BT tech plate review on my 07 touring

fboyle · 11-07-2006, 09:11 PM

This is my first time posting on Prius Chat but I feel that I needed to let everyone know how pleased I am with a purchase I made through the Prius Chat online store.

I recently purchased a 07 Touring Prius and before I took delivery I was already looking for things to help improve its ride and handling. I did a lot of reading about the BT Tech chassis stiffening plate and read what seemed like volumes of information on it. After all of the glowing reviews I decided to take the plunge and placed my order. To my amazement I received the stiffening plate only one week after I placed my order.

The plate was packed very professionally and included 4 stainless steel bolts, washers and a installation sheet. What I found really nice was that all of the stainless steel bolts had a thin film of anti-seize grease applied and protected by a piece of tape. All I had to do was remove the tape and the bolts were ready to be installed.

The BT stiffening plate is really a beautifully made part. I could tell right away that it was CNC machined and a great deal of attention went into the design and production of this part. All of the edges were nice and smooth and the installation holes fit my car perfectly. The plate is also finished in a hard coat anodized finish with a smooth texture.

Installation was relatively easy and since I always change my own oil I already have ramps that I used to put my Prius on. Once under the car I was able to remove the stock plate and install the BT Tech one. What amazed me most was that the stock brace was really flimsy and I could actually bend it in my hand if I applied enough pressure to it. I proceeded to install the BT plate and torque the stainless bolts as indicated as per the instruction sheet.

Immediately I could feel the difference by installing this plate after driving a short distance down a familiar road. The car has a more solid feel to it when driving over poor road surfaces and has much better highway tracking than before. The rear of the car feels much more solid and planted than the wiggly feeling that it had before.

I have owned a lot of cars and have done modifications to almost all of them. This is by far the best and cheapest mod that I have ever done bar none. At first I was skeptical but relied upon all of the glowing reviews of this product. Well now I am convinced and am glad I listened. Add me to the list of people that love this product.

Summary: 1-10 (10 being best)

Product Quality: 10+

Ease of installation: 8 (I had to get under car and I am not as young as I once was)

Results: 10 (could not ask for better results)

Price: 10 (150.00 for this type of part and the quality is outstanding)

I hope that some of you found my review helpful.

Frank

2007 Touring

Syclone · 11-07-2006, 11:44 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(fboyle @ Nov 7 2006, 09:11 PM) [snapback]345218[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

This is my first time posting on Prius Chat but I feel that I needed to let everyone know how pleased I am with a purchase I made through the Prius Chat online store.

I recently purchased a 07 Touring Prius and before I took delivery I was already looking for things to help improve its ride and handling. I did a lot of reading about the BT Tech chassis stiffening plate and read what seemed like volumes of information on it. After all of the glowing reviews I decided to take the plunge and placed my order. To my amazement I received the stiffening plate only one week after I placed my order.

The plate was packed very professionally and included 4 stainless steel bolts, washers and a installation sheet. What I found really nice was that all of the stainless steel bolts had a thin film of anti-seize grease applied and protected by a piece of tape. All I had to do was remove the tape and the bolts were ready to be installed.

The BT stiffening plate is really a beautifully made part. I could tell right away that it was CNC machined and a great deal of attention went into the design and production of this part. All of the edges were nice and smooth and the installation holes fit my car perfectly. The plate is also finished in a hard coat anodized finish with a smooth texture.

Installation was relatively easy and since I always change my own oil I already have ramps that I used to put my Prius on. Once under the car I was able to remove the stock plate and install the BT Tech one. What amazed me most was that the stock brace was really flimsy and I could actually bend it in my hand if I applied enough pressure to it. I proceeded to install the BT plate and torque the stainless bolts as indicated as per the instruction sheet.

Immediately I could feel the difference by installing this plate after driving a short distance down a familiar road. The car has a more solid feel to it when driving over poor road surfaces and has much better highway tracking than before. The rear of the car feels much more solid and planted than the wiggly feeling that it had before.

I have owned a lot of cars and have done modifications to almost all of them. This is by far the best and cheapest mod that I have ever done bar none. At first I was skeptical but relied upon all of the glowing reviews of this product. Well now I am convinced and am glad I listened. Add me to the list of people that love this product.

