2 Mods - Strut And Chassis Brace.......

[Genoz World]

HELLO.............time for some mods..................i read the related threads but they're not too clear about the COMBO of these two mods. also, i'm thinking about the K&N air filter, NOT for performance, but for longevity.

so, here goes my questions:

#1) on a standard #6 prius, has anyone done both the strut and chassis brace? if so, what are the results of these modifications? is it a bone jarring ride.........or docile enough to only feel it through the turns? would you all consider this a very good addition for a stock prius?

#2) the dealer said that the oil on the K&N air filter will contaminate the sensors on a Scion TC.......is this the same precaution on a 2008 prius? forget about the performance - it's NOT what this is about, it's the longevity and my ability to be able to clean and re-oil whenever i want.

ALSO, i do not plan on changing the stock rims and tires anytime soon. would you all consider the braces a waste of time if the tires are stock goodyear integrities?????

thank you all in advance.

[problemchild]

If you hear the word KN RUN! It is the WORST (as bench tested on a 1million dollar contaminate machine) air filter made.

We had this argument in another forum and they tested every air filter brand made and KN tested the worse by a long way. Uni was second. The factory GMC filter tested the best. The test was done under strict guidelines by a company that only does testing.

[sdtundra]

Stay away from K&N...i had one in my Tundra and i had to clean the MAF every 3,000 miles and the throttle body got dirty easily....lots of crap got in

[Genoz World]

PROBLEM CHILD - ok, thanks, got the point.......however you mentioned GMC.........is that a code or the manufacturer general motors corporation??? if it is GMC for general motors, i dont think they make a filter for the toyota prius,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,right???

SDTUNDRA - hey, how are you? i remember your thread when you first bought your prius. how is it now? what kind of mileage RU getting? happy with the prius? temp here is gittin HOT, ha? thanks for your post.

[Genoz World]

NO suggestions about both braces people?

[patsparks]

Originally Posted by Genoz World

PROBLEM CHILD - ok, thanks, got the point.......however you mentioned GMC.........is that a code or the manufacturer general motors corporation??? if it is GMC for general motors, i dont think they make a filter for the toyota prius,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,right???

I think the point is, you won't find a better filter than the filter the manufacturer uses. K&N may flow slightly better but I doubt it but no filter at all will flow better than a K&N so why not run no filter? K&N gets better flow because it has big holes in it. That is big compared to the size of a piece of dust. I have seen the damage a poor filter can do to an engine. Damaged, dirty or poor quality air filters are responsible for most valve seat damage.
The guy who did our head machining (when I was mechanicing) could always tell from the valve seat wear if an engine had a dirty damaged or crap filter.

I use the air filter which is recommended by the company that made the car and provides the 3 year warranty, they seem to have some faith in the product and put their money where their mouth is.

Sorry I can't comment on the strut brace and chassis stiffening plate as I only have the plate. I also have Michelin XM1 tyres, 195 60R - 15 and I am very happy with the handling of the Prius although I believe Australian models have the touring suspension as it has very little body roll.

I believe bang for buck do in this order
1 - tyres
2 - stiffening plate
3 - strut brace
however I am only speculating.

[Genoz World]

PATSPARKS - hey mate, as i said earlier, I GOT THE POINT. forget the K&N filter. point taken.

now how about the two struts? is that overkill? how would it handle? what changes would it do for my prius??

[patsparks]

Sorry I got carried away. Edited last post before I saw your post.

[Genoz World]

cool. got it.

it's funny, i think people do one brace or the other, but no comments on both. hmmmmm......any help from someone that's done BOTH people???

[cairo94507]

Well I have the BT strut tower brace, the chassis plate (one of the first BT Prius products I think) and IO also have the TRD suspension and 17 X 7.5 rims. I also did a larger rear suspension bar (kind of like the old pan hard bars) that goes between the rear shocks. Some call it a sway bar, I do not believe it is a sway bar.
My car handles nice and it is not harsh or rough at all. I drive a canyon road four days per week and can roll through it at 65 and stay with almost anything else without much effort. I think it kind of unnerves the BMW, Mercedez and Porsche crowd when they look in their rear view mirror and see my little Prius staying with them. Hee Hee Hee.