My "Improved"Bullet Proof" less expensive version of the Tanabe"Sustec"front bar is available

Mike500,

Now you just need to develop something to replace and sturdy up the cheap stock underbrace. Here is a model CUSCO manufacturs and sells for the Prius.

George,

Go to the "Inbox" right next to your user name on Priuchat and click on it with the left button of your mouse and open your "Conversations."

Hope this helps,

Mike500

Yeah, I have,

Custom mid-chassis "stiffening box beam" vs "plate" for Prius "v" | PriusChat

For Sale - Custom "Tricked Out" Lightweight Prius"v" or gen III "box beam" mid-chassis brace | PriusChat

Toyota has and have supplied all Prius models manufactured on or about February 2012;

ALL Prius now shipping with "stiffer" center chassis brace | PriusChat

Cusco uses long "trailing arms" to manage lateral torque forces.

Toyota uses a round "torsion bar" to do the same thing.

I believe mine to be the most innovative of all. Mine uses the "wing warping" technique developed by the Wright Brothers. They developed it from the "slide off" cover for the boxes that bicycle inner tubes used to come in. The sleeve was basically as rectangular cardboard tube open on both ends. The "twist" motion in my brace is a "torsion member," just like the box cover that inspired the Wrights' wing. The box beam is very stiff when installed acrossed the bottom of the exhaust tunnel rails.

The Cusco is made of welded aluminum, which is almost NEVER used as structual members on aircraft. The weld weakens the "temper" in the aluminum and is prone to "brittle fracturs."

Toyota's is heavy steel (weighing 2-1/2 pounds) and made of several welded parts.

The solid ones that several Priuschat got from me weigh only five(5) ounces more than the 1 lb. 5 oz. of the thin and flexible OEM brace.

The custom one that I made with the "lightening holes" weigh within an ounce or two of the thin OEM brace.

Mine is simple, elegant, lightweight, one piece and efficient. You'd be surprised on how much thought and engineering went into mine.

if i haven't said it.. or said it enough... i approve..

now i gotta peer under my car the next chance i get and see if i can make something like that for my car..
or.. ask you to..

Mike500,
Just installed the front brace.

I also installed the box brace from you in the middle of the car a few weeks ago.

All I can say is wow. What a difference!

MY REVIEW: Both braces, middle box and front bar from Mike500.

1.) The ride feels better than new. Car purchased new Aug. 2011.
2.) The transition from ICE to electric is vertically undetectable.
I might have had a shimmy before when the ICE would come on during reverse, backing out of the driveway in the mornings, now just the sound is mostly noticeable. I don't feel the initial start as much, just idle.

3.) The car on the road has a much more planted feel to it.
4.) The steering is rock solid. It does not wave one bit.
5.) The bumps and vibrations have definitely moved toward the tires/corners of the car and less on the body.
5.) My wife said it feels much stiffer. I agree 100%.
6.) In my opinion it makes for a smoother ride on most surfaces. (I run my Avid S33 tires at 41-43 psi)

7.) Downside: There is a new low point on the car because the new bolt sticks down closer to the ground. Speed bumps may be an issue for some. I personally do not come across them on a regular basis.

Your customized, well designed brace combination, creates a great firm ride that is very sport-tuned oriented.

Remember this is for both braces not just one. I don't want to mis-lead anyone.

Once again, Thank you very much,
rrg

With an endorsement like that, Mike500 should get plenty of business.

Although, I also bought both products and my wife said she can't tell any difference...

Xliderider,
Did your wife drive the car before and after the braces? Just curious.

From a passenger perspective I see how it might not be more noticeable.

When I hit a curve at higher speeds, I noticed my passenger was clueless as to how much faster I was going because the car stayed flat.

It's more fun to drive now, I like to hear the wheels rumble over bumps.

my2cents.

She is the primary driver, but she drives in a "laid back" style, lol. I have driven it both before and after installing both braces. I would say the most difference is on sweeping highway on/off ramps.

Yesterday, I took the kids to the state park up Tantalus Drive for a picnic. Those of you from Oahu know this road. It is full of hairpin turns and switchbacks. The constant acceleration/deceleration and sharp turns certainly tests the vehicle dynamics due to all the weight transfers through multiple axis of the car. The car performed well, other than the light, power steering, the chasis felt rigid and the suspension planted.

