stiffening plate for $53!

[MO Dale]

Originally Posted by Ytsejamer1

I just installed mine in a few minutes...easy peasy. However, did you reuse the old washers with the provided screws?

I thought to check that when I put mine on, and the washers don't fit the holes. So, it seems it wasn't made for them to be reused. Once tightened, the bolts fit flush. I've got a little over a week and about 400 miles since I installed, and all is well. I don't think we have anything to worry about.

[Ytsejamer1]

Dale, good stuff..Thx for the info. Yeah, mine are flush and nice and tight. For $50 it seems pretty decent...actually it looks like the BT Tech unit...except someone got it off the back of their truck or something!

[Qlara]

What's the torque spec for the hex screws used on this G7 plate?

[Ytsejamer1]

Not sure...I think the BT Tech plate which is pretty much the exact same thing indicated 17 I believe. I just tightened them until secure, but didn't overdo it. I then went for a drive to make sure all was good and there was nothing rattling around.

[Qlara]

Yea, like the BT plate....guess 17 ft-lb can be used on this similar G7 too.

[djasonw]

I bought the original BT plate when it first became available (back in early 05??). Can't remember. Anyway, I think the one on eBay is merely a copy of the BT plate at 1/3 the cost. IMHO the BT plate is great but overpriced.

[mameyer]

These stiffening plates are a panacea! You can't bolt on a piece of aluminum and transform an engineered platform's handling! Don't waste your money on either. I did. It didn't do anything!

[Qlara]

The placebo effect is just hard to resist.
Just do/buy whatever which makes you feel good about your Prius....

[djasonw]

Originally Posted by mameyer

These stiffening plates are a panacea! You can't bolt on a piece of aluminum and transform an engineered platform's handling! Don't waste your money on either. I did. It didn't do anything!

Normally, I'd agree with you on something like that. I am not a technical person, but one thing is certain and that plate definitely works. I always take a roundabout going to work and always noticed how the Prius leaned. Well after I installed the plate the lean was MUCH less and it cornered flatter. I definitely think it works. Is it overpriced? Yes. However, I could never imagine going back to that original OEM skimpy plate.

[Shawn Clark]

Originally Posted by djasonw

Normally, I'd agree with you on something like that. I am not a technical person, but one thing is certain and that plate definitely works. I always take a roundabout going to work and always noticed how the Prius leaned. Well after I installed the plate the lean was MUCH less and it cornered flatter. I definitely think it works. Is it overpriced? Yes. However, I could never imagine going back to that original OEM skimpy plate.

Same here. My wife noticed this as well when she drove it.

mamayer has some credibility issues anyway, this is what he said about the BT plate before:

Originally Posted by mameyer

I am in Los Angeles.
I did notice a difference: a little more composed/ less movement.
But I want more- so I want to do the whole suspension- and they have their own side to side stiffening solution that I was going to get.

Make an offer if you are interested.

Mark

About the plate in this thread, I would have ethical issues with ordering unauthorized copies of someone else's design.