Common Mods

staze · 11-09-2006, 02:07 PM

Hey all,

I'm a former lurker, now poster as I finally am getting my 07 Touring on the 21st.

I'm very interested in the BT Plate, but while that argument/discussion is beyond control, I'm curious about other "mods".

What are other common minor mods for Prii that people like? High end air filters seem fairly common (the K&N), as does Synth Oil (which I will definitely do). Other things? Do most people wait until after the first 5k before changing to synth? Most people go with Mobil 1? Probably what I'll use since Costco has it for a pretty good price.

Seems another are the signal mirrors, but that doesn't really do anything for performance.

Has anyone experimented with tire pressure on the touring? I know it's common for a 42/40 (I think) on the Standard, but as the touring has completely different tires, that number might not be appropriate.

I guess as a side note, has anyone heard about Prii and E85? I know E85 at this point is kind of a joke since it takes more energy to make than you get, but it's a curiosity.

Thanks!

Charles Suitt · 11-09-2006, 02:34 PM

My modifications:

[1] Stubby antenna (for automatic carwash purposes).
[2] Body Side Moulding (help prevent door dings).
[3] Exact Mats (Keeps expensive Prius carpets pretty).

Accessories:
[a] 12v Mini-Compressor (to maintain preferred tire pressures)
[b] Professional analog tire gauge ( ditto )
[c] Sun-shield (cooler interior in 100º Texas summers).

Considering:
[A] Backup buzzer audible from outside ($10-$15 modification using a Radio Shack piezo buzzer).
I've held off on this since my 2007 Touring is due within a few days and I preferred to not modify the 2004 I'm trading in.

stomsf · 11-09-2006, 02:34 PM

Congrats on your Prius! We got ours almost two weeks ago.

Immediate upgrades that were quick, easy and simple: Disable the backup beeper, add blind spot mirrors, and wax the car.

This weekend's projects? ClearBra paint protection and DICE iPod integration.

Future upgrades? Probably tires, stiffening plate, and the sharkfin antenna.

Alnilam · 11-09-2006, 02:44 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(stomsf @ Nov 9 2006, 11:34 AM) [snapback]346420[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Congrats on your Prius! We got ours almost two weeks ago.

Disable the backup beeper.

[/b]

Bad advice, especially for a new Prius driver. There are a bunch of testimonials on this site to back me up.

aaf709 · 11-09-2006, 02:45 PM

Does the 2007 have those plastic rims? If you you can remove them to give the wheels a different look.

GreenSpeed · 11-09-2006, 02:51 PM

Congrats on your 07! Check out my banner. I created Priusmods especially for this reason. Enjoy

tumbleweed · 11-09-2006, 03:05 PM

Modify the plastic thing at the base of the rear wiper so it can be folded out farther which makes it easier to wash the rear window.

For SKS vehicles set up the door unlocking to suit your preference, there are three options. Refer to owners manual.

aaf709 · 11-09-2006, 03:09 PM

You can go to http://www.evnut.com/prius_mods.htm to see some mods.

E85 won't work in a Prius.

silentak1 · 11-09-2006, 03:49 PM

1) The K&N drop in filter is not yet available. No intakes available either so your only choice for now is the OEM filter.

2) Full synthetic with a K&N, Mobil1, or Bosch filter is the way to go. You'll hear endless debates about what "mileage" you should perform this duty, but I did mine at around 2,500 miles. I also run 10,000-15,000 miles intervals (depending on which filter I get). No regrets about this!
Mobil 1 is a good off the shelf oil, but even better is Redline Oil or Royal Purple (available at Pepboys $6.99/qt).

3) The OEM signal mirrors are a GREAT safety addition. I personally installed the JDM side blinkers, but if I had to do it again I would gladly purchase the signal mirrors from sigmaautomotive.com

4) Look at the max psi on the sidewall of the tire and experiment from there. I'd recommend from the MAX to try 2psi lower on the front and 4psi lower on the rear. The rears always need to have 2psi less to help control understeer.
Speaking of handling, another popular "performance" addition is the BT stiffening plate which is currently on sale for $145.00 shipped. There are tons of positive reviews about this plate.

5) I don't keep up with E85 so I won't even answer that, however, there are once again lots of threads about this.

Other things that I'd recommend:
-OEM All-weather mats (about $60-80)
-OEM Mud flaps (just to protect against flying debris)
-Tire upgrade as soon as possible (Integrities are unacceptable in wet weather)

And yes... all of these mods are in my car... so I suppose that this is a bit biased.

They all work!

San_Carlos_Jeff · 11-09-2006, 05:01 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Alnilam @ Nov 9 2006, 01:44 PM) [snapback]346425[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Bad advice, especially for a new Prius driver. There are a bunch of testimonials on this site to back me up. [/b]

A bunch? I can recall a handfull at most. IMHO this car is just like any other and the beeper is not only not necessary, it's so loud that it is actually worse to have it on. With that thing beeping inside the car it's difficult to hear what's going on outside.

