1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

2014 C suspension upgrades

Discussion in 'Prius c Accessories and Modifications' started by fireball, May 3, 2014.

  1. HarSherm

    HarSherm Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2014
    31
    21
    0
    Location:
    Burlington, Vermont
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    About a month ago, I put on my Kosei K5R 15x7 wheels, at 11.8 lbs each (vs 15 lbs of stock wheels). They have stock offset, so there was no change in torque steer characteristics. Before I installed the wheels, I considered wheel spacers to fill out the wheelwells. Glad I did not buy the spacers. The extra width of the Kosei wheels (stock 5.5" wide, Kosei 7" wide) filled out the gap just fine, at least for my tastes.

    Last week, I installed the 22mm Whiteline rear sway bar that was originally designed for the Yaris. It was a very easy install, and did not need to make any mods- it bolted right in place, no fuss, no muss! There are no strange noises, and nothing appears to be rubbing or hitting. Didn't even know it was there at first. I installed it on the softest setting, just in case it was too much bar. Right away, I found that it made an obvious difference in turn-in, which is now much quicker. Also, placing the car on the road is much better...you steer it where you want it to be, it goes there, even if you are already in a steady-state corner. Very precise. So then I took it out on a mountain road with very very sharp benders and bumps, and threw it around some at the limits. I came up on a corner that was sharper than expected, and was forced to make a quick yank at the wheel such as I used to see when road racing when I had built up too much momentum. This resulted in suddenly screeching tires. From that unexpected course correction I found that the car is now mostly nuetral, with some small amount of understeer at the limits. Also found there was still some turn-in left. If this were a race car, I would immediately adjust the bar to the stiffest setting, so that I could trail-brake...but this is the road, not the track. For now, the softest setting is just about right for me on the street.

    I still have my Tanabe lowering springs to install, and still unsure about them. I would like the car a little lower (.8" front, 1.2" rear), but for the street? do not know. I can't find any videos on lowering spring installation for the Prius C. Anybody know of one?
     
  2. mertechperformance

    mertechperformance Active Member

    Joined:
    May 5, 2014
    532
    126
    0
    Location:
    Nor-caL
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    Easy as all hell.
     
  3. Super Mario

    Super Mario Member

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2014
    142
    57
    0
    Location:
    Medford, NY
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    I also was thinking about getting the Tanabee lowering springs .8 and 1.2. My question is, would I need to replace the struts as well? If so which ones are good? I use this car everyday and don't want to harshen up the ride too much. Also the Tanabee springs that make the C a bit more lower than what I said before claims a smooth ride still. Does anyone have these springs on their C and please let me know how the ride is? Thanks
     
  4. mertechperformance

    mertechperformance Active Member

    Joined:
    May 5, 2014
    532
    126
    0
    Location:
    Nor-caL
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    That little of a drop hurts struts/shocks very very very little. Lots of people run over 2 inch drop on stock struts for over 20k.
     
    Super Mario likes this.
  5. Super Mario

    Super Mario Member

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2014
    142
    57
    0
    Location:
    Medford, NY
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    Thanks for that info.
     
  6. HarSherm

    HarSherm Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2014
    31
    21
    0
    Location:
    Burlington, Vermont
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    Ya, that's what I heard...no problem for the stock struts. May have them installed tomorrow, if the price is right. If not, I'll tackle it myself...easy as hell, Mertech says...
     
    Super Mario likes this.
  7. mertechperformance

    mertechperformance Active Member

    Joined:
    May 5, 2014
    532
    126
    0
    Location:
    Nor-caL
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    All hell. Hardest part is the top of the front suspension. Only A Few wrenches and sockets are NEEDED. A spring compressor is advised but not NECESSARY. If use one if going with such a small of a drop spring as they are likely very close to the same length as stock and thus will most likely need to be compressed. The ghetto autozone spring compressor MAY work but they pretty much blow. If you can find a shop that will do it for less than 150 i'd say do it. When I was in the scion scene I charged a mere 50 dollars. These are a bit more of a pain and the longer springs will again slightly add to the difficulty.

