Hot Rodder at Heart

[Robert J. Knight]

I have a 2007 Prius, 17 inch wheels, modified cold air intake system, Custom made trailer hitch, stiffening bar and a Strut tower brace that I converted from a 2002 Toyota Camry. Have modified the signal from the AIT sensor and have a whole lot more Zip and still hitting 47 MPG overall. Have the shark fin antennae, Rain guards and a whole lot more. Have done all the work myself and am darned proud of it, Could use some knowledge on an easy way to hook up trailer hitch lights.
Bob Knight
A 70 Year Old Recycled Teenager

[richard schumacher]

Originally Posted by Robert J. Knight

Have modified the signal from the AIT sensor and have a whole lot more Zip and still hitting 47 MPG overall.

It may also increase emissions or reduce the life of the catalytic converter.

[Jimmie84]

Originally Posted by richard schumacher

It may also increase emissions or reduce the life of the catalytic converter.

All it does is it tricks the sensor to thinking it's slightly cooler outside. I don't see any issues with it.

[F8L]

Originally Posted by Jimmie84

All it does is it tricks the sensor to thinking it's slightly cooler outside. I don't see any issues with it.

That should subsequently add more fuel or timing, both of which may add to the emissions count. Is it measurable? I'm not sure but I doubt the HP gain is either. lol

[richard schumacher]

Originally Posted by Jimmie84

All it does is it tricks the sensor to thinking it's slightly cooler outside. I don't see any issues with it.

Toyota spent years optimizing the drive system for minimum emissions. Dicking around with it can only make it less optimized. Someone who wants a hotrod should buy another car.

[Genoz World]

hello robert,

i have a couple of questions for you.....

#1) what's the size of the rims you got? 17 by what?

#2) do you know the weight of the stock rims and tires versus your new 17's and tires? what's the overall difference in diameter?

#3) did it affect anything? speedometer? you say no loss in mileage, but i'm very curious about any changes

I placed larger diameter rims and tires on my previous car (not much heavier in weight) and i lost mileage on the street and highway! i should have gotten better mileage on the top end, if i still remember all my hotrod days.

[Zhe Wiz]

Originally Posted by richard schumacher

Toyota spent years optimizing the drive system for minimum emissions. Dicking around with it can only make it less optimized. Someone who wants a hotrod should buy another car.

Now wait a minute! I know I'm just a newbie here, but why would you say that? You'd rather have him hotrod an [Insert American Muscle Car Here]? What? You think emissions are bad on a modded Prius, what do you think a V8 would spew before OR after modding? Isn't it better than he's playing around with a Prius rather than another car which would spew worse? I don't get the logic. Maybe I'm missing something?

Having said that, it's certainly not the car I'd have picked either. I have a 92 Eclipse for that, but I certainly don't see any more harm in modding a Prius than would come from modding just about anything else. Neither is good for the environment, but it seems modding the Prius would be the "lesser or two evils." Right?

Jack

[F8L]

Originally Posted by Genoz World

hello robert,

i have a couple of questions for you.....

#1) what's the size of the rims you got? 17 by what?

#2) do you know the weight of the stock rims and tires versus your new 17's and tires? what's the overall difference in diameter?

#3) did it affect anything? speedometer? you say no loss in mileage, but i'm very curious about any changes

I placed larger diameter rims and tires on my previous car (not much heavier in weight) and i lost mileage on the street and highway! i should have gotten better mileage on the top end, if i still remember all my hotrod days.

I don't think he said he specifially did not experience any mpg loss. My 17" wheels weighed the same as my stockers at 14lbs but the tires were heavier at about 22lbs. The whole combo came out to about 36lbs-37lbs and I did notice a decrease in MPG. It's not just the weight that is going to negatively affect your MPG, you have to look at tire construction and compound as well. Most 17" tires are performance oriented and thus wider and stickier than what you have stock on the Prius. This will increase road friction and thus lower your MPG even if you your new rims/tires were exactly the same weight.

Here is my post on the subject after swapping back to stock. I'll do more testing this summer when temps stabilize.

[richard schumacher]

Originally Posted by Zhe Wiz

Now wait a minute! I know I'm just a newbie here, but why would you say that? You'd rather have him hotrod an [Insert American Muscle Car Here]? What? You think emissions are bad on a modded Prius, what do you think a V8 would spew before OR after modding? Isn't it better than he's playing around with a Prius rather than another car which would spew worse? I don't get the logic. Maybe I'm missing something?

Having said that, it's certainly not the car I'd have picked either. I have a 92 Eclipse for that, but I certainly don't see any more harm in modding a Prius than would come from modding just about anything else. Neither is good for the environment, but it seems modding the Prius would be the "lesser or two evils." Right?

Well, OK, a Prius probably is the least evil car to mod. But it just seems wrong-headed to do it at all, somewhat like the old joke about the guy who won an Olympic gold medal and had it bronzed. The emissions will be worse, and the improvement in performance will be either negligible or non-existent.

[Steamboatsig]

I would love to see pics of your modified cold air intake and the strut bar. Can you post a few?

Btw, there are two types of people in the world. Those who modify their cars, and those who don't. I happen to be one that modifies everything. So thumbs up to you Bob Knight. I hope you keep breaking ground on modding the Prius.