Performance Mods

No benefit. Atkinson cycle engines are already releasing their exhaust at normal atmospheric pressure, so there’s no more power to capture with a header. You would be able to change the sound. I’ve never tried to tune an Atkinson for rumble so I’m not sure what to suggest.

 

No, in Otto cycle engines the gas is still expanding in the exhaust system.

In the Atkinson cycle the compression ratio is less the the expansion ratio.

You can make your Prius more annoying, but not more powerful without forced induction.

 

If you want to hear more engine roar, put in a CD of a small block V-8 and play that while you drive. If you open the windows, you may fool a few people.

 

I just make the noises as I drive

 

My favorite;

 

that filter will at least give you, ehhm... Like... Zero horsepower extra ;-)

 

HP increase was not my purpose. I wanted to get rid of the possibility of having a real "rat, mouse or chipmunk" nest. The filter has wire mesh over it.

Also, getting rid of the filter box made the space an ideal location for the oil catch can.

It does turn heads of other drivers as the engine roars when I step on the gas. It surprises them when they see a Prius.

 

Do you think an oil catch can is worth it? Also what diameter tubing did you use? I am thinking of putting a cheap one in because i figure anything is better then nothing.

 

Yes, absolutely.

Here's a voluminous link:

Oil Catch Can, Eliminate that knock! | PriusChat

 

I did this to my Prius C and made a video about it. I pretty much got really high quality copper wire 6 AWG and installed it on my Prius C making a straight negative connection from the negative battery terminal to the engine AC to AC transformer and engine block, as you know the spark plugs and other sensors are grounded to the engine metal. Usually the battery is conected to the body of the car that is a horrible conductor for electricity. And it has to travel trough all that metal before it gets to the spark plugs and other essential sensors that need grounding. by making a straight connection with a better conductor you increase the responsiveness of the engine over all.

Increasing fuel efficiency With Grounding Wires In A Prius C - (Aqua) will it break the car?

 

It would have made a great deal more sense to run a wire from the Negative Pole of the battery to the Inverter. Not a lot of sense, but more sense than the engine. (Most cars the engine supports the alternator and starter)

 

Interesting…...

And it has to travel trough all that metal

Which is like a million parallel paths...

Most times people used to install, replace or upgrade the engine grounding strap because the engines used a "normal" starter motor that pulled a lot of amperage and if the engine wasn't grounded to the car body adequately, the starter wouldn't spin at rated RPM. The starter motor typically had the 12v battery (+) terminal connected almost directly it through a solenoid located very close to it. (or even on it). A Prius has no "standard" starter motor..

 

hi! There is a wire from the inverter to the wire that connects to the engine, I did it on the second video, as I couldn’t find the inverter on the fist try. The Prius C doesn’t have one, instead that thing that works as an inverter on the car is the DC to DC inverter. It took me a whole week to figure that out. And I did feel an immediate difference when I connected it. The response on the steering wheel and electric mother felt like it has a bit more power, but real small difference, nothing to brag about.

 

I'm glad it worked out for you. Are you experienced with electricity and electronics? Not many people are willing to go connecting extra wires inside a high voltage system. Saw a guy get his thumb blown into hamburger by an electric arc several years ago, so I tend to be paranoid about some things.

Anyway....

For future reference..

DC to DC converter. A DC to DC converter takes a DC voltage and either steps it up or down, depending on what's desired, with no AC waveform being produced.

An inverter takes a DC voltage and changes it to a simulated AC waveform. (like the inverter in a Prius car takes HV Battery voltage and changes it to a simulated 3 phase AC waveform to drive the transaxle) or like the units you can hook to a 12v battery and will make 120vac to run household items.

The HV system in a Prius is supposed to be completely isolated from the chassis and the 12v system. Just make sure you maintain that separation, otherwise you may be searching for a thumb...……...

 

In the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generation Prius, the DC to DC converter is a separate printed circuit board within the Inverter case.

26:30 to 31:00 discuss the DC to DC converter on a Gen 4. It is similar on other Prius.

 

Yes I am, I’m an electrician, lol! Well the conection to the AC to AC converter was pretty easy, I just assumed that it’s grounded to the case metal, so I connected the wire to the actual case. No cable to cable. Just more grounding on places where the main grounding place es where power could be on demand or its being produced. I usually do this on older trucks and cars and the performance changes are immediate. But I was actually really paranoia of doing it on a Prius. I was crossing my finges that it wouldn’t explode.

 

So you have a good understanding of grounding and insulation between two different voltage systems.

The Prius is a very interesting vehicle. As an owner, and someone who enjoys wiring, it would be wise to learn as much as you can about it. What makes sense on an older vehicle doesn't always make sense on a Prius.