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

Red bullet installed

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by Montgomery, Oct 8, 2019.

  1. gliderman

    gliderman Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 2, 2011
    751
    222
    0
    Location:
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    All power control is determined by the Prius engine control modules. The red bullet may be effective in a vehicle that is less dependent on the power control computers than a Prius, but I doubt that it would have any real noticeable effect on the actual long term performance of the Prius. The initial throttle response may be mechanically changed by retarding or advancing the valve timing, but I doubt that it is any more or better than if you used the power mode.

    YMMV! LOL

    Carry on!
     
    ASRDogman likes this.
  2. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2012
    10,767
    4,371
    0
    Location:
    Pacific Northwest, USA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Next time your wife asks you why you didn't do something you were supposed to do, go ahead, tell her you didn't have enough data and the plural of anecdotes for why you're supposed to get something done isn't real data and see how that goes over.
     
  3. meeder

    meeder Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 8, 2019
    239
    161
    0
    Location:
    Doesburg, The Netherlands
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    And what exactly has your comment to do with the discussion?
    Do you consider anecdotal information to be reliable data?
     
  4. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2012
    10,767
    4,371
    0
    Location:
    Pacific Northwest, USA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I already pointed out at the start of this thread that my buddy improved his 1/4 mile time at the drag strip by one second with one of these... But that was at the start of the thread where smart people tend to hang out... Now we're at the bottom part of the thread where clueless trolls like to deny reality in cleaver trollish ways. So I'm trying to blend in... Because a certified 1/4 mile time both with and without this device is clearly just anectdotal and not hard data... Gotta love how dumb trolls are, don't 'ya?
     
    Max Taiwan, AzusaPrius and Jim Swart like this.
  5. meeder

    meeder Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 8, 2019
    239
    161
    0
    Location:
    Doesburg, The Netherlands
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Is that 1 second decrease reproducible across different cars or was it only one car which was tested?
    Did he try it without and with and then without again?
    How many runs did he do with and without to get to a good average?
     
    Mr. F and douglasjre like this.
  6. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2012
    10,767
    4,371
    0
    Location:
    Pacific Northwest, USA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Lol... Do you get a prize if you prove everyone wrong? Why is this so important to you? You ignored me the first time I posted it... But now it's so important to you because I mentioned it in the context of you being a troll? Listen, my friend has several varieties of these that he's tried. If someone on here (not you) wants to study this more thoroughly, I'd happy to put them in touch with my friend who's doing the research. As for you, I have no idea what you're doing, nor do I want to hear or know any more about it.
     
  7. meeder

    meeder Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 8, 2019
    239
    161
    0
    Location:
    Doesburg, The Netherlands
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    The only thing is that there are so many things for sale that magically improve power, mileage or both and just about all of them don't do anything except empty your wallet. That is the reason that I am very skeptical about products which claim all sorts of things but there is no solid evidence for it.

    I am not trying to prove everyone wrong I am simply questioning the validity of claims that are made. Critical thinking and skepticism are a good thing.
     
    Mr. F and douglasjre like this.
  8. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2016
    6,058
    5,783
    0
    Location:
    Columbia, SC
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    There are ways it can be documented. Techstream can be recorded showing MAF, fuel usage, mph, engine rpm, intake air temp, etc. That would be an easy one for highway use/mpg changes. Obviously, one would need to run the same route several times with a NEW OEM vvt solenoid and the new red bullet vvt solenoid. There's plenty of apps on phones available for doing acceleration tests. It would be super easy to document 100's of tests if desired. Just have to find someone with the time and the desire.

    Too many times (think of SplitFire spark plugs) companies exaggerate their products results by replacing worn out oem components with their new item.
     
    Max Taiwan, PriusCamper and meeder like this.
  9. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2012
    10,767
    4,371
    0
    Location:
    Pacific Northwest, USA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Also sound too... Cold air intakes, a tuned muffler, it creates much cooler sonic experience and "improves" the experience of driving a fast car... As in it's all about having fun, more than anything else. So the very minor improvements, if any, is secondary to the overall experience.

    And there's not alot of Prius that have been modified for weekends at the race track, but last Spring in my town I got behind an extremely modified 2010 and one of the stickers on the car was the person's instagram name. So I messaged him on Instagram and he was brand new to town and we've been having great nerdy conversations about our hybrid car projects ever since.

    When he bought the device we're talking about in this thread, as well as many other devices, he's well aware that the odds are against it making a difference. But sometimes they do, even if it's slight and could be measured, that's not the fun part...