As with any (AT) car when you are in reverse and let up on the brake you start creeping backwards, that's plenty of feedback for me.

My $.02

Sorry about the thread hijack.

11-09-2006, 02:07 PM	#1
staze Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 35 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Hey all, I'm a former lurker, now poster as I finally am getting my 07 Touring on the 21st. I'm very interested in the BT Plate, but while that argument/discussion is beyond control, I'm curious about other "mods". What are other common minor mods for Prii that people like? High end air filters seem fairly common (the K&N), as does Synth Oil (which I will definitely do). Other things? Do most people wait until after the first 5k before changing to synth? Most people go with Mobil 1? Probably what I'll use since Costco has it for a pretty good price. Seems another are the signal mirrors, but that doesn't really do anything for performance. Has anyone experimented with tire pressure on the touring? I know it's common for a 42/40 (I think) on the Standard, but as the touring has completely different tires, that number might not be appropriate. I guess as a side note, has anyone heard about Prii and E85? I know E85 at this point is kind of a joke since it takes more energy to make than you get, but it's a curiosity. Thanks! __________________ 2007 Prius Touring Package 6 (NR)

11-09-2006, 03:49 PM	#9
silentak1 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 546 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Package: N/A Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	1) The K&N drop in filter is not yet available. No intakes available either so your only choice for now is the OEM filter. 2) Full synthetic with a K&N, Mobil1, or Bosch filter is the way to go. You'll hear endless debates about what "mileage" you should perform this duty, but I did mine at around 2,500 miles. I also run 10,000-15,000 miles intervals (depending on which filter I get). No regrets about this! Mobil 1 is a good off the shelf oil, but even better is Redline Oil or Royal Purple (available at Pepboys $6.99/qt). 3) The OEM signal mirrors are a GREAT safety addition. I personally installed the JDM side blinkers, but if I had to do it again I would gladly purchase the signal mirrors from sigmaautomotive.com 4) Look at the max psi on the sidewall of the tire and experiment from there. I'd recommend from the MAX to try 2psi lower on the front and 4psi lower on the rear. The rears always need to have 2psi less to help control understeer. Speaking of handling, another popular "performance" addition is the BT stiffening plate which is currently on sale for $145.00 shipped. There are tons of positive reviews about this plate. 5) I don't keep up with E85 so I won't even answer that, however, there are once again lots of threads about this. Other things that I'd recommend: -OEM All-weather mats (about $60-80) -OEM Mud flaps (just to protect against flying debris) -Tire upgrade as soon as possible (Integrities are unacceptable in wet weather) And yes... all of these mods are in my car... so I suppose that this is a bit biased. They all work! __________________ Out: Prius In: BMW 330ci convertible Yes, I miss the reliability and gas mileage!

11-09-2006, 02:34 PM	#2
Charles Suitt Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Dallas TX Posts: 1,622 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	My modifications: [1] Stubby antenna (for automatic carwash purposes). [2] Body Side Moulding (help prevent door dings). [3] Exact Mats (Keeps expensive Prius carpets pretty). Accessories: [a] 12v Mini-Compressor (to maintain preferred tire pressures) [b] Professional analog tire gauge ( ditto ) [c] Sun-shield (cooler interior in 100º Texas summers). Considering: [A] Backup buzzer audible from outside ($10-$15 modification using a Radio Shack piezo buzzer). I've held off on this since my 2007 Touring is due within a few days and I preferred to not modify the 2004 I'm trading in.

11-09-2006, 02:34 PM	#3
stomsf Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 48 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #4 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Congrats on your Prius! We got ours almost two weeks ago. Immediate upgrades that were quick, easy and simple: Disable the backup beeper, add blind spot mirrors, and wax the car. This weekend's projects? ClearBra paint protection and DICE iPod integration. Future upgrades? Probably tires, stiffening plate, and the sharkfin antenna.

11-09-2006, 02:45 PM	#5
aaf709 Ravenpaw of ThunderClan Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 3,838 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Does the 2007 have those plastic rims? If you you can remove them to give the wheels a different look.

11-09-2006, 02:51 PM	#6
GreenSpeed Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 195 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #4 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Congrats on your 07! Check out my banner. I created Priusmods especially for this reason. Enjoy

11-09-2006, 03:05 PM	#7
tumbleweed Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Eastern Oregon Posts: 1,006 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Modify the plastic thing at the base of the rear wiper so it can be folded out farther which makes it easier to wash the rear window. For SKS vehicles set up the door unlocking to suit your preference, there are three options. Refer to owners manual.

11-09-2006, 03:09 PM	#8
aaf709 Ravenpaw of ThunderClan Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 3,838 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	You can go to http://www.evnut.com/prius_mods.htm to see some mods. E85 won't work in a Prius.