffler and perhaps installation of a custom glass pack. It will be louder, not just deeper tones. Personally I think it would be distracting to have the horsepower rumble cycling on and off as the engine shuts down hundreds of times on the commute and at stop lights.
If the car actually had the speaker, which I'm sure it doesn't for that vintage, it could be put to use with high revving, turbo whine with blow off valve sounds. Something Civic-esque. It'd be an aftermarket fake turbo though, since Civics don't have them...or do they?
It does use a speaker for the ev warning and the system will code if you disconnect it. But that is why gen5 guys should not weigh in on gen3 technology.
Broadcast a sound file. I'm partial to the 1970s Matra V12 F1 and sports car engine... Or the Porsche 917 if you prefer...
I have changed some things on my 2010 I changed the air intake and dropped in a Blitz warm air intake. Then, I added a JET performance MAF sensor. Then, I added a bored throttle body. Then, I added a throttle body spacer. Then, Magnaflow catalytic converter. Finally, I added a Ganador muffler. Some will think or say these things do nothing but they have no clue unless they actually experience it.
I added a dual exhaust tip that affects only the appearance, not the sound. My meaningless and juvenile mod: dual exhaust tip | PriusChat Did a few other little insignificant mods too, changing the emblem background to body-color is maybe my favorite. 12 easy little mods I did to my Prius V | PriusChat