    I was/am still able to install most xA/xB lowering springs without a spring compressor and in less than 45 minutes. Fastest time ever was 20 minutes as I hated the being in the company of the owner.
     
    Super Mario likes this.
  8. Super Mario

    Super Mario Member

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2014
    142
    57
    0
    Location:
    Medford, NY
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    Cool, please let me know how you like them and how the ride has changed. Also please post some pics. I want to get an idea of all of these things before I purchase.
     
  9. Super Mario

    Super Mario Member

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2014
    142
    57
    0
    Location:
    Medford, NY
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    I just couldn't help myself so I went and ordered the Tanabe NF210 springs. I should have them by next week. They are the ones that are .8" lowering in the front and 1.1" in the rear. I don't want to get too crazy because this is my daily driver. That along with the TRD rear sway bar and the Rude person's mid-chassis brace should be a big improvement on handling. Also lets not forget that the less chassis flex the better the acceleration as well which leads to better MPG because more power is going straight to the wheels instead of getting lost in chassis flex. Can't wait till I have everything installed.
     
  10. Super Mario

    Super Mario Member

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2014
    142
    57
    0
    Location:
    Medford, NY
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    Oh, I forgot to mention that I installed the Rude person's mid-chassis brace yesterday. Took me about 2 minutes to install. I haven't really drove enough to see how it really works but I do feel a little improvement from what I have driven so far. I know it won't be a big change but combined with the other items I'm getting it will all make a difference
     
  11. mertechperformance

    mertechperformance Active Member

    Joined:
    May 5, 2014
    532
    126
    0
    Location:
    Nor-caL
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
  12. Super Mario

    Super Mario Member

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2014
    142
    57
    0
    Location:
    Medford, NY
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    I didn't know about the G's brace. I have to check it out
     
  13. mertechperformance

    mertechperformance Active Member

    Joined:
    May 5, 2014
    532
    126
    0
    Location:
    Nor-caL
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    It's pretty new or at least newly available. Looks like heavy steel so i'm sure it by far weighs more than most but yeah, looks nice. Reminds me of the ultra brace x braces in how it ties multiple parts together.
     
    #73 mertechperformance, Jun 4, 2015
    Last edited: Jun 4, 2015
    Super Mario likes this.
  14. cyclopathic

    cyclopathic Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2011
    3,292
    547
    0
    Location:
    2014 Prius c
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Just took mine to some roads on/around Blue Ridge. With TRD bar in the back and camber kit in front and added neg camber lil' Prius was so much fun to take around corners. Camber kit $20 delivered :)
     
  15. kingnba6

    kingnba6 Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2013
    1,018
    242
    0
    Location:
    NY
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius c
    Model:
    One
    Thats a very unique brace. I havent seen it before. Thanks for linking it.
     
    mertechperformance likes this.
  16. Super Mario

    Super Mario Member

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2014
    142
    57
    0
    Location:
    Medford, NY
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    Did you take off the tires and jack up the car when you installed the TRD away at? I was wondering if I can do it without jacking the car up
     
  17. mertechperformance

    mertechperformance Active Member

    Joined:
    May 5, 2014
    532
    126
    0
    Location:
    Nor-caL
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    I just drove the back wheels up onto ramps.
     
  18. Super Mario

    Super Mario Member

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2014
    142
    57
    0
    Location:
    Medford, NY
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    Ok, thanks. I got mine today and was thinking about going out and installing it in a few minutes
     
  19. mertechperformance

    mertechperformance Active Member

    Joined:
    May 5, 2014
    532
    126
    0
    Location:
    Nor-caL
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    Yup about 15 minutes or so
     
  20. Super Mario

    Super Mario Member

    Joined:
    Jul 26, 2014
    142
    57
    0
    Location:
    Medford, NY
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    Cool, thanks