    The hardest part about modifying a Prius to make it faster is the warning lights lock down almost any kind of major change to boost power. That's why if you want to build a Hybrid for the race track you're better off with a Gen 1 Honda Insight, which is all aluminum and plastic, only weighs 1800 pounds and the warning lights won't stop you from making huge modifications to the engine and electric motor... We're actually currently researching using a 2017 plugin Prius battery pack in a Gen1 modified rebuilt from the ground up for the race track.
     
    #29 PriusCamper, Oct 16, 2019
    Last edited: Oct 16, 2019
  10. Montgomery

    Montgomery Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2015
    2,254
    2,233
    2
    Location:
    Orange County, CA
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Understood and respected. By any chance, did you read the complete breakdown that was originally posted about the Red Bullet? It seemed to cover a lot of what it does and doesn't do. The thread of data went on for several pages.

    Also, as of today, I filled up, and my mpg is now 48, whereas driving under the same route and style was 45. Yeah, I know, not scientific, but it is real for me and my car.
     
  11. Montgomery

    Montgomery Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2015
    2,254
    2,233
    2
    Location:
    Orange County, CA
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Looks like the Red Bullet is a Dead Bullet for most in here. I will drop from the discussion and live with my results.
     
    ASRDogman likes this.
  12. Joele3

    Joele3 Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 1, 2010
    118
    189
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I bought one. I can say I was always a PWR mode kind of driver. Eco forgot about it , normal was bearable but a bit sluggish for me. With red bullet PWR mode exactly like Montgomery said, it zooms. Now I can drive in normal mode with ease. I seen a 2 mpg increase. Most likely from being in normal mode vs pwr. Anyone in the Bay want to test it out, let me know. Its a quick swap.
     
    SFO, Threej, Max Taiwan and 5 others like this.
  13. 04priusnow

    04priusnow Active Member

    Joined:
    Apr 30, 2013
    345
    200
    0
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I also purchased one a few months ago. Seems like i can constantly get 49 to 50 mpg vs 47-48mpg. though i have FRS 17s on so cant speak for the 15a stock guys. but i replaced mine at 165k so it could have been worn out.

    Pixel 3a XL ?
     
    Max Taiwan and PriusCamper like this.
  14. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2018
    6,688
    6,375
    1
    Location:
    Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    Ah, I hate that you should feel a need to self-censor.

    It’s easy to pick on this gadget because the distributor seems completely uninterested in performance testing. Now, I understand that too- I run a small business and I have to be careful about what claims I make relative to the goods and services in which I trade.

    Sometimes doubt is stronger than certainty, but that doesn’t mean it has to be unprofitable or slow.
     
    Threej likes this.
  15. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 3, 2012
    10,767
    4,371
    0
    Location:
    Pacific Northwest, USA
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Not only do you have a new profile pic (very nice) but you're also mentioning non-related goods and services from your small business. Do tell? What does a profile pic like that do business in every day?
     
  16. Montgomery

    Montgomery Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2015
    2,254
    2,233
    2
    Location:
    Orange County, CA
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    2 years from now with all of us who have purchased the red bullet,most likely by then, we will have some type of scientific proven results. Perhaps too early to tell now. My main point is that I am not delusional or demented. Just because my results haven't been done in a scientific environment, doesn't mean it isn't happening on my car. If I saw or felt no difference, believe me, you all would know!
    Thank you for the support!
     
    Max Taiwan, AzusaPrius, RMB and 4 others like this.
  17. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2016
    6,058
    5,783
    0
    Location:
    Columbia, SC
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    I was using exclusively Mobil 1 5w-30 in my 2007. I was consistently getting 44-48 mpg. I bought a few jugs of NAPA full synthetic 5W-30 and their platinum filters earlier this year when they had a sale. Pretty sure I have that purchase mentioned in a post a while back. I haven't had a tank <51 mpg since, with one as high as 56.4 mpg.

    Serious as a heart attack about it.

    Is it the oil? or driving style? or weather?

    Just sharing a couple good deals that are out there (NAPA) | PriusChat
     
    #37 TMR-JWAP, Oct 19, 2019
    Last edited: Oct 19, 2019
  18. ianzkee

    ianzkee Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2020
    11
    22
    0
    Location:
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Did installing it require priming like for other vehicles? Or was it all plug & play?
    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  19. Montgomery

    Montgomery Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 11, 2015
    2,254
    2,233
    2
    Location:
    Orange County, CA
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    It is basically plug and go. Directions are pretty detailed and simple. It has been a year since I installed it and I have averaged 3 mpg more. The real feel in excelleration is from a dead stop. The car is slightly more responsive, which I like.
     
    Max Taiwan, ianzkee and Jim Swart like this.
  20. ianzkee

    ianzkee Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2020
    11
    22
    0
    Location:
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Awesome, just installed mine yesterday... Looking forward to the improvements!
    20200930_160846.jpeg

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    Jim Swart and Max Taiwan like this.