New Prius Handling Components to be available soon!!

[BT Tech]

Hello everyone. I have emailed Danny about becoming a sponsor of this site but still have not heard back so I thought I would fill everyone here on what I have been working on for some time.

My automotive background is in late model (C5-C6)Corvette SCCA racing and general high performance work and some of my duties involve the design (CNC programming) and modification of suspension parts for the racing cars to increase strength in key areas and the reduction of weight. I have also designed a chassis plate for the C5 which has made the car over 20 percent stiffer in both torsional and bending stiffness which has been a huge success which have been sold all over the world. This plate is all CNC milled in 6061-T6 and ceramic coated for heat reduction.

Since purchasing my Prius several months ago, overall I am thrilled with the car but not too thrilled with its high speed handling. In fact, I would have to say that the way the car comes stock, its handling at highway speeds and in any kind of cross wind conditions is downright scary. I have had the alignment checked my my dealer twice and after dealing with them, I decided to take the car to my race shop where I had one of our mechanics add some toe-in which helped the car a lot but it still was not to my liking.

Being that my other job deals with improving suspension geometry and stiffening the chassis of the corvettes, I got under my 2005 Prius and have already come out with a stiffening plate that would bolt right in and the difference it provides is immediate felt. I have attached a picture of this plate so everyone can see. This plate is fully CNC designed and milled using 6061-T6 and has a black anodized finish. It will be supplied with 4 stainless steel bolts and washers for an OEM look and fit.

I should have these first 10 plates available from the machine shop within the next 2 weeks and these will be priced at 150.00 each. These plates will be fully CNC machined and will look OEM in appearance and in quality. Based on how well and fast these 10 pieces sell, I will do another production of these plates but at a higher amount so I can hopefully start to make something on them!! **Please note that the photo attached is my prototype plate which will be the same thickness as the production plate but not have any holes drilled in the middle** In other words, It will look like a factory item, just a much higher grade!!


I really wanted to just post this item to see if there is in fact a market out there to improve upon the Prius' suspension and handling characteristics because the way I feel, the car has a lot of ability, and it should not take too much to get the car to feel like it should. Solid, well planted on the highway without continuous adjustments to the steering wheel.

I am also currently working on modified sway-bar links and a few other items to really solidify the front end and make this a car with excellent handling, whether in town or on the highway.

For those that are currently interested in purchasing one of these plates or if you simply have some questions, please feel free to email or call the number listed below.


Thanks!!

Brian
BT Tech
305-652-3115
bttek@bellsouth.net

[unique2006]

$150 seems kinda steep for a rectangular metal place, that would be fairly easy to make...unless it was titanium of course

[Bill Merchant]

[font=Comic Sans MS:cd763ff746]I am definitely interested! I note that Toyota has reportedly stiffened the frame in the mid-2005 production run. I got my Silver Cloud in March. Changing the tires to GY ComforTreds helped a lot, but I still feel the front end is a little too "springy".

How hard will installation be?[/font:cd763ff746]

[BT Tech]

I would agree with you but you have to undertand that this is being machined on a CNC mill, will have radiused curves and be annodized in black. I also designed many ridges to reduce the mass of the plate and to increase the rigidity. Look at the rear of the plate so you can see what I am referring to.




<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(unique2006\";p=\"96620)</div>

$150 seems kinda steep for a rectangular metal place, that would be fairly easy to make...unless it was titanium of course[/b]

[BT Tech]

Hello Bill.. The install is a snap and you can always go back to the factory one if you ever wanted to, but I don't think you would!! It basically involves removing 4 bolts, sliding the factory bracket out and installing our version with slightly longer stainless steel bolts and washers already supplied. Tighten them down to 24 ft/Lbs of tq and you are all done!!

I know that I will get email from people saying that they can take a piece of metal and use a jigsaw to cut it and them mount it in place but the way I have always done things is with the highest quality in both form and function. These plates all have radiused edges with no sharp points and have been computer modeled for the greatest strength and lowest weight. They all have been CNC machined for a superb finish and perfect repeatability.

I have personally spent over 40 hours of computer modelling and CNC programming time and believe me when I tell you that 150 dollars is a VERY cheap price to pay for the quality you will be getting.


Thanks!!

Brian
BT Tech

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Bill Merchant\";p=\"96621)</div>

[font=Comic Sans MS:5e82163a30]I am definitely interested! I note that Toyota has reportedly stiffened the frame in the mid-2005 production run. I got my Silver Cloud in March. Changing the tires to GY ComforTreds helped a lot, but I still feel the front end is a little too \"springy\".

How hard will installation be?[/font:5e82163a30][/b]

[Godiva]

How do I know if I have one of the Pre or Post 2005 stiffened Prii? Is there a date I can check or something I can see if I crawl under my Prius with a flashlight?

Exactly what is involved with this? Is this something I can do myself with socket wrench? Just jack the car up, remove the old, replace with the new? Does it come with directions? I'm game, but I'd like to know 1. if I need this and 2. if I can do it myself.

[BT Tech]

Hello Godiva.. All second gen (2004-2005) Pri have the factory brace installed. It is a relaitvely light gauge piece of metal that is secured by (4) 14mm bolts.

Changing this part out to our stiffening plate is very easy and can be accomplished in less than 10 minutes time. All you need to do is remove the 4 bolts that attaches the stock plate, position our new plate and use our supplied stainless steel hardware and tighten. This is VERY easy to do and if you are thin enough, you don't even need to jack up the car!!

Please let me know if you have any questions.


Brian
BT Tech
305-652-3115


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godiva\";p=\"96831)</div>

How do I know if I have one of the Pre or Post 2005 stiffened Prii? Is there a date I can check or something I can see if I crawl under my Prius with a flashlight?

Exactly what is involved with this? Is this something I can do myself with socket wrench? Just jack the car up, remove the old, replace with the new? Does it come with directions? I'm game, but I'd like to know 1. if I need this and 2. if I can do it myself.[/b]

[Godiva]

Thanks for the info Brian. This is doable for me.

Sign me up for one as well.

[200Volts]

Brian,
Do you have access to a wheel scale? I suspect some of the quirky handling could be related to "wedge" or weight distribution but I don't have easy access to any scales.

[BT Tech]

Thanks Godiva... Please email me priavely at bttek@bellsouth.net so I can get some personal information from you.

Thanks!!

Brian
BT Tech
305-652-3115

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godiva\";p=\"96996)</div>

Thanks for the info Brian. This is doable for me.

Sign me up for one as well.[/b]