Summary: 1-10 (10 being best)

Product Quality: 10+

Ease of installation: 8 (I had to get under car and I am not as young as I once was)

Results: 10 (could not ask for better results)

Price: 10 (150.00 for this type of part and the quality is outstanding)

I hope that some of you found my review helpful.

Frank

2007 Touring
[/b]

There must be something in the BT Plate packing material. You as well as 90% of those that have purchased the BT Plate are obviously hallucinating. On the other hand many of those who have never tried the plate, maintain their sanity and explain that the plate could not possibly work.

Seriously, Frank, welcome to the Forum and Prius ownership.

Rest · 11-08-2006, 01:01 AM

I believe it works but also believe a normal driver can't feel the difference as they claim. If you drive the Prius like you would to save fuel then you will never notice any handling improvements with this plate. Those that say they do are experiencing the Placebo Effect. Now if you drive like RacerX then maybe you might notice an improvement. Either way at the current price of the plate it is not worth what you get. If the price was down to say $100 or maybe even $120 then I would say yes.

fboyle · 11-08-2006, 01:15 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rest @ Nov 8 2006, 01:01 AM) [snapback]345310[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I believe it works but also believe a normal driver can't feel the difference as they claim. If you drive the Prius like you would to save fuel then you will never notice any handling improvements with this plate. Those that say they do are experiencing the Placebo Effect. Now if you drive like RacerX then maybe you might notice an improvement. Either way at the current price of the plate it is not worth what you get. If the price was down to say $100 or maybe even $120 then I would say yes.
[/b]

I am not sure how to respond to you but I can assure you that I do not drive like Racer X as you put it. The BT plate made a huge difference on how my car rides and handles compared to the original factory plate. I can honestly say that there is no placebo effect here. If the BT plate did not work or I did not notice any changes in the car i would have stated so.

I feel that the plate is a bargain even though I did not get it during the current 20 dollar off sale. I conisder myself to be somewhat frugal but this part was worth every penny to me.

Frank

Rest · 11-08-2006, 01:46 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(fboyle @ Nov 8 2006, 02:15 AM) [snapback]345319[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I can honestly say that there is no placebo effect here.[/b]

And how would you know it wasn't the Placebo Effect?

The only way to tell is by driving a Prius not knowing whether the plate was installed or not. This effect is very real and I have experienced it first hand. As I stated before the average Prius owner, driving to save fuel and not stressing the vehicles body will never feel what this plate can do. Why? Because the positive effects of this plate won't come into play from light footed driving. You have to stress it, to feel it. Other than that the OEM plate is more than capable.

fboyle · 11-08-2006, 02:07 AM

The statement you made can not be further from the truth. Prior to me installing the BT plate I could feel the rear of the car jiggle on certain types of road while driving at a normal speed. These are roads that I travel on every day, After I installed the BT plate, this sensation is completely gone. I have owned many high performance cars and I know the handling traits and when there are changes made I can detect such changes. If I felt for one second that the BT plate did not improve my car I would have voiced my opinion openly here without hesitation.

for you to say that one will not feel a difference unless you drive the car like a racer is upsurd and shows me that you have no clue what you are talking about.

Frank

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rest @ Nov 8 2006, 01:46 AM) [snapback]345329[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

The only way to tell is by driving a Prius not knowing whether the plate was installed or not. This effect is very real and I have experienced it first hand. As I stated before the average Prius owner, driving to save fuel and not stressing the vehicles body will never feel what this plate can do. Why? Because the positive effects of this plate won't come into play from light footed driving. You have to stress it, to feel it. Other than that the OEM plate is more than capable.
[/b]

Pious · 11-08-2006, 02:12 AM

http://www.evnut.com/prius_stiffening_plate.htm

fboyle · 11-08-2006, 02:20 AM

http://priuschat.com/BT-Stiffening-P...ew-t17018.html

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Pious @ Nov 8 2006, 02:12 AM) [snapback]345339[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

http://www.evnut.com/prius_stiffening_plate.htm
[/b]

jbarnhart · 11-08-2006, 02:22 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Rest @ Nov 7 2006, 10:01 PM) [snapback]345310[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I believe it works but also believe a normal driver can't feel the difference as they claim. blah, blah, blah...
[/b]

I know JUST how to respond --

Either try it yourself or STFU! (No, that's not a college...)

NuShrike · 11-08-2006, 03:09 AM

You know, almost word for word the review reads like a cut-n-paste from either BT Tech's post, or some other posts, for good or bad.

I want to know why we aren't pushing Toyota for a TSB for the obviously dangerous and faulty plate they've been shipping for the last 2+ years.

After all, they tweaked everything on the suspension including the spoiler, struts&springs, rollbars on the Touring version. Why did Toyota forget this very important plate holding the exhaust tunnel steady?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Review: BFGoodrich Premium Touring Tire (Costco)	jsorger	Gen II Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting	11	07-25-2009 10:22 PM
BT Tech Plate on Touring Edition: Ride Quality?	Videolarry	Gen II Prius Modifications	5	09-05-2007 11:38 AM
BT Tech Stiffening Plate	moshe1436	PriusChat Shop Forum	6	06-26-2007 08:52 AM
BT Tech Plate	DFWPrius	Gen II Prius Technical Discussion	1	05-10-2007 02:49 PM
BT Stiffening Plate Review	OUscarb	Gen II Prius Modifications	565	11-24-2006 06:15 PM

11-07-2006, 09:11 PM	#1
fboyle Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 21 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	This is my first time posting on Prius Chat but I feel that I needed to let everyone know how pleased I am with a purchase I made through the Prius Chat online store. I recently purchased a 07 Touring Prius and before I took delivery I was already looking for things to help improve its ride and handling. I did a lot of reading about the BT Tech chassis stiffening plate and read what seemed like volumes of information on it. After all of the glowing reviews I decided to take the plunge and placed my order. To my amazement I received the stiffening plate only one week after I placed my order. The plate was packed very professionally and included 4 stainless steel bolts, washers and a installation sheet. What I found really nice was that all of the stainless steel bolts had a thin film of anti-seize grease applied and protected by a piece of tape. All I had to do was remove the tape and the bolts were ready to be installed. The BT stiffening plate is really a beautifully made part. I could tell right away that it was CNC machined and a great deal of attention went into the design and production of this part. All of the edges were nice and smooth and the installation holes fit my car perfectly. The plate is also finished in a hard coat anodized finish with a smooth texture. Installation was relatively easy and since I always change my own oil I already have ramps that I used to put my Prius on. Once under the car I was able to remove the stock plate and install the BT Tech one. What amazed me most was that the stock brace was really flimsy and I could actually bend it in my hand if I applied enough pressure to it. I proceeded to install the BT plate and torque the stainless bolts as indicated as per the instruction sheet. Immediately I could feel the difference by installing this plate after driving a short distance down a familiar road. The car has a more solid feel to it when driving over poor road surfaces and has much better highway tracking than before. The rear of the car feels much more solid and planted than the wiggly feeling that it had before. I have owned a lot of cars and have done modifications to almost all of them. This is by far the best and cheapest mod that I have ever done bar none. At first I was skeptical but relied upon all of the glowing reviews of this product. Well now I am convinced and am glad I listened. Add me to the list of people that love this product. Summary: 1-10 (10 being best) Product Quality: 10+ Ease of installation: 8 (I had to get under car and I am not as young as I once was) Results: 10 (could not ask for better results) Price: 10 (150.00 for this type of part and the quality is outstanding) I hope that some of you found my review helpful. Frank 2007 Touring

11-08-2006, 01:01 AM	#3
Rest Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: CA Posts: 909 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: N/A Thanks: 0 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts Friends: 0	I believe it works but also believe a normal driver can't feel the difference as they claim. If you drive the Prius like you would to save fuel then you will never notice any handling improvements with this plate. Those that say they do are experiencing the Placebo Effect. Now if you drive like RacerX then maybe you might notice an improvement. Either way at the current price of the plate it is not worth what you get. If the price was down to say $100 or maybe even $120 then I would say yes.

11-08-2006, 02:12 AM	#7
Pious Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 57 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	http://www.evnut.com/prius_stiffening_plate.htm

11-08-2006, 03:09 AM	#10
NuShrike my other Mobile Suit is a ... Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 1,367 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	You know, almost word for word the review reads like a cut-n-paste from either BT Tech's post, or some other posts, for good or bad. I want to know why we aren't pushing Toyota for a TSB for the obviously dangerous and faulty plate they've been shipping for the last 2+ years. After all, they tweaked everything on the suspension including the spoiler, struts&springs, rollbars on the Touring version. Why did Toyota forget this very important plate holding the exhaust tunnel steady?