I'm intrigued now with putting the RAV 4 sway bar (1mm thicker than Prius OEM) on the car:

Inexpensive front sway bar upgrade | PriusChat

Mike500,

I'd love to get one IF it'll fit the 2012 Prius Plug-in. How do you want to do this?

Thanks in advance!

Mike,

If this bar will fit the 2012 Prius Plu-in, I'll love to buy one from you.

How do we do this?

Thanks,

MCH

Just ordered one of the 4 bolt braces that will I will install with my Tanabe & I can't wait to install it.

Hi Mike500, just to let you know the parts arrived safely today. Can't wait to install them this weekend.

Glad you got them. Hope they work out for you.............

...as long as Mike500 isn't his own salesman. He's busy convincing some potential customers that they're stupid.

Anyone interested in a custom "box beam" mid chassis stiffening brace | PriusChat
Anyone interested in a custom "box beam" mid chassis stiffening brace | Page 2 | PriusChat

The way I read it is he's saying his part(s) address an issue better than a solution that Toyota has provided. Everyone who has installed Mike500's parts seem to agree that the chassis does feel stiffer/firmer and has provided noticeable improvement. You're obviously free to ask for formulas, analysis, testing methods, etc from him as proof that such benefits are actually being provided by his parts.

However, what I've gathered from Mike500's posts on the subject is he did this on his own time as somewhat of a personal project/hobby project. He believes that they work. He made a few extra available to people who also felt the need to address these perceived chassis issues.

If you want one, great, join the club. If you don't want one, then forget about it. But hounding the guy for data (which he may or may not have, I personally couldnt care less) is pointless when everyone who bought one is satisfied it did provide benefits. But more importantly, I don't even think he's even selling them anymore.

Try asking Cusco or Tanabe for formulas and detailed analysis of their similar parts. I'll bet you get nothing from them either.

Well said, if Cusco, Tanabe, or even Toyota has done such test, I doubt if they would even think of sharing such data, which they will keep as "trade secrets" with such individuals as maestro8.

Having seen test "frames" in my past experience with my erstwhile years with the aerospace industry with bot analog and early digital test, I don't really need to know the exact quantative results of each test to "prove" my design to be valid. It is pretty obvious from reviewing the Tanabe, Cusco, and the Toyota designs to know what their direction led in their designs and their implementation.

I just based my designs on their research and engineering, while simplifying them and making them out of more robust materials, and all at al less expensive price.

That's exactly what I'm asking for... proof that his parts aren't producing a placebo effect.

And some folks believe that aliens are controlling the White House. We can set beliefs aside when we see hard numbers.

I wouldn't be wasting my time here if I didn't want to improve my Prius's suspension...

It may be pointless to you, but it matters to me. If I'm going to spend good money on performance parts, I want to get the most bang for my buck. Without metrics, how am I to determine said "bang"?

The testimonials of random strangers do nothing for me. If I took stock in such things I'd be buying herbal remedies...

You'll bet that a company would stonewall all my queries and call me an idiot? How much? 'Cause I'll take that bet.

I'm not asking for the recipe to the secret sauce... I'm happy with anything that gives me some assurance that these bars aren't placebos. And so far all I've been is derided. Good job Mike500!

I never said Tanabe or Cusco would call you an idiot or stonewall you. However, I do not believe they will be able to provide any analysis or formulas on all of their products for each specific application. You're free to try and prove me wrong though. Please let us know how it goes.

I'd posit that Tanabe has some analysis for some similar application. Even seeing those numbers would be better than nothing.

The difference here is that Mike500 hasn't provided any analysis for any of his products...

I mean, if so many folks are keen on buying products sight unseen, perhaps I should quit my day job and head straight to the shop to bang out my own "upgrade kits". All I have to compete on is fit, finish and price, right? Register some sock-puppet accounts and write some testimonials. Provide a couple free samples (with kickbacks) to forum regulars. I'm set!

Let me know when you produce your first parts. I'm interested. Although I dont need the center or front brace. I got those from Mike500 and